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Government has pledged R32 million to help farmers affected by drought. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has made available soft loans as emergency funding towards working capital, infrastructure and a small portion for carry-over debt for the commercial sector.

A soft loan is a loan with a below-market rate of interest. Giving an update on the status of drought relief support to the agricultural sector, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana said the funding had already been approved.

Often people witness a crime but are too afraid to approach the police with the information, fearing that their lives would be in danger.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is stepping up efforts to fight crime and transform the police service.

The days when Nonhlawulo Mkhungu (20) of Emakhabeleni had to study using candlelight are over. The KZN provincial government is making progress in ensuring that rural and previously-disadvantaged communities, like the one Mkungu lives in, have access to electricity through the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP).

After years of using a run-down building as an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre known as Tfutfukani Educare Centre, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, through the branch Rural Infrastructure Development, intervened and built a modern structure in Ntunda village in Mpumalanga.

Applications: Tel: 012 315 1111 Private Bag X81, Pretoria, 0001 Momentum Centre, 329 Pretorius Street, Pretoria

Closing date: 22 February 2016

Director: Supply Chain Management

Reference: DOT/01/2016/ 1, Centre Pretoria

Branch: Administration: Office of the Chief Financial Officer

Chief Directorate: Financial Administration and Supply Chain Management

Directorate: Supply Chain Management

Package: All-inclusive salary package R 864,177 per annum of which 30% can be structured according to individual needs.

Mhlonipheni Zulu, a former timber harvesting foreman, always knew that he would have his own business one day.

In 1999, Zulu, who had valuable work experience in the industry and was inspired by the black economic empowerment (BEE) opportunities that arose in the sector during this time, decided to start his own harvesting business.

He registered his business under the name Siyawisa Hlathi CC and based it in Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal. At first, Zulu was subcontracted to his previous employer to do timber harvesting.

Since the start of the drought that is gripping the country, the three spheres of government have been working together to give support to farmers in regions that have been declared disaster areas.

Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and KwaZulu-Natal are the provinces hardest hit by the drought.

A group of South African learners has made the country proud by winning an international competition.

The eight youngsters from across the country proudly represented South Africa at the 2016 International Schools Moot Court competition at The Hague, in the Netherlands.