Publisher

The provincial governments of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have partnered to strengthen agriculture and rural development in the country.

Some three years ago government took on an ambitious goal to rid the country of mud schools and improve the learning environments of South African children.

Less than three years later, the Department of Basic Education has launched just over 100 schools across the country.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga handed over the 99th school that was demolished and built from scratch in Riverton in the Western Cape recently.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Pravin Gordhan urged delegates attending a South African Local Government Association (SALGA) National Members Assembly (NMA) to do more with less.

In his speech at the NMA held in Midrand recently, the Minister said: “We have financial limitations in South Africa. The question is how do you do more with less and for the next few years, that’s all you’re going to hear.”

The national Department of Basic Education (DBE) is working hard to improve the quality of education across the country, particularly when it comes to maths, science and technology.

After 15 years of local government, South African communities are experiencing better access to services such as water, sanitation and electricity.

Fellow South Africans, recently we have witnessed shocking and unacceptable incidents of violence directed at foreign nationals in some parts of KwaZulu-Natal, which has now spread to some parts of Gauteng. Similar incidents had taken place in Soweto in January.

No amount of frustration or anger can ever justify the attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops.

Government has launched a three-year mass tuberculosis (TB) screening campaign that will help to reduce the number of new infections and related deaths.

Sports, arts and culture

Freedom Park is an untapped liberation heritage gem yet to be fully utilised by all South Africans, says the park’s Acting CEO Jane Mufamadi.

Freedom Park was among the many national and international exhibitors displaying products at Meetings Africa 2015 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg recently.