South Africa Development Indicators 2009

DO NOT BECOME A FRAUD VICTIM.  

SA looks to build with better BRICs

President Jacob Zuma has now visited all of the so-called BRIC countries – Brazil, Russia, India and China – in little over a year, signaling a move to reposition South Africa's economy to take advantage of new trade and investment opportunities with the world's fastest-growing emerging economies.

Comrades Marathon 2011 launched

The organisers of the Comrades Marathon were upbeat about the future of South Africa's world famous ultra-marathon – expected to be recognised as the world's biggest by the Guinness Book of Records – at the official launch of the 2011 race.

Harvesting water from fog in Limpopo

South Africa is following the lead of a desert beetle in tackling the problem of water scarcity in the country's drought-prone Limpopo province, where remote rural communities live far from reliable water sources – yet in areas that are often shrouded in mist.

Crime Line wins international awards

South Africa's Crime Line tip-off service scooped three awards at the 2010 Crime Stoppers International conference in Halifax, Canada for the innovative media campaigns that it ran before and during the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

Hawks target tender fraud

Eight people appeared in court in two provinces on Wednesday following a R200-million tender fraud crackdown by South Africa's elite Hawks police unit and the Asset Forfeiture Unit.

Tax return help at shopping malls

The South African Revenue Service is to set up service points at selected shopping malls around the country to help taxpayers file their tax returns.

Cycling South Africa unveils 'Vision 2020'

South African cycling has featured increasingly on the world stage in recent years. Now, Cycling South Africa aims to elevate the sport, for both elite and amateur cyclists, with a grand plan featuring new and exciting events, most notably the Tour of South Africa.

eFiling speeds up processing returns

Most South Africans are filing their tax returns online, Sars said at the launch of the new season. This has enabled the service to reduce the processing time of returns from an average of 55 days in 2006 to an average of 1.8 days last year, with 96% of returns processed within 24 hours.

New transport era for Joburg

Johannesburg's new Bus Rapid Transit system, one of many transport projects that was accelerated for the 2010 Fifa World Cup, has proven popular among fans travelling to matches, and all indications are that it will become a well-used mode of transport long after the World Cup has left the country's shores.

Doing business at Afrika Village 2010

Everything from arts and crafts to business, fashion, music and food will be on display at the Afrika Village 2010 Business and Arts Festival, running daily in Johannesburg during the month-long 2010 Fifa World Cup.

South Africa's competitiveness improves

South Africa's economic competitiveness has improved for two years in a row, says Productivity SA – an indication of the resilience of the country's economy in the face of the global recession of 2009.

Free legal services for the poor

Indigent persons will be able to access free legal services when the Legal Practice Bill comes into effect, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe says. It also calls for high courts with divisions in all provinces to be set up and for legal practitioners to provide services in rural areas on a pro bono basis.

South Africa exhibitions calendar

Business tourism is booming in South Africa. And no wonder. Over 1?00 world-class conference and exhibition venues are available across the country, ranging from intimate bush hideaways to hi-tech convention centres, and all offering a wealth of side-tours. Take a look at our calendar of forthcoming expos.