A second batch of service delivery facilitators will be deployed in certain municipalities by July to identify backlogs, it was announced at a national consultative meeting in Cape Town.

Seventy percent of South Africa's population is currently provided with free basic water, a representative of the Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) told a parliamentary committee.

The East London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) announced its first three investors, who will invest a total of R188 million into the IDZ plant on the West Bank, on Friday, 17 June.

There are several initiatives under way across all spheres of government to build adequate housing in Gauteng for people living in informal settlements and backyard shacks, by 2009.

The US government threw its weight behind South Africa's Comprehensive Plan for the Management, Care and Treatment of HIV and AIDS at a conference in Durban.

World Bank lead economist Ionnis Kessides emphasised to a parliamentary committee the necessity of infrastructure reform to achieve improved growth and to reduce poverty.

The Nelson Mandela Metro bagged two provincial awards - a Diamond Arrow and a Gold Arrow - at the annual Professional Management Review (PMR) Africa competition for 2004/2005.

President Thabo Mbeki has called on young people to register for the upcoming local government elections that will be held either later this year or early next year.

Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu is considering accrediting certain municipalities to build houses with lesser reliance on provinces.

Unveiling the Metro's budget for the 2005/2006 financial year on Thursday, 26 May, Executive Mayor Councillor Duma Nkosi said the budget sought to deal with a myriad challenges.

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