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South Africa is on track to become a manufacturer of locomotives for the rest of Africa, says Transnet CEO Brian Molefe, with the state company set to allocate R4-billion of its seven-year, R300-billion infrastructure spend to research and development in rail and ports equipment.

The inaugural Green Kalahari Canoe Marathon, which took place in the Northern Cape towards the end of March, attracted nearly 100 participants and hundreds of visitors to the wine-growing region, and looks set to become an annual event.
• Paddling for a good cause

The Voortrekker Monument, cultural bastion of the Afrikaner people, is to be declared a Grade 1 national heritage site by the South African government in March 2012. Grade 1 status signifies that the building is of national significance.
• SA marks first steps to democracy

Too many students enrol at universities not knowing what they want to or can study. A new career initiative aims to give them career guidance, and so improve skills in critical sectors.
• Pens for needy children

With regular international extreme events and an upcoming landspeed record attempt taking place in 2012, the Northern Cape province is aiming to become South Africa's preferred extreme adventure and sports destination.
• World first for SA extreme swimmers

Scott Ramsay swapped his city slicker life in Jozi to live in the beautiful South African wilderness, travelling around the country and promoting its natural riches.
• Cape Town gets new nature reserves

Africa is known for the blueness of its skies. And here on the southern tip of Africa, in South Africa, those skies offer an ideal opportunity to learn how to fly from world- class instructors in a wide range of awesome locations.

First National Bank, one of South Africa's four major banks, is to invest R40-million (US$5.8-million) in developing the country's young footballers over the next few years as part of its 2010 Fifa World Cup legacy programme.

A group of international journalists recently visited Gauteng as part of a promotional tour for the Brand South Africa campaign. The efficient public transport system and sampling delicious local fare were among the tour highlights.
• Brand leadership award for South Africa

A group of international journalists recently visited Johannesburg as part of a media tour organised by the International Marketing Council of South Africa. The city's public transport system, and some delicious local fare, were among the highlights of the tour.