South Africa

Pretoria - The Gauteng Education Department says all systems are in place at schools to ensure that the Grade 12 preliminary examinations run smoothly.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma and his Botswana counterpart President Seretse Khama Ian Khama have signed an agreement establishing a Bi-National Commission, which will be convened annually.

Pretoria - Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba on Friday confirmed the resignations of eight members of the SAA board, while also announcing the appointment of new board members.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has congratulated swimmer Natalie du Toit for becoming the first South African to win a gold medal for Team South Africa in the London Paralympics Games on Thursday.

Johannesburg - Governance remains the biggest challenge facing Africa, says former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Johannesburg - The Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope (SKA) and its precursor the MeerKAT will create enormous opportunities and alter the image of South Africa and the continent, says Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor.

Pretoria - The Marikana Commission of Inquiry, set up to probe the tragic events at Lonmin Platinum mine in the North West, will be open to the public, according to a statement issued by the commission on Friday.

Pretoria - Telkom is to appeal against a ruling by the Competition Tribunal in the case between the telecommunications parastatal and the South African Value Added Networks.

Bushbuckridge - Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba will on Monday plant trees in Mpumalanga and also hand over a house to a needy pastor as part of Arbor Week celebrations.

Pretoria - The Presidency says it has presented its Annual Report for 2011/ 2012 financial year with an unqualified audit opinion.

Johannesburg - Despite a downward trend globally, South Africa's tourism sector remained strong and resilient, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Friday.

Mbombela - More than half a million pupils in Mpumalanga will be tested to determine their literacy and numeracy levels.

Polokwane - Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant says much still needs to be done to restore the dignity of those that are unemployed.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has on Sunday called on communities to report people who abuse the elderly, saying such behaviour cannot be tolerated.

Pretoria - The Minister of Justice Jeff Radebe has requested the Acting National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Nomgcobo Jiba, to give him a report explaining the rationale behind the decision to charge the Lonmin miners with 44 counts of murder relating to the Marikana shooting incident.