South Africa

Johannesburg - The national pass rate for the 2013 National Senior Certificate has increased by 4.3% to 78.2%, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced on Monday night.

Pretoria - The 2013 matric pass rate is 78.2 percent, Education Minister Angie Motshekga said in Johannesburg on Monday.

Johannesburg - Siphesihle Sithole, 18, from Soshanguve in Pretoria had to study for his 2013 National Senior Certificate matric exams using a candle.

Pretoria - The stage is set for the opening ceremony for the Orange African Nations Championship South Africa 2014, which kicks off in Cape Town on January 11.

Bangui - Escalating violence in the Central African Republic is posing a threat to children, with at least two beheaded and thousands recruited as soldiers, the United Nations said.

Pretoria - Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has called on public servants to use 2014 as the year of excellence within the public service as the country marks the 20th anniversary of democracy.

Pretoria - The 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) is set to be hosted in Cape Town from 11 January to 1 February 2014, and volunteers from all over the city are gearing up to ensure that the tournament runs seamlessly.

Pretoria - Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga will today release the 2013 National Senior Certificate (NSC) matric results at the SABC in Auckland Park, Johannesburg.

The government will continue to honour military veterans for their contribution to the attainment of freedom and the establishment of the constitutional democracy in South Africa, President Jacob Zuma said Friday.

Metrorail in Gauteng confirmed on Friday that its morning train service between Johannesburg and Pretoria was derailed.

Ministerial Committee of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security has noted the positive developments in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with regards to the successful dislodging of the M23 rebels from that part of the DRC in October 2013.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga will on Monday release the 2013 NSC Matric Results at the SABC studios.

President Jacob Zuma has thanked the Bantu Church of Christ/Ibandla likaKrestu LaBantu for the “momentous” role it played in the attainment of freedom in South Africa.

Traffic authorities have urge motorists to exercise caution on the road as traffic volumes were expected to increase this week as holiday makers start to make their way home.

As the world welcomed the new year, more than 176 babies were born in Gauteng hospitals on New Year’s Day, provincial health authorities said.