South Africa

Johannesburg – Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says her department is burning the midnight oil to improve the quality of the education system.

Pretoria - Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Witwatersrand, Professor Adam Habib, have announced a R1 million scholarship programme to benefit poor students.

Pretoria - The stage is set as 16 teams continue to arrive for the final battle to lift the coveted trophy of the Orange African Nations Championship South Africa 2014, set to begin from 11 January till 1 February 2014.

Mbombela - The Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport has announced that the rehabilitation of the deteriorated R36 between Machadodorp and Mashishing (formerly Lydenburg) in Mpumalanga will be done in the 2014/15 financial year.

Mbombela - The Mpumalanga Health Department has joined forces with the Integrity Management Unit to investigate a multi-million Rand contract given to a company in charge of the province's Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) programme.

Johannesburg - The umbrella body for schools governing bodies says the announcement of the 2013 National Senior Certificate results is an indication that the quality of the education system is “stabilising”.

Johannesburg - Rita Ngiba from KwaZulu-Natal took off her reading glasses, put her hands on her head and shed a few tears when Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga paid a heartfelt tribute to her on live television for the role she played in the success of her grandson in matric.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has congratulated all the learners who sat through the 2013 National Senior Certificate examinations.

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.