South Africa

Pretoria - New banknotes bearing the face of former President Nelson Mandela will come into circulation next Tuesday, says the Reserve Bank.

Cape Town - Religious groups can play a critical role in addressing the immense anger that many South Africans still harbour years after apartheid ended and can help many to find healing and reconciliation, says President Jacob Zuma.

Pretoria - North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Nono Maloyi, says the province will intensify efforts to reduce road accidents and fatalities.

Johannesburg - A study conducted by Unisa's Bureau of Market Research, through its Youth Research Unit, shows that nearly 35% of learners in Gauteng schools have been bullied in the past two years, with 42% of this group being Grade 8 learners and a third having experienced bullying throughout their secondary school lives.

Pretoria - The international charity organisation, Water Aid, has opened its regional office in South Africa in an effort to improve access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in some of the world's neediest communities.

Pretoria - Infrastructure development is an important part of raising South Africa's potential growth rate while at the same time, it should not be seen as an easy way to make money out of government, Deputy Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene says.

Pretoria - The names of the eight South Africans killed in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Tuesday have been released by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco).

Rustenburg - A memorial service for the Lonmin mine workers will be held on Thursday at the same place where the tragedy took place.

Pretoria - Mpumalanga Education MEC, Reginah Mhaule has expressed appreciation on the progress of the Annual National Assessments (ANAs) in the province.

Pretoria - The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government is committed to ensuring the good financial health status of all government departments and municipalities in the province, says Premier Zweli Mkhize.

Cape Town - Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa told Parliament on Tuesday that police had done all its power to avert any bloodshed at the Lonmin Marikana Mine in the North West last week.

Pretoria - Police crime statistics for the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 showed a 3.1% decrease in murders, says Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa.

Pretoria - Despite the decrease in sexual offences and rapes indicated in the crime statistics for the 2011/2012 financial year, the figures for these crimes remained unacceptably highly.

Johannesburg - Dismissed Gautrain bus drivers on Tuesday refused to sign a compromised settlement with their employer, Mega Express, facilitated by the Gauteng Legislature.

Johannesburg - The South African Paralympic team was treated to a heroes' send-off from hundreds of supporters at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport as they departed for the 2012 London Paralympic Games on Tuesday.