South Africa

Pretoria - Johannesburg is gearing for the major crowds expected at its nine public viewing sites for the FIFA Confederations Cup opener on Sunday.

Pretoria - Learners who wrote matric last year under the new curriculum and want to improve on their marks on any subjects or rewrite subjects they failed have until 21 January to register to do so.

Johannesburg - The South African Police Services has assured soccer fans that they need not fear for their safety, when they are in the country for the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Cape Town - The failure by schools and circuits in some provinces to submit learners' year marks, irregularities and a possible computer system failure could have caused the delay in the release of all of the matric results on 30 December 2008.

Pretoria -The South African Police Services (SAPS) is on a nationwide recruitment drive to increase the number of police officials to 190 000 ahead of the 2009 Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup.

East London - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has called for a fresh impetus from municipalities in ensuring the delivery of clean water, decent shelter, proper sanitation and sustainable livelihoods in urban and rural areas.

Pretoria - The South African government and the Local Organising Committee will on Tuesday launch the 2010 Mass Participation Programme to drum up support for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held in 503 days.

Pretoria - Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller on Friday signed a Declaration of Intent with a view to using wind energy as a renewable energy source in the country.

Nairobi - East African Community (EAC) member states can now negotiate as a bloc in all matters relating to regional and multinational trade following the enactment of the East African Trade Negotiations Act, 2008.

Pretoria – Beneficiaries of social grants, who have not yet re-registered, have until the end of April to do so, following an extension by the Social Development Department.

Johannesburg - The sound of vuvuzelas is ringing throughout Ellis Park stadium as excitement mounts ahead of the 4pm FIFA Confederations Cup opener.

Johannesburg - The Johannesburg Metro Police have warned football fans making their way to the Ellis Park stadium for the first game of the 2009 FIFA Confederations that the park and ride facilities at the stadium are full.

Johannesburg - Jubilant soccer fans have already started to take their seats at the Ellis Park stadium ahead of the 4pm kick-off to the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Johannesburg - The opening ceremony for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup is underway at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.

Cape Town - President Kgalema Motlanthe has approved the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Bill, 2008 and the South African Police Service Amendment Bill, 2008.