South Africa

East London - An early morning rainstorm saw a number of stores being forced to close at a shopping centre in East London today.

Bloemfontein - President Jacob Zuma as the Commander-in-Chief of the South Africa National Defence Force (SANDF) has bestowed military veterans with awards in recognition of their contribution to the country's freedom and democracy.

Pretoria - The winter school programme in Mpumalanga has kicked off without any glitches in all 115 centres running the programme, says the provincial Education Department.

Pretoria - The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is currently hosting a conference intended to promote the National Greening Programme - and in particular - non-motorised transport (NMT).

East London - A group of German youth will touch down in the Eastern Cape on Thursday as part of a Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) exchange programme.

Pretoria - The Department of Home Affairs says it gave contract workers sufficient notice that their contracts would end on 30 June.

Pretoria - Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula has praised the South African men's lightweight rowing team for clinching a third gold medal for the country at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Durban - South Africa has awarded International Olympic Committee head, Jacques Rogge, with one of its highest national decorations, the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.

Pretoria - Three villages in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District will now have access to comprehensive health services at their door step when the North West Health Department hands over three health facilities to the communities.

Pretoria - Western Cape Tourism MEC Alan Winde has urged South Africans to vote for Table Mountain in the New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign.

Pretoria - Power has been restored to most parts of Chiawelo in Soweto following protest action, Eskom said on Wednesday.

Durban - It's only a matter of hours before an announcement is made on which of one of the three cities - Munich, Annecy and Pyeongchang - will get to host the 2018 Games.

Pretoria - Government has sent a stern warning to traders who break the provisions of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA).

Pretoria - Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale on Tuesday announced that from January 2013, government will construct new low-cost houses in Lenasia, where houses that were built on illegally acquired land were demolished last month.

Pretoria - Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant says her department has noted the farmworkers' intention to go on strike for better pay and working conditions.