South Africa

Pretoria - A carnival mood has descended on South Africa as hundreds of people begin queuing at the 19 000 voting stations across the country.

Polokwane - Limpopo's newly elected Premier Cassel Mathale has announced his new Members of the Executive Council (MECs).

Parliament - As proceedings continue in the National Assembly's first sitting, Jacob Zuma and Mvume Dandala have been nominated by their respective parties to take up the position of President of the Republic.

Pretoria - The Department of Arts and Culture has conveyed condolences to the family and friends of one of South Africa's legendary authors, Essien Itani Madima, 92, who passed away on heritage day.

Pretoria – Taxpayers with payments due to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have until 28 March to make their payments.

Johannesburg - The public will know on Friday which MECs are to make up the Gauteng Provincial Government for the next five years.

Tehran - Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ebrahim Ebrahim has described South Africa's investments in the Islamic Republic as among the highest in the region.

Pretoria - The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has assigned an independent research organisation to conduct an exit poll during today's national and provincial elections to promote transparency.

Parliament - Voting has been completed in the National Assembly to elect South Africa's new President.

Pretoria - The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says that most voting stations have opened across the country.

North West - The North West Department of Health has issued a statement saying it has put measures in place to ensure that the swine flu outbreak does not affect the province.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will today meet with the South African Police Services station commissioners to discuss strategies that will help combat crime.

Pretoria - Over 800 metro police officers will be deployed to oversee the smooth running of the inauguration of the country's fourth democratically elected president on Saturday.

Pretoria - Minister in the Presidency, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang will be conferred with the honours of a Goodwill Ambassador and Champion for the improvement of Maternal and Child Health in Africa beyond 2015.

Pretoria - After casting his vote shortly after 7am, President Kgalema Motlanthe appealed to South Africans to vote in the country's fourth democratic election.