South Africa

Cape Town - The National Institute for the Deaf (NID) has called for sign language to be recognised as one of the official languages in South Africa.

Pretoria - Thousands of learners from inland provinces start their academic year today, with many brave Grade 1s beginning their 12 years of schooling.

Pretoria - Learners in Gauteng who have qualified for supplementary exams can now register for free preparatory classes, which will be offered for various subjects

Cape Town - Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee looking into the Protection of State Information Bill has adopted an ambitious public hearing drive aimed at getting maximum input from as many South Africans as possible.

Pretoria - Schools in the North West, which were hit by storms last week, are today reopening for the 2012 academic year, along with all other schools in inland provinces.

Pretoria - The SA National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has denied that its e-toll accounts terms and conditions were either unfair or illegal, as reported in a Gauteng newspaper.

Mbombela - Mpumalanga residents have been warned of heavy rains in the province's Lowveld area this week.

Port Elizabeth - The news of the death of three Port Elizabeth ward councillors has been met with shock and dismay in the Eastern Cape.

Pretoria - The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced the appointment of Cash Paymaster Services (Pty) Ltd as the new contractor for the payment of social grants.

Pretoria - Schools in Atteridgeville hit the ground running this morning with learning and teaching beginning on a high note.

Siyabuswa - Mpumalanga's top matriculant, Solomon Thabiso Moabi, is on his way to becoming a top accountant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Tembisa - Gauteng Health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe has given Tshepisa Primary School in Tembisa the thumbs-up for a successful first day.

Pretoria - January 18 will forever be etched in the memories of learners at Itirele-Zenzele Secondary school in Diepsloot - they started the academic year in a brand new, state-of-the-art school.

Pretoria - Retail trade sales in November grew by 6.8% year-on-year, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said

Skukuza - The Kruger National Park has warned visitors not to use the Crocodile bridge entrance as heavy rains have caused the Crocodile River to overflow.