South Africa

Durban – The newly appointed KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, Peggy Nkonyeni, says schools around the province are ready to administer the 2013 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.

Pretoria – Officials are in the process of establishing the Forum of Deputy Directors-General to help roll out the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Action Plan.

Pretoria - Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe will lead a business delegation to the fifth Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) in Zimbabwe.

Pretoria - Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has called on companies in the technology industry to partner with the police to help thwart the latest criminal trends.

Lusikisiki – The newly built Tshantshala Senior Primary School in Gugwini village, just outside Lusikisiki, stands as a beacon of hope for the local community as they now know that their children have a decent place to learn.

Pretoria - The total number of rhino poached in South Africa since January 2013 has increased to 746, the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs says.

Pretoria - The Department of Environmental Affairs has received more than 100 applications from non-governmental organisations, non-profit organisations and individuals seeking registrations of their awareness-raising projects and fundraising initiatives in the fight against rhino poaching.

Pretoria - The newly appointed head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mxolisi Nxasana, says while he will have his work cut out for him, he will prosecute all cases without fear, favour or prejudice.

Mbombela - The Mpumalanga government and Eskom are confident that the construction deadlines of the Kusile power station near Kendal will be met, and that commercial production will begin next year.

Pretoria - The Department of Labour has received an unqualified audit opinion for the third year in a row, the office of the Auditor-General told Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Labour.

Midrand - Business should partner with government in devising an intervention anchored on the pillars of the Youth Employment Accord, says Transport Minister Dipuo Peters.

Tripoli - Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan was freed on Thursday morning, a few hours after being seized by armed men.

White River - The Small Business Summit has concluded in Mpumalanga, with small business raising their concerns with regards to growing their operations.

Cape Town – South Africa will continue to take forward former President Nelson Mandela’s dream of seeing young people changing their lives around and becoming good citizens, President Jacob Zuma said today.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will next week host French President François Hollande, who will be in the country for a two-day state visit.