South Africa

Thohoyandou - Thousands of schoolchildren in Limpopo will have access to practical science lessons following the handover of laboratory kits to 30 schools in the Vhembe region.

Cape Town – Businesses around the Parliamentary precinct have been profiting throughout this week, ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) to be delivered by President Jacob Zuma tonight.

Mbombela - Mpumalanga learners who registered to write their matric supplementary exams have been advised to collect their admission letters and timetables from their respective schools tomorrow.

Pretoria - Nine people have been arrested for crimes relating to the rhino horn trade, the Hawks said.

Pretoria - The fight against sexual offences recorded a major success when the Pretoria High Court sentenced a 30-year-old serial rapist to 27 life imprisonments on 27 counts of rape on Wednesday.

Pretoria - Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu says her department will work with stakeholders in the mining sector to consider effective measures that will improve the health and safety of mineworkers.

Pretoria – Parliament and Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele have expressed shock at the death of Ben Skosana.

Pretoria - Trade and Industry Minister, Dr Rob Davies, says the Lotteries Amendment Bill, which President Jacob Zuma signed into law last December, will go a long way in addressing the challenges that have been facing the Distributing Agencies (DAs).

Cape Town – As the excitement continues to build ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA), general workers and media personnel are setting up temporary structures around the Parliamentary Precinct in preparation for the big day.

Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Health says it has released payment to more than 8 500 Community Health Workers (CHWs) from last week Thursday.

Pretoria - The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has called on all media to submit entries for the 2014 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Media Awards competition.

Pretoria - Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Lechesa Tsenoli, has condemned the violent nature of public protests in the country which have resulted in the destruction of public and private property and a tragic loss of life.

Pretoria – Communities of Madibeng Local Municipality have been urged to remain calm and exercise restraint - while the impasse between the provincial government and councillors who are opposed to their council being placed under provincial administration is resolved.

Pretoria – The South African Post Office has released a special stamp to celebrate the life and times of the late former President Nelson Mandela.

Pretoria - The 64th and final foundation for the MeerKAT telescope antenna was completed on Tuesday at the site in Carnarvon in the Karoo.