South Africa

Pretoria – As the school bell rang for the first time this year at Tiyelelani Secondary School in Soshanguve, learners were surprised to see Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo.

Bronkhorstspruit – Learners at Mpumelelo Secondary School in Rethabiseng village in Gauteng started the 2014 academic year on a positive note, with a visit from the province’s MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi.

Pretoria - The Eastern Cape Department of Transport, together with the Provincial Portfolio Committee of Education, is this morning monitoring the transportation of pupils to schools across the province.

Pretoria - To mark the opening of the 2014 school year, President Jacob Zuma will later this week open two schools near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.

Pretoria – As millions of learners go back to school for the first day of the 2014 academic year, a number of government officials are visiting schools across the country to assess their state of readiness for learning and teaching.

Pretoria - The Department of Transport is set to investigate ways of ensuring a reliable statistical databank for road fatalities, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters announced on Tuesday.

Pretoria - A four-person commission of inquiry -- set up to look into the Tongaat Mall disaster -- is expected to formally start its evidence gathering work in February.

Pretoria - North West Premier Thandi Modise and Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa will later this afternoon visit the families of the protestors, who were fatally shot during a service delivery protest near Damonsville outside Brits.

Pretoria – Peace, stability and development will top the agenda when President Jacob Zuma attends the 5th Ordinary Summit of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

Pretoria - With the 2014 school year beginning tomorrow, Brand South Africa has urged all teachers to deliver quality education for the growth and development of the country.

Pretoria - The Competition Commission has appointed new senior managers to fill a number of key posts.

Pretoria - North West Premier Thandi Modise has welcomed a no bail verdict for six suspects, who allegedly raped a 25-year-old woman in Modikwe village, and called for a stiff sentence should they be found guilty.

Pretoria – Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has called for calm in Brits, North West, where violent protests took place, resulting in the death of two people on Monday.

Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane is expected to represent the South African Government at the 5th Ordinary Summit of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

Pretoria - Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom will on Tuesday officially launch South Africa's Bio-economy Strategy at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria.