South Africa

Pietermaritzburg - South Africa needs to strategically position libraries as partners in education to encourage a reading culture and a nation of critical thinkers.

The Access to Justice and Promotion of Constitutional Rights Programme, which will kick-off next month, will be used as a key mechanism to improve access to justice for all, particularly the marginalised, writes Proffesor Ndawonde.

Johannesburg - The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police, through Operation Nomakanjani, have arrested 150 motorists on charges of reckless and negligent driving.

Rustenburg - Municipalities in the North West are beefing up their disaster response and recovery management plans ahead of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June and 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Cape Town - In a bid to prevent further degradation of Cape Town's world famous coastline, the City has recommended that urgent steps be taken to establish a Coastal Protection Zone.

Pretoria - The 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) is planning to launch an intense marketing offensive in response to FIFA's call for more robust promotion of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the World Cup.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has appointed new members to the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Board.

Pretoria - Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has assured first time ID applicants that they would receive their Identification Documents (ID) within a minimum of 40 days.

Cape Town - South Africa will soon be the only country to boast the Big 7, when the shark and the whale are added to the already well-know Big 5 tourist attractions in the country.

Johannesburg - More than 23 local television and music stars have joined the South African National Blood Services (SANBS) in urging members of the public to become regular blood donors.

Pretoria - Children starting school and starting at new schools anxiously walked to school accompanied by their parents this morning as inland schools reopened.

Cape Town - Government is to ensure that stiffer sentences for rapists and murderers are implemented.

Pretoria - The Ministry of Finance is once again inviting all South Africans to send their tips to the country's Finance Minister on what they would like to see included in the country's Budget, to be delivered next month.

Cape Town - The interim appointed Chief Executive Officer of Robben Island, Professor Henry Bredekamp, is working hard to ensure the smooth running of the museum.

Pretoria - FIFA President Sepp Blatter is confident that Bafana Bafana will fair well in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, judging on its current performance in the FIFA Confederations Cup.