South Africa

Polokwane - It's official: the 2011 Nelson Mandela Day celebrations will be staged in Giyani stadium, Limpopo.

Pretoria - A joint task team has been appointed by President Jacob Zuma to support work aimed at strengthening education in the Eastern Cape.

Durban - KwaZulu-Natal is getting lessons on climate change ahead of the all-important United Nations conference on the pressing subject matter later this year.

Durban - Pyeongchang, a South Korean city that will have fond memories of South Africa. It is here where they with "persistence and patience" finally won the bid to host a Winter Olympics, the 2018 Games.

Durban - The Springbok squad for the upcoming Tri-Nations at the moment is looking dismal, with 21 players put on the injury list.

Pretoria - South Africa has reiterated its position with regards to the conflict in Libya, saying an immediate ceasefire should be the first order of business to allow for deliberations.

Pretoria - South Africa's largest arms manufacturer, Denel, has achieved a net profit of R111 million for the year ending March 2011 and generated cash of R178 million from its operations.

Pretoria - Bafana Bafana will play an international friendly match against Burkina Faso on August 10 in a venue yet to be announced.

Pretoria - South Africa availed itself in helping to build the newest African nation, South Sudan.

Pretoria - Small and medium businesses will receive aid following the launch of the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) on Wednesday.

Krugersdorp - South Africans needed to take up more active role in the fight against crime if the country is to make inroads with its crime combating initiatives.

Polokwane - A Limpopo team of 50 gymnasts jetted off to Europe on Thursday morning to participate in the week-long 14th World Gymnaestrada world sports festival, which kicks off on 10 July.

Pretoria - The joint United Nations-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan has announced he will stand down from his role as mediator in the Syria conflict within weeks.

Pretoria - An investigation into allegations of the "imminent arrest" of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is underway, says Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa.

Durban - There was a very light hearted atmosphere on Wednesday when President Jacob Zuma and his wife Thobeka Madiba briefly hosted the royal Manaco couple.