South Africa

Johannesburg - Anticipation ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) has reached fever pitch.

Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma has announced a new departure in South African politics, saying that in future, national, provincial and local government elections would be held at the same time.

Cape Town - The roll out of a new biometric card to social grant beneficiaries from June will help government reduce the risk of fraud in the social grants system and improve the delivery of grants while cutting the costs involved in payouts.

Pretoria - The South African Football Association (Safa) has lodged an appeal with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) regarding the controversial disqualification of Bafana Bafana for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Pretoria - Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele says vehicles have become the "deadliest weapons of mass destruction in recent history."

Pretoria - Further cooperation between South Africa and Qatar, peace and security will come under the spotlight when International Relations Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim hosts the Third Round of Bilateral Consultations between the two countries tomorrow.

Johannesburg - An exhibition depicting the bitter road of the liberation struggle that journeys through jail and torture, and the execution of freedom fighters, was unveiled at the Nelson Mandela Foundation on Tuesday.

Pretoria - The Department of Health has called on parents and caregivers to take their children for their immunisations against pneumococcal diseases during the four-month Catch-Up Programme immunisation campaign.

Pretoria - Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor says her department is committed to improving educational and employment prospects for students working in the field of indigenous knowledge systems.

Pretoria - The commemoration of Youth Day should be used to unite both black and white youth, says Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba.

Pretoria - Vehicle sales in January, although subdued, have improved, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) said.

Johannesburg - The Higher Education and Training Department and National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board have recommitted to ensuring full compliance with all legislative and regulatory requirements in order to receive clean audits in future.

Pretoria - Water and Environmental Affairs Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi on Thursday highlighted the importance of wetlands conservation, saying they were important for tourism and community livelihoods.

Johannesburg - The Gauteng provincial government has launched the Premier's Hotline in a move aimed at accelerating service delivery in the province.

Pretoria - The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has published a document that provides a perspective on the status of education and skills development, economic participation, social cohesion, health and wellbeing of youth in South Africa.