South Africa

Mbizana - It is hoped that a newly completed R12-million taxi rank will see the end of taxi violence in a rural Eastern Cape town.

Giyani - Taxi drivers and hawkers in Limpopo have been urged to become the frontline of a R65 million project to curb littering and keep streets clean.

Cape Town - Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has praised former President and world icon Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, and wished a happy birthday in advance.

Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Education will be spending more than R1 billion to improve the quality of teaching and learning in 1 183 underperforming primary and secondary schools.

Durban - Almost 13 000 people from Africa and the rest of the world are expected to visit this year's Tourism Indaba, which will have 1 700 exhibitors.

Pretoria - Trade conditions in June dipped into negative territory, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said on Tuesday.

Pretoria - The number of Gauteng Grade R learners is expected to increase to 92 000 in 2012 as the provincial Education Department plans to establish an additional 700 Grade R sites.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has welcomed eight new Heads of Mission, who will represent their countries in South Africa.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma says a robust partnership between government, business and the labour sector is needed to address the economic challenges facing the country.

Pretoria - As strike action continues to grip the country, experts have warned that job creation could take a major blow.

Pretoria - Schools in KwaZulu-Natal will next week start an intensive winter class programme, which will run until the last day of the 2011 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.

Pretoria - In an attempt to ensure that more learners are successful in completing the tough requirements of engineering degrees, the John Orr Technical High School is to be turned into an Academy for Engineering and Technology.

Pretoria - Public Protector Adv. Thuli Madonsela has officially started the first leg of her nationwide road show.

Durban - South Africa joining the BRICS coalition will impact positively on the local tourism industry, says South African Tourism's Chief Marketing Manager, Roshene Singh.

East London - The Eastern Cape Transport Department has officially taken over the troubled provincial scholar transport programme, which has been dogged by claims of mismanagement and fraud.