South Africa has 11 official languages

Register to vote in 2009

The Independent Electoral Commission has called on South Africans who are not registered to vote in the 2009 general elections, or want to change their personal details, to do so between 8 and 9 November, when voting stations will be open from 8am to 5pm.

Motlanthe firm on government policy

South Africa's government will continue to implement its policies unchanged, says President-elect Kgalema Motlanthe. "We will not allow the work of government to be interrupted ... We will not allow the stability of our democratic order to be compromised. And we will not allow the confidence that our people have in the ability of the state to respond to their needs to be undermined."

Crime down, but still too high: govt

While South Africa's crime statistics for 2007/08 show a continuation of the steady decline in crime levels over the past five years, the level of crime in the country is still unacceptably high, says Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula.

Mbeki apologises for attacks on Africans

Speaking at a national memorial tribute, President Thabo Mbeki apologised on behalf of the people of South Africa to the families of those who died in the recent attacks on people from other African countries.

SA to target organised crime

While organised crime makes up a small percentage of total criminal activity in South Africa, it still wreaks havoc on society and is therefore being paid special attention by the government, says Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula.

'Africans cannot be foreigners in Africa'

Debating a parliamentary report on the attacks against people from other African countries that flared up in various parts of the country in May, South Africa's political parties united in condemning the violence - and in the view that "Africans cannot be foreigners in Africa".

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The media in South Africa

The media in SA

A free and flourishing press, liberalised public and commercial radio and TV, vibrant community radio, an expanding internet presence and a resurgent film industry.

72 days that shaped South Africa

72 days that shaped South Africa

Just how "miraculous" was our transition to democracy? How close did we really come to civil war? Check out some press clippings of the 72 days leading up to SA's first democratic elections - and see how heavily the odds were stacked against "the rainbow nation".