angie motshekga

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's fearless pursuit of truth has landed her a spot on the Time 100 Most Influential People in the World list. The fierce legal eagle has some 30 years' experience upholding the rule of law, including having helped draft South Africa's Constitution.

The Cabinet has called on South Africans to celebrate 20 years of freedom by participating peacefully in electioneering and voting in the country's 7 May elections, "with tolerance for the right of all voters to express their opinions publicly and make their choice privately in the voting booth".

Birthday wishes were pouring in for former president Nelson Mandela as he turned 95 on Thursday, with a tangible sense of celebration in the country as millions of pupils sang "Happy Birthday Madiba" and South Africans from all walks of life geared up to pay tribute to their national treasure.

Government, business, labour and civil society collaboration to improve the quality of education in South Africa entered a new phase on Tuesday with the launch of the National Education Collaboration Framework Trust.

Bilkes Bhano Vawda, winner of a lifetime achievement award at South Africa's 2013 National Teaching Awards, accidentally registered for the wrong course when she first went to university. She says it was the best mistake she ever made.

Thousands of Eastern Cape learners will benefit from a multi-billion rand government programme to replace all the dilapidated and ill-equipped "mud schools" in the province over the next three years, starting with the first batch of 49 identified schools this year.

Literacy plays a vital role in the growth and development of any nation, and research has shown that the higher the rate of literacy, the better the potential to succeed.
• Instilling a love of reading

Civil society group Lead SA pledged to make former statesman Nelson Mandela's 94th birthday one he will never forget. This they ensured by making sure South Africa, and the world, stand as one to wish Madiba all the best.

Civil society group Lead SA pledged to make former statesman Nelson Mandela's 94th birthday one he will never forget. This they ensured by making sure South Africa, and the world, stand as one to wish Madiba the best.
• How does Mandela Day inspire you?

On 18 July, people across South Africa and around the world joined in celebrating Nelson Mandela's 94th birthday, and his vision of a better world for all, by giving some of their time for those less fortunate - together creating the ultimate birthday present for Madiba: the love of the world.