South Africa's students in all grades resume classes on Monday after weeks of closure because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Final-year students had resumed classes earlier to prepare for examinations.

President Cyril Ramaphosa closed the schools in July after they were briefly reopened following a public outcry on rising virus cases.

Monday's resumption of classes comes as the country registers a decline in new infections.

The health minister said the country was "over the surge", adding that the "plateau has started".

Last week, UN agencies asked African governments to reopen schools with measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The authorities in South Africa say they have prepared for safe resumption of learning starting this week.