Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 01 September 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports South Africa’s trade surplus rose to 20.1-billion-rand in July. The paper writes the trade surplus with Africa increased sharply while deficits with Asia and the Americas continue to grow.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports the bodies of an elderly couple allegedly linked to multi-million-rand fraud were found on a picnic bench in Jacobs Bay on the West Coast yesterday morning. No further details are known at this stage.

And secondly, the website writes a former chairperson of SCOPA, experienced politician and current spokesperson for the IFP, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, has been nominated as the party’s mayoral candidate in eThekwini.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Reports the High Court in Pretoria has reserved judgment on an application filed by former Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to drop all corruption charges against her. She is facing 12 charges of corruption and one charge of money laundering. The case was postponed till September 7 when the judge will rule on the discharge application.

# Sowetan:

Reports 370-thousand-rand was allegedly paid into the bank account of a senior member of the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal in an hour. Lieutenant colonel Deenadayalan Govender had to explain to the Madlanga Commission where the money came from. Govender is linked to 172 murders during extrajudicial killings in the province.

# And The Citizen:

Writes about an incident at an Afrikaans primary school in Johannesburg during which a learner doused the teacher with urine and another learner was found in possession of a dangerous object. The teachers’ union has now intervened after the Department of Education reportedly instructed the school to handle the incident itself, but offered psychological help to the learners.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Firstly, reports about the much-discussed overflight by Airlink’s two passenger jets before the match between the Boks and All Blacks in Cape Town. Although Airlink and experts say everything was meticulously planned, an independent investigation will now be launched.

And secondly, the paper writes the former financial administrator of Kathu High School, Jessica Kuhn, is back in court after allegedly embezzling nine-million-rand from the school.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Devotes its entire front page to the 75th anniversary of Volkswagen’s involvement in South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted last night’s gala dinner.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes the deadly virus detected in South African sardines is the sardine herpesvirus. This virus, which previously caused mass deaths in sardines in Australia and New Zealand, has now been found in South African waters.

And secondly, the paper reports on an Australian woman, Leah Stewart, who was attacked by a shark in Sydney, Australia. She defended herself with her fists. Part of her left arm was amputated after the incident.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports say the Independent Patriots for Change have expressed concern about Namibia’s collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines on establishing the country’s proposed new national airline, Namibia Air. They worry this is happening at the expense of Namibian expertise and employment.

And secondly, the paper writes a gender based violence facility in Keetmanshoop is struggling to keep its doors open amid delayed government payments, staff shortages, a lack of dedicated managers, as well as uncertainty over the renewal of its contract, which expired in June.