Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 15 January 2025:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports in a historic move, ending an almost 80-year relationship with the tobacco industry, Johann Rupert’s Reinet Investments has pulled out of British American Tobacco. In response, Reinet shares soared, rising 8.75 percent.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports BOSA accused the DA of hypocrisy because the party is now glorifying the ANC education system because it is no longer an opposition party.

Then the paper writes firefighters in Los Angeles had a short break to make preparations when the strong winds in the area subsided. The winds are expected to pick up again.

And finally, it is reported that the neighbours of the murdered magistrate, Piet Bester of Glen, were also allegedly targeted by Bester’s attackers.

GAUTENG:

# The Star & Pretoria News:

Reports Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi wants students from schools affiliated with the Independent Examinations Board to sit the same exams as their counterparts in the public education system.

# Sowetan:

Reports while no problems are expected in wealthy areas, most learners are returning to school to broken toilets and a lack of facilities due to budget cuts.

# And The Citizen:

Writes a Soweto principal says they were able to maintain a 100-percent pass rate because there was discipline in the school. He says they fought against overcrowded classrooms and drug abuse.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports the education districts in the Western Cape also achieved good results with a matric pass rate above 80-percent. In 2023, 29 schools underperformed but last year there were only five.

And secondly, the paper writes the matriculant from Hoërskool Ellisras in Limpopo, Elani Neethling, who saved a man from the sea while on holiday in Blouberg, says she will dedicate her life to helping people.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports on Lungisa High School in KwaDwesi which grew from a pass rate of 37-percent in 2021 to a remarkable 99.1-percent in 2024.

And secondly, the paper writes Diya Gajjar of Hoërskool Pearson was crowned the Eastern Cape’s top matriculant with her classmate Chris Joubert second.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# Daily News in Durban:

Reports the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court has ruled that the case against an IEC employee, Msawenkosi Mnikathi, will not be withdrawn. Mnikathi allegedly left a polling station in the city on May 29, 2024, with boxes of ballot papers when he was stopped by MK Party members.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports the Namibian matriculation examination results for 2024 show that there is a light at the end of the country’s education tunnel. More than 50-percent of matriculants have exemptions for further study.

Then the paper writes the Okashana Community Herders of the Okashana kUukongo waNehale area in the Oshikoto region are demanding proof of land grants from the Ondonga Traditional Authority.

And finally, the leaders of several opposition parties are reported to say that they support the Landless People’s Movement and the Independent Patriots for Change’s court challenge to the results of last year’s election.