Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 07 February 2025:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports president Cyril Ramaphosa used his first state of the nation address under the government of national unity to outline comprehensive measures to reorganise the local government sector. The paper writes the sector suffers from persistent mismanagement and corruption that results in billions of rand being lost annually in fruitless, wasteful and unauthorised expenditure

# And Mail & Guardian on Fridays:

Writes although Ramaphosa’s office dismisses the attack by president Donald Trump, the human cost of the drastic halt to aid funds will be catastrophic.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Also reports extensively on the state of the nation address. The paper writes the MK Party says Ramaphosa’s speech was a waste of time. The party says there was nothing in the speech to help poor people.

And secondly, the paper gives an overview of the fashions at the opening of Parliament. There is a series of photos with descriptions of the outfits.

GAUTENG:

# The Star & Pretoria News:

Writes while Ramaphosa gave a number of undertakings during his first state of the nation address under the multi-party coalition, many citizens on social media felt that he was once again making empty promises.

# Sowetan:

Leads with: “WE WILL NOT BE BULLIED”. The paper reports Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa’s stance on correcting the imbalances of the past in the face of threats from the US. The paper writes the president also announced plans to solve the water crisis, grow the economy and for a new funding model for municipalities.

# And The Citizen:

Writes Ramaphosa called on people to work together to rebuild South Africa, but opposition parties and unions did not share the enthusiasm.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Also reports on the state of the nation address and Ramaphosa’s stance that South Africa will not be bullied.

And secondly, the paper writes experts believe the address was too long.

And finally, the paper also gives an overview of the fashions at the opening of Parliament.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports Ramaphosa has taken a firm stance as geopolitical tensions and violent conflicts continue to escalate worldwide.

And secondly, the paper writes a Boerboel-cross from a KwaZakhele family has stopped the bullets fired at his family during an armed robbery.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Martin Meyer, has received a second death threat since he took office in June 2024.

And secondly, it is reported arms manufacturer Thales has applied in the High Court in Pietermaritzburg to have the charges against the company dropped. It claims that most of its witnesses are already dead.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports president Nangolo Mbumba has rejected the legal challenge by the leader of the IPC, doctor Panduleni Itula, to the results of last year’s presidential election, accusing him of just making noise.

Then the paper writes the trial of the accused who are in court for the gruesome murder of an elderly couple is drawing to a close with parties currently delivering their closing arguments in the High Court in Windhoek.

And finally there is news about the National Botanical Garden in Windhoek which is looking for rocks and stones to build a rock garden.