The headlines of the leading newspapers on 27 May 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports US President Donald Trump has agreed to attend the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa. According to the paper, this follows a bilateral meeting with president Cyril Ramaphosa in which a range of trade and investment issues were discussed. Experts believe that the decision to attend a high-level forum indicates a significant departure from Trump’s previous stance.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports the defence force has denied reports that South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo must first hand in their weapons before they are allowed to cross the border into Rwanda. The army also says that it is not true that the soldiers are still waiting for a date for withdrawal.
Secondly, the website writes Solidarity has allocated an amount of seven-million-rand for their fight against the government’s race laws.
And finally, it is reported that several well-known rock stars such as Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Shift and Neil Young have united against the Trump presidency. They say it is not too late for Trump to fix the mess he is causing.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Writes the South African government has confirmed that it will not withdraw from its case against Israel in the International Court of Justice, despite concerns from some senior ANC officials that Ramaphosa was considering withdrawing after the meeting with Trump.
# Sowetan:
Reports on the fire in Kwa-Thema that claimed the lives of six family members. The paper writes three generations were wiped out in the fire and the incident brings the total number of fire deaths in Gauteng this week to 12.
# And The Citizen:
Writes about a community in Mpumalanga who accuse the government of granting their land claim to another group to protect a nature reserve. The community says they have no proof of ownership and could be summarily evicted.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Leads with the death of a mother, her daughter, and a friend in a car accident in Namibia. Carol and Shahida Jooste and Matthew Kotze from St Helena Bay were on their way to a wedding in Walvis Bay when the accident happened. Three occupants of the other vehicle were also killed and two injured.
And secondly, the paper reports the sentencing proceedings in the Joshlin Smith case begin today.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports refuse collectors in Nelson Mandela Bay are allegedly contracting out their routes to unauthorised truck drivers while still claiming the daily bonuses for completed routes from the Public Health Department.
And secondly, the paper writes the EP Rugby Union will change its constitution to negotiate with a shareholder partner for shares in the union.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes a faction supporting Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini as monarch says the Zulu throne is not in danger.
And secondly, the paper reports on the rise of sprinter Akani Simbine on the athletics track.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the arts industry in Namibia is happy with the way in which president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah treats the industry. She has already allocated 50-million-rand to the arts.
And secondly, the paper, like Die Burger, also writes about the car accident on the B1 between Rehoboth and Windhoek in which six people died.