The headlines of the leading newspapers on 15 August 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Repots former president Thabo Mbeki says the national dialogue is nothing more than an unethical attempt to mislead the people of South Africa. He says there will be no discussion about the country’s real problems.
# Mail & Guardian on Fridays:
Also writes about the national dialogue and how it was hijacked to the ANC’s advantage. According to experts, the dialogue is just another very expensive talk.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Firstly, reports on the attack on 65-year-old Koos Wessels from the farm Schaapkraal outside Warden. Six attackers assaulted him and robbed him of cash, firearms, and his bakkie. No one has been arrested yet.
Secondly, the website writes president Cyril Ramaphosa will personally speak to the army chief general Rudzani Maphwanya, about his statements in Iran. In the meantime, calls have poured in from everywhere for the general to be fired.
And finally, there is news about the five top farmers in the Boer soek ‘n vrou series
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes Maponya Shopping Centre in Soweto was forced to close after a deadly attack on Wednesday night that claimed the life of an e-taxi driver and injured two others. Residents have vowed to prevent taxis from using the stand inside the mall until a resolution is reached between the warring parties.
# Sowetan:
Reports the murdered e-taxi driver, Mthokozisi Mvelase, has just returned to Johannesburg to earn money to care for his ailing mother in KwaZulu-Natal. The paper writes angry residents set fire to minibus taxis in Soweto yesterday.
# And The Citizen:
Writes about the huge sports weekend that awaits South Africa. Rugby, cricket, and mixed martial arts with Dricus du Plessis.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Leads with Netwerk24’s report on General Rudzani Maphwanya.
EASTERN CAPE:
# Daily Despatch in East London:
Reports the Buffalo City Municipality has undertaken to pay attention to the sewage and water problems in the city.
And secondly, there is news about Shrek the Musical which is currently being performed at the Guild Theatre in East London.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes deputy president Paul Mashatile has stepped in to try to settle the disputes over participation in the national dialogue.
And secondly, the paper writes all the laptops at a local police station have been stolen.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports that the issue of whether CEOs of state-owned enterprises can earn more than the president is under scrutiny.
Then the paper writes some 12 years after work first began on the Draft Data Protection Act, it is expected to be tabled again in Parliament next month.