The headlines of the leading newspapers on 12 September 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports South Africa’s current account deficit almost doubled in the second quarter, increasing to 82.8-billion-rand from 47.8-billion-rand in the first quarter. This is attributed to weaker exports and higher payments to foreign investors.
# Mail & Guardian on Fridays:
Writes that despite many promises about the removal of pit toilets, children are still drowning in toilets. The paper is investigating what has been done about the evil.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports ActionSA is very happy with the second place the party took in the by-election in ward 7 in Soweto. The party says it is a revival.
Then the website writes that local tributes were also paid to the murdered American activist, Charlie Kirk. Wreaths were laid at the American embassy in Pretoria, and Ernst Roets of Lex Libertas delivered a tribute.
And finally, it is reported that former Bok and coach at the Northam Rhinos rugby club, Bevin Fortuin, has suddenly passed away at the age of 46.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Asks what can 93-million-rand per year bring to this country? This question emerged this week after an oral question session in the National Assembly. It is reported that the deputy ministers in the GNU cost taxpayers 93.2-million-rand per year in salaries.
And secondly, the paper writes the government has appealed for people to remain calm after protests flared up in several townships, including Westbury, Coronationville, Tembisa, Tsakane, and Vlakfontein. These are mostly about water supply.
# Sowetan:
Reports Orlando Pirates are on the eve of history. The paper writes Mbombela will be bustling with activity this Saturday with the 2025/26 season’s first cup final, the MTN8, taking place. It is Pirates against a strong Stellenbosch.
# And The Citizen:
Writes about the trial of five accused in the Jagersfontein silt dam case. The paper reports various factors such as poor construction and the allegation that the dam was built in the wrong place to save money are now coming to light.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports on the MK Party’s demand that the minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, resign. This follows a forensic audit showing that members of water boards earn up to 1.7-million-rand to attend meetings. It also appears that they received 50-million in benefits, such as overseas trips in the 2023/24 financial year.
And secondly, the paper writes the company behind the popular Liqui Fruit brand, Pioneer Foods, has been ordered to remove or amend its long-standing trademark ‘Nothing But Fruit’ after the Appeals Committee of the Advertising Regulatory Board ruled that the phrase was misleading to consumers.
EASTERN CAPE:
# Daily Despatch in East London:
Reports there has been a significant improvement in the audit reports of Eastern Cape municipalities.
And writes the family of activist Steve Biko has welcomed the reopening of the judicial inquiry into his death.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes a fatal accident has rocked a community in KwaZulu-Natal after a minibus taxi crashed into a nursery school. Three children were killed and 11 were seriously injured. The incident happened yesterday morning at the Senzokuhle Crèche and Primary School in the Imbali Township in Pietermaritzburg.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports Namibia wants to sell more than 44-thousand-kilograms of ivory from government stocks, but Cites warns that the plan could pose risks for illegal ivory trade and elephant poaching.
And secondly, the paper writes three to five transport companies are apparently currently under scrutiny for their alleged role in firearms smuggling from Namibia to South Africa.