Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 17 December 2025:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has nominated seven international bidders for initial transmission projects. The group includes Adani, State Grid, and Cobra. Local firms will be nominated in later phases.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports there were conflicting views yesterday on what reconciliation in South Africa entails. Different political parties held conflicting views. The website provides an overview of the views.

Then the page writes approximately 40-thousand people gathered at the Monument yesterday to commemorate the Vow.

And finally, it is reported that five-year-old Armieke Smith from Mooketsi in Limpopo has been discharged from a hospital in Tzaneen after a venomous scorpion stung her.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes the police have launched an investigation into the murder of Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock yesterday in Johannesburg.

And reports the Madlanga Commission will present its preliminary report to president Cyril Ramaphosa today.

# And The Citizen:

Writes the Hartbeespoort Community Development Initiative has criticised the Human Rights Commission’s report on lease awards at the Hartbeespoort Dam. The organisation says the commission ignores racial discrimination in the area.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports two cyclists have died in quick succession in separate incidents in the Western Cape. 55-year-old Francois Esterhuizen from Worcester died on Saturday morning when he was hit by a vehicle, and 41-year-old Idries Sheriff died yesterday when he was run over in False Bay.

And secondly, the paper writes property prices in Cape Town and along the coast have increased by 26-percent in the past year.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports the famous Black Impala restaurant in the Nelson Mandela Bay harbour, which has changed ownership and is now known as the Nwandela Tshisanyama is embroiled in an asset-related dispute.

And secondly, the paper pays tribute to the murdered DJ Warras.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes the investigation into the temple tragedy in Verulam has been concluded.

And reports the work of professor Salim Safurdeen Abdool Karim in his fight against HIV/Aids and Covid has been honoured.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports a well-known figure in rugby circles and businessman from Swakopmund, Sydney Taapopi Halupe is behind bars for the alleged rape of a 20-year-old woman.

Then the paper writes more than 300-mm of rain is predicted for certain parts of the country in 2026.

And finally, it is reported the University of Namibia has announced its fees for those who do not benefit from a government subsidy.