Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 23 January 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports Finance minister Enoch Godongwana said in Davos, Switzerland, that South Africa’s alleged exclusion from the G20, which is being hosted in the US this year, is only a temporary setback. He said South Africa will remain included under other presidencies.

# Mail & Guardian on Fridays:

Leads with: “MALEMA’S DARKEST HOUR”. The newspaper writes the EFF leader will be sentenced today for discharging a firearm in public.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports the South African Weather Service has warned that a cycle of below-average rainfall could occur in the Western Cape over the next few years. In addition to the lack of water security, the majority of the 25/26 fire season is still ahead. Western Cape premier Alan Winde says the national government will be asked to declare two disasters: One for water shortages and the other for fires.

Secondly, the website writes that advocate Dinkie Portia Dube has been appointed as Deputy Public Protector.

And finally, there is news about president Donald Trump suing the New York Times over an unfavourable opinion poll.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes the spokesperson for the family of 16-year-old Busisiwe Radebe, who died in the Vanderbijlpark accident, Themba Radebe, said the accident should be a lesson for every taxi owner to be careful.

And secondly, it is reported that South Africa’s first cryoablation procedure was performed at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria. It is a minimally invasive treatment that freezes and destroys abnormal tissue, including cancerous tumours.

# And Sowetan:

Reports it was a dark week for learner transport. Fourteen learners died near Vanderbijlpark, a minibus taxi transporting learners caught fire, a bus with 109 learners on board collided with a bakkie, and a vehicle with seating for seven people was stopped with 27 learners in the vehicle.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Has the same lead as Netwerk24 about the expected drought and further fire danger in the Western Cape.

And secondly, it is reported that there have long been calls for the cemetery in Stellenbosch where Piet de Koker was murdered over the weekend to be secured.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports late president Nelson Mandela’s daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, has welcomed the Court of Appeal’s ruling that she can proceed with auctioning off some of her father’s heirlooms. Her application was opposed by the South African Heritage Agency.

And secondly, the paper writes the driver of the vehicle in which TikTok star Junior King died at Verkeerdevlei in the Free State, according to the police, did not have a driver’s license.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes the world-famous Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg will continue despite foot-and-mouth disease.

And secondly, it is reported that there are numerous schools in KwaZulu-Natal where the learners have not yet received any textbooks and other aids.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Firstly, spoke to a woman from Windhoek about her struggle with mental health after years of unemployment due to Covid and financial pressure had broken her, so badly that she almost took her own life.

And secondly, it is reported that the police have established that more than 40 people took out funeral policies on the life of 41-year-old Salom Nikanor from Oshana before he was murdered earlier this month.