The headlines of the leading newspapers on 24 February 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the absence of senior US diplomats did not derail the G20 meetings of Foreign Ministers. The leaders of the world’s largest economies accepted South Africa’s proposed working methods that point out the flaws in the current geopolitical climate.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports helicopters were deployed over the weekend to deliver food parcels and medicine to the residents of Thabazimbi who were cut off due to flooding. This follows after the Crocodile River overflowed its banks.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the death toll due to the flooding in KwaZulu-Natal has risen to nine.
The website then writes about the fires on Table Mountain and elsewhere in the Western Cape.
And finally, there is news about the possibility that load-shedding will be stopped next week.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Writes political and economic analysts have described Eskom’s announcement of phase 6 load shedding as a blow to the government of national unity and a crisis for the economy.
And reports a disgruntled North West ANC member, Sello Molefe, will take legal action against the National Prosecuting Authority over its decision to refuse to prosecute deputy president Paul Mashatile for fraud, forgery, and perjury.
# Sowetan:
Reports the legal practice body wants a lawyer, Nonhle Nkomonde who faces 27 charges, including misusing a deceased client’s funds to buy property, to be struck off the roll.
# And The Citizen:
Leads with: “WHY THE LOAD-SHEDDING SHOCK?” The paper writes although Eskom claims to be carrying out intensive maintenance, it seems rather that the power supplier was caught off guard.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports on the ongoing battle against the wildfires in the Western Cape.
And writes the Department of Basic Education has denied that a Grade 13 is being envisaged. This follows fake news about this being spread on Instagram.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports research to confirm the existence and quantities of shale gas deposits in the Eastern Cape will begin in March. This is a significant step towards a reliable energy supply.
And secondly, the paper writes while the murder case of Vicki Terblanche has been dragging on for almost four years, there is little support for the family and friends of the victim of gender-based violence.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes traffic officers in Pietermaritzburg will now also be deployed on night shifts.
And reports the municipality will appoint security guards to guard the city’s water supply.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the Namibian government is busy making arrangements in preparation for the expected arrival of several heads of state and important foreign leaders for the weekend’s state funeral of Sam Nujoma.
Secondly, the paper writes 15 years after the start of the Trans-Kalahari Railway project, it still only has an office in Windhoek.
And finally, it is reported Fact Check editor Frederico Links says that an academic prerequisite should be established for aspiring politicians to hold office.