The headlines of the leading newspapers on 07 March 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports South Africa is seeking alternative funding to fill a 28-billion-rand climate finance gap after the US withdrew from the Just Energy Transition Partnership with Britain, France, Germany, and the EU. This stems from the US’s growing antagonistic attitude towards green energy.
# And Mail & Guardian:
Leads with: “ROUND TWO: THE TOXIC TAX”. The paper writes the second round of the budget has arrived with VAT being the divisive factor in the government of national unity.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Firstly, reports on the Joshlin Smith case. Lieutenant colonel Lincoln Sebola of Saldanha testified that Joshlin’s mother Kelly did not seem at all concerned about her missing child. She apparently said Joshlin would make her famous.
Then the website writes Ernst Roets, formerly of Solidarity, was allegedly threatened with the necklace method after his interview with the American political commentator, Tucker Carlson.
And finally, president Cyril Ramaphosa is reported to be saying Johannesburg is unable to host the G20 summit.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Leads with: “RESIDENTS RAGE AS BLOOD EVIDENCE FOUND IN JOSHLIN CASE”. The paper also writes about the Joshlin Smith case and the community’s reaction to information coming to light in court.
And secondly, the paper reports the trustee has put the Royal AM soccer club on the market.
# Sowetan:
Reports buyers of MaMkhize’s Royal AM soccer team could be paying up to 65-million-rand per month for the operating costs of debt. Furthermore, the saga has taken its toll with players missing out on bonuses.
# And The Citizen:
Writes while KwaZulu-Natal, Pretoria and now Johannesburg are going through devastating storms, there is no advance warning from meteorologists.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Once again reports about the horrific accident outside Heidelberg on the N2 in which seven people died. Only four people survived. The paper writes that two siblings died together.
And secondly, it is reported Stellenbosch University says more young people with matric cannot continue their studies or find a job. The figure currently stands at more than 49-percent.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the parliamentary committee on the Police will investigate the Eastern Cape crime intelligence resources and capabilities. This is a result of the increase in kidnappings in the province.
And secondly, the paper writes many people living with HIV in Gqeberha feel scared and vulnerable after being turned away from the non-profit organisations that previously provided them with antiretroviral treatment.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes the chaos that prevails at mortuaries in KwaZulu-Natal is leading to great grief for families and next of kin.
And secondly, there is also a report on the beleaguered soccer club, Royal AM, which is on the market.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports almost two months after the fatal armed diamond robbery at Namdia, authorities have reportedly recovered diamonds worth 40.6-million-rand, a small fraction of the staggering 314.9-million-rand worth of stolen diamonds.
And secondly, the paper writes Namibia’s power grid received a boost with the inauguration of the Anixas II power station in Walvis Bay with a generating capacity of 54 Megawatts. President Nangolo Mbumba officiated at the ceremony.