The headlines of the leading newspapers on 27 March 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports most political parties in the National Council of Provinces have made a plea that the KwaZulu-Natal Ithala Bank should be saved. The parties say the bank is an instrument for equal access to finance, development, and opportunities.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports the Presidency says the Kill-the-Boer issue has been resolved in the courts and if AfriForum is still dissatisfied, they can return to court. This follows after AfriForum asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to take a stand against the song.
Next, the website writes seven-year-old Johandré Blom, whose arm was bitten off by a crocodile at the Roodekopjes Dam outside Brits, is awake and although he is in pain, he is recovering well.
And finally, it is reported at least two people have offered to adopt eight-week-old Caithlyn Ferreira because both her parents were drug addicts. However, the parents refused and Caithlyn’s father, Hugo, has now admitted in court that he raped and murdered her.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Writes legal experts believe it is Julius Malema’s right to free speech, as enshrined in the Constitution, that gives him the right to sing Kill-the-Boer.
And reports the American involvement in South Africa has raised questions about the right of banks to unilaterally close accounts.
# Sowetan:
Reports former SAA board member Kwinana Ntombiyakhe testified in court that she has no assets. She claims that the farm on which the people accusing her of extortion live is a family business and that she is only the secretary.
# And The Citizen:
Writes about the 40th anniversary today of the Westdene bus disaster in Johannesburg in which 42 schoolchildren died.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Leads with the same story as Netwerk24 about the Kill-the-Boer song.
Then it is reported that the lifting of the ban on the sale of marijuana products has been widely welcomed.
And finally, the paper also writes about Johandré Blom who lost his arm in a crocodile attack.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Zolile Williams has described the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as an embarrassment. According to him, the municipality has deteriorated.
And secondly, the paper writes there is tension in the Nelson Mandela Bay budget and treasury committee after the acting city manager, Sizwe Mvunelwa, was denied a speaking slot by the portfolio chairperson, Khanya Ngqisha.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Also writes that the ban on the sale of marijuana products has been lifted.
And reports that the Kwazulu-Natal provincial government says the province is greedy for business.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports a mother is suing the ministry of Health and Social Services after an oxygen deficiency allegedly led to permanent brain damage in her son. The child has since died.
Then the paper writes experts agree that the Red Line should be restructured to enable farmers to transport animals and meat products when there are no outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.
And finally, it is reported today is budget day in Namibia and the new minister of Finance will probably have to build on the work that her predecessor did in preparing the national budget.