The headlines of the leading newspapers on 12 May 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the USA is preparing this week to receive its first group of white Afrikaners from South Africa who the Trump administration has designated as refugees. The group is expected to arrive in the USA today and will be met by high-level officials from the Departments of Government and Homeland Security.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
First of all, also reports about the Afrikaner refugees who are arriving in the USA today. According to the paper, they will first fly to Washington and then to Texas. The South African ministry of Transport says they have only received applications for the first group.
Then the website writes 20-year-old Leighton Louw, a teaching student at the North-West University, was killed in front of his parents’ house in Robertson. He was busy with his practical period at the local Laerskool Dagbreek.
And finally, the website has news about Netwerk24’s Bride of the Year.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Writes a total of 54 Afrikaners initially applied for asylum in the US, but five were denied due to criminal records. The decision, the paper reports, comes amid growing concerns about the legality of their claims, as critics argue South Africa does not meet the conditions that justify refugee protection for any ethnic or political group.
# Sowetan:
Reports Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi says the practice of older men having sex with younger girls is causing the incidence of HIV/Aids to rise. He says it is causing a rise in the group of older people in particular.
# And The Citizen:
Leads with: “THE START OF NEW GREAT TREK”. The paper writes with the first Afrikaners arriving in Washington today, there are many questions about their future. Especially if president Trump is no longer in power in four years.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Leads with the death of Leighton Louw of Robertson.
And secondly, the paper writes about twins, Corrie Laubscher and Johan Saayman who celebrated their 80th birthday.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports it has become a challenge to move around Nelson Mandela Bay after dark as almost none of the city’s street lights are working.
And secondly, the paper writes a suspect will appear in court today in connection with the murder of Vanessa van Rensburg of Oyster Bay.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes a boy was admitted to hospital after allegedly drinking expired fruit juice.
And secondly, the paper also reports on South Africa’s gold and bronze medals at the World Relay Championships in China.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports that Swapo’s secretary-general, Sophia Shaningwa, says that the government’s meagre 10-percent share in mining and energy activities is an obstacle to meaningful national development.
Then the newspaper writes that businesses in the Karakulia Industrial Park in Swakopmund have been without water for 100 days because the Namibia Industrial Development Agency is not paying its municipal bill.
And finally, is, is reported the Baster Captain, Jacky Britz, says there is still hope of being recognised by the government as a traditional group and as indigenous people.