The headlines of the leading newspapers on 21 May 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the markets have shown confidence in Sasol shares and the value rose by up to 10-percent at one stage. The paper writes the CEO, Simon Baloyi, has unveiled a corporate recovery plan characterised by aggressive debt reduction and a reduced budget for emission reduction.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports billionaire Johann Rupert says the South African golfer, Ernie Els, has pulled through the meeting between presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump. According to Rupert, Els and he have been playing golf with Trump for a long time.
Then the website writes the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, had to explain to the US Senate why Afrikaners were granted refugee status.
And finally, it is reported that while Ramaphosa is positive about the planned meeting, experts warn that there is a tough battle ahead.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Reports Ramaphosa’s visit to the United States has caused a political storm in South Africa, according to the newspaper, with critics accusing him of compromising national sovereignty under pressure from Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk.
# Sowetan:
Reports Johannesburg sold the Diepsloot hostel in 2000, but has been fighting for the past 17 years to regain ownership of the property.
# And The Citizen:
Leads with the simple headline: “CYRIL V TRUMP”. The paper publishes a detailed breakdown of how the meeting will proceed.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports Ramaphosa is full of confidence about his meeting with Trump. He says the meeting’s sole purpose is to restore relations between South Africa and the USA.
And secondly, the paper writes about two childhood friends, Klasie Mouton and Piêrrie de Klerk, who grew up as children in Vanwyksvlei in the Northern Cape and have now met for the first time after 52 years.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the accused Rob Evans testified in the Vanessa van Rensburg murder case that their relationship degenerated into conflict and alcohol abuse.
And secondly, the paper writes 42 elephants have been relocated in Addo Park, to breathe new life into the landscape and improve the distribution of the animals.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Reports the technology thieves have struck again at schools in Pietermaritzburg.
And writes construction work on Pietermaritzburg’s AquaPark in the Xhawula area is progressing well.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports there are concerns about the Namibian police’s ability to investigate serial murders. Seven incidents reached a dead end in 2005 and there has been no progress in the investigation into the recent murder of three girls in Okahandja.
And secondly, the paper writes the ministry of Health and Social Services has denied any negligence in the death of a psychiatric patient, 16-year-old Karel Ndakolo, at the Oshakati State Hospital in November.