The headlines of the leading newspapers on 02 June 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports Absa’s new CEO, Kenny Fihla, officially takes office today and he will have his hands full to put the bank’s leadership crisis in the past. The paper writes that the bank intends to strengthen its retail and business banking ecosystem and increase its returns.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports on the death of a well-known businessman from Namibia, 59-year-old Bernd Kebbel. He was camping along the Hoanib River when he was attacked by a lioness. Kebbel campaigned for the conservation of desert lions.
Then the website writes the DA and the EFF are urging a summit to reflect on the defence force. The parties say that the defence industry is further deteriorating after years of neglect.
And finally, it is reported that a well-known lawyer and lecturer at the University of the Free State, Charles Dell from Bloemfontein, has died after a short illness.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Writes the suspects in the date murder of Olorato Mongale is according to the police linked to 22 other incidents in which women were attacked.
And secondly, it is reported a second group of Afrikaner refugees has arrived in the USA.
# Sowetan:
Reports an arrested sangoma allegedly told police how two-year-old Kutlwano Shalaba, who disappeared in November last year, was poisoned by his mother and buried in a shallow grave. Police are investigating the possibility that the body found last week is that of Kutlwano.
# And The Citizen:
Writes that approximately 14-million people in South Africa go to bed hungry every night. According to the latest figures, most of the households are headed by women.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Also reports the death of Bernd Kebbel.
Then it is also reported that a second group of Afrikaners who obtained refugee status in the USA has arrived in the country. The size of the group could according to the paper not be confirmed.
Furthermore, the paper writes a female athlete who participated in the Slave Route Challenge died when an oak tree fell on her.
And finally, there is news about the wedding of actor Nadia Valvekens.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports on a community project that is being undertaken in collaboration with journalists from the newspaper to get learners to read more.
And secondly, the paper writes there is uncertainty about where the Chippa United soccer club will establish itself, but indications are that it will remain in Nelson Mandela Bay.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes about the debt of the Msunduzi Municipality that is being written off.
And reports about problems with the maintenance of the Winston Churchill Theatre in Pietermaritzburg.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports that the deaths this past weekend of two well-known Namibians, businessman Bernd Kebbel and farmer Jannie Spangenberg, have shocked the country. The paper writes the lion that attacked Kebbel has been put down.
Secondly, it is reported that the plane crash in which Spangenberg died on Saturday is still a mystery according to the police.
And finally, the paper writes the vice president, Lucia Witbooi, and the prime minister, Elijah Ngurare arrived at the Nama Festival in Keetmanshoop over the weekend. They were not officially invited.