The headlines of the leading newspapers on 18 June 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink told the minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, that they will connect about five thousand rural schools in South Africa to their network as part of the benefits that the country will derive from Starlink’s involvement.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports president Cyril Ramaphosa said at the G7 Summit in Canada that there is no justification for the conflict between Israel and Iran. Ramaphosa did not meet with president Donald Trump again because he withdrew earlier to address the conflict in the Middle East.
Secondly, the website reports the minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, says that the cabinet will decide before the end of the year on the closure of the Israeli embassy in South Africa.
And finally, it is reported that the chairperson of the DA’s federal council, Helen Zille, has now officially applied to stand as the party’s mayoral candidate in Johannesburg in 2026.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Writes the CEO of the Road Accident Fund, Collins Letsoalo, did not appear in Parliament yesterday. According to the paper, his suspension was apparently shrouded in a power struggle of political interference and intimidation. This came to light during a tense session of the portfolio committee on Transport.
And secondly, it is reported with the increasing conflict in the Middle East, pressure is increasing on South Africa’s MTN Group to reconsider its investment in Iranian mobile network operator MTN Irancell.
# Sowetan:
Reports approximately 50 learners and alumni of the De la Salle Holy Cross College in Johannesburg have allegedly met to discuss incidents of racism at the school. The school says it is taking the allegations seriously.
# And The Citizen:
Writes the guidelines issued by the minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, for the implementation of the Bela Act are being rejected by teachers’ unions.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Also leads with the unhappiness over the implementation of the Bela Act. The paper reports members of Parliament are upset about Gwarube’s clauses on language and registration that she has announced. It is alleged that she is playing political games.
Then the paper writes the American government has responded to rumours that an Afrikaner refugee family is stranded in a hotel in Montana and allegedly has no cellphones or money for food. The government representative, Andrew Gradison, says Afrikaner refugees are being provided with all essentials. This includes healthcare, housing, and food.
And finally, it is reported that major damage was caused in Victoria Bay when someone crashed a bakkie into the showers on the beach.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports students of the Nelson Mandela University who are forced to live in off-campus residences have to be content with terrible conditions. There are, among other things, cockroach and mouse infestations, no hot water, piles of garbage and unsafe conditions.
And secondly, the paper writes the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will spend more than 1.1-million-rand on the regeneration of neglected municipal business centres in some of the townships.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes about the bus accident on the R-34 near Vryheid that claimed the lives of 12 EFF supporters. The police are investigating.
And secondly, it reports armed learners are causing terror at schools.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the parents of chess players who represented Namibia in Kenya are upset because, despite having a sponsor, they still had to pay for the tour.
Then the paper writes the pioneers in lithium mining and production in Namibia, Andrada Mining, have announced that an additional source of tin ore has been acquired.
And finally, there is news about Ester Mande’s braai road stall in Rundu.