The headlines of the leading newspapers on 12 August 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the Presidency has confirmed the opening of the National Dialogue will take place on 15 and 16 August, which will formally launch a constitutionally mandated process aimed at developing a national agreement for transformation. This comes amid growing public criticism over the funding of the process.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports DA leader John Steenhuisen says the National Dialogue is invalid and untrustworthy because the government is not presenting any plans for it, and public support is drastically decreasing. He says the dialogue is degenerating into a monologue for the ANC.
Secondly, the website writes evidence was presented in the High Court in Polokwane that 76-year-old Anneke Claassen, who was murdered on her farm at Ohrigstad two years ago, was already warned about the attack by text message two years earlier. Clifford Mgiba is on trial for the murder of Anneke and her friend Hennie Claassen.
And finally, there is news about the Lions, who lost 29-10 to Boland. Lions coach, Mzwakhe Nkosi, says his team’s performance was disappointing.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes sources in the ANC NEC say that a member of the committee, Andile Lungisa, allegedly called for the immediate dissolution of the party’s top leadership structure during a meeting, accusing it of being “politically bankrupt” and incapable of leading the ANC through its deepest post-apartheid crisis. The call was allegedly made during a heated discussion about the party’s poor electoral performance and little success in the government of national unity.
# Sowetan:
Reports the father of a murder victim was shocked to spot his daughter’s killer on the street only a year after he was sentenced. It appears that the traffic officer who shot and killed his girlfriend was released on a legal technicality.
# And The Citizen:
Writes about the DA’s six-point plan against black economic empowerment. The party says the plan is aimed at creating jobs for all and economic growth.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Leads with the same story as Netwerk24 about Steenhuisen’s statement on the National Dialogue.
And secondly, the paper reports Ferdinand Fortuin of Mamre has been sentenced to five years in prison for making a false bomb threat at his workplace because he did not feel like going to work.
EASTERN CAPE:
# Daily Despatch in East London:
Reports there is great unhappiness over the decision of Clarendon High School to close its rowing club.
And secondly, the paper writes the local car show has degenerated into a drunken brawl.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes that King Misuzulu has announced that the annual Reed Dance ceremony will be moved from Enyokeni Palace to Mashobeni Palace.
And secondly, it is reported that a Pietermaritzburg woman lost 50-thousand-rand in a scam.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports disgruntled residents of Walvis Bay say the Independent Patriots for Change should stop playing political games when they do not have the internal and external capacity to tackle the town’s challenges.
Secondly, the paper writes employees at drought relief warehouses who were contracted as loaders have apparently not been paid for months.
And finally, there is good news about the Namibian senior men’s roller hockey team, which concluded its participation in the World Games with a bronze medal.