The headlines of the leading newspapers on 19 August 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports, Absa’s new CEO, Kenny Fihla, is working on a strategic plan aimed at deepening the bank’s pan-African presence. Fihla, who has been in the role for two months, said the group has the tools to do business successfully at home and on the rest of the continent.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports, Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi says DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille could become the president of South Africa in 2029. He attributes this to her campaign to become mayor of Johannesburg and the absence of strong leadership in the country.
Then the website writes the ANC has condemned criticism of the party by two of its senior NEC members, Senzo Mchunu and Malusi Gigaba. Both said the party is divided and collapsing.
And finally, Kyla Blackwood-Murray, the wife of the pilot who crashed into the sea at Durban, is reported not to know how she will cope without her husband, Andrew. She says she has always dreaded the call she received about the accident.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes the Competition Commission has approached the Constitutional Court in another chapter of the ongoing saga following allegations that the banks conspired with each other to manipulate the foreign exchange rate in relation to the US dollar and the Rand.
# Sowetan:
Reports 18 people are suing the state following an attack by police during lockdown. The people were queuing at a supermarket to get work when police allegedly opened fire on them. One of the complainants reportedly had a miscarriage shortly after the incident.
# And The Citizen:
Writes AfriForum has called for transparency regarding Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s plans for an expensive new number plate system for the province.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Leads with Netwerk24’s story on Kyla Blackwood-Murray.
And secondly, the paper writes about an Italian ham from Woolworths that was allegedly sold for 10-thousand-rand.
EASTERN CAPE:
# Daily Despatch in East London:
Reports an inspection tour of health facilities in East London has highlighted the many shortcomings at the institutions.
And secondly, the paper writes two security guards were shot dead in East London’s city centre during a robbery.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes Elon Musk’s Starlink has submitted a business proposal to do business in South Africa.
And secondly, the paper reports parents have closed a local school because there is no water supply.
And finally, from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports that the state hospital in Okahandja is facing a serious crisis as almost all essential medicines are believed to have been out of stock since June this year.
Then the paper writes the father of the one-year-old boy, Amare Boois, who was allegedly murdered by his mother, testified in court how he met her.
And finally, there is news about 15-year-old Teaghan Beresford from Swakopmund who is on an exciting Arctic adventure.