The headlines of the leading newspapers on 05 September 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the succession plans of South Africa’s largest packaging group, Nampak, are in disarray after the company’s CEO-designate, Andrew Hood, tendered his resignation for personal reasons. The paper writes the group, which made a comeback under the leadership of Phil Roux, said it was starting a new process to identify a successor.
# Mail & Guardian on Fridays:
Writes Helen Zille is the DA’s choice for Johannesburg. The party’s Gauteng leader, Solly Msimanga, denied that there was dissatisfaction in the DA over the decision.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Firstly, reports about the Proteas who managed to clinch the ODI against England at Lord’s. This was accompanied by a world record. Matthew Breetzke was the first batsman to score more than 50 runs in each of his first five innings in international one-day cricket.
Secondly, the website writes about two-year-old Millé Wasserman who fell in a swimming pool and later died in hospital. The incident took place on her parents, Kobus and Rentia Wasserman’s farm in Bainsvlei outside Bloemfontein.
And finally, it is reported that the murder accused from White River, Marco Schalekamp, was granted bail because the state’s case is weak and the investigating officer is not objective according to the court.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes Gauteng premier and ANC leader Panyaza Lesufi’s recent stance is being seen by political analysts as an attempt to appeal to voters with growing anti-migrant sentiment, echoing groups such as Operation Dudula. This strategy comes as the ANC’s support wanes in anticipation of the 2026 local elections.
# Sowetan:
Reports illegal taxi stands are popping up everywhere in Johannesburg. Even in people’s driveways and on streets that are blocked. A taxi association says people must be patient because they have to provide transport.
# And The Citizen:
Writes that bank clients lost more than 1.4-billion-rand to artificial intelligence-driven fraud in 2024. And these are especially older people. However, according to a lawyer, banks are reluctant to pay out and are more interested in case numbers.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports the taxpayer will have to pay about 100-million-rand for the parliamentary tent while the parliament building is restored. There is a possibility of buying the tent for 68-million-rand, but then it must be renovated for 38-million-rand.
And writes about the race scandal at the Stellenbosch Municipality where a senior manager, Alexander Kannemeyer, allegedly made statements about how to get rid of white employees. The DA will today ask for his temporary suspension so that the investigation into the incident can proceed unhindered.
EASTERN CAPE:
# Daily Despatch in East London:
Reports the land claimants who have not yet been paid have undertaken to approach the Human Rights Commission for help.
And secondly, the paper writes the Buffalo City metro is currently taking action against those responsible for the failed swimming pool project in Mdantsane.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes South Africa’s unemployment crisis is worsening almost daily.
And reports about a felled tree that narrowly missed a toddler.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Report Namibia’s Correctional Services currently only employ three-thousand-200 officers, far fewer than the eight-thousand-400 required.
And secondly, the paper writes Dundee Precious Metals is, according to the town’s Business Consortium, the engineer of the so-called “arsenic time bomb” in Tsumeb.