The headlines of the leading newspapers on 15 October 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports Moody’s expects South Africa’s real GDP growth to rise to around 1.6-percent next year. This is the most optimistic forecast of the three major rating agencies. However, Moody’s warns that debt must be reduced sustainably.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says president Cyril Ramaphosa’s attack on the DA’s management in the city is nothing more than damage control. He says it is about Ramaphosa’s DA statement earlier. Ramaphosa says there is no meaningful eradication of inequality in Cape Town.
Then the website writes the former Vlakplaas police commander, Eugene de Kock, wants to testify in the inquest into the Cradock-4’s deaths. His health is now being monitored to ensure he can make the trip.
And finally, it is reported a matric farewell in Franschhoek has ended tragically when one of the learners, 18-year-old Merlin Jephtas, died of an asthma attack.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes Ramaphosa may have to comply with renewed calls to be investigated after he admitted in Parliament yesterday that he knew controversial figure Hangwani Maumela, who is linked to the alleged looting of more than two-billion-rand at Tembisa Hospital.
# Sowetan:
Leads with: “SIYAYA eAMERICA”. The paper reports Bafana Bafana have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in America, Mexico and Canada for the first time since 2002.
# And The Citizen:
Writes the Gauteng premier, Panyaza Lesufi has finally suspended his provincial health chief, Lesiba Malotana. This follows raids by the Special Investigation Unit in connection with the Tembisa Hospital scandal.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Has the same lead as Netwerk24 about Ramaphosa.
And secondly, the paper writes that four-year-old Luke Peterson was run over and killed while playing on the pavement in front of his house in Bonteheuwel at the weekend. The police are investigating.
EASTERN CAPE:
# Daily Despatch in East London:
Firstly, reports there is an urgent call for action as the school transport strike is spreading.
And secondly, the paper writes the Mnquma Municipality has launched a special project against stray animals.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes the government is offering special incentives for civil servants to retire.
And reports that the Animal Welfare Society is investigating animal cruelty at a chicken farm.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports that the grandmother of a five-year-old girl who was murdered in Okahandja says her granddaughter’s death was caused by her school’s alleged negligence.
Then the paper writes the minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, says the time is over for anyone to open a driving school.
And finally, there is news about three Belgians who are tackling a Polish adventurer’s Namibian route from decades ago on bicycles.