The headlines of the leading newspapers on 21 July 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the strike of pilots at FlySafair, which was planned for one day, has been extended by the company to two weeks, with a lockout notice sent to the trade union Solidarity.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports the secretary-general of the ANC, Fikile Mbalula, says the suspended minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, has not been unfairly favoured. He says the stand-down rule applies when someone is charged or appears in court.
Then the paper writes about 25 young Western Cape soccer players stranded in Europe because the organisation that organised the tour to Spain, BT Football, allegedly did not book any return tickets.
And finally there is news about the Junior Springboks who won the U-20 World Cup.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes almost 200 South Africans are currently stranded in Thailand after falling victim to a human trafficking syndicate. They were lured by promises of good compensation on social media. The paper reports a Chinese mafia network is allegedly behind the syndicate. The scam targets young South Africans who speak fluent English, are computer literate and have marketing or IT qualifications.
# Sowetan:
Reports the thousands of applications received by the police for student posts are clear evidence of the extent of the unemployment crisis among young people.
# And The Citizen:
Writes about another rehabilitation centre where shocking events have come to light. The paper reports that a motorist allegedly saw an employee of the Tetelestai Recovery Centre in Amanzimtoti dispose of a bag containing a foetus. This apparently follows the death of a patient at the rehabilitation centre for drug abuse. The police will now investigate.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Leads with the South African soccer players stranded in Europe. The newspaper reports the parents of the players have already collected approximately 50-thousand-rand per child before their departure.
And secondly, the macabre story of Uncle Pieter and Aunt Annetjie Human of Lephalale, who caused a stir with their billboard: “Human biltong for sale”.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports a detailed investigation by the Built Environment Council has confirmed that critical safety concerns raised months before the catastrophic collapse of the building in George were ignored.
And secondly, the paper writes that the minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, says he will introduce a number of legislative reforms to avoid future tragedies. Macpherson has also called for a police investigation into those criminally responsible for the tragedy.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes the traffic audit carried out in Msunduzi has highlighted numerous problem areas.
And secondly, it is reported that the municipality’s wastewater plant is being upgraded.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the City of Windhoek’s electricity department is operating at just over 60-percent of its staff capacity, with only 140 out of 230 approved positions filled. There are currently 52-thousand homes waiting for power.
Then the newspaper writes the analysis of water samples from the Stampriet aquifer is being delayed because the laboratory requires advance payment.
And finally, there is news about Miss Namibia, Johanna Swartbooi.