The headlines of the leading newspapers from 18 November 2021:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Writes the CEO of Eskom, André de Ruyter says the slow movement on public procurement decisions is hampering Eskom’s ability to quickly tackle the extensive maintenance challenges at its aging power plants.

GAUTENG:

# Beeld:

The paper’s entire front page is today focussed on a tribute to the life of the popular Afrikaans singer Theuns Jordaan. The paper writes about his achievements, music and has messages of condolences from well-known voices in the industry.

# Pretoria News:

Leads with the headline: “BLACKS RACIALLY PROFILED, KILLED”. The paper reports about the evidence before the Human Rights Commission on the circumstances in Phoenix, Durban during the July riots.

# The Star:

Writes the minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga expressed her concern about teenage pregnancies after it came to light that nearly 130-thousand school girls gave birth during 2019.

# Sowetan:

Reports about the kidnapping of a grade 5 pupil outside a Johannesburg school. The paper writes a crime expert says sophisticated syndicates with international links are feeling emboldened by ineffective policing In South Africa.

# And The Citizen:

Has the headline: “ESKOM THE ROT WITHIN”. The paper writes about allegations of sabotage by Public Enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan. He told Parliament problems arose at the utility after certain Tweets were sent.

FREE STATE:

# Volksblad in Bloemfontein:

Also leads with a tribute to Theuns Jordaan.

Then the paper writes about the drowning of former Bok Jannie du Plessis’ ten-month-old son, Jan Nathaniël, on his father’s birthday.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports South Africa’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, will appeal his suspension from rugby after he was found guilty of criticising Australian referees.

Then the paper also pays tribute to Theuns Jordaan and writes about the death of Jannie du Plessis’ son.

# Cape Times:

Writes more than 20-million-rand has been recovered in fraudulent Covid-19 claims.

Then the paper reports the police are investigating a case of murder and assault at an illegal Ruyterwacht rehabilitation centre in Cape Town.

And finally, there is a story about the full-time petrol attendant who earned his LLB degree.

# And Cape Argus:

Reports load-shedding costs businesses in Cape Town 150-million-rand a day.

And then the paper writes about a grandmother who obtained her master’s degree.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Writes about secret late-night talks to determine the balance of power in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and reports about the FBI’s involvement in a local child pornography case.

# Daily Dispatch in East London:

Reports about the resignation from the National Assembly of ANC MP and regional leader Princess Faku.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes nearly 600 cases of gender-based violence are reported in the uMgungundlovu district monthly, which has shed new light on the alleged abuse of young girls by so-called spiritual leaders.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein says experts have found permit conditions were breached during drilling for uranium in the Kalahari. A second investigation will be conducted to determine if the transboundary water table has already been contaminated.

And secondly, the paper writes about the fish quota scandal court case. The state alleges the accused were all in cahoots with their involvement in an Angolan company.