Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 28 February 2025:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports US President Donald Trump has dealt a serious blow to South Africa’s HIV/AIDS organisations and scientists when he revoked grants from the US Agency for International Development with immediate effect. Health activists warn that the country risks losing its breakthroughs against the HIV epidemic if the government does not act immediately.

# Mail & Guardian on Fridays:

Writes both the ANC and the MK Party are suffering from internal factional fighting. The paper writes about the ANC’s division in KwaZulu-Natal and MK members’ unhappiness with the party’s chief whip, Mzwanele Manyi.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports president Cyril Ramaphosa says the US visit of Solidarity and AfriForum only contributes to further division in the country. He says South Africa will not build a nation if we run to other countries to complain. The website writes the EFF is insisting that Solidarity and AfriForum be declared terrorist organisations.

Secondly, the page writes the Northern Cape and Kalahari have received much-needed rain but the drought is not yet broken.

And finally, there is news about chess icon Boris Spassky who has died at 88.

GAUTENG:

# The Star & Pretoria News:

Writes the US suspension of funds for HIV/AIDS organisations amounts to nothing less than genocide.

And secondly, the newspaper reports the government has made it clear that no extension will be granted to small businesses that are not registered by today.

# Sowetan:

Reports today is the deadline for spaza shops to register and in Gauteng only about 10-percent have completed the process. The police say municipalities were unable to manage the process.

# And The Citizen:

Writes about an air disaster that was averted when FlySafair flight 268 almost crashed in sugarcane fields. The paper reports there are questions about the timely reporting of the serious incident.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Has the same lead as Netwerk24 about Solidarity and AfriForum’s American visit.

Then the paper writes about 17-year-old Kirsty George from Retreat who was shot dead when she retaliated against a man who commented on her pregnancy.

And finally, there is news about the school calendar for 2026 which was published in the Government Gazette.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe says there will be consequences after the 2025/2026 adjustment budget was not tabled in council on Thursday.

And secondly the paper writes Eastern Cape government officials are threatening guesthouse owners to pay them the value of meals included in a stay in cash.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes Zulu king Misuzulu kaZwelithini has spoken out strongly against gender violence in KwaZulu-Natal.

And reports four adults in the province now also have hand, foot, and mouth disease after it initially only occurred among children.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports more arrests are expected in addition to the five people who allegedly defrauded a local fishing company by pretending to establish a training institute worth about 30 million-rand.

Then the paper writes there are many questions about Swakopmund’s proposed fish processing facilities.

And finally, there is news about 12 young Namibians who are leaving on Sunday to receive training on board an MSC passenger ship.