Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 22 September 2025:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports South Africa’s first major test of expropriation without compensation will be decided under outdated legislation due to president Cyril Ramaphosa’s failure to implement the Expropriation Act of 2024. Sakeliga says the Driefontein case could set a precedent for housing projects and commercial development.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Leads with a minute-by-minute report on the memorial service held for activist Charlie Kirk in the USA.

Then the website writes doctor Aneen Church of Kovsies says that Afrikaans’ biggest threat is not other languages, it is Afrikaans parents who put their children in English schools.

And finally, there is a report on Laurika Rauch, who gave one of her last performances at the Afrikaans 100 event in Cape Town.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes analysts say the DA’s choice to nominate Helen Zille as mayoral candidate in Johannesburg and portray her as the great saviour is misleading and unrealistic. It also moves away from the party’s placement of black leaders in key positions.

# Sowetan:

Reports on the fate of the people in Tzaneen, Limpopo, after the local authority demolished 65 houses that were illegally built on state land. Some now live in their cars next to the building rubble.

# And The Citizen:

Asks whether Helen Zille is capable of fixing Johannesburg. The paper writes the main obstacles are a declining tax base and a history of struggling coalitions in the council.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports on the memorial service for Jan Boland Coetzee that was held in Coetzenburg. He was hailed by various sectors of society and praised for his contribution.

And secondly, the paper also writes about Helen Zille’s plans in Johannesburg. The DA believes she is the right “muti” to turn the city around.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports a huge sewage spill in Nelson Mandela Bay raise concerns about the safety of beaches during the summer season.

And secondly, the paper writes that steps are being taken to protect Gqeberha’s oldest bridge, the Smartie Bridge, from heavy vehicles.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes Ashor Sarupen has his eye on the position of federal chairperson of the DA. This follows the announcement of Helen Zille’s plans in Johannesburg. Sarupen is currently the first deputy chairperson of the federal council.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports Namibia boasts its first hydrogen-powered bus through partnerships with the European Union and private investment.

And secondly, the paper writes farm profitability has improved thanks to stronger prices for livestock, including cattle, lambs and weaners. Prices have increased by 10- to 27-percent.