Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 16 February 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports one of South Africa’s largest fixed income investors, Futuregrowth, says it supports president Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to establish a fully independent network operator for Eskom.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports part of the ransom paid for a kidnapped Matie student has been declared forfeited to the state. The student, whose name cannot be mentioned, was kidnapped on October 2, 2024, and 89-thousand-rand of the 200-thousand-rand ransom was withdrawn by her captors.

Then the website writes president Ramaphosa expressed his concern about the lack of stability on the African continent. He participated in an African Union summit in Ethiopia.

And finally, it is reported that tributes are pouring in for 62-year-old Springbok Wessel Lightfoot who died of cancer.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes judge Mandla Mbongwe has ruled in the High Court in Pretoria that controversial diamond trader Louis Liebenberg must undergo an evaluation at Weskoppies Hospital. Liebenberg is currently 41st on the waiting list.

And secondly, it is reported that the joke that the minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, made about South Africa’s water crisis, is receiving fierce criticism from the community.

# Sowetan:

Reports a new gold rush has been unleashed by residents of the Gugulethu settlement in Springs after they claimed to have discovered gold in a cattle kraal where a former mine dump used to be.

# And The Citizen:

Writes while Ramaphosa is prosecuting those who contribute to the water crisis, it is only ANC municipalities that are aiding the crisis, because in the DA-controlled municipalities, there are no water problems.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports on the vaccination plans that have been put in place for foot-and-mouth disease with the approval of the import of vaccine by the South African Health Products Control Board. The minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, says the new strategy will ensure that the disease does not again cripple the country’s livestock industry.

And secondly, the paper writes extremely hot weather conditions and a fire hazard are predicted for the Western Cape.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports Makhanda is suffering from serious water shortages due to collapsing infrastructure and vandalism. There is also a drought in the area and water restrictions have been imposed.

And secondly, the paper writes about the Herald cycle tour that was presented with great success.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes about the death throes of Tongaat/Hulett due to the extremely dire circumstances in which the sugar industry finds itself.

And secondly, crime gangs are reported to be harassing the elderly residents of Howick

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports Namibia’s chief veterinarian, doctor Kenneth Kennedy Shoombe, has been appointed ‘commander’ in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease.

And secondly, the paper writes a female farmer from Gamsberg says it was typical like cowboys and crooks when two suspected cattle butchers were chased by a Kupferberg roadblock and arrested.