December 3, 2025 – South Africa Headlines

Story gist: The United States assumed the presidency of the Group of 20. South Africa was not invited to the first G20 meeting hosted in the US this month.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets provided no coverage, leaving those perspectives absent. Center coverage from the U.S. Embassy in South Africa framed the event neutrally as the U.S. assuming G20 presidency, emphasizing official transition without mentioning South Africa’s exclusion or any controversy, omitting potential implications of the snub.

Story gist: Senzo Mchunu rejected corruption claims described as the ‘first-ever’ against him during testimony at the Madlanga Commission.

Bias summary: No left- or right-leaning outlets covered the story, omitting those perspectives entirely. Center outlet eNCA frames Mchunu ‘in the hot seat,’ using dramatic tone to emphasize scrutiny and tension at the commission, with a ‘WATCH’ prompt highlighting video coverage of the hearing over the claims’ rejection.

Story gist: South Africa was urged not to abstain as usual on a UN resolution calling for Russia to return children taken during the war. Caritas Ukraine leads efforts to reintegrate such children.

Bias summary: No left-leaning outlets covered the story, leaving that perspective absent. Center outlet News24 emphasizes diplomatic pressure on South Africa to support the anti-Russia UN resolution, using neutral but pointed language on abstention habits. Right-leaning Catholic News Agency highlights positive humanitarian work by Caritas Ukraine on child reintegration, omitting UN/South Africa angle and focusing on Ukrainian efforts.

Story gist: A motion of no confidence against Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero was withdrawn.

Bias summary: No left-leaning outlets covered the story, leaving that perspective absent. Center outlet News24 used a neutral, factual headline directly stating the withdrawal without emphasis. Right-leaning The Citizen framed it with urgency via ‘JUST IN’ and positively for Morero as ‘set to survive another motion,’ emphasizing repetition to highlight resilience amid opposition challenges.

Story gist: South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile announced rollout of twice-yearly HIV prevention injection lenacapavir in South Africa, Eswatini, and Zambia in 2026. WHO approved the shot in Zambia and Zimbabwe via Collaborative Registration Procedure.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like IOL emphasize government announcement by Mashatile and future rollout, highlighting national leadership. Center sources like WHO stress rapid ‘record time’ approvals in Zambia and Zimbabwe via international process. Right-leaning outlets offer no coverage, leaving conservative perspectives absent.