November 20, 2025 – South Africa Headlines

Story gist: Al Majd Europe denied ties to Israel’s Mossad. The denial follows controversy over the organization’s role in flying Palestinians from Gaza to South Africa’s OR Tambo International Airport.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Al Jazeera frames the story with suspicion, using ‘shadowy organisation’ to emphasize potential deceit in transporting Gaza Palestinians to South Africa. Center outlet News24 reports neutrally, focusing on the denial amid controversy without added intrigue. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting perspectives that might downplay Mossad allegations or highlight security benefits of the flights.

Story gist: The United States warned South Africa against issuing a statement after the G20 summit. Reuters reported that former President Trump’s absence from the summit provided an opportunity for the South African hosts.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets provided no coverage, leaving progressive perspectives on US-South Africa relations absent. Center outlets like Reuters framed the story neutrally, emphasizing Trump’s empty chair as an opportunity for South African hosts without criticism. Right-leaning outlets also lacked coverage, omitting conservative views on US diplomatic warnings or Trump’s foreign policy decisions.

Story gist: Brown Mogotsi testified at the Madlanga Commission about an alleged assassination attempt on his life. He was accused of being a ‘professional liar’ during the proceedings.

Bias summary: Left-leaning IOL emphasizes Mogotsi’s personal account of fleeing an assassination attempt, using dramatic phrasing like ‘I ran for my life’ to highlight vulnerability. Center outlet EWN neutrally reports the accusation of Mogotsi as a ‘professional liar’ without added context. Right-leaning outlets offer no coverage, omitting the story and potentially indicating disinterest in commission-related threats or testimonies.

Story gist: Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka stated that Africa’s lack of thriving stems from poor leadership. The comment relates to the G20 Social Summit held in the City of Ekurhuleni.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets omitted coverage of Mlambo-Ngcuka’s statement, absenting progressive African development perspectives. Center-leaning outlets focused on explanatory details of the G20 Social Summit in Ekurhuleni, emphasizing event context without direct commentary on the leadership critique. Right-leaning outlets also lacked coverage, missing conservative views on African governance or international summits.

Story gist: Johannesburg authorities issued advisories for drivers to avoid specific routes during the G20 Summit weekend. The restrictions aim to manage traffic disruptions in the city.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets omitted coverage, absenting potential critiques of summit security measures or economic impacts on locals. Center outlets like Daily Maverick framed the story practically, with a neutral headline listing routes to avoid, emphasizing commuter guidance over political implications of the G20 event in Johannesburg.