December 11, 2025 – South Africa Headlines

Story gist: South Africa was excluded from the 2026 G20 summit hosted by the United States. Communications Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni stated South Africa is not in the business of pleading with the USA; a German official remarked on non-existent problems regarding the exclusion.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like IOL emphasize a German official’s dismissal of South Africa’s exclusion as a ‘non-existent’ problem, downplaying SA’s concerns with an international perspective. Center outlets like News24 focus on Ntshavheni’s defiant tone against the US. Right-leaning outlets offer no coverage, omitting any perspective on US foreign policy or SA relations.

Story gist: South Africa’s Department of Education confirmed a breach in the matric marking process.

Bias summary: Center outlet EWN reported factually with a headline directly stating the official confirmation. Left-leaning outlets omitted coverage, absenting emphasis on systemic education inequities or government negligence. Right-leaning outlets also omitted, missing focus on accountability, corruption risks, or calls for stricter oversight in public exams.

Story gist: Police arrested a suspect for the alleged murder of retired Bloemfontein teacher Karin van Aardt in Cape Town. The killing occurred at Cape Town Airport.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets provide no coverage, omitting any perspective on the incident. Center outlets like News24 frame it neutrally as a factual arrest report, emphasizing police action without broader context. Right-leaning Freedom Front Plus highlights the airport location, names the victim, and uses alarmist tone calling for ‘radical changes’ to combat crime, implying government failure.

Story gist: IPHC church leader appeared in bail hearing over allegations of bribing a judge in a succession dispute. Hearing included revelations of assassins and corruption; the leader plans to plead not guilty.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Sowetan frames story factually, emphasizing leader’s not guilty plea to bribing judge in succession dispute, omitting dramatic elements. Center News24 uses sensational tone with ‘shocking’ headlines highlighting bribes, assassins, and corruption. Right-leaning coverage absent, leaving perspectives on institutional corruption or law enforcement unrepresented.

Story gist: The Democratic Alliance threatened to seek a court interdict against interviews for National Director of Public Prosecutions. NPA candidates addressed internal challenges and ethical standards in their leadership bids.

Bias summary: Left-leaning IOL emphasizes NPA candidates’ focus on ethical standards and internal challenges, framing the leadership bid positively while omitting DA’s threat. Center eNCA neutrally highlights DA’s threat to interdict NDPP interviews. Right-leaning coverage is absent, leaving potential emphasis on opposition to the process or support for DA’s legal challenge unrepresented.