Top 10 stories of the day: Mabuza funeral | Springboks beat Italy | 2025 Durban July

Picture of Molefe Seeletsa

Compiled by Molefe Seeletsa

Journalist


Here’s your daily news update for Saturday, 5 July 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.


In today’s news update,  the late former deputy president David Mabuza will be laid to rest next weekend, while the Springboks scored a 42-24 win over Italy on Saturday.

Additionally, this year’s Durban July horse racing event has been won by The Real Prince.

Heavy rains are expected to hit the Western Cape coast on Sunday. Read the full weather forecast here.

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News today: 5 July 2025


David Mabuza’s funeral date confirmed as Mokonyane dismisses ANC criticism claims

David Mabuza memorial service Mokonyane ANC
Former deputy president David Mabuza at Union Buildings in Pretoria on 19 June 2024. Picture: Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu

The family of former deputy president David Mabuza has confirmed that his funeral will take place next weekend.

Mabuza died on Thursday following a short illness at the age of 64.

Continue reading here

Springboks battle past Italy at Loftus

Kurt-Lee Arendse
Kurt-Lee Arendse was one of the try-scorers for the Springboks against Italy on Saturday. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images

The Springboks kicked off their 2025 Test season with a far from impressive 42-24 win against Six Nations minnows and severely weakened Italy in the first of two Tests between the nations at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

Continue reading here

The Real Prince, the real deal: Hot favourite goes down by a whisker in Durban July

2025 Durban July horse racing
Spectators celebrate during the Durban July main race on 2 July 2022. Picture: Jacques Nelles

The Real Prince won the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July at Greyville, narrowly beating hot-pot 2-1 favourite Eight On Eighteen.

Ridden by Craig Zackey and trained by Dean Kannemeyer, four-year-old gelding The Real Prince started at bookmaker odds of 14-1, paid R10.30 a Win and R2.90 a Place on the TAB tote.

Continue reading here

Steenhuisen calls national dialogue a ‘band-aid on the ANC’s electoral wound’

John Steenhuisen has responded to Thabo Mbeki's open letter regarding the national dialogue.
Minster of Agriculture and DA leader John Steenhuisen. Picture: Nigel Sibanda

DA leader John Steenhuisen has written off the upcoming national dialogue as an ANC campaign event.

The Minister of Agriculture in the government of national unity (GNU) wrote an open letter to Thabo Mbeki in response to the former president’s own letter released earlier this week.

Continue reading here

A ‘mockery’ or ‘flimsy attack’? ANC and DA scrap over Tshwane city manager’s appointment

Tshwane City manager, Johann Mettler speaks to media as part of a disconnection drive held by the City of Tshwane, 5 March 2024. This action which is part of the cities #TshwaneYaTima campaign aims to cut off to force payment of some of the properties with the worst accumulation of debt in the city. Picture: Neil McCartney / The Citizen
Tshwane city manager Johann Mettler. Picture: Neil McCartney

The appointment of Tshwane city manager Johann Mettler was conducted in a manner that creates a mockery of the prescripts governing the appointment of senior managers, claims the ANC.

Continue reading here



Yesterday’s News recap

READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Remembering Mabuza | Creecy signs licence machine deal | White and Bulls part ways