Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-01-09 i Mercury

THE festive season comes a little later at the Berlin Zoo. For the elephants and some other species, it’s at last time to unwrap their Christmas presents, according to Associated Press. Christmas trees that didn’t find a human home this festive season were given to zoo animals in what has become an annual event. Elephants tore off branches with their trunks, lobbing them around their enclosure or eating the greenery. The zoo takes only fresh, unsold trees from select vendors. It doesn’t accept trees from the public, which could contain chemicals or leftover decorations. “They don’t just serve as food, they are also used to keep the animals occupied,” says Florian Sicks, the zoo’s curator for mammals. “The animals can fight with them, they can rub themselves against them, they…

The DA in eThekwini corrects the false information being spread by former DA councillor and Jacob Zuma sympathiser Ethan Ramkuar and a few of his friends, which incorrectly blames DA councillors in Chatsworth for water issues in the community. Ramkuar’s lies cannot stand, and the DA sets the record straight that it is not the DA’s fault that service delivery issues by the ANC-IFP-EFF-run City are causing water troubles in Chatsworth. Ethan Ramkuar clearly has a political agenda. He is a failed politician who now disguises himself as a human rights activist. He is a former DA councillor in Umhlathuze who left the party after an investigation following his arrest on allegations of assault against his then girlfriend. After he left the DA he joined the IFP but has recently…

Javier Milei, the chainsaw-wielding economist turned president, has taken a chainsaw to government spending in Argentina, literally and figuratively. It seems to be working. His radical austerity measures have turned the Argentinian economy around, with just enough social support to prevent full-scale rioting. Inflation has decreased and he has achieved budget surpluses for the first time in years. His libertarian agenda is clear: smaller government, less red tape and fewer restrictions on trade. Milei got rid of 9 government departments. “Out! Out! Out!” he promised in his campaign videos and delivered, cutting the number of ministries by half. This could be a lesson for South Africa, which would do well to apply a firmer hand regarding budget. The GNU (Government of National Unity) has resulted in a more hopeful and…

Former president Jacob Zuma has sent the ANC a letter of demand giving the organisation an ultimatum to reinstate his membership by January 31 or face court action. In the letter to the party, Zuma’s attorney Thabo Kwinana outlined “procedural and substantive concerns” regarding the processes undertaken by the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) and the National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal (NDCA). The letter says Zuma’s expulsion was “not procedural and invalid”, citing irregularities. Representatives of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) leader said the ANC’s actions were in breach of the organisation’s constitution and the Constitution of South Africa. “We are therefore instructed to demand, as we hereby do, that the ANC must take all the necessary steps to ensure that such a reasoned ruling of the NDCA is furnished,…

As we step into 2025, South Africa finds itself at a critical juncture in its political, social, and economic landscape. The recent elections have ushered in a new era characterised by coalition politics, heightened public expectations, and significant challenges that the Government of National Unity (GNU) must navigate. This opinion piece aims to dissect the key trends and events anticipated in the coming year, providing insights into how they may shape the future of the nation. 1. The Government of National Unity: A Coalition of Necessity The formation of the GNU following the May 2024 elections marks a significant shift in South Africa’s political dynamics. For the first time since the end of apartheid, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has had to share power with opposition parties, primarily the…

Newcastle took a giant stride towards the League Cup final as goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon earned a 2-0 semi-final, first leg lead at Arsenal on Tuesday. The Magpies have never previously won the competition, and have had to wait since 1969 to celebrate any major trophy. But in Isak, they have the form striker in England right now, and he rifled home the opener then helped tee up the second for Gordon. Arsenal have a mountain to climb when the sides meet for the second leg on February 5 if they are to progress to meet either Tottenham or Liverpool in the final. “It’s massive. It’s a great result, but it’s only the first half,” said Isak after Newcastle’s seventh consecutive win and first at the Emirates…

At first glance I don’t appear to fear much. I go places the masses avoid, visit countries the US government suggests I don’t. And, when I am there, I walk and talk and go deep into the environment almost always alone. My sons, over the years, each in his own way, have asked me to be more careful. Some kind of false bravado? I don’t think so. I love people and it has been my experience that people just about everywhere tend to welcome strangers. Am I fearless? Of course not. There are days I am riddled with it, undone. What I most fear is rejection, not the rejection of large groups or neighbours. I have had all that. While it is unpleasant, it is not what I fear. What…

In Kamal Amrohi’s timeless 1972 classic Pakeezah, iconic actress Meena Kumari’s prostitute character, in agony and desperation, cries out to hero Raaj Kumar, who is trying to help her to escape from her cursed brothel life and marry him: “Exactly how many whores are you going to rescue from this open grave of Hell?” One sees a familiar face standing at a bus stop, stops and offers the acquaintance a lift. There’s still plenty of space available in the back seat. But nobody else gets a lift. Lots of sad faces get left behind for no specific reason. There are close to 200 000 registered charities in this country. Feeling charitable? Got a million rand to help? Easy! R5 to each of the registered organisations, and hooray! Your million rand…

Police swooped on the Houghton, Johannesburg home of the late former president Nelson Mandela yesterday and arrested five suspects in connection with an alleged hijacking case. A stolen vehicle and an unlicensed firearm were found at the premises and these items are now subject to a criminal investigation. The identity of the suspects, who are being held at the Norwood police station, is unknown. However it has been alleged that one of Mandela’s grandsons, whose identity is known to The Mercury, is among those detained. According to reports from Vision Tactical, a private security company, its team, along with members of the SAPS, arrested the suspects after a stolen vehicle was located at the property. Upon their arrival, police cordoned off the area. A neighbour, who was on his way…

Pupils in KwaZulu-Natal have expressed mixed views on their matric results being published in newspapers as has been done for years. Yesterday the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria dismissed an application by the Information Regulator (IR) to interdict the Department of Basic Education (DBE) from publishing the 2024 matric results in the media, saying the matter was not urgent. As a result, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has confirmed that the DBE will publish the results on January 14. She thanked the IR on social media for raising its concerns and said she would continue to work with the body to address any further issues. The results will, however, be published using only the candidate’s exam number, as the court ordered in 2022 that no names may be made public. Judge…

As schools in KwaZulu-Natal prepare to reopen next week, concerns about security and delays in the delivery of learning materials have been raised by teacher unions. According to the KZN Department of Education, 99% of textbooks and 76% of stationery have been delivered to 4 174 schools across the province. However, security concerns in certain areas have led to materials not yet being delivered to some schools. “Deliveries to affected areas will now take place between January 12 and 17,” the department said. Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka reiterated the department’s commitment to ensuring readiness. The department also confirmed it was working with law enforcement agencies to protect resources and staff during the delivery process. Nomarashiya Caluza, of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), said there were two major challenges…

The backlog of subsidised public housing in South Africa is estimated at 2.4 million. In this interview, Hlengiwe Maila, a research fellow at the School of Public Management and Administration at the University of Pretoria, answers questions posed by associate professor Adrino Mazenda about possible solutions. Maila’s PhD thesis, which was jointly supervised by Mazenda and Professor Lianne Malan, focused on developing a new model for the South African housing sector. What’s the current system and what’s wrong with it? Currently, public housing is built on the basis of contracts issued by the government. But the model is failing. First, it has become financially unsustainable for the government. This is evident in the shrinking budget for housing. Second, the number of houses being delivered has declined, from 75 000 units…

The 2025 Port Natal Bowls season kicked off in grand style last weekend as Durban Bowling Club hosted the much-anticipated opening rounds of the Men’s and Ladies’ Novice Singles tournament. This event, the first of the new season, has set the stage for a year brimming with competitive spirit and emerging talent. Enthusiasm ran high, with the games spread across five clubs to accommodate the impressive number of entries. Under the blazing summer sun and soaring temperatures last Saturday, 116 men and 77 women – along with their committed markers – descended upon Durban BC, Durban Collegians BC, Northlands BC, Parkhill BC and Westville BC. The increased number of novices participating highlighted the growing popularity of bowls, and painted a promising picture for the district’s future in the sport.…

Your nails are more than a fashion statement, they can be a reflection of your overall health. Weak or brittle nails can result from a variety of factors, including excessive exposure to water, harsh chemicals, dehydration or even underlying health conditions. If you’re tired of dealing with peeling or easily broken nails, it’s time to take steps to improve their strength and vitality. Here are practical and effective tips to help you achieve healthier nails. Limit water exposure Frequent or prolonged soaking in water can weaken your nails, making them brittle and prone to breaking. To minimise exposure, wear gloves when doing household chores like washing dishes and try to avoid keeping your hands submerged in water for long periods while bathing. While it’s impossible to avoid water entirely, being…

I was at my grandchild’s birthday party when I met one of the guests outside the hall. “Hello, uncle,” she said. “Do you remember me?” I said no. She said she was Venetia and then I remembered. She was the girl who had her eyes set on my son. She once told me that she is the type who never gives up. Unfortunately, she couldn’t hook the big one securely and he got away. I suppose this left her heartbroken and she never married. But there she was at my granddaughter’s birthday party. I even saw her carrying Mila. That was rather big-hearted of her, especially being a woman who had lost out on her man. She’s not what Shakespeare said of a woman, “Hell hath no fury like a…

It is a new year, but the smear tactics employed by the Israeli hasbara machine remain. The attacks on Gift of the Givers’ founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman continue. This time, a recycled article published in the Times of Israel tries its best to convince the reader that Dr Sooliman, via the Gift of the Givers, has been funding Hamas and accuses him of being a jihadist and radical Muslim. Dr Sooliman’s meetings and links to other pro-Palestine charities and organisations is enough apparently to brand the organisation as a “Front for Terror”. Although the article concedes that the Gift of the Givers, one of South Africa’s largest charitable organisations, has undoubtedly been a major source of humanitarian assistance by providing billions of rands in aid to people suffering from the…

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) yesterday said it was stepping in to facilitate discussions aimed at preventing a significant downturn in the local steel industry as ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa) prepares to halt its long-steel operations at the Newcastle and Vereeniging plants, potentially affecting more than 3 500 employees. The IDC, which has a 6% stake in Amsa, last year endowed the steel manufacturer with R1 billion to forestall the closure of the Newcastle plant. It expressed concern over the proposed mothballing of production facilities, particularly the Amras unit, stating that it was committed to exploring viable options to avert mass retrenchments. Tshepo Ramodibe, IDC head of corporate affairs, said they were aware of the ongoing challenges in the global and domestic steel industries that had influenced Amsa’s position and…

The 5-year-old boy who was shot in the head in Manenberg, Cape Town this week, has died. Ameer Abrahams was walking to a shop near their home with his father and baby sister when gangsters started shooting in Irvine Street on Monday. He was declared brain dead, and yesterday morning his life support machine was switched off at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. His aunt, Tasneem Benjamin, said they had hoped he would survive the shooting. “His dad couldn’t leave his side, he was devastated, he took this very hard. The mom only came home to breastfeed her daughter,” Benjamin said. She said when the shooting started, the boy’s father, who had the baby in his arms, grabbed his son to get him out of the way, but he…

Democratic Alliance federal council chairperson Helen Zille’s utterances touched a nerve when she tweeted earlier this week that the DA government does more for Khayelitsha residents than for Camps Bay. Zille made her remarks after Deputy President Paul Mashatile said the Western Cape government was neglecting areas such as Khayelitsha when he was gearing up for the ANC’s 113th birthday celebrations. In her usual acerbic twitter persona, Zille’s response caused a furore and left many hot under the collar. It would seem many did not see her real intentions for her outrageous tweets this time around when she started off by labelling Mashatile’s claims as “bulls**t” and made political statements that were not backed by any facts. Zille’s tweets were pregnant with an underlying point to the effect that the…

The Proteas Under-19 women’s team plan on playing an expressive and attacking style of cricket at the T20 World Cup in Malaysia, according to head coach Dinesha Devnarain. Devnarain spoke to Independent Media Sport yesterday before their third and final match of their series against the United States in Cape Town. The SA Under-19 squad currently lead the series 2-0, and it could just be the confidence booster the team needed before the tournament starts on January 18. After a dominant performance on Tuesday, South Africa won the match by seven wickets. The 15-member squad were set to play their final warm-up game yesterday before departing for Malaysia tomorrow. “I think we have quite a balanced team, from all three ends of the game: batting, bowling and fielding. We have…