Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-09-09 i Mercury

A new report by the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) on Monday said that South Africa’s economic growth has deteriorated significantly in recent years. Economists have echoed similar sentiments. The report said that South Africa experienced a remarkable economic growth deterioration between 2005 and 2025. “This report uses a growth accounting framework to show that productivity shrunk and investment stagnated. Post-pandemic, productivity has recovered but not investment.” The report added that in short: a collapse in productivity growth led by inefficient state-owned enterprises which consumed a large share of savings without any benefit to the economy. “This largely reflects the impact of South Africa’s state-capture decade, in the years after 2010. This crowded out private sector investment, which has remained stagnant in real terms at around R500 billion a year…

Altvest Capital plans to rename itself Africa Bitcoin Corporation after an announcement on Monday that it will become the first Bitcoin Treasury company on the continent. The AltX-listed black-owned and managed SME financing and financial services company also announced an equity capital raise through the issue of 1 million Altvest shares at R11 per share. The share price fell 2.08% to R4.70 on the JSE on Monday morning after the release of the announcement. Other Bitcoin Treasury companies in the world include the US-based MicroStrategy, Tesla, and Marathon Digital Holdings. In February, the company told shareholders it had acquired 1.00464 Bitcoin (BTC) as part of its long-term treasury strategy, and that it would monitor its Bitcoin holdings in light of market conditions and regulatory developments. The aim of the purchase…

The latest Absa Merchant Spend Analytics Report for the first half of 2025 released Monday indicates that South African consumers are curtailing their spending while increasingly engaging in gambling activities. This reflects not only shifting financial priorities but also the rapid transformation within the gambling sector driven by technology.. Isana Cordier, managing executive for the consumer sector at Absa Corporate and Investment Banking, stated that the bank's internal data shows a 6% month-to-month decline in total card spending, coupled with an 8% fall in transaction volumes. “This aligns with historical trends, as internal data suggests that June typically experiences negative growth,” Cordier said. “Despite this decline, month-to-month, year-on-year performance showed a modest 2% increase, suggesting some resilience in consumer activity over the longer term. The average transaction value increased by…

There’s no doubt that Checkers Sixty60 is shaking the South African retail sector market. It has been reported that R18.9 billion in sales, a 47.7% increase year on year, now flows through the app. It’s interesting to note that Sixty60 sales represents nearly one-tenth of supermarkets RSA’s R213.5 billion turnover, according to Shoprite results in 2025. The e-commerce platform has become an important arsenal for the Shoprite group in retail wars with other major retailers. All the praise, however, has gone to a group of innovators elsewhere and conveniently ignored some of the key contributors to this important piece of technology. What is almost forgotten is that Checkers Sixty60 as a technology platform was built by young people from South African townships, one of them being Vutlharhi Donald Valoyi. The…

Pan African Resources on Monday announced its intention to transfer its listing from the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) to the main market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) in a bid to tap into a larger pool of investors and breathe impetus into the stock’s liquidity. The shift comes at a propitious time as current elevated gold prices are proving beneficial for producers within the sector. Shares in the company surged 9.27% to R18.03 in afternoon trade on the JSE on Monday, extending the stock’s 11.94% and 11.34% appreciation in the past seven and 30 days, respectively. Gold prices on Monday rose to above $3 600 per ounce, a new high for the precious metal currently viewed as a safe-haven asset. Pan African Resources and other South African gold producers…

Spring in South Africa is often romanticised as a season of new beginnings, longer days, blooming gardens and a renewed sense of energy. But for millions, it also brings something less poetic: watery eyes, runny noses, itchy throats, and that heavy morning puffiness that makes you look (and feel) like you barely slept. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. According to the Allergy Society of South Africa (ALLSA), up to 40% of South Africans experience allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, with symptoms peaking between August and October when pollen counts are at their highest. Allergies are more than just an inconvenience. They’re your body’s immune system mistaking harmless substances like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander for dangerous invaders. In response, your body releases chemicals such as…

The Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry, established to investigate alleged corruption in the criminal justice system, will begin its work on September 17 with Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal SAPS Commissioner, expected to be among the first witnesses to testify. The commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, announced this at a media briefing yesterday at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College, where the commission's proceedings will take place. He said the commission's evidence leaders and investigators have been consulting with witnesses and following up on information within the commission's terms of reference. They have also been in contact with Mkhwanazi, “whom the commission intends to call as its first witness”. He said the commission is aware that the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee wants Mkhwanazi to testify soon, and they are communicating with…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a renewed call for systemic reform and unified action in South Africa’s ongoing battle against corruption, warning that both public institutions and the business sector must be held to the same standard of accountability. In his weekly newsletter yesterday, the president reflected on the final report submitted by the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC), whose three-year term concluded recently. Established in 2022, the council was tasked with guiding the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms within the state. A key recommendation in the report is the creation of a permanent, independent anti-corruption agency — the Office of Public Integrity and Anti-Corruption. This body would be mandated to prevent, investigate and address systemic corruption, responding directly to recommendations made by the State…

The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has pushed back against allegations that representatives of the M23 rebel group entered South Africa undetected to attend a peace dialogue. The department responded after former Dirco deputy minister Marius Fransman sharply criticised the government following revelations that representatives of the sanctioned M23 rebel group recently attended a high-level African peace dialogue in Magaliesburg, Gauteng, without proper vetting or detection. In a statement issued on Sunday, Fransman called on President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Lamola to issue a public apology, warning that South Africa’s credibility on the continent is at stake. He added that he was deeply concerned by government officials' admissions, including Lamola's statements, that they were unaware of the group’s presence. This, after reports emerged last week that just months…

Springbok Women’s coach Swys de Bruin and his management team are hoping their gamble to rest key players against France will pay dividends when they face the Black Ferns in Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final. The Bok Women opted to rest nine of their regular starters in their final pool match to keep them fresh and injury-free for what is their first-ever World Cup knockout appearance. Several other key players were also withdrawn at half-time. But the decision came at a hefty cost, as South Africa were thumped 57-10 by a ruthless French outfit in Northampton. It was their first defeat of the tournament, having previously beaten Brazil 66-6 and edged Italy 29-24 to secure their quarter-final spot. Now, they’ll face defending champions New Zealand – a side that’s…

SOUTH Africa’s top athletics talent will take on the world’s best at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo from Friday. The second of five travelling parties departed from OR Tambo International Airport yesterday. A number of the 49 athletes who will represent SA at the showpiece, second only in stature to the Olympics, will be in action in the opening session on Saturday. Jessica Groenwald lines up in the women’s 35km race walk, while Aiden Smith and Chris van Niekerk contest the men’s shot put qualification round. The men’s 100m preliminary round will also be one of the highlights of the morning, featuring Akani Simbine, Bayanda Walaza (subject to a late fitness test) and Gift Leotlela. Marie Viljoen, Precious Molepo and Hannah van Niekerk join men’s one-lap specialists Udeme Okon,…

In today’s world, influence is a form of currency. Young people often trust social media influencers more than traditional advertising or even official government communication. They see them as relatable, aspirational and authentic. This trust has turned influencer marketing into one of the most powerful tools of persuasion in the modern era. But when influence is left unchecked and accountability is missing, the same platforms that inspire dreams can also create danger. South Africa is now facing this reality. The latest controversy is the Russian “Alabuga Start” programme, which was promoted on social media as a chance for young South Africans to study and work abroad. Behind the glossy Instagram reels and persuasive TikTok videos, however, are disturbing allegations of human trafficking and forced labour. For a country where youth…

Agricultural Machinery Sales indicate that August tractor sales of 700 units were 22% more than the 572 units sold in August last year. There have been welcome reactions from agricultural associations about the increase in machinery sales. Willie Human, the chairman of the South African Agricultural Machinery Association, said year-to-date tractor sales are now approximately 23% up on last year. “ Five combine harvesters were sold in August, the same number as were sold in August last year. On a year-to-date basis, combine harvester sales are now almost 26% up on last year.” Human added that sentiment in the market remains positive, and this is reflected in the good sales of tractors and combine harvesters currently being experienced. “The recently released winter crop estimates indicate that production of all these…

When Russell Southwood first landed in Africa in 2000, he had "almost no contacts." Armed with yellow pages and a British passport, he would look up internet service providers, turn up at their offices, and introduce himself as a London-based journalist interested in Africa's internet potential. Imagine. What followed was a 25-year journey of weekly observation that would chronicle one of the continent's most significant transformations, whilst raising persistent questions about perspective, privilege, and who gets to define African progress. "There were almost nobody involved in the internet," Southwood recalls of those early days during a yet-to-be-released African Tech Roundup Podcast conversation. "The numbers of people involved in or interested in the internet were in the hundreds or the thousands." His now-discontinued weekly newsletter created what he calls "a village…

Radial truck tyre recycler, Mathe Group, has commissioned a multi-million-rand investment in new equipment to extract hundreds of tons of “clean steel” for export to India and South Korea. Mathe Group CEO, Dr Mehran Zarrebini, said on Monday that the clean steel investment, which includes the installation of a new clean steel mill with an automated packaging line and several de-beading machines, will boost the group's earnings. This initiative is projected to significantly enhance the company's earnings by tapping into the potential of steel, which constitutes roughly 30% of each radial truck tyre. Previously discarded as a by-product, this steel is now set to become a valuable second income stream for Mathe Group. Radial truck tyres are processed by removing the walls which are supported by a steel ring (known…

The State is alleging that controversial businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala used a false Eswatini identity under the surname “Dlamini” as it seeks to oppose his bail. Matlala was back in the Alexandra Magistrates Court yesterday, where his bail application is being heard. Matlala is accused of orchestrating a 2023 hit on his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane. The State is opposing his release, flagging discrepancies in his affidavit — including claims that he made multiple trips to Eswatini on foot and used a false Eswatini identity under the surname “Dlamini,” which was linked to his old cellphone number. The State referred to a Section 212 affidavit from Home Affairs, attached to Matlala’s original bail affidavit. According to the affidavit, a Home Affairs official verified Matlala’s border movements against three data systems.…

The Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has sentenced a former bank employee to an effective six years’ imprisonment for two counts of theft. The court’s decision comes after 54-year-old Leonie Stella Stiemie, a former branch administrator at FNB Kirkwood, was found guilty of stealing over R800 000 from an elderly client, including R400 000 in cash and R420 000 from the client’s bank account. Stiemie was sentenced to six years for each count, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently. Additionally, the court has mandated that she repay First Rand Limited R270 000, she was declared unfit to possess a firearm, and the court authorised the search and seizure of any firearms, ammunition, and relevant permits currently in her possession. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the case…

As International Literacy Day was marked yesterday, South Africa’s education system is once again facing scrutiny as alarming statistics reveal a deepening literacy crisis among young learners. With Literacy Month now under way, experts and advocates are calling attention to the urgent need for reform in the teaching of reading, particularly in multilingual contexts. Recent research highlights a systemic disconnect within South Africa's Early Childhood Development (ECD) framework. While 91% of parents use their home language to communicate with their children, a staggering two-thirds of ECD centres adopt English as the medium of instruction. This disparity clearly hampers the development of foundational reading skills and contributes to cognitive confusion among young learners. In the latest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, South Africa was ranked last out of 57 countries,…

Around 82% of young South Africans earn less than R6 000 per month, with a quarter of their income going toward rent or accommodation. This is according to a new evidence-based study that examines how young people in SA think about money, what they earn and spend and how they manage to make ends meet. “The ZAKA Index shows that young people aren’t careless with money and (are) making impossible trade-offs in a high-cost environment,” says Leana de Beer, chief executive officer of WaFunda. “The task now is to translate these insights into practical, continuous learning and targeted support that builds small buffers, improves decision-making and opens pathways to opportunity.” Blackbullion South Africa, in partnership with the Sanlam Foundation, announced the launch of the ZAKA Index last Friday. The first…

While Rassie Erasmus says he has not pushed the panic button in picking a brand new backline to play the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday, some of his selections were performance-related. The Boks lost 24-17 in Auckland last week, and for the return Test, only Cheslin Kolbe remains in his position, although Canan Moodie also continues, shifting from left wing to outside centre. Aphelele Fassi replaces Willie le Roux in a selection that appears form-related; Ethan Hooker comes in on the wing for Moodie; the Old Firm centre pairing of Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende makes way for Damian Willemse and Moodie; and in the half-backs, Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu take over from Grant Williams and Handré Pollard. Erasmus was pressed on which of those changes were…

Max Verstappen won an Italian Grand Prix typically full of drama and incident, marked by record-breaking speed and another stroke of misfortune for Lando Norris. Here, we look back at the key moments of a historic Formula One weekend at Monza. Temple of record speed Monza lived up to its billing as the “Temple of Speed”, with Sunday’s race officially the fastest in F1 history. Verstappen took the chequered flag in one hour, 13 minutes and 24.325 seconds. The Dutchman also smashed the all-time lap record in Saturday’s qualifying, just moments after Norris looked to have snatched pole with what would itself have been a record lap. A flying Dutchman Verstappen produced a masterclass, attacking Monza with relentless pace and bold manoeuvres that underlined his status as a four-time world…

As South Africa and Nigeria prepare for one of their most important matches in recent history, the shadow of a controversial Gabonese referee, Pierre Ghislain Atcho, looms large, adding another layer of tension to the already high-stakes affair. Fifa has made the contentious decision to appoint Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho to officiate the critical World Cup qualifier clash today in Bloemfontein. Since the announcement on Sunday, Nigeria’s football-mad population have been uneasy because of Atcho’s reputation. For a country hanging on by the thinnest of threads in Group C, the choice of referee has sent ripples of concern across Africa’s most populous nation of 237 million people. Atcho, a mere 31-years old, is already well-known in football circles, particularly in West Africa, for his controversial officiating decisions. His reputation…

It seems the fallen giants have finally broken the shackles that have weighed Old Trafford down for years – a legacy of bloated squads, misfiring stars, dressing-room disharmony and a muddled recruitment plan often at odds with the managers’ philosophies. Rúben Amorim, now in his second season at the helm, can no longer lean on those crutches. The firesale of unwanted assets and a raft of carefully structured loan exits has finally cleared the path for him to implement his style of play – something he spoke about at length last season as United bumbled their way to a nightmare 15th-place finish. Failure to secure European football, along with United’s tricky financial situation, seemed to jeopardise their chances of moving up the table. The bigger issue, though, was how to…

The MultiChoice Group, the parent company of satellite television DStv, has firmly rejected calls from Ghana’s Minister for Communications Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, for a 30% reduction in subscription fees. This comes as George characterised DStv’s pricing in Ghana as unfair, highlighting the stark contrast between the premium bouquet price of $83 (R1 461) in Ghana compared to $29 (R510) for the same package in Nigeria. On Sunday, MultiChoice South Africa's corporate affairs executive, Litlhare Moteetee-Muranda, referred to a statement that further clarified the group's position where MultiChoice Ghana acknowledged the establishment of a Working Committee aimed at resolving the discrepancy but stressed that no agreement had been reached regarding price reductions. "We continue to engage with the Minister in a bid to find an amicable solution that…

The last two decades have seen an explosion of corporate reporting. Annual reports, sustainability disclosures, ESG scorecards and integrated reports now fill board packs and investor portals. For many organisations, these reports have become the visible evidence of governance. Yet the question remains: are these documents proof of genuine sustainable value creation, or simply outputs that reassure stakeholders without changing the underlying reality? King IV reminds us that the purpose of governance is outcomes. Ethical culture, good performance, effective control and legitimacy cannot be delivered through documents alone. Principle 3 emphasises responsible corporate citizenship, and Principle 4 highlights the need for organisations to create value in a sustainable manner. Reporting is important, but it is only one part of the accountability cycle. True governance requires that boards ensure value is…

In the boardroom, we call it risk management. In HR, resilience. In marketing, futureproofing. What we all really want is accurate predictions on when what is going to change, and solutions on how to delay – or ideally, prevent – the impact of those predictions. When the advice to quell this fear-fuelled need for predictions is “you can’t prevent it, you have to adapt to it”, we however refuse to accept it. Instead, we lay the responsibility for adaptation at someone else’s feet, or we launch initiatives to figure out how to be the one company that withstands the storm and remain “resilient” while others experience ruin. Or we create and try to enforce preventative rules that simply result in busy work we can use to make ourselves feel more…

The share price of Clientèle, the JSE-listed insurance group, leaped over 10% on Monday after it reported a 100% increase in attributable headline earnings to R659.9 million for the year to June 30. The performance included the first-time reported earnings of 1Life of R132.5m, as well as positive earnings contributions from Clientèle Life, Clientèle General and CBC Rewards. The impact of the recently acquired Emerald on group operating results was insignificant at the year-end. The share price was trading at R14.88 on Monday afternoon, up from R11.25 a year ago. A dividend of 132 cents (125 cents) per share was declared. The company said there was a modest sense of optimism in the economy fueled by a reduction in load shedding, declining inflation and the improved stock market performance, particularly…

The Minister of Justice has approved a joint inquest into the 1993 murder of five schoolchildren by apartheid forces. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on October 8, 1993, Mzwandile Mfeya and Sandiso Yaso, both just twelve years old, along with 16-year-old twins Samora and Sadat Mpendulo and 17-year-old Thando Mthembu, were brutally murdered at their home in Mthatha. The victims were preparing for their final examinations at the residence of the Mpendulo family, a home belonging to the twins’ father, Sigqibo Mpendulo, a member of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). The truth behind the violence lies in an alleged hunt for members of the PAC's military wing, the Azanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA), who were believed to be hiding an arms cache at the premises. Armed soldiers stormed…

With just a few days to go before the launch of the three-part documentary true-crime series, “Beauty and the Bester”, convicted killer and rapist Thabo Bester is heading to court today in an urgent bid to stop Netflix from releasing the much anticipated series. The matter has been set down before the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, where Judge Sulet Potterill is expected to hear the matter. Bester wants the court to interdict Netflix from releasing the documentary on Friday, claiming that the series contains inaccurate, defamatory and unsubstantiated claims and violates his and his life partner Nandipha Magudumana’s constitutional rights. Both Bester and Magudumana are behind bars, awaiting trial on several charges after they were arrested in 2023 in Tanzania. Netflix has meanwhile widely advertised its three-part series, which examines…

Arrests have been made in connection with a 2022 murder that was among the 121 dockets that are under investigation by the SAPS Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal. The dockets are at the centre of allegations made by KZN provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who claimed that suspended Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, interfered with police operations by ordering the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team. Mkhwanazi claimed that on Mchunu’s orders, deputy national commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, who is also suspended, had the 121 case dockets removed from the task team, effectively halting investigations. Following the suspension of Mchunu and a commission of inquiry set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate the allegations of corruption made by Mkhwanazi against Mchunu and others, the dockets were returned to…

As a lawyer, I was trained to view the law as a powerful mechanism to shape and structure society; an instrument to right wrongs, resolve uncertainty and impose order. In many contexts, this is partially true: the law can provide stability and predictability, particularly where the rule of law is firmly upheld. Yet even in such contexts, the stability law brings is often layered upon histories of exclusion and violence. Often, the legal system upholds the prevailing social order even when that order is unjust. Even where laws are progressive, we cannot assume they automatically yield justice. The transformation of moral aspirations into legal principles does not guarantee the realisation of justice in lived experience. The association between law and justice is persistent, but dangerously simplistic. Take apartheid South Africa…

Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad is happy with the overall batting performance of the team in the three-match ODI series against England, despite Sunday’s record 342-run defeat in Southampton, with the series already wrapped up. He will be hoping that they can carry this form, and their momentum from the previous white-ball series in Australia, into the crucial T20 Internationals against the hosts in Cardiff on tomorrow, Manchester on Friday and Nottingham on Sunday. Conrad struggled to explain the batting collapse that saw the Proteas skittled for 72 in pursuit of 414. “I think we were definitely off (on Sunday), and against a top side like England, when you’re not on top of your game you do get exposed the way we did,” he said in his post-match analysis. “A…

Bafana Bafana have grown in leaps and bounds over the years, which is why there wouldn’t be a better time to settle the on-field beef between them and Nigeria. Bafana will host Nigeria in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier at Toyota Stadium tonight (6pm kick-off). The South Africans are at the top of Group C with 16 points, six ahead of third-placed Nigeria. A win for Bafana would put them on the brink of qualifying for the global showpiece in North America – the United States, Canada, and Mexico – as they would be nine points ahead of their rivals with two games to play. A Bafana victory would also eliminate Nigeria from the race for automatic qualification, which would sting for the West Africans if they ultimately fail…

Carlos Alcaraz says winning next year’s Australian Open to seal a career Grand Slam is his main objective after securing a sixth major title in New York on Sunday. Alcaraz beat chief rival Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to claim his second US Open crown and would become the youngest man to win all four majors if he lifts the trophy in Melbourne next January. “It’s my first goal, to be honest,” said the 22-year-old Alcaraz, who has not made it past the quarter-finals in four trips to Australia. “When I go into pre-season and focus on what I want to improve and achieve, the Australian Open is there. “It’s the first or second tournament of the year, and it is always the main goal for me to complete…