Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-06-19 i Mercury

Consumer prices in South Africa are expected to tick upwards on the back of global pressures and rising oil prices in the wake of escalating war in the Middle East. This is despite the consumer price inflation (CPI) remaining unchanged at 2.8%, matching April’s five-year low. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Wednesday that inflation was mainly driven by faster price increases for food and non-alcoholic beverages, housing and utilities, and clothing and footwear. However, Patrick Kelly, chief director for price statistics at Stats SA, said these increases were offset by slower inflation in alcoholic beverages and tobacco, restaurants and accommodation services, and personal care and miscellaneous services while transport prices declined sharply. “Food & non-alcoholic beverages is the only category that contributed to the monthly increase in the…

South Africa’s construction sector, long mired in stagnation and underperformance, is beginning to show green shoots of recovery off a low base, according to Craig Lemboe, the deputy director at the Bureau for economic Research (BER) speaking at Construction Industry Business Breakfast held on Wednesday. While the industry remains well below pre-pandemic output levels and continues to suffer from weak capital investment and low business confidence, recent survey data suggests that “green shoots” may be taking root. Lemboe said for most of last year, saw the non residential sector was starting to show a little bit more growth and more potential than the residential sector. However, this was from a more eroded base as it’s 50% smaller than what than what it was 10 years ago. “We also see…

South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (Sapvia) in an interview with Business Report said that they believe there is still a big future for the Solar PV industry despite a significant reduction in loadshedding by Eskom. Frank Spencer, the spokesperson for Sapvia, said the association sees the solar PV industry in South Africa as the most important component of future electricity supply. “Solar PV is already being deployed at all scales in South Africa, from small home rooftop systems to large solar farms spanning many hundreds of hectares. In all these cases, solar PV is providing the lowest cost source of new electricity to South Africans, whether through private installations or through public supply by Eskom and municipalities.” Solar offers low costs, clean electricity, deployable at all scales, and when…

The Youth Month in South Africa is a time to reflect and honour the legacy of the brave young people who stood against the apartheid regime during the Soweto Uprising of 1976. Hundreds of students were ambushed and killed by police for protesting the oppressive education system. This was indeed a crucial moment in our history that reminded the nation of the power and potential of its youth. Almost 5 decades later, young people continue to be at the forefront of South Africa’s socio-economic transformation tackling issues such as marginalisation, inequality, and unemployment. According to the Social Profile of South African Youth, this demographic makes up nearly one-third of our population. They represent a dynamic generation which continues to navigate the ever-changing society that is influenced by labour markets, poverty,…

On 9 June 2025, the Kagiso Trust proudly commemorated its 40th anniversary, celebrating four decades of unwavering commitment to enhancing education, fostering socio-economic development, and strengthening civil society and local governance. As an emblem of its enduring mission, the Trust introduced a new positioning statement: “Igniting Human Capacity.” This sentiment encapsulates its core belief that empowering individuals and communities is imperative for sustainable change. At the heart of Kagiso Trust’s operational philosophy lies a steadfast dedication to human capital. “Investing in people is the most powerful and enduring form of capital investment,” stated Kagiso Trust’s CEO, Mankodi Moitse. “Every student we support and every entrepreneur we train contributes directly to economic growth and a more skilled workforce. This is how we build a self-reliant society.” Among its various educational initiatives,…

In a world where health discussions dominate conversations, one silent crisis stands out: men’s health across South Africa. Statistics reveal a grim reality, as South African men are living an average of seven years less than women, with a life expectancy of around 62 years compared to 69 years for their female counterparts. This disparity is largely attributed to avoidable health risks, late diagnoses, and an alarming reluctance to seek preventative care. This Men’s Health Month, mental heath experts are urging men of all ages to take action towards their well-being. The persistent issues of fear, stigma, and a deeply ingrained culture of avoidance surrounding medical check-ups and health screenings continue to claim lives. The stark statistics The statistics paint a sobering picture of men’s health in the country. Aside…

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in KwaZulu-Natal has confirmed the suspension of its province-wide work-to-rule campaign following a meeting with the Department of Education earlier this week, where the department committed to paying outstanding school allocations and resolving examination disruptions. SADTU said the meeting with Head of Department GN Ngcobo and his top management followed engagements with the premier, who pledged R900 million in emergency funding to address the ongoing education crisis. “The mere commitment by the premier to assist the department with R900 million does not automatically remove the reality that schools have no money and are waiting for the allocation from the department,” the union stated. According to SADTU, the department committed to making payments to schools by July 4 and July 31. “Upon receiving the…

The Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, has rejected an application by Standard Bank to authorise the foreclosure of a mortgage bond it granted over the primary residence of South African Federation of Trade Unions general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and his wife, Norma. Standard Bank asked for a money judgment and leave to execute it against the residence of the respondents, the Vavis. Their indebtedness arises from a mortgage bond passed over the property, which is an upmarket residence in the Sandton area. Judge Stuart Wilson noted that a court asked to authorise the foreclosure against a debtor’s primary residence must be satisfied that to do so would be proportionate. “Foreclosure is generally proportionate when there is little meaningful prospect of the debt secured against the residence being recovered in some other…

The Springboks did not select Boan Venter to block him from representing Scotland in the future. Due to a mini loosehead crisis in the Bok camp ahead of the start of their international season, coach Rassie Erasmus decided to rope in the Edinburgh player, and confirmed on Wednesday that he could potentially be in line to debut against Georgia should he adapt quickly enough. Although Venter’s call-up came as a surprise, the Boks have been following his progress as a junior in South Africa way before he moved to the Scottish capital. He’s been one of the stand-out players for Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship. Injuries to Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu, as well as the retirement of Steven Kitshoff, left the Boks a bit thin in the loosehead…

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad feels that that there is more that the Test team have to offer, despite despite their brilliant performance at Lord’s last week to clinch the World Test Championship crown. South Africa beat Australia by five wickets, a team currently ranked No 1 in the world in the ICC rankings. Fans flocked to OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday to welcome the Proteas Test team after a successful trip to the United Kingdom, where they broke the country’s 27-year trophy drought. However, upon the Test team’s arrival in Johannesburg on Wednesday from London, Conrad reiterated his belief that the world is yet to see the full potential of his team. “We won comfortably in the end, and I still don’t think we played as well as we…

The highly anticipated annual Umhlanga Ladies’ Classic Tournament took place last weekend, once again confirming its status as a premier event on the sponsored lawn bowls calendar. With an enticing prize pot sponsored by the Sovereign Group and Holborn Investments – R20 000 for first place, R10 000 for second and R6 000 for third – the competition was as fierce as it was festive. A total of 28 sides battled it out over a demanding five-game format – three 15-end games on Saturday, followed by another 15-end game and a longer 18-end decider on Sunday. Despite the high stakes, the tournament was filled with laughter, sportsmanship and camaraderie – qualities that define the spirit of lawn bowls. The greens were awash with colour and flair as teams donned matching…

“So we have a leadership of the Reserve Bank who are capable of being ordered around by Maria Ramos,” asks Pityana Former Absa board member Sipho Pityana has raised serious concerns regarding the independence of the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb), urging for a formal investigation into what he describes as "cosy relationships" between key figures in the banking sector. Pityana's remarks come on the heels of a Pretoria High Court ruling that has cast doubt on the conduct of Sarb’s Prudential Authority (PA) during his controversial nomination process as chair of Absa Bank in 2021. The court found that the PA acted unlawfully by adopting an informal process to review Pityana’s nomination, as prescribed by the regulations in place under the Banks Act. This ruling not only vindicated…

A new report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) has revealed encouraging advancements in the global energy landscape, marking significant strides towards secure, equitable, and sustainable energy sources. However, the momentum continues to be threatened by rising geopolitical tensions, investment shortfalls, and significant disparities in clean energy innovation and deployment, particularly in regions that need it most. Titled the Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2025 report, this comprehensive study was conducted in collaboration with Accenture and examines the energy systems of 118 countries across a range of factors: security, sustainability, and equity. Key insights indicate that 65% of these countries have improved their Energy Transition Index (ETI) scores, with 28% progressing uniformly across all three core dimensions. “Energy systems are evolving at varying speeds,” said Roberto Bocca, head of the Centre…

In a remarkable testament to resilience and innovation, South Africa's small business sector is undergoing a transformative boom, as highlighted in Yoco's latest 2025 Exchange report. With over 200 000 entrepreneurs harnessing digital tools, these businesses have collectively processed an astounding 173 million transactions, equating to a remarkable growth exceeding R500 million in just one year. This surge underlines the crucial role of small businesses in the economy. Yoco's CEO, Katlego Maphai said, “Small businesses are the heartbeat of our economy. What we're seeing in our data isn't just resilience, it's a transformation of how entrepreneurs operate, compete, and win.” Retail leads the way The report revealed that retail merchants, who have adapted to the changing landscape by leveraging Yoco's digital solutions, reported an impressive R74 million in revenue growth.…

Kumba Iron Ore has announced that Themba Mkhwanazi will step down as a non-executive director of the board and Anglo American's representative effective 30 June 2025. Mkhwanazi has been an integral figure on the Kumba board and a member of both the Human Resources and Remuneration Committee and the Strategy and Investment Committee for the past eight years. The announcement comes as Kumba also heralds the appointment of Ruben Fernandes as a new non-executive director of the board, effective from 1 July 2025. Fernandes, currently the chief operating officer of Anglo American, will not only take Mkhwanazi's seat at the board table but will also participate as a member of the Social, Ethics and Transformation Committee, the Safety, Health and Sustainable Development Committee, and the Strategy and Investment Committee. Fernandes…

Anglo American has announced a significant restructuring of its executive leadership team, a move that underscores its commitment to simplification and strategic focus. This decision follows the recent demerger of Valterra Platinum and the completion of sales for Anglo American's steelmaking coal and nickel businesses, aligning the organisation more closely with its premier positions in copper, premium iron ore, and crop nutrients. Valterra Platinum, the world's biggest platinum miner by value, made its trading debut on the Johannesburg bourse as a standalone unit last month, completing a spin-off from parent Anglo American. Anglo's demerger of the Johannesburg-based platinum group metals producer, formerly known as Anglo American Platinum, comes as it shifts focus to unlock the inherent value in its portfolio as a whole, with enhanced focus on positions in copper,…

An appeal has been made to Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, to waive fines and temporary licences for those whose new driving cards are stuck in the ongoing backlog. This comes as the Department of Transport (DoT) scrambles to clear the driving licence card backlog, which was caused by the breakdown of the sole card-printing machine earlier in April. Last week, DoT reported a backlog of 690 000, down roughly 43 000 from the 733, 00 that was announced a week ago. This week, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse's (Outa) Advocate Stefanie Fick wrote to Creecy and asked her to consider announcing a moratorium on fines related to expired driver’s licence cards for motorists who have already applied for renewals and that no temporary licences should be required until the…

South African businesswoman and reality TV star Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize is once again making headlines — this time over her flashy car collection, which is going up for auction next week as part of an ongoing legal battle with the South African Revenue Service. The auction of vehicles, which include some of the world’s most luxurious brands, are linked to unpaid taxes. A total of 13 high-end vehicles and a tour bus will be sold online through Bidders Choice. The auction will be open from June 27 until July 2, giving car lovers and collectors a chance to bid on some truly rare finds. Anyone interested in placing a bid must first register and pay a R50 000 refundable registration fee. The cars can be viewed in person in Johannesburg…

BRING on Borussia Dortmund, right? Following their 1-0 victory over Ulsan HD in the Fifa Club World Cup opener early Wednesday morning South African time in Orlando, Florida, Mamelodi Sundowns can be excused for being cock-a-hoop ahead of a match they ordinarily would be dreading. When the draw for this extended global spectacle was made and the South African champions were drawn into Group F, the one match that stood out as a toughie was the one against the German giants – Dortmund. Football is, however, pretty fickle at the top, and the opening results of the Club World Cup have not been what many would have predicted. Sundowns are top of the table after beating their South Korean opposition, while Dortmund are joint second with Fluminense of Brazil –…

Liverpool will kick off their Premier League title defence at home to Bournemouth on Friday, August 15, while Arsenal head to Manchester United in a blockbuster clash on the opening weekend. Arne Slot’s champions have the chance to secure the first points of the new season at Anfield as they launch the 2025/26 campaign, bidding for a record 21st English top-flight crown. Following the Bournemouth game Liverpool have tricky fixtures at Newcastle and at home to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, runners-up for the past three seasons. Thomas Frank’s first match as Tottenham boss will come on August 16 at home against newly promoted Burnley, while Sunderland make their return to the Premier League against West Ham. The third newcomers, Leeds, play Everton on Monday, August 18. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who…

South Africa’s four sides in the United Rugby Championship achieved mixed results during their season, with only the Bulls and Sharks reaching the final four as the Stormers bowed out in the quarter-finals. While it was a disappointing performance in another heart-breaking final for the Pretoria side, the Lions had a fourth consecutive season where they could not make a challenge for the playoff spots. More and more questions are being raised about whether they have the players and coaching staff to stay competitive in the tournament. Independent Media rated the season of the four SA franchises... Bulls (runners-up) Rating: A It was a case of so close, but yet so far again for the men from Pretoria. After some strong performances to set them up for home playoffs in…

E-commerce retailer Takealot has filed "a notice of intention to amend the notice of motion" in the marathon legal battle by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) and SA Post Office (Sapo) to maintain a monopoly for Sapo in the delivery of sub-1 kilogram parcels. This comes as the pleading stage in the matter continues until mid-August, according to confirmation by the Acting Sapo CEO Fathima Gany and the Business Rescue Practitioners after an update to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies. The monopoly, as outlined in the Postal Services Act, has been challenged and was extended to April 1, 2025. This comes as the private sector capitalises on Sapo's inability to enforce the monopoly due to its ongoing financial difficulties. Gany told Parliament that…

South Africa’s Agricultural Business Confidence Index (ACI) edged down by five points to 65 in the second quarter, reflecting a slight dip in sentiment across the agribusiness sector, the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) said on Wednesday. The chamber noted that concerns over global trade uncertainty, persistent geopolitical tensions, and ongoing domestic animal disease outbreaks were among the main factors weighing on industry confidence. "Despite the slight decline, the current level of the ACI, implies that South African agribusinesses remain optimistic about business conditions in the country," said Wandile Sihlobo, the chief economist at Agbiz. “The better summer rains and improvements at the ports which have enabled exports with minimal interruptions, are some of the positives. This survey was conducted in the second week of June, covering various agribusinesses operating in…

Competing with well-known brands can feel like an uphill battle. They have bigger budgets, broader reach, and stronger brand recognition. However, small businesses shouldn’t be discouraged – local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially, have unique advantages that can set them apart from larger, more established players. Here’s how to position your small business to compete and come out on top. Own your niche Big brands tend to go broad. As a small business, you can go deep. Find a focused niche that solves a specific need in a better, faster or more personalised way than your larger competitors. That might be offering tailored products, local insights, or a level of service that corporates simply can’t match. Instead of trying to be all things to all people, define who your…

Investment holding group Brait is actively exploring exit options for its stake in UK fashion retailer New Look, it said on Wednesday, as the underperforming asset continues to weigh on its portfolio amid a broader strategic reshaping following its 2024 recapitalisation. New Look, once a significant pillar in Brait’s investment lineup, now comprises just 3% of its total assets, down from 7% a year earlier. The decline reflects continued weak trading in the UK’s embattled fashion retail sector, which has been plagued by consumer caution, price discounting, and shifting demand patterns. Sales at New Look fell by 4% year-on-year while gross profit declined by 3%, according to Brait’s year-end results for the period ended March 31, 2025. A capital injection of £30 million (R730m) was recently announced in an attempt…

One of the ringleaders behind a South African Post Bank scam, which targeted clients' bank accounts, turned to the Supreme Court of Appeal to appeal against the fact that he was twice convicted under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca), based on the same facts. He is also appealing against his 40-year imprisonment, which he says is shockingly harsh. In 2015, the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, sentenced nine fraudsters involved in the scam to an effective 1,680 years combined for defrauding the Post Bank, forgery and uttering, money laundering, and stealing from unsuspecting persons' accounts, as well as racketeering. Isaac Dithlakanyane, identified by the State as one of the main characters behind the scam, was sentenced to 50 years in jail. This was later reduced on appeal before the…

The Cabinet is expected to decide by the end of the year on the potential closure of the Israeli embassy in Pretoria. This was revealed by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola during a question-and-answer session in the National Council of Provinces this week. Responding to a question from EFF MP Virgill Gericke about the steps he has taken in honouring and executing the November 2023 resolution of the National Assembly to close the Israeli embassy, Lamola said consultations have taken place within the relevant government cluster system to prepare a memorandum for submission to the Cabinet. “In accordance with the constitutional principle of the separation of powers, the authority to decide on the possible closure of the Israeli embassy in South Africa rests solely with the Cabinet. “Once…

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), known as the Hawks, was operating with almost half the personnel provided for in its organogram, divisional commissioner Patrick Mbotho said yesterday. Mbotho, addressing the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), said the DPCI's staff establishment stood at 2 688, including detectives and support staff. The entity is supposed to have 5 332 personnel. “In this financial year, 2025/26, the police management agreed that we are going to prioritise 500 posts. The 500 is to be made up of 300 posts to be advertised internally for us to source from police investigators, but the other 200 are reserved for external advertisements for those posts we don’t have capacity for internally, such as forensic accountants.” He also said they were in the process of…

Captain Temba Bavuma says the Proteas must “just live in that moment for a little bit longer” after receiving a warm welcome upon their arrival in Johannesburg on Wednesday. The Proteas touched down at the OR Tambo International Airport, returning home from London after being crowned the World Test Championship winners following their five-wicket victory over the No 1-ranked Australia at Lord’s last week. Although Bavuma has his eyes set on the upcoming two-match Test tour to Zimbabwe, which starts on June 28, he emphasised the importance of basking in their WTC triumph in the coming days. Bavuma wants his team to enjoy themselves before heading to Zimbabwe next week, and most importantly, reflect on what they have done to get to where they are as a team at the…

Recently appointed Proteas Women coach Mandla Mashimbyi was chuffed with his team’s performance in the Caribbean, after defeating the West Indies 2-1 in an ODI series on Tuesday night. The Proteas thrashed the home side by 166 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method after various deluges of rain throughout the evening had interrupted the game. Mashimbyi said the SA team did well to come back after losing the first encounter by four wickets, and had shown real improvement in their bowling, which lacked discipline in some of their games, according to some of the players. “I’m excited for the girls. In the last few months, they’ve put in the work, so to come to the West Indies and win a series is a really good thing for them,” Mashimbyi said.…

The Springboks are in high spirits ahead of the first international match of the season against the Barbarians in Cape Town next Saturday. Captain Siya Kolisi said on Wednesday that although they are not looking too far ahead into the international season, the players are happy to be back in camp and the ‘family’ environment of the national set-up. It’s their second week together as the world champions fine-tune their preparations for the friendly against the Barbarians at the Cape Town Stadium, ahead of double Tests against Italy and a once-off encounter versus Georgia in July. According to Kolisi, they have been sweating on the training field as they look to take in as much as possible from their coaches before they shift to the match-day week. “Training is as…