Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-22 i Mercury

Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has decried the country’s level of preparedness to deal with the outbreak of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). This comes as the agricultural industry is reeling from the economic toll of the ongoing FMD outbreak, with losses that run into hundreds of millions of rand and threatened food security. Speaking at the FMD Indaba on Monday, Steenhuisen said the disease has brought sobering lessons to light, exposing weaknesses in the response system during the most recent outbreak. “What we saw was a response system stretched to its limits, with breakdowns in communication, severe delays in vaccine availability, confusion over movement controls, and an alarming lack of readiness at several levels of government. Farmers were unsure of the measures. Provinces were uncertain of the protocols.…

The rand moved back towards R18.00 to the dollar on Monday as investors remain on edge ahead of the August 1 American tariff deadlines. At 4.50pm the local currency was at R17.73 to the dollar. The rand has seen increased volatility since July 14, when President Donald Trump announced a 30% tariff on US imports of South African goods to start on August 1, according to Trading Economics. South Africa is facing an extra tariff threat from the US as a member of BRICS. Annabel Bishop, the chief economist at Investec, said the rand continues to be led by the US dollar’s movements in the rand-dollar cross, weaker by 1.8% this month, but flat against the euro and the UK pound, with markets seeing some uncertainty on the approach…

South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) stand at a critical crossroads, grappling with the looming spectre of a 30% import tariff on most goods entering the United States. This decision, signed into effect by President Donald Trump, will come into play on 1 August 2025, raising alarm bells for several sectors, particularly agriculture, automotive, and mining, industries heavily reliant on exports to the US market. The consequences of these tariffs threaten to reverberate throughout the broader economy, with experts warning of potential job losses in the thousands. Miguel da Silva, Group Executive of Business Banking at TymeBank, pointed to the tariff implications as not just an isolated issue but rather a reflection of the shifting geopolitical landscape that South Africa must navigate. “As a nation, we have to rethink…

"Three weeks in Beijing and Shanghai," I tell April Long before the mics come on for our podcast chat. "When?" she asks. "2011," I reply. "Oh," she laughs, "different country." No kidding. I wasn't a car person then, and I'm still not now, but I couldn't help but be floored by Xiaomi's recently unveiled YU7 SUV. Long gets it, though. She's spent 12 years watching East Africa transform, but her journey from a “no-name Chinese town” (her words, not mine) to co-founding an Africa-focused fintech called Pyxis tells quite a story about transformation. Listening to her share gave me a fresh appreciation for what it must be like building in Africa while Chinese, and what locals might tend to overlook in our own backyard. Presidents and pictures Long's Africa story…

Jubilee Metals Group performed strongly through its fourth quarter to June 30, with chrome concentrate production up 19.9% from the same time last year, exceeding annual production guidance. Quarterly production came to 505 578 tons compared with 421 698 tons in the 4th quarter of 2025. Recent increases in platinum group metals (PGM) production offset the impact of recent lower chrome prices. Since May 2025, the chrome price had depreciated by about 11.4%, which, for Jubilee, had been buffered by platinum prices that appreciated by nearly 33%, further supported by a significant increase in chrome production. “Over the past quarter, we have seen large fluctuations in the price of chrome. The company's revenue and earnings exposure to chrome prices have significantly increased in line with the increase in operational output,…

I admire the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's courage and boldness. Mkhwanazi has risked his career by exposing the damning allegations against the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu. The KZN commissioner's utterances have divided the nation, though, I must say. I don't want to get into the argument of whether Commissioner Mkhwanazi was right by calling a press conference instead of reporting the matter to the national commissioner of police and the president. He has his reasons why he chose to call the press conference instead. That's a topic for another day. Years ago, an ANC politician, Bathabile Dlamini, said most of the members of her political party have smallanyana skeletons in the closet. Many of us treated her utterance as a joke. But it is becoming clearer by the…

In a swift response to recent controversies, President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Buti Manamela as the new Minister of Higher Education and Training. The decision comes after Dr Nobuhle Nkabane apparently resigned yesterday. While some media outlets reported that Nkabane had been fired, she released a statement prior to the announcement from the Presidency. She expressed her gratitude to Ramaphosa for the opportunity to serve in such a critical role. “I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, for entrusting me with the responsibility to serve as Minister of Higher Education and Training.” Minutes after her statement was released, Ramaphosa announced Manamela’s appointment. He also announced that Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, former KwaZulu-Natal premier, will serve as the…

The former Cape Town school teacher accused of sending explicit footage to a Grade 7 learner was released on bail of R5 000 on Friday, with the court imposing conditions on her release. The 35-year-old accused appeared in the Mitchells Plain Magistrates Court facing charges of sexual grooming of a child and exposing a child to explicit material. The court heard arguments from the State and the teacher's lawyer in her bail application. The State previously heard testimony from the investigating officer in the matter, Warrant Officer Roland Peters on behalf of the State, who testified that it was believed that she had targeted the learner and wanted to “do things to him”. The State prosecutor argued that they have a prima facie case against the accused. The woman cannot…

A trademark of the Springboks’ recent success has been the remarkable depth and versatility of their backline. From fullback to scrumhalf, South Africa can call upon different world-class players, each offering unique skills while maintaining a consistently high standard as seen during the four mid-year internationals. It says a lot about the side if players of the quality such as veteran outside centre Lukhanyo Am and Jaden Hendrikse, both World Cup winners, and Jordan Hendrikse are left on the outskirts and unable to crack a nod to be part of a match-day squad. Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus will need to cut a few players for his Rugby Championship squad, despite every player putting up their hand during the matches against the Barbarians, Italy and Georgia. Fullback At No…

England batsman Harry Brook has warned India that his team “don’t always have to be nice” as they prepare to resume hostilities at Old Trafford tomorrow. After England battled to a fiery 22-run victory in the third Test at Lord’s, the teams will lock horns again with the series on the line in Manchester. An England win would give them a 3-1 lead with one game to play, while India must win the final two Tests to secure their first series triumph on English soil since 2007. It promises to be another fiercely fought encounter following a series of flashpoints during the Lord’s clash. India’s fielders clashed with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett during a time-wasting row, which seemed to spark England into life. In response, Jofra Archer delivered a…

Two of Africa’s premier women’s football nations will go toe-to-toe this evening when South Africa meet Nigeria in a blockbuster WAFCON semi-final at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca at 6pm. At stake is more than just a spot in the final – the winner secures automatic qualification to the 2026 Fifa Women’s World Cup. It adds another layer of urgency and intensity to a rivalry that has grown into one of the continent’s fiercest. Recent history gives Banyana Banyana reason to be confident. In the last five meetings between the two nations, South Africa have registered two wins, Nigeria have claimed one, and two matches have ended in draws. This includes Banyana’s famous 2-1 group-stage triumph over the Super Falcons in the 2022 WAFCON – the same tournament that…

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has been roped in to mediate the dispute between FlySafair and trade union Solidarity, in terms of section 150 of the Labour Relations Act. This comes as around 200 pilots represented by Solidarity embarked on a 14-day strike at FlySafair on Monday after wage negotiations deadlocked. The pilots are demanding a 10.5% baseline increase alongside adjustments to flight pay and bonuses for the next financial year, and then 4.5% and 4% respectively for the two years thereafter. They rejected the proposed 5.7% salary increase by FlySafair. Solidarity deputy general secretary of public sector, Helgard Cronjé, on Monday expressed cautious optimism following FlySafair's turnabout to engage in mediation at the insistence of the CCMA. Cronjé said the negotiations could have begun earlier, potentially…

South Africa has positioned itself to take a leading role in shaping the future of entrepreneurship and innovation within the global startup ecosystem. This was revealed on Monday by the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) at the StartUp20 (SU20) Midterm Engagement Meeting as part of the first-ever Global Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Ministerial Meeting organized by the International Trade Centre, the UN small business agency, in partnership with the South African government. Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni, said the Engagement Group was unwavering in its mission to propel innovation, digital transformation, and policy collaboration. Ndabeni said this initiative aims to forge robust connections between global startup communities, ultimately better equipping local enterprises to navigate international markets.“We have identified five priority areas for the StartUp20 Engagement Group.…

“As others are building walls, we are building bridges” said Saadiq Khan, the Mayor of London as he was wrapping up his historic visit to the African continent. He uttered those words in Cape Town last week where technology startup founders from London and Cape Town were in attendance. He was in Cape Town to boost trade links with London and build on extensive connections between the region and the capital’s growing African diaspora. His delegation was here to seek new opportunities in Africa. His visit was also aimed at bringing together London and South Africa’s dynamic tech sectors, developing opportunities for collaboration between the two cities in driving innovation, attracting investment and scaling transformative technologies. A look into startup companies that were part of the delegation shows that locally…

South African fund managers emerged this month as overweight on local equities, with banks and apparel retailers the most preferred stocks while real estate, healthcare, and telecoms topped the rankings among the disliked ones. Despite the wider preference for local equities, the South African fund managers are worried about subdued corporate earnings per share, noted Bank of America (BofA) Research in its July SA Fund Manager Survey released on Monday. The survey revealed a net 53% of managers overweight on equities and 20% underweight on cash, showing that “they want to buy” equities. “Preferred sectors are banks, apparel retail, software and diversified industrials. Disliked: real estate, healthcare, telecoms… food producers, tobacco and life insurance (defensives) gain ground,” said the report. Nonetheless, for the second month, the fund managers exhibited a…

When we think about cavities, most of us imagine sugary drinks, skipped brushing sessions, or that stubborn sweet tooth. But did you know that tooth decay can actually be contagious? Yes, the bacteria behind cavities can spread between people even through something as ordinary (and affectionate) as a kiss. It sounds surprising, even a little unsettling, but experts say it’s a real and common health issue. Let’s unpack what this means, why it happens, and what you can do to protect your smile and your loved ones’ smiles, too. Tooth decay: it all starts with bacteria Cavities, also called dental caries, happen when certain bacteria in our mouths break down sugars and produce acid. Over time, this acid eats away at tooth enamel, creating holes. According to the American Dental…

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has weighed in on former President and leader of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party Jacob Zuma’s recent visit to Morocco, calling him a “sellout.” “On (the issue of) Morocco, that was a complete sellout position,” he said on the sidelines of his court appearance at East London Magistrate's Court, in Eastern Cape. Malema, along with his former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, are accused of discharging a firearm in public during the EFF’s fifth birthday celebrations in July 2018. The closing arguments from both the State and the defence are expected in the matter. The Red Berets leader and Snyman have previously pleaded not guilty to the charges. Malema’s criticism comes after Zuma visited Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat. “Now there’s a manoeuvre, they…

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has released the August 2025 payment schedule for all categories of social grants. According to SASSA, the payment schedule is staggered to reduce congestion and ensure a smooth process at pay points and ATMs across the country. The official SASSA paydays for August 2025 are as follows: Old Age Grant: August 5, 2025 Disability Grant: August 6, 2025 All Other Grants (including Child Grants): August 7, 2025 “To collect your August payments safely and securely, you can visit your payment point a day after the release date of payment; this way, you can avoid the traffic and crowds of other beneficiaries at ATMs,” the agency advised. “(If) there is an issue with your card, such as it being expired or your bank account…

THE Gqeberha Regional Court has handed down a five-year prison sentence to Lusanda Gloria Qose, a former sales and service consultant at First National Bank (FNB), for her involvement in a sophisticated fraud scheme that exploited a vulnerable senior citizen's banking profile. The court's ruling comes in the aftermath of Qose's conviction for fraud, cyber fraud, and the unlawful use of access credentials, which allowed her to siphon off a staggering R245 000 over a period of three months. Qose, 35, was found to have abused her position at the Pier 14 branch, unlawfully accessing internal bank systems between January 22 and April 24, 2024. With her employee credentials, she manipulated account details belonging to 68-year-old complainant Mlungwana Maranti, changing his registered cellphone number to divert his One-Time-Pin (OTP) authorisations…

Their motivation should be driven by a sense of purpose, not desperation In every generation, a call emerges – a call to rise, to challenge the status quo, and to build a better future. Today, that call is louder than ever, and it is directed squarely at the youth. But as we respond, we must ask ourselves: Why are we stepping into politics? Is it simply a way to escape poverty, or is it a path to creating real, lasting change for everyone? Politics should never be reduced to a shortcut to personal enrichment. It must not become a tool for survival or personal gain. It should be viewed as a powerful platform to uplift communities, restore dignity, and build a future founded on justice and fairness. When young people…

Liverpool have agreed to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth an initial £69 million (about R1.587 billion), according to reports yesterday. The Premier League champions switched their focus to Ekitike after Newcastle United refused to sell Sweden striker Alexander Isak, who is valued at around £150m (R3.6bn) by the Magpies. Newcastle and Manchester United were also interested in Ekitike, but Liverpool appear set to win the race for one of Europe’s hottest stars. It is believed the Reds have agreed to pay a further £10m (R230m) in potential add-ons to secure the 23-year-old Frenchman, whose overall fee could rise to £79m (R1.82bn). Once the transfer is completed, Ekitike will join Arne Slot’s side on their pre-season tour of Asia. Ekitike scored 22 goals in 48 matches…

Owen Farrell was the “clear and obvious” choice to captain the British and Irish Lions against a First Nations and Pasifika XV, assistant coach Simon Easterby said yesterday, praising his impact on the squad since being called up. The tourists have won all six matches in Australia so far, including a composed 27–19 victory over the Wallabies in the first Test at Brisbane on Saturday. But with the second Test looming at the cavernous Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, head coach Andy Farrell is not risking injuries to any of his first-choice players. None of the Brisbane starting XV are in the matchday 23 for Tuesday’s clash at Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium against a side led by Wallabies great Kurtley Beale. That has opened the door for others seeking a late…

Over the weekend, excitement rippled through the football landscape in Eswatini as Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize, the prominent figure behind the now-defunct Royal AM, officially stepped into her role as president of Mbabane Highlanders AM FC. It surely felt less like a football announcement and more like the start of a new era – one driven by image, ambition, and no small amount of controversy. This pivotal moment unfolded during a spirited gathering at CODEC Hall in Ezulwini, south of the capital, Mbabane, where a packed audience listened as Mkhize laid out her ambitious vision for the club. Her address resonated deeply with attendees, making the front pages of local newspapers. Mkhize’s appointment has become a hot topic across the nation, stirring the enthusiasm of fans and football stakeholders alike, who…

Acquisition poised to strengthen Sibanye-Stillwater’s foothold in precious metals recycling market Sibanye-Stillwater has made a strategic move by acquiring Metallix Refinery, a US-based precious metals recycler, for an impressive $82 million (just above R1.4 billion). This acquisition is poised to not only strengthen Sibanye-Stillwater's foothold in the precious metals recycling market but also to drive additional revenue worth approximately R4bn, bolstering its financial performance as it navigates the complexities of the current market. Bruce Williamson, mining analyst at Integral Asset Management, told Business Report on Monday that at spot refined prices, revenues from Metallix’s financial year ending 31 December 2024 production would likely top R4.2bn, which would be fairly significant for Sibanye-Stillwater. “I think that it is strategic for the dominant SA platinum group metals (PGM) miners to maintain control…

The decision by S&P Global to downgrade Transnet’s credit rating was disappointing news for those of us in business eager to see the utility performing better. This downgrade is not just a reflection of Transnet’s financial distress – it is a damning indictment of years of failed leadership, union militancy and a government that continues to bail out state-owned enterprises without demanding fundamental reform. S&P believes that Transnet is burning cash without the prospect of turning around its operating performance and that Transnet Freight Rail will fail to reach its volume targets. The business has high fixed costs, major capital expenditure requirements and significant debt. S&P’s downgrade reflects its concern that its ability to service that debt is weakening. The rating agency’s assessment is that Transnet is “entirely dependent on…

Generative AI is well embedded in the daily lives of millions, but a shift is underway that deserves closer scrutiny. In 2023, most conversations focused on how Gen AI would transform productivity. Streamlining tasks, automating workflows, and accelerating innovation were our bread and butter. But by 2025, the data is telling a different story: the most common use of Gen AI is now personal and emotional support. This may seem like progress. Technology is stepping in to help people cope with loneliness, anxiety, and the pressures of modern life. But there is a deeper question worth asking: why is there such a widespread need for emotional support in the first place? Covid-19 lockdowns left more than an economic and health legacy. Those seismic months fundamentally changed how we interact, work,…

South32, the diversified mining and metals group, exceeded annual production guidance following a 20% increase in copper production and a 6% rise in aluminium. The announcement in an operations update saw the group become one of the top gainers on the JSE early Monday morning, with the share price gaining 7.25% to R35.37. The group warned again it is reviewing its production guidance for 2026 because it is, after six years, still in negotiations with Eskom and Mozambique authorities about a new electricity tariff agreement for its Mozal aluminium smelter in Mozambique. On Monday, the group said it was assessing the extent of animpairment to be written down on the smelter, due to the uncertainty. "Australia Manganese successfully resumed export shipments in the quarter, marking a significant recovery from…

Domestic airline FlySafair said it was forced to cancel at least 26 flights yesterday amid a strike by the airline's pilots. The company said it had received last-minute updates from certain pilots informing the carrier that they would not make it to work yesterday morning. In an interview at the OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer for FlySafair, said the interruption of flights was regrettable and had left some passengers stranded. “What we are experiencing at the moment is that we have an industrial action on the part of our pilots, they have embarked on a stay-away strike which started today. They have deemed it to happen for two weeks. “Unfortunately, we had a number of commitments from a number of pilots to be…

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says the cost of electricity in South Africa is “unsustainable” and is driving many households into energy poverty. “We are revising the electricity pricing policy to address the issue of the cost of electricity. It's unaffordable,” Ramokgopa said in an interview with broadcaster eNCA over the weekend. “I mean, it's dealing a major blow to the disposable income of households.” He said that for many families, the choice comes down to buying a loaf of bread or replenishing electricity units. “The choice is easy. They are going to buy a loaf of bread,” he said. Ramokgopa reiterated the government's responsibility to intervene. “The state has got a duty but to be at the forefront of the resolution of this preeminent problem,” he said. His…

New details of the injuries inflicted on 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek were revealed in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court yesterday, during the bail application of his mother, Tiffany Meek. Jayden-Lee was reported missing on May 13. His body was found the following morning. Testifying in court, investigating officer Sergeant Linda Duma said the boy’s family took him to hospital after finding his body, but he was declared dead on arrival. Duma confirmed police noted several injuries to the child’s body, including a cut to the forehead, a wound on the chin and bruises on the neck, arms and right leg. Blood was also seen on his lips. According to a statement read in court, Jayden-Lee was wearing black underwear at the time his body was discovered. His remains were later handed over…

Scottie Scheffler dismissed comparisons between his current dominance and Tiger Woods’ prime as “silly” after storming to his first British Open title on Sunday. The world No 1 added a fourth major to his tally – three of which have come in the past two years – moving him within a US Open victory of completing the career Grand Slam. Rory McIlroy lauded Scheffler’s two-year run, which includes 10 PGA Tour wins and an Olympic gold medal, saying it had only been matched by “two or three players in the history of the game.” However, the American was quick to downplay any suggestion that he belongs in the same bracket as Woods. “I still think they’re a bit silly. Tiger won, what, 15 majors? This is my fourth. I’ve just…

Heading into the final week of the Tour de France, emerging German star Florian Lipowitz is third in the overall standings and the highest-ranked rider under-25 in the world’s greatest bike race. The 24-year-old from the Red Bull–Bora team is not only the new face of cycling in his homeland, but also a new presence on the podiums alongside reigning Tour champion Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. Lipowitz climbed to third in the rankings on Saturday – the same day double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel withdrew during the gruelling Tourmalet stage. Having made the podium at both Paris–Nice and the Critérium du Dauphiné this year, he was described by Pogacar – who met him in a lift at a team hotel – as “a nice guy, very cool, and really…

Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote says he has to pinch himself to truly believe that his team has arrived in South Africa with the World Rugby Under-20 Championship title. The Baby Boks defeated the Junior All Blacks 25-13 in the final on Saturday in Italy to claim a second title after years of coming close. Foote and his fellow coaches led the team to a first victory in 13 years. The coach said on Monday, as the team arrived back home, that the feeling of what they’ve achieved, still comes and goes, although it has not fully sunk in yet. “Sometimes the feeling is you can’t believe it, and then you settle down and come here and see the people. It is special,” Foote said. “For now, it doesn’t…

Brad Binder was once again made to work hard as he charged from the back of the grid to walk away from the Czech Grand Prix with a valuable eighth-place finish, salvaging points after another gritty ride. The South African returned to the Brno circuit – the same track where he made history in 2020 by delivering not only his first MotoGP win but also KTM’s first in the premier class – with hopes of reviving his season, which has been far from easy so far. The 29-year-old started his race from 19th place looking for more improvement following his 10th-place finish in Saturday's sprint race. Binder admitted that finishing eighth in the main race wasn’t exactly satisfying, but he took heart from the progress made with recent adjustments and…