Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-04 i Mercury

The National Treasury has partnered with the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) in a collaborative effort to bolster cross-border infrastructure across Africa. Treasury and the AfDB convened the inaugural consultative meeting on the “South Africa’s Legacy Initiative: The Ubuntu Approach” in Pretoria last week. The focus of the meeting was to furnish a platform for representatives from various African nations and regional economic communities (RECs), allowing them to delve deeper into the Ubuntu Initiative. This ambitious initiative echoes one of South Africa's pivotal contributions under the G20 Infrastructure Working Group—including the development of a comprehensive Toolkit aimed at alleviating the primary obstacles to planning, financing, executing, and maintaining cross-border projects. Participants included senior officials from 15 different countries, the African Union Commission, eight recognised AU regional bodies, and the African…

Sustainability focus as half of South Africa’s small enterprises may not survive the next year A new survey has unveiled alarming insights into the sustainability of small businesses in South Africa, indicating that without immediate financial support, half of the nation’s small enterprises may not survive the next year. Titled the Small Business Growth Index (SBGI) and released on Friday by Absa, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci), and the Bureau of Market Research (BMR) at Unisa, the survey said that South Africa’s small business ecosystem has revealed a sector under extreme pressure, with rising operational costs leaving more than half in decline, distress or at risk of closure. “Most report they may not survive beyond 12 months under current conditions, underscoring the urgent need for targeted…

The South African automotive industry has responded positively to the recent announcement of a 25 basis point interest rate cut by the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb), following its latest Monetary Policy Committee meeting this Thursday. The repo rate now stands at 7%, resulting in a new prime lending rate of 10.50% for commercial banks. This decision has been hailed as a significant relief for both consumers and businesses navigating an increasingly challenging economic landscape. Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA), expressed optimism regarding the implications of the rate reduction. “As a result, the prime lending rate for commercial banks drops to 10.50%. The NADA welcomes this decision, which offers meaningful relief to consumers and businesses alike in a persistently challenging economic climate,” Cohen said. “Lower…

The pending 30% tariff on South African exports to the United States (US) require calm, frank and honest leadership by government and key stakeholders. They necessitate an understanding of the damage this will do to these exporters, their employees and their families. These require thoughtful interventions to address the causes and impacts of these tariffs. The solutions will not be found in slogans, temper tantrums, hate speech or the avalanche of fake news on social media. Cosatu like other sober organisations is deeply concerned about the devastating impact the tariffs will inflict upon an economy limping along at 1% annual growth since 2008, battling dangerously high unemployment of 43.1% and youth unemployment of 72%, entrenched levels of poverty and inequality as well as crime and corruption. We fear…

AngloGold Ashanti’s share price continued a 12-month rally on Friday, gaining a strong 6.39% after it reported a 151% increase in second-quarter profit on record gold prices and higher production. The share price rise to R877.96 added to a more than 74% rally in the price over 12 months. A second quarter dividend of 80 US cents per share was declared, substantially up from 22 cents at the same time last year. The group has since 2021 returned about $1.2bn to shareholders, and the total dividend for the second quarter amounted to $406 million. The gold miner’s headline earnings increased to $639m in the three months to June 30, from $255m in the same period a year before. "This is another strong result that demonstrates our focus on cost control…

When we think of stretching, many of us picture a yoga class, a post-run cooldown or something reserved for athletes. But stretching isn’t just a ritual for the physically active or the ultra-flexible. It’s an essential, often-overlooked component of everyday health that can benefit just about everyone - no matter your age, fitness level or lifestyle. Incorporating stretching into your daily routine is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve your physical and mental well-being. From reducing stress and boosting energy levels to improving posture and preventing injury, the benefits go far beyond flexibility. And the best part? You don’t need to roll out a mat or attend a class to get started. The science behind stretching At its core, stretching is about maintaining the health and…

The tension between the KwaZulu- Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and the uMkhanyakude Municipality in northern KZN is worsening, with the municipality accusing MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi of misleading the public. In a statement, the municipality further accused Buthelezi of being on a crusade to undermine ANC-run municipalities in the province. This accusation stems from an order handed down by the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Friday. The South African Municipal Workers Union had taken the municipality and other defendants to court after workers' salaries were not paid due to a stand-off between Cogta and the municipality over the decision to appoint an administrator. The stand-off triggered a freezing of the municipality’s bank account, and the administrator has also been blocked from accessing the municipality's offices. The municipality…

Negotiators will take another stab at reaching a global pact on plastic pollution at talks opening tomorrow in Geneva, but they face deep divisions over how to tackle the health and ecological hazard. The coming 10 days of talks involving delegates from nearly 180 nations follows a failure to reach a deal last December on how to stop millions of tons of plastic waste from entering the environment each year. Plastic pollution is so ubiquitous that microplastics have been found on the highest mountain peak, in the deepest ocean trench and scattered throughout almost every part of the human body. In 2022, countries agreed they would find a way to address the crisis by the end of 2024, but the talks in Busan, South Korea, failed to overcome fundamental differences.…

G20 member states have reaffirmed their commitment to reducing the gender gap in labour force participation by 25% by 2030 under the newly launched Brisbane–eThekwini Goal, following a two-day Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting (LEMM) hosted at Fancourt Hotel and Country Estate in George. Speaking at the closing session, South Africa's Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala, said the renewed goal seeks not only numerical parity but also addresses the quality and conditions of women’s employment. “In 2014, under Australia's G20 Presidency, Leaders adopted the Brisbane Goal, committing to reduce the gender gap in labour force participation by 25% by 2025. “Today, we acknowledge that progress has been uneven. While nearly all G20 countries have narrowed the gap since 2012, only about half are on track to meet…

KWAZULU-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has dismissed allegations of wrongdoing related to his trip to the United States last year. The Office of the premier expressed deep concern over the recent wave of misleading and inflammatory social media commentary regarding the official trip to New York in 2024. “These false claims, circulated with apparent malicious intent, seek to distort the truth and distract from the premier’s commitment to ethical leadership and transparency. It is not lost on us that these attacks surface precisely at the time when the Premier is preparing to address the people of KwaZulu-Natal on sensitive allegations,” said the premier’s office in a statement. It continued, “Let the record reflect that the trip to New York was an official government engagement, fully sanctioned by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive…

Springbok Women’s performance coach Swys de Bruin feels Saturday’s emphatic 41-24 victory over the Black Ferns XV was proof that they have got their combinations and spine right, with the Rugby World Cup in England 18 days away as of Monday. The South African women’s rugby team overturned the 34-26 defeat from last weekend, outscoring the victors by seven tries to four in a power-packed performance at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town. “I think we are now close to where we wanted to be a few weeks out from the Rugby World Cup,” said De Bruin, after the match. “The team really played well and executed the tweaks we made very well, and that delivered not only a winning result, but also a boost of confidence to the squad and…

Manufacturing activity in South Africa in July returned to positive territory for the first time in nine months, in a significant turnaround for the struggling economy. The Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) released on Friday indicated that the index edged above the 50-point mark and recorded an expansion, following eight consecutive months in contractionary territory. The last time the headline PMI was in the above-50 expansionary territory was in October 2023 at 52.6 points. According to Absa, new sales orders rose by 9.7 points to 55.9 in July, recording a third consecutive month of improvement and signalling a much stronger recovery in demand at the start of the third quarter. “Export sales also showed a significant increase, but at a low level, signalling that manufacturers remain cautious amid regulations and…

The engineering sector has historically been a male-dominated field, and to a large extent it still is. However, this is changing, and the shift is gaining significant momentum as more women begin to take up leadership roles, spearheading innovation and driving inclusive growth. These women are reshaping the industry, driving innovation and change, and Women’s Month is an ideal moment to reflect on how far we have come, while recognising how far we still must go in ensuring equity, diversity and inclusivity. Stepping up to change the industry In recent years, the number of women studying engineering in South Africa has grown significantly across disciplines, including mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering. This shows a promising pipeline of female engineers who will be entering the workforce in the future. Just as…

South Africa’s middle class is vanishing, squeezed between opulence and poverty. In Johannesburg’s Sandton, where affluence defines the skyline, professionals are now allocating up to 20% of their monthly income just to get to work. Meanwhile, just 25 kilometres away in Diepsloot, informal workers, with little to no access to formal employment, live on a fraction of that income; far below the poverty line. Cape Town’s affluent Constantia offers 5-star healthcare just minutes from home, but in Khayelitsha, residents endure 4-hour waits for basic medical care in underfunded clinics. Once comprising 40% of the population in 2010, the middle class now accounts for only 35% of South Africa’s people, signalling a crisis not just of economic disparity, but of the structural inequities embedded deep within the country’s political and economic…

The late Dr Wole Adegboyega, a United Nations expert who served as my advisor on the first post-apartheid census of South Africa, told me of a story about questioning the integrity of census numbers. He was a consultant in Sierra Leone during a count and the number they presented was rejected off hand by the president who said, “My son you no sabi how to count. Plenty people dey de for forest and make you commot count em. I beg oo my son.” This means that there are more people in the forest that have been missed and not counted. That Trump fired Erika McEntrfer the executive of the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics (US BLS) is not new in the practice of official statistics, but it is…

The Brulpadda and Luiperd offshore gas finds, the only multi-trillion cubic feet gas discovery in South Africa, are national assets that can be profitably exploited and simply must be developed, said Hosken Consolidated Investments (HCI) CEO John Copelyn. He detailed HCI's progress on these gas discoveries in the latest integrated report, which was released on Friday. JSE-listed HCI is a well-diversified investment holding company with interests that include businesses in casinos, hotels, energy, mining, transport, property, and media. Last year all the international partners exited the gas project. HCI controls Impact Oil & Gas (IOG), which in turn will own 48% of Toronto-listed Africa Energy Corporation (AEC). AEC had held a 10% interest in the discoveries, Block 11B/12B, but it will become the operator after the international partners in 2024,…

SACP Secretary-General Solly Mapaila said plans are still on track for the party to contest the 2029 general elections alone, citing its frustration with holding meaningless meetings with its alliance party, the ANC. Speaking at the party’s 104th birthday celebration in KwaDlangezwa community hall outside eMpangeni in northern KwaZulu-Natal yesterday, Mapaila said the 2022 congress resolution concluded that the party must contest elections. Defending the congress resolution, Mapaila said the decision was taken because the party was tired of holding meetings with its alliance party, the ANC, since the party was not implementing things the alliance had agreed upon in the meetings. Mapaila said that the ANC was arrogant, telling the SACP to take it or leave it. He said that when Jacob Zuma ascended to the ANC and state…

Suspended Gauteng Judge Tintswalo Nana Makhubele faces possible impeachment after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) found her guilty of gross misconduct. This comes after she accepted an appointment as chairperson of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) board while serving as a judge. In a statement on Friday, the JSC said it had considered the report of the tribunal established to probe the allegations. Makhubele found herself in hot water after a civil society organisation #UniteBehind filed a complaint. The complaint alleged that Judge Makhubele undermined the independence of the judiciary and received remuneration from Prasa, a role within the executive branch of the government. Such a role, it said, undermined the separation of powers and/or the status of the judiciary. It was further alleged that she intentionally…

In a decisive push against unlawful border crossings, South Africa’s border guards intercepted 9 954 individuals attempting to enter the country illegally during the recent enforcement period. Border Management Authority (BMA) commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato revealed this during a media conference to report on the period from April 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025. Masiapato said their ports’ immigration specialists processed 8 582 250 passengers entering and leaving South Africa. “Regarding conventional border law enforcement work as undertaken by the border guards, a total of 9 954 persons were intercepted, apprehended and deported as they were attempting to enter the country illegally. Of the 9 954 persons, 5 826 were undocumented, 2 127 were inadmissible, and 2 001 were undesirables,” Masiapato explained. He said most of the individuals intercepted and…

A 20-year-old woman has been arrested in Limpopo for allegedly choking a three-month-old baby. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said that on the evening of August 1, while officers were out on patrol in Mundzedzi village, they were alerted around 6:30 pm and rushed to Vleifontein Clinic after receiving reports that two people had arrived at the facility with the body of a deceased infant. Ledwaba said that when police arrived at the clinic, a medical officer pointed out the lifeless body of the baby lying on a bed. The two individuals informed officers that they had been sitting outside with the 20-year-old female suspect, who was holding the infant, before she went inside the house and allegedly strangled the child. “They allegedly found the suspect in a seated…

Nonkululeko Mlaba rushes off into a corner, hands her silverware to Proteas Women’s team media liaison Lita Gqirana, and calls on her personal make-up artist. “We’ll be on camera right? … Okay, just give a few minutes to top up,” Mlaba says ahead of our interview. The left-arm spinner is not just an outstanding cricketer, but she’s also a fashionista that looks splendid in her gold gown that’s fitting for South Africa’s newly-crowned Women’s Cricketer of the Year. “So, this dress was made by my friend. I went to school with her,” before admitting she had overcome a fashion faux pas on the night. “Actually, I had side arms on the side, but then I was celebrating my friend’s award winning. And then I don’t know what happened. Everything just…

Langelihle Phili came off the bench to haunt his former club and seal Stellenbosch’s place in the MTN8 semi-finals with a 3-2 extra-time victory over AmaZulu at the DHL Stadium yesterday. The 20-year-old winger, a product of the Usuthu academy, emerged as the hero deep into extra-time after the tie had finished 2-2 in regulation. With both sides locked in an intense back-and-forth battle, it was Phili’s powerful finish in the 108th minute that proved decisive. AmaZulu, featuring several new faces after a squad overhaul, struck first through debutant Keagan Allen in the 19th minute. The former Moroka Swallows centre-back capitalised on a lapse in concentration from the hosts, staying alert after a set-piece. A clever pass from defensive partner Sandile Mthethwa found Allen unmarked, and he bundled the ball…

Orlando Pirates' new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is relishing the pressure that comes with the expectations of challenging for all the trophies up for grabs this season. Ouaddou ushered in a new era at Pirates on Saturday afternoon, following the departure of his predecessor Jose Rivero. And that got off to a flying start as his side beat Polokwane City 2-0 in the MTN8 quarter-final and reached a fourth successive semi-final in the competition. It was a crucial win that saw them take a step closer to winning a record-extending fourth Wafa Wafa crown, following three successive triumphs under Riveiro. Winning cup competitions is expected to be a standard for Ouaddou, after Riveiro’s strides, which is why bagging the league is the ultimate target for the Moroccan. The last time Pirates…

The South African automotive industry in July delivered its highest new vehicle sales in nearly six years on the back of improving consumer confidence, favourable credit conditions, and a steady recovery in disposable incomes. This comes as export volumes for July 2025 eased by 677 units, or 1.9%, from the 36 056 units exported in July 2024 to 35 379 units exported in July 2025. The sector is also absorbing confirmation of the reimposition of a 30% tariff on general South African exports to the United States, set to take effect from 07 August, following the initial implementation of the 25% Section 232 tariffs on automotive products in April. The Automotive Business Council (Naamsa) on Friday said though vehicle exports have displayed notable resilience despite the effects of the US…

As winter grips South Africa, Eskom on Friday noted significant strides in stabilising its power system with an improved Energy Availability Factor (EAF) ensuring reliability during peak electricity demand. Since May 15, the power utility has not resorted to load shedding, a significant turnaround for a company long synonymous with national power shortages. The latest data reveals that Eskom's generation fleet is steering towards greater stability, with more than half (57%) of its 14 coal-fired power stations now functioning at an EAF exceeding 70%. Notably, three of these stations have surpassed an impressive 90% operational efficiency. Reflecting on the current state of the power system, unplanned outages are reported to be at 8 525MW—marking the lowest figures in recent history. This is a significant improvement from last year, when outages…

This week there was significant uncertainty about the implementation of American President Donald Trump’s 30% tariff on South African exports and in the end it was delayed by one week to August 7. We also saw a major shift in our inflation targeting regime with the Reserve Bank announcing that future Monetary Policy Committee' (MPC) decisions would be anchored around the lower bound of the 3-6% target band. The indicators to keep an eye on were June PPI numbers, Absa and the Bureau of Economic Research’ Purchasing Managers Index, and new vehicle sales data for July. At Thursday’s MPC meeting the repo rate was cut by 25 basis points by a unanimous decision. The repo now stands at 7% and the prime lending rate at 10.5%. In their statement the…

We spend so much of our lives juggling work, family and the daily hustle that it’s easy to forget one truth: our health is priceless. Yet the real question most of us dodge isn’t just how we take care of our bodies but how we can afford to do so, especially as women. This Women’s Month, it’s time to get real about something we rarely talk about enough: healthcare financial planning. Because, as sad as it sounds, money and health go hand in hand, and for women, the stakes are even higher. According to Statistics South Africa, women typically live longer than men but often earn less over their lifetime. Add career breaks to raise kids or care for ageing parents, and the financial gap widens. “Women face longer life…

EFF leader Julius Malema has warned that US President Donald Trump and his policies are a danger to the world and he should be removed from power. Malema was addressing the party’s third Central Command Team (CCT) meeting in Bela Bela, Limpopo, on Saturday. The CCT is the highest decision-making body in-between national people’s assemblies, and the meeting took place against a backdrop of national turmoil, including the looming US 30% tariff on South Africa’s exports. Malema, who called for his party to force Africa to cut ties with imperialist powers, said the EFF would work with allies to remove Trump from office. Trump showed visuals of the firebrand chanting “shoot the boer” — as he sought to substantiate false claims that there was a ‘white genocide’ in South Africa…

THE alarming rise in electricity prices in South Africa in recent years is unsustainable and disproportionate to many citizens' income levels. This is the view of energy expert Professor Vally Padayachee, who was reflecting on the prices of electricity after Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa promised big changes to electricity prices in the coming months in efforts to address what he described as unsustainable prices. On April 1, Eskom implemented a tariff increase of 12.74 percent. This hike followed approval from the energy regulator and represents one of the most significant price adjustments in recent years. Padayachee said that the rising cost of electricity is concerning, as it impacts not only household budgets but also the overall economy. “Increases of over approximately 600% in recent years are unsustainable…

As police pursue leads in the Joshlin Smith case, the nation awaits potential sanctions against the State’s star witness in two weeks. This follows searches conducted in the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha on July 25, based on untested information. Joshlin, now seven, disappeared on February 19, 2024, while living with her mother, two siblings, and her mother’s boyfriend in a shack in Middelpos. She has been missing for 529 days. While police were tight-lipped on the new lead they were following, they assured the public that Joshlin’s disappearance remained a priority in the Western Cape and that the investigation was never closed. “SAPS teams led by detectives with K-9 members, search and rescue teams, and local police have been scouring an identified area in Saldanha Bay. Whether the ongoing…

A lawyer and an auditor were among motorists arrested for alleged excessive speeding this weekend along the N2 near Park Rynie as part of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport’s ongoing “Zero Tolerance, No Nonsense, and Alufakwa” road safety campaign. MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, commended the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) team stationed at Park Rynie for their vigilance and commitment to curbing road carnage. Among those arrested was a lawyer who was allegedly clocked at 222km/h in a blue Mercedes-Benz while travelling from Umtata, nearly double the legal limit in a 120km/h zone. He initially failed to stop when instructed, prompting officers to give chase before apprehending him. The man was taken to Scottburgh Police Station and released on R3 000 bail. Also arrested was an auditor,…

In yet another blow for suspended Road Accident Fund CEO Collins Letsoalo, the court on Friday refused his application for leave to appeal against his failed bid to be reinstated. Letsoalo had argued that it was vital that he be reinstated, as he claimed he was promised a second term to head the fund. His fixed-term contract of employment between himself and the RAF expires on Wednesday (August 6). One of the reasons Letsoalo had launched an urgent application for his suspension to be lifted was his belief that he would be reappointed. According to him, the fund’s board promised him a second term — something the then board vehemently denied. Letsoalo had applied for leave to appeal against the judgment issued by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, at the…

Controversial former ANC MP Boy Mamabolo says Mamabolo National Congress, which applied for registration with the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) on Friday, is not a political party but a non-profit company (NPC). Mamabolo has been battling the IEC over the registration of a political party called Mandela For President, which faced opposition from both the ANC and the Nelson Mandela Foundation. “We did not register any party called Mamabolo National Congress, it’s an NPC which won’t even contest elections. It is an NPC that will be in support of the Mandela For President party once IEC confirms registration,” he said. According to Mamabolo, he is spearheading the building of a tripartite alliance which will be announced soon. “The Mamabolo National Congress will mobilise all the ‘Kolobe clans’ and…

Lando Norris trimmed McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri’s lead in the drivers’ world championship to just nine points yesterday when he switched tactics to lead him home by just 0.698 seconds in a thrilling finish to the Hungarian Grand Prix. The 25-year-old Briton, who moved from a two-stop strategy to one, held off series leader Piastri – on fresher tyres – over the closing laps of a strategic contest to claim McLaren’s 200th victory and a record 13th win in Hungary. It was Norris’s first win at the Hungaroring in the event’s 40th edition, avenging his ‘team orders’ defeat in 2024 when Piastri claimed his maiden success. It was Norris’s fifth victory of the season and the ninth of his career. The dominant McLaren pair finished 22 seconds clear of third-placed…

Kenya’s Christine Njoki stormed to the fastest 10km time on the continent by any woman as she defended her Totalsports Women’s Race Durban title in a jaw-dropping time of 30:14 in perfect, sunny conditions yesterday. The record was under threat early when the diminutive runner, who led from start to finish at the Suncoast Casino, went through the 5km mark in 14:45 – world record pace. She never let up in the second half on the fast, flat course, opening up a 300m gap to the chasing group as she smashed the all-comers record of 30:37. “I feel so happy to defend my title. The race was good. I enjoy running here in South Africa and I’m so happy to run here again. And I ran my PB (personal best),”…

Departing Tottenham captain Son Heung-min was in tears as his team-mates threw him into the air on an emotional evening in his native South Korea yesterday. Spurs drew 1-1 with Newcastle in a pre-season friendly in Seoul, but that was secondary to the farewell for the 33-year-old attacker. In what could have been his final game for the north Londoners, Son played 65 minutes but did not score at Seoul World Cup Stadium, a day after announcing his decision to leave Tottenham after a decade at the club. He left the pitch to a thunderous ovation from nearly 65 000 fans, hugging his team-mates and even his opponents. The South Korean captain was caught offside twice in the early stages, as his team-mates tried to create opportunities for him, but…