Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-08 i Mercury

Telecoms operator MTN said it expects to report a robust performance for first half 2025, driven by strong commercial execution, disciplined capital allocation and improved macro conditions. Inflation and foreign exchange rates in key markets showed improved stability, which supported the positive momentum in our operational and financial results. It said this on Thursday in a trading statement for the half year ended June 30, 2025. Its larger operations, MTN Nigeria and MTN Ghana published strong first half 2025 results on July 30, 2025 and July 31, 2025, respectively, demonstrating pleasing growth in service revenue and profitability. It said as previously indicated, MTN South Africa has faced challenges in the market, particularly within the prepaid segment. However, MTN said it was encouraged by the overall first half 2025 trajectory of…

Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) have strongly condemned Eskom's recent legal challenge against the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), which granted five new distribution licences for electricity trading. The two organisations on Thursday argued that Eskom's actions were detrimental to the country’s energy security initiatives and called for urgent governmental intervention. In a statement, BLSA and Busa called on Eskom to withdraw all legal challenges against the five electricity trading licences as this was creating uncertainty and sending a negative signal to investors. They said this was also delaying critical energy projects and may ultimately prolong the devastating economic and social impact of load shedding. The government’s stated policy position is the unbundling of Eskom, encouraging private sector investment in generation and…

Donald Trump has announced a 100% tariff on semiconductors from firms that do not invest in the United States - sparking volatility in Asian chipmaker shares Thursday. The US president unveiled the levy at the White House on Wednesday ahead of the imposition of sweeping tariffs on goods from dozens of countries, with chips so far exempt. It comes with the United States and China locked in a high-stakes race to develop the high-end semiconductors used to power artificial intelligence systems. "We'll be putting a tariff of approximately 100 percent on chips and semiconductors, but if you're building in the United States... there's no charge," Trump said. He did not give a timetable for the new levy, which he has repeatedly threatened in the past, to be enacted. Arisa Liu,…

Metair Investments, a leading motor component manufacturer in South Africa, restructured, right-sized and closed certain operations in the six months to June 30, which enabled it to navigate market shifts and volume variability. Headline earnings a share from continuing operations for the interim period are expected to decrease between 6% and 10% to between 69 cents and 72 cents a share. Revenue is expected to increase between 52% and 54%, driven by the inclusion of Hesto as a subsidiary from April 1, 2025, and the recently acquired AutoZone, for the full period. "The improvement in Hesto's performance is now well-entrenched, the initiatives to stabilise AutoZone are bearing fruit, and a restructured debt package provides a sustainable platform from which to further reduce debt. “Building on the progress we achieved in…

ADvTECH, the JSE-listed South African private education company that is growing its footprint in other African markets, said Thursday it is acquiring the Kenya-based Regis Runda Academy for about R172 million. The deal means that ADvTECH is further expanding its Makini Schools offering in Nairobi, Kenya. Situated in the fast-developing Runda area, northeast of Nairobi, the school, with a capacity of 2,000 students and a full K – 12 offering, will be rebranded as Makini Schools Runda, adding to the six schools in ADvTECH’s Makini Schools. "We are delighted to increase our Makini Schools footprint in Kenya and to bring the brand's compelling proposition to parents and students in one of the fastest developing regions of Nairobi," said ADvTECH CEO Geoff Whyte. ADvTECH said it would invest in AI-powered digital…

Ratepayers in KwaZulu-Natal are struggling to pay their accounts, with their debt to municipalities having increased by more than R2 billion in just three months. At the same time, the municipalities also owe rising debt to service providers. This situation arises against the backdrop of the recently finalised fourth quarter review of the 2024/2025 Consolidated Municipal Budgets Performance Report. KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers is concerned about the deepening debt crisis. He is further alarmed by the fact that the situation is worsened by financial mismanagement within municipalities. The MEC has found the persistent failure to comply with financial management prescriptions in municipalities to be so dire that he is considering writing to the national Treasury to request a halt to financial transfers to some municipalities. At least 20 municipalities…

The SAP’s Political Killings Task Team has secured convictions and life sentences for four individuals involved in the 2019 murder of Alfred Duma Local Municipality official Oscar Hlatshwayo. Hlatshwayo, who was serving as an Executive Director in the municipality’s Engineering and Infrastructure Services Department, was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Ladysmith in 2019. Police described the incident as a targeted assassination. Following his death, the SAPS Political Killings Task Team launched an investigation leading to the arrest of four suspects in 2019. On Wednesday, the Madadeni High Court sentenced all four accused to life imprisonment. According to SAPS, the accused Nomaswazi Shabalala, a senior engineer at the same municipality, was found to have orchestrated the killing. Mondli Mabaso, a businessman with alleged links to municipal tenders, acted as…

Residents in illegal occupation of houses, deceased estates and problems with the township register are some of the factors hindering the roll out of title deeds to residents of Trenance Park, north of Durban. Rashina Singh, a Minorities of South Africa (Mosa) Proportional Representative (PR) councillor in eThekwini, brought up the matter at an eThekwini council meeting last month. Singh said Trenance Park is a residential area in Verulam where many families have invested in their homes over the past 39 years. She said the issue of title deed issuance has lingered, with some residents waiting for years to receive the necessary documentation. “This situation has not only affected property rights but also impacted the community’s socio-economic conditions, as the lack of title deeds has made it difficult for residents…

Following an outburst in court this week by diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg, the 61-year-old will now have to undergo a 30-day mental evaluation at Pretoria’s Weskoppies Hospital. The Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court referred Liebenberg to the hospital even though a doctor who had evaluated him yesterday did not recommend psychiatric observation. The magistrate hearing his bail application on Wednesday ordered he see a doctor so that the latter could determine whether Liebenberg understood court procedures. This was after his bail application, in which Liebenberg is representing himself, descended into chaos. Instead of arguing for bail, Liebenberg heatedly accused the magistrate, the prosecution, and correctional services of bullying him. During yesterday’s proceedings, the magistrate told Liebenberg that despite the doctor’s evaluation the court must decide on the matter. She said, after the…

When Chery was introduced back into the country only a few years ago, many raised their eyebrows following their first cheap and nasty offerings. But there has been a paradigm shift in its perception as South Africans embrace the brand, placing the Chinese manufacturer in the top half of the sales chart. They provide very decently manufactured, technologically advanced vehicles, and there’s no need for any extras because they simply have them all. Most importantly for budget-conscious South Africans, they provide fantastic bang for buck. They’re also involved in a number of sponsorship and supplier agreements and CSI projects, making them part of the broader South African community. I hadn’t driven one of their products for a while and was again reminded why they’re so popular when the seven-seater Chery…

From an initial slow uptake of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in South Africa, they’re starting to make some inroads with a substantial year-on-year growth, albeit from a low base. Mostly, South Africans are turning to hybrid cars, with full BEVs seen as being expensive, and despite a relatively high number of charging stations, range anxiety is still a thing. Urban EV However, BEVs do make sense as a city runabout, which makes the announcement by BYD that it will be introducing the compact EV Atto 1 to South Africa, called the Dolphin Mini elsewhere, an interesting proposition. According to BYD, it’s tailor-made for urban life to make EV ownership affordable, accessible, and fun for more South Africans. Grade levels BYD have not indicated which model they will be bringing in,…

Major League Soccer (MLS) club Los Angeles FC on Wednesday signed Tottenham Hotspur legend Son Heung-Min, who will occupy an international roster slot and will be eligible to play upon receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). The 33-year old, one of the most talented and popular Asian players in football history, Son joined LAFC after an iconic 10-year run with Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, where he scored 173 goals across all competitions, registered 101 assists, and became the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot in 2021–22. The 33-year-old reportedly cost a Major League Soccer record USD 26 million transfer fee after a decade in the Premier League where he became a household name. Son became the latest in a…

Camaraderie and team spirit will stand Bafana Bafana in good stead when they begin their African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign against Algeria in Kampala today. Former AmaZulu full-back Wayde Jooste, one of several seasoned journeymen currently ‘free agents’ in the South African squad, believes their time spent in camp has significantly contributed to building a strong team spirit. This, he says, will boost the team's ability to perform as a cohesive and unified unit. “I don’t think it’s been that tough to become a unified group. The majority of us have played against each other in the league, and some of us have been teammates at different clubs,” said Jooste. “We’ve become a little family because, like I said, we’ve been together in camp in South Africa, and now that…

Export diversification strategy leaning towards China’s R20 billion market The government has reiterated its dedication to navigating trade waters with the United States through constructive engagement and negotiation as the hefty tariffs on exports come into effect from Friday. This comes as the US President Donald Trump imposed a 30% tariff on South African imports, which are anticipated to have a profound impact on critical sectors of the South African economy, particularly the automotive and agriculture industries. President Cyril Ramaphosa and Trump held a telephone discussion on bilateral trade matters with Trump on Wednesday morning, undertaking to continue with further engagements recognizing the various trade negotiations the US was currently involved in. Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said on Thursday that the Cabinet received an update regarding the Framework…

In a nation where more than 60% of the unemployed are under the age of 35, South Africa stands at a defining crossroads. Yet hidden beneath the grim statistics lies a playbook for hope - one that doesn’t begin in boardrooms or policy briefs but on the dusty fields, township courts, and school playgrounds where dreams are born daily. South Africa’s global sporting triumphs - our back-to-back Rugby World Cup wins, world-beating track stars like Wayde van Niekerk, and champions like Dricus du Plessis - are not isolated miracles. They are symbols of a deeper truth: we are a nation brimming with raw, untapped talent. But talent alone is not enough. What South Africa needs now is a bold, coordinated national effort to invest in community sports as a driver…

Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) said that South Africa’s consumer food price inflation rose to the highest level in 16 months, at 4.7%, in June 2025, from 4.4% in May. Agbiz attributed the recent increases in the price of meat, oils and fats, and vegetables. Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) and Black Sash have echoed similar sentiments. Wandile Sihlobo, Agbiz chief economist, said that the increase does not alter their assessment of moderate food price inflation in 2025. “The increase in the meat price inflation was caused by two significant factors, which have somewhat eased. First, the outbreak of avian flu in Brazil led to South Africa temporarily restricting imports of poultry products from the country, and this caused panic in the market.” Sihlobo added that…

The Foschini Group’s (TFG) share price plunged over 7% on Thursday morning after the clothing and accessories retailer reported that June sales in its TFG Africa segment had flattened, following a first eight weeks of strong sales for the 2026 financial year. The share price was trading at R110.96 on Thursday morning, which was also 15.3% lower than the price a year ago. In the first eight weeks of the quarter to end-June 2025, the group reported a strong 9.9% increase in sales due to the timing shift of the Easter holidays into April and favourable winter conditions against a prior-year base impacted by pre-election consumer caution in 2024. However, June 2025 sales slowed and were flat, while total market retail sales reported by the Retail Liaison Committee (RLC) fell…

The #RacistBanksMustFall movement in South Africa has called for immediate legislative intervention in the wake of a US executive order designed to prevent banks from closing accounts based on political or religious beliefs. #RacistBanksMustFall, applauded the recent move by US President Donald Trump to combat debanking practices, urging South Africa to follow suit and introduce similar protections for its citizens. The Trump administration’s executive order, expected to be signed this week, aims to tackle the controversial practice of debanking, where financial institutions deny services to individuals or businesses based on political affiliation. The order directs federal banking regulators to remove vague “reputational risk” guidelines that have often been used to justify account closures, particularly targeting conservative and crypto industry figures in the US. Debanking is an umbrella term for when…

SOUTH African government’s last-minute scramble to secure a deal to avoid Donald Trump’s 30% unilateral tariffs is believed to be among the reasons why a Russian Navy Baltic Fleet training vessel was denied entry to the Port of Cape Town. The Smolny, reportedly carrying cadets on a training mission to hone their maritime, communication, and navigation skills, had intended to make a brief stopover in Cape Town for restocking, replenishment, and resupply earlier this week. About 400 personnel are on board the vessel, comprising 200 naval cadets and foreign military personnel from allied nations. The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that future naval officers will receive practical training during the voyage. The Smolny has visited Equatorial Guinea (July 20) and Sao Tome and Principe (July 23), offering guided tours to…

The United Kingdom’s announcement that it will lower the voting age to 16 ahead of its next general election has stirred fresh debate on the matter in South Africa ahead of the 2026 local government elections. According to a BBC report, the UK proposal is part of a broader reform package. Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the changes, saying young people who “pay in” to the system deserve to have a say in how their money is spent. But the decision has drawn mixed reactions. UK Conservative MP Paul Holmes criticised the timing, arguing that there will be no parliamentary scrutiny until September due to the recess, and called the proposal “hopelessly confused”. In South Africa, only 18% of registered voters were between the ages of 18 and 30 in…

A woman who inherited over R1.2 million from her late father’s pension fund sought relief at the Pension Fund Adjudicator (PFA) to access the balance after two beneficiaries have not been traced for almost 30 years. The father died in May 1995 and was a member of the Metal Industries Provident Fund. Following his death, over R1.6m became available for distribution to his beneficiaries. His daughter received more than R1.2m, with the first payment made in May 2023 and the outstanding balance paid in August 2023. Two more beneficiaries were listed on the nomination documents, his nephew and his brother. In November 2023, the daughter returned to the fund to get the balance. She clarified that it was her grandmother, not her father, who had completed the nomination documents. She…

A 44-year-old man from Mandeni on KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast is still reeling in shock after nearly burying a doll believing it to be the body of his recently “deceased” child. Nkululeko Zulu, from Machibini village, said he is still struggling to come to terms with the deception by his former girlfriend, Diyana Maluleke, 44, who allegedly led him to believe she was pregnant for months with his child. According to Zulu, Maluleke sent him what appeared to be ultrasound images and regular updates about her pregnancy. Trusting her, he believed he was going to be a father, and said he was grateful to God for the supposed blessing. Throughout the supposed pregnancy, Zulu regularly sent her money. Though Maluleke lived in Durban and eventually stopped visiting, he continued to support…

Despite South Africa’s economic and operating environment challenges, the automotive industry is showing great resilience, with new vehicle sales reaching their highest level in almost six years following 10 months of growth. According to Naamsa, in July aggregate new vehicle sales amounted to 51 383 units, an impressive 15.6% increase from the 44 452 units sold in July 2024. Dominating Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) continues to reflect this, dominating the charge with a market share of 24.7%. They had the lion’s share of the passenger car market, light commercial vehicles and medium commercial vehicles with 12 694 units, with Toyota moving 12 257, Lexus 84 and Hino 353 units. “Although the current automotive landscape remains challenging, it is remarkable to witness our brand’s consistent growth. “The further reduction of…

THIS weekend marks the official start of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) 2025/2026 season after a long two-month break, which, in another world, would have been enough to iron out some thorny issues from last season. But, a warning – this is South African football; we play on, and we will find ourselves dealing with the very same issues as we have been season in, season out. Hence the phrase about “respecting the fans who spend their hard-earned money to watch games and support us” has got to be the most condescending comment in South African football. Really, is it respect to serve the very same hard-working fans the same problems season after season? Take the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) matter for instance. The season is starting and there is…

The Springbok Women were dealt a blow ahead of their Rugby World Cup campaign with experienced flanker Lusanda Dumke taking a breather from the game due to medical reasons. SA Rugby, without divulging more about her condition, announced on Thursday morning that Dumke, captain of the Bulls Daisies, is stepping away from rugby due to health reasons. The 28-year-old loose forward played 33 times for the Bok Women and captained the side on three occasions. Dumke, known for her abrasive style of play, also led the Pretoria side to three consecutive Women’s Premier Division titles, with the last one being this past season. She would’ve played a pivotal role for the Springboks at the upcoming World Cup in England if she were available. However, she hasn’t been part of the…

Agricultural associations believe that the 30% tariff announced by US President Donald Trump coming into effect on Friday will have a huge impact on the industry and operations. Francois Rossouw, the CEO of the Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), on Thursday said the tariffs will have an immediate effect on several sectors, particularly citrus, grapes, wine, and nuts, which have been key export products under previously duty-free arrangements. “For many family farmers, this will mean a sudden loss of competitiveness in one of our high-value markets. It’s not just about economics; it’s about stability. Many farmers plan their production cycles and investments years in advance, and overnight, these tariffs shift the playing field,” he said. Rossouw added that the US currently accounted for around 4% of South Africa’s agricultural export…

On Thursday, 24 July, an executive asked me whether they should hedge the Rand below R18 to the dollar. This was my short response: Hi XXX, My thoughts are that USD/ZAR is at peak for the year and we will see weakening from here [due to] USA tariff effects plus latest policy on ANC leaders. Based on that, I think it’s worth us hedging against a weaker rand over next 6-12 months. Speculative but I don’t see a reason for current level beyond a weaker dollar. My best The above is months of news packed into three sentences that reflect more than just the exchange rate. So let’s unpack. South Africa's political scene The first cracks in the Government of National Unity (GNU) emerged at the beginning of the year,…

Sappi reported a $33 million loss for the third quarter to June 2025, versus a $51m profit at the same time last year, but a better result is anticipated in the fourth quarter, CEO Steve Binnie said Thursday. The paper, packaging and pulp group struggled against muted demand and prices for many of its products because of the weak and uncertain global macroeconomy, and trade and tariff tensions, and a later than expected start of the $500 million Somerset Mill project in the US, Binnie said in an interview with Business Report. The adjusted earnings per share (EPS) came to a loss of 4 US cents, compared with a 9 US cents profit last year. The share price slipped 1.52% to R26.55 Thursday morning on the JSE. He said however…

Transnet and Hotazel Manganese Mines (HMM), a joint venture operated by a wholly owned subsidiary of South32, on Thursday officially signed a 10-year contract under the third phase of the Manganese Export Capacity Allocation (MECA3) framework. The contract cements long-term rail and port manganese export capacity for 10 years, strengthening the collaborative partnership between the two organisations and providing operational certainty for one of South Africa’s most established manganese producers. HMM, located in the Kalahari Basin of the Northern Cape, has been a significant contributor to the global manganese supply chain for over four decades. HMM consists of two manganese mines located in the Kalahari Manganese Field in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, namely Wessels and Mamatwan mines. Transnet expalined that HMM and Transnet share a longstanding…

NEWLY published regulations of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (Bela) have affirmed that undocumented children in the country have a right to education. Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, published the regulations this week for public comment. The BELA Act aims to improve the governance of schools in South Africa. The gazetted regulations clarify key provisions of the South African Schools Act regarding school capacity and admissions. The issue of providing services to undocumented foreign nationals has been in the news lately after groups in Durban and Johannesburg were barring foreign nationals from accessing hospitals. The KZN Department of Education recently revealed that it has close to 150 000 undocumented learners in its schools. MEC Sipho Hlomuka stated that the prevalence of undocumented learners in schools is one of…

Asher Watkins, a millionaire from the US, was gored to death by a buffalo he was hunting in Limpopo this Sunday. The 52-year-old hunter had reportedly paid Coernraad Vermaak Safaris around R177 221 for the trip in which he planned to hunt wild animals in the expedition. “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the US. On Sunday, while on a hunting safari with us in Limpopo province, Asher was fatally injured in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo. “He was tracking it together with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers. This is a devastating incident, and our hearts go out to his loved ones,” said the safari’s…

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has opened a criminal case at the Cape Town Police Station following shocking allegations of corruption and bribery involving senior officials at the Independent Development Trust (IDT). This follows a video that emerged showing Tebogo Malaka, the suspended IDT CEO, and spokesperson Phasha Makgolane allegedly trying to bribe investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh with R60 000 to suppress a corruption exposé. Addressing the media outside the police station yesterday, Macpherson expressed his deep disgust and disbelief at the blatant corruption, stating, “Watching the video of Ms Malaka allegedly offering Mr Myburgh a bribe of R60 000 made me sick to my stomach and left me in disbelief. ''It’s one thing to hear about corruption. It’s another thing to see it take place so…

Five months after being appointed to lead a turnaround team for Msunduzi Municipality in Pietermaritzburg, former KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Ravi Pillay said the city’s current financial situation as of ‘great concern’. Pillay was appointed by Premier Thami Ntuli to co-lead the Premier's Msunduzi Working Group (PMWG), which was established under Section 154 of the Constitution in February, to help with a strategy to turn around the municipality’s collapsing service delivery and financial control systems. “The current financial situation is of great concern and will require careful and intensive management,” said Pillay. He said the employment of the new municipality manager (MM), Felani Mndebele, who started his duties on August 1, was encouraging as this would bring stability and facilitate the implementation of the recovery plan in the municipality. The MM…

Built in India and sold in South Africa, the new Nissan Magnite has been awarded a five-star overall safety rating by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP). This is a significant improvement from its original two-star rating. It received a perfect rating in adult safety and a three-star rating in child safety, accumulating an overall five-star safety rating for the passengers. Protocol Global NCAP’s crash test protocols assess frontal and side impact protection for all models, as well as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Pedestrian protection and side pole impact protection assessments are required for vehicles scoring the highest star ratings. “It's welcome to see Nissan's focus on improving the Magnite's safety performance. The five-star rating is relevant to consumers in South Africa and India, and it demonstrates what can…

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus was impressed by the enthusiasm and willingness of the three Junior Springboks who trained with the national team for the past two weeks in Johannesburg. The world champions wrapped up their conditioning camp yesterday as they continue to lay the foundation for the Rugby Championship starting next weekend against Australia at Ellis Park. Loose forward Bathobele Hlekani, winger Cheswill Jooste and Haashim Pead experienced a Bok setup for the first time after being invited by Erasmus to train with the Boks after their exploits at the World Rugby U20 Championship, where they won the title for the first time in 13 years. “We were very pleased with the way they slotted into the training sessions and used the time to interact with the Springbok players…

Sekhukhune United will be chasing back-to-back league victories over Orlando Pirates when the two sides meet in their 2025/26 Betway Premiership opener at Orlando Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 5:30pm). Babina Noko enter the new season with confidence following another respectable campaign, having secured a fourth-place finish in the Premiership. Sekhukhune narrowly missed out on a spot in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup, with Stellenbosch FC edging ahead late in the race to secure the final continental slot after their own deep run in the competition last season. Considering the challenges they faced, including a mid-season coaching change, Sekhukhune’s achievements were admirable. Lehlohonolo Seema departed the club midway through the campaign and was replaced by former Cape Town City boss Eric Tinkler. The experienced coach wasted no time in stamping his authority,…

WHO calls out the most feared man in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, risking his belt, his legacy and unbeaten streak in the UFC? Only Dricus du Plessis. The South African MMA Star and UFC Middleweight Champion has been calling out Khamzat Chimaev since his first title defence, when he finished UFC Hall of Famer Israel Adesanya in Australia a year ago. They call Chimaev “The boogeyman” of the UFC, and rightfully so. After all, the 31-year-old has rag-dolled every single one of his opponents since making his debut in 2020. With unmatched wrestling and grappling skills and the sheer strength of the man, fighters shiver and try to stay as far away from the Chechen-born fighter. However, Du Plessis, as he has done throughout his career, has decided to stare…