Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-09-05 i Mercury

B20 South Africa tables recommendations that encompass the “hopes of millions” across Africa Business leaders under Business 20 (B20) South Africa have made recommendations to G20 governments calling for policies that spearhead infrastructure development and funding, job creation, empowerment of small to medium enterprises, as well promotion of investment into industrialisation and digital inclusion. B20 serves as the official business community dialogue platform with the G20, an international forum bringing together the world’s major economies, with South Africa currently chairing the G20 and handing over to the United States in November. B20 South Africa, with input from other business leaders across the continent, on Thursday tabled policy recommendations that encompass the “hope of millions” across Africa. “These recommendations are not just policy proposals. They form a blueprint for the transformation…

Cash-strapped and in dire need of 30 000 naira (about $20), Mariam Ogundairo turned to a loan app, downloading it and registering her phone number. The money was quickly sent over but came with a 21.6 percent interest rate, due in two weeks. Like many in Nigeria, battered by inflation, Ogundairo was too broke to pay back what she owed. Then came a deluge of harassment - a tactic that has become the hallmark of many loan apps in Africa's fourth-largest economy. "They started calling my phone contacts when I couldn't pay back on time, saying I owed them," Ogundairo told AFP. "I lost my security, and it makes me so sad and scared." Such loan apps in Nigeria, branded "predatory" by campaigners, are texting threats and leaking sensitive photos…

As South Africa grapples with an unemployment rate at 32.9%, young people are responding not with resignation, but with innovation. One of the most promising shifts emerging in the digital economy is the rise of personal shoppers — a model that is quietly reshaping the face of e-commerce across the country. Traditionally viewed as a premium or niche service, personal shopping is evolving into a powerful bridge between formal retail and underserved markets. Defined by SME South Africa as individuals who buy goods and services on behalf of others, personal shoppers are increasingly filling critical gaps in access, logistics, and digital literacy —particularly for consumers in townships and rural areas. Entrepreneurs like Jabulile Ngcobo, widely known as The Joburg Runner, exemplify this trend. Using platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, she…

South Africa is navigating an increasingly uncertain macroeconomic landscape. Inflationary pressures, sluggish growth, high unemployment, and persistent structural failures are coalescing into a difficult reality for investors and entrepreneurs alike. For high-net-worth individuals, the risks are compounded by rising fiscal desperation and regulatory volatility. Inflation, once thought to be a temporary consequence of global supply shocks, has revealed deeper vulnerabilities in South Africa’s economy. Persistent currency depreciation, inefficient state expenditure, and rising administered prices have made it clear that inflation is becoming entrenched. The South African Reserve Bank is constrained, tightening too much risks growth; doing too little risks credibility. Neither option resolves the structural deficit that continues to grow. At the same time, policy uncertainty continues to spook investors. Load-shedding, political instability, and the slow erosion of institutional capability…

Sanlam’s strong annualised return on group equity value of 18.2% for the six months to June 30 was well above its 14.7% hurdle rate and reflects strong value creation from high levels of new business and positive experience variances. The results were achieved in a challenging operating environment marked by global trade tensions and shifting investor sentiment. Group earnings, the net result from financial services, increased by 15% per share, demonstrating satisfactory performance across all operations. “The balance sheet remains healthy, our operating businesses all have tremendous momentum, and we continue to gain market share,” Sanlam Group CEO Paul Hanratty said in an online presentation. New business volumes increased by 7% in a challenging economic environment for customers, reflecting the benefit of the group’s diversified portfolio. The South Africa business…

South Africa is braced for a blockbuster sporting weekend, with Bafana Bafana hosting Lesotho in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier today, the Springboks chasing a first win in Auckland in 88 years against the All Blacks tomorrow, and the Springbok Women continuing their historic World Cup run against France on Sunday. Rugby fans across the globe will tune in to Eden Park, where the Springboks and the All Blacks clash in the juiciest rugby fixture since the same teams contested the World Cup final in 2023. The Boks won that match 12-11, and the coaches of both teams are expecting an equally tight encounter on Saturday morning (9.05am). Bok coach Rassie Erasmus says “every point will count” and that the team that handles the pressure best will prevail.…

A significant milestone in global leadership has been reached with the election of Aletta Rochat, a dynamic South African woman, as the first African president of Toastmasters International. The organisation has dedicated itself to building confidence and honing public speaking and leadership skills since its inception in 1924 in Englewood, Colorado, USA. Toastmasters is a global network of over 265,000 members across nearly 150 countries, dedicated to developing in-person and online communication skills. In South Africa, the non-profit organisation has over 160 active clubs across major cities, including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and Bloemfontein. Many South Africans have represented the country on the international Toastmasters stage. These clubs welcome people from all walks of life and provide a supportive environment to develop skills that benefit workplaces, families, and communities.…

A truck driver, who is a Zambian national, has been arrested after a multiple vehicle accident on the N3 highway, Pietermaritzburg-bound near Peacevale yesterday. The arrest was confirmed by KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma. ALS Paramedics' Garrith Jamieson said one critically injured person had to be airlifted to hospital. He added that 17 others had sustained various injuries ranging from moderate to critical and were also taken to hospital. In a statement, Duma said the department was relieved that no one died in the crash that disrupted traffic flow for several hours and inconvenienced hundreds of motorists. “We wish those injured a speedy recovery. I commend our highly dedicated team from Road Traffic Inspectorate who apprehended the truck driver who was trying to run away from the accident scene. “I…

The eThekwini council by majority vote approved the infrastructure surcharge, associated with water and sanitation tariffs, for another two financial years at a council meeting this week. In terms of the surcharge, which was implemented in 2023, consumers are charged an extra R1.50 per kilolitre used. To date, the municipality has generated an income totalling R623.8 million. The municipality said the funds have been ring-fenced specifically for water and sanitation and utilised to address a number of mechanical, electrical and electronic-related projects. “In total, 31 projects have been implemented, and work is ongoing,” the municipality said in a statement. It listed some of the projects as Southern Wastewater Treatment Works functional upgrades, rehabilitation of the Umbilo Wastewater Treatment Works and Hillcrest and Glenwood Road rehabilitation of flood damaged infrastructure among…

There’s another Chinese brand heading to South Africa, and it’s called the iCaur. But there’s something refreshingly different about this one, which was previewed at the Festival of Motoring at Kyalami Raceway last week. With their funky designs inspired by classic off-roaders, colourful customisation options, and dealerships designed to resemble toy car packaging, it’s as if they’re trying to awaken your inner child. Their designs may be a bit polarising, but among the sea of same-same, cookie-cutter SUVs that we see on the roads today, you have to admit that there is a significant cool factor at play here. No two iCaurs will be the same, the company claims, given the raft of interchangeable and customisable parts available, and the colourful body wraps that will be on offer. iCaur brand…

Coach Swys de Bruin is set to make several changes to the Springbok Women’s side to face France in their final Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool D match in Northampton, England, on Sunday. The Springbok Women emerged from their historic win over Italy last Sunday with a number of sore bodies – a result that saw them qualify for the quarter-finals of the showpiece event for the very first time. A number of bench and fringe players could be handed a run against France, allowing many of the first-choice players some more recovery time ahead of a potential quarter-final clash against New Zealand or Ireland. The winner of the Franklin’s Gardens clash between South Africa and France will face the team finishing second in Pool C. France are heavy favourites…

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann on Monday backed new Liverpool recruit Florian Wirtz to return to his best form after a low-key start to his Premier League career. Wirtz joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer for 125 million euros plus bonuses, but has not stood out despite the Reds winning their first three matches. Speaking to reporters in Bratislava before Germany's World Cup qualifier against Slovakia yesterday, Nagelsmann called the 22-year-old midfielder "a key player for us". The coach said Wirtz had "not been incredibly dominant", and added he needed time to adjust at Liverpool. “You have to look at the whole gang playing around him. They've spent a few euros on the top squad they've got there and you don't always stand out as an individual. “Rather it's…

Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has vowed that the government was doing everything it can to control the spread of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) that is affecting the red meat industry. Speaking while visiting communal area in North West to oversee a Cattle Vaccination Campaign on Thursday, Steenhuisen said that they secure close to a million vaccines against FMD. “They have arrived in South Africa and we are rolling out a vaccination programme in the provinces. There is a particular focus on KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and North West. We have 274 live cases around the country," he said. "We need to get on top of this as it is causing huge uncertainty and economic harm to the red meat sector." Steenhuisen added that the visit to the North West…

South Africa’s greatest untapped resource is not buried beneath our soil - it is the 10 million young people who stand at the gateway to adulthood, eager to contribute but too often locked out of the world of work. The debate has rightly focused on education, training, and skills. But there is a harder, less glamorous question we need to answer: how do we connect our youth to actual opportunities in the global economy? Beyond Skills: The Access Gap Today, the barriers facing South African youth are not only about what they know but who they can reach. A young coder in Khayelitsha, a designer in Soweto, or a logistics talent in Durban may be technically trained, but without connections to employers in Lagos, London, or Los Angeles, their skills…

The South African Revenue Service (Sars)’ proposed Value-Added Tax (VAT) Modernisation Project is geared to combat challenges faced by traders, businesses, and Sars, including compliance inefficiencies, the risk of errors, and tax evasion. Phase 1 will entail inserting key definitions into the VAT Act, including “e-credit note”, “e-debit note”, and “interoperability framework”. While this VAT Modernisation Project clearly aligns with Sars’ strategic objectives of making voluntary compliance easy, and non-compliance both hard and costly, the streamlined process will also benefit taxpayers, reducing reliance on time-consuming paper-based invoicing and reconciliations. Although this particular project is still at the proposal stage, Sars has successfully implemented a number of other “Compliance Projects” and collection drives. Sars modernisations in the age of automation Sars’ compliance success, in this age of automation, can…

Trellidor Holdings has declared a 12 cents a share dividend at the end of the first phase of its strategy to restore shareholder value. Directors of the custom-made security barrier manufacturing group said at the release of financial results on Thursday that the dividend for the year to June 30, which compared with zero dividend last year, was paid out because of successful cash generation and debt reduction over the past 24 months. They said restoration of shareholder value remains their foremost focus - the first phase had been successfully completed, being the significant reduction in debt and stabilising the balance sheet. This coupled with the disposal during the year of the Tylor shutters and blinds business and NMC interior decorative products business for R51.9 million, meant the group was…

AMID the ongoing taxi strike, which has brought Durban’s public transport system to a standstill, Santaco has outlined a key demand to permanently resolve the problem on the issuing of operating permits. The SA National Taxi Council yesterday called on the eThekwini Municipality to conduct a study to determine the exact number of taxis operating in the city. Sifiso Shangase, the provincial spokesperson for Santaco, made this request amid a crippling strike by taxi operators in Durban. The taxi operators halted their services to protest against the government over the impounding of taxis by eThekwini metro police, as well as the City’s failure to recommend the issuing of operating permits. The provincial government, eThekwini Municipality, and Santaco have held marathon meetings over the past two days in an attempt to…

A farm manager is in critical condition after sustaining severe burn injuries during a runaway veld fire near Pongola this week. According to IPSS Medical Rescue, their Advanced Life Support Paramedic responded to the farm on Wednesday afternoon. Community members and paramedics braved the flames to reach the victim. “Once stabilised by paramedics, the man was carried to the waiting Netcare 911 Medevac Chopper. He has been airlifted to a Level 1 trauma facility for the specialised treatment he requires,” the service said. The Advanced Life Support Paramedic who attended the scene is part of a dedicated Advanced Life Support project based in Pongola, funded by the local community and businesses. KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, commended the “remarkable bravery and efficiency” of all…

The international net continues to close in on the controversial Gupta brothers, long accused of state capture and corruption in South Africa, with fresh raids on their properties in India and the recent auctioning of their assets in Johannesburg. According to a report by India Today, India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided multiple locations in New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and the Guptas’ ancestral home in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The operations were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following a Mutual Legal Assistance Request (MLAR) from South African authorities. Investigators reportedly targeted businesses linked to brothers Ajay, Atul, and Rajesh Gupta, along with companies tied to Indian businessman Piyoosh Goyal’s World Window Group and an associate, Ram Ratan Jagati. Jagati is alleged to have used a Dubai-based shell…

A kidnapped Indian businessman has been reunited with his family after the South African Police Service (SAPS) anti-kidnapping task team rescued him during an operation that also left a notorious Mozambican kidnapping kingpin dead. The Indian businessman was kidnapped on July 23 this year from his business premises in Benoni. Police traced the businessman to a shack in Alexandra shortly after midnight on Thursday. His safe return followed a shootout near the R21 in Kempton Park on Wednesday, where the suspect known as “Dollarman” was fatally wounded. SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the suspect, António Francisco Macamamo, was a major figure in regional kidnapping syndicates. According to security sources, Macamamo demanded that ransoms be paid in US dollars — a condition that earned him the nickname Dollar Man.Meanwhile…

LDV hit the South African market in 2024 with its T60 double cab range of bakkies, and now the brand is expanding into more premium segments with the larger Terron 9 bakkie as well as a large SUV called the D90. LDV, which stands for Leyland DAF Vans, is a Chinese brand with British roots, and last week it used the Festival of Motoring at Kyalami to launch the two aforementioned leisure products as well as a new full-sized van called the Deliver 9. At the show’s media day, LDV announced that its new Terron 9 bakkie would be available in three versions, all powered by a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 163kW and 520Nm. The Terron 9 Elite kicks off the range at R699 900, while the Premium retails…

First seen at the Volkswagen Indaba in Gqeberha earlier this year, the Tayron has now officially made its local debut. Before we go any further, VW was at pains to explain that it’s pronounced Tie-ron (as in neck-tie), not Tay-ron. Designed and built at Volkswagen’s head office in Wolfsburg, the seven-seater (five in the Base version) is positioned between the Touareg and the Tiguan, replacing the phased-out Tiguan Allspace. Line-up It comes in three derivatives: the Tayron Base, Life and R-Line. The five-seater Base is equipped with Eco LED headlights, park assist, a blind spot monitor with rear traffic alert, a 12.9-inch infotainment system, adaptive cruise control with front assist, lane keeping assist and 18-inch Bologna alloy wheels. The Tayron Life gets an additional three-zone automatic climate control, 10-colour ambient…

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile has pledged his commitment to the club after a much-discussed move away failed to materialise, insisting he is ready to fight for his place in the team. The Brazilians endured a challenging transfer window, marked by several departures and uncertainty around key players’ futures. For coach Miguel Cardoso, having his star striker available again comes as a major boost as Sundowns chase domestic dominance and an elusive second CAF Champions League title. The club has made significant changes to the squad, letting go of some players while welcoming new faces, including former Stellenbosch FC defender Fawaaz Basadien. Shalulile was one of the most talked-about players of the window, with strong rumours linking him to a move to North Africa. At 31, and with his starting…

Reigning champion Jannik Sinner marched into the US Open semi- finals as Amanda Anisimova avenged her Wimbledon thrashing by Iga Swiatek to set up a last-four clash with Naomi Osaka. World No 1 Sinner swept aside 10th seed Musetti 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in the first all-Italian men’s quarter-final in Grand Slam history. “It was a great performance, very solid. I started the match very well,” said Sinner, who faces Canadian 25th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semi-finals today. Auger-Aliassime has won two of three previous meetings, but Sinner thrashed him for the loss of just two games in Cincinnati last month. “Every player who is in the semis of a Grand Slam can say they’re playing their best tennis,” added Sinner. The 24-year-old Sinner also tied Nicola Pietrangeli for the…

South African households are grappling with an increasingly severe economic strain as rising inflation in essential goods and services continues to outpace wage growth, eroding purchasing power and amplifying financial vulnerability. This alarming trend disproportionately impacts low-income communities, as highlighted in the latest Cost of Living Report (CoL) published by the Competition Commission on Thursday. According to Competition Commission economist Andiswa Sibhukwana, low-income households are among the hardest hit as they spend a significant portion of their earnings on necessities. The ongoing energy crisis has exacerbated these challenges, driving electricity tariffs significantly higher, and causing additional strain on those already burdened by economic hardship. Sibhukwana pointed out that consumers face persistent inefficiencies in price transmission within the food value chain. "While some staples like canned pilchards have shown signs of…

amidst global economic uncertainty Absa Group has signalled a steady outlook for South Africa's growth despite a rocky start to the year. In its latest Quarterly Perspectives report for the third quarter of 2025 released on Thursday, Absa said available data suggested a more encouraging second quarter, with an anticipated gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 0.3% quarter-on-quarter. Absa is forecasting 2025 GDP growth of 0.9%, just 0.1 percentage point lower from its last Quarterly Perspectives in May. Assuming no further external shocks, it expects real GDP growth to improve to 1.6% in 2026 and average 2.1% in 2027-29. Miyelani Maluleke, senior economist and head of South Africa Macroeconomics Research at Absa Group, said that the external environment was showing some resilience, but uncertainty was high. “Economic activity has looked…

For many motorists, the first time they truly pay attention to their insurance policy is when they need to submit a claim after an accident. One of the most common areas of confusion is the excess, the portion of the claim you are responsible for paying out of your own pocket. SAMBRA regularly receives queries from customers who are uncertain about how their excess works. SAMBRA represents almost 1,000 motor body repair businesses across South Africa and accounts for the majority of all insured repair claims in the country. The primary purpose of an excess is to discourage small or unnecessary claims. It ensures that insurance is used for significant, unaffordable losses rather than minor repairs, which keeps premiums more affordable for everyone. Excesses can vary depending on your policy:…

After stunning the oil world with a slew of production increases, OPEC+ is preparing to decide its next move at a key meeting on Sunday. Saudi Arabia and its partners have yet to decide how to proceed after completing the fast-tracked addition of 2.5 million barrels a day that was finalised at its previous gathering, several delegates said on Wednesday. Bloomberg reported at the time that the group would consider all options going forward including increasing further or maintaining current levels, and that remains the case, according to one of the delegates. The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies shocked the oil market in April with the accelerated revival of a large tranche of halted supply - abandoning years of effort to shore up prices. People familiar…

A new Ipsos study, “What Worries the World,” has revealed a dramatic return to pre-election pessimism about the country's direction, marking a sharp decline from the initial surge of optimism that followed the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) formation in mid-2024. With a staggering 80% of South Africans believing the nation is on the “wrong track”, opposition parties have seized upon the “chilling revelations” to voice their outrage and condemn the GNU, highlighting its perceived failures and the ongoing infighting between its main partners, the ANC and the DA. The data, which tracks online South African sentiment over 20 months, shows how public mood, initially lifted by the prospect of a united government, has now plummeted to levels mirroring the uncertainty before the May 2024 national elections. Service Line Manager…

June Steenkamp, the mother of murdered model Reeva Steenkamp, has suffered a stroke and requires funds to undergo rehabilitation, her family said. June suffered a stroke earlier this week and is recovering in a public hospital. Her family said she now faces a lengthy and difficult recovery process. "She is facing a long road to recovery and is in need of considerable rehabilitation." To help ensure she receives the care she needs, her family and supporters have launched a dedicated rehabilitation fund. According to the statement, the fund will be strictly managed, with “all payments approved by two independent attorneys and audited” to maintain full transparency. Should the money raised not be fully used for her recovery, the family has pledged that the remaining funds will be donated to the…

The power struggle between national police commissioner Fannie Masemola and deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya has had a direct and ripple effect on the morale and operational focus of members on the ground. This was said by Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo amid the ongoing litigation between Sibiya and Masemola. “When leadership is embroiled in public disputes or disciplinary challenges, it diverts attention away from the pressing task of fighting crime and building community trust. Members begin to feel uncertain about the stability of the organisation and question whether their daily sacrifices are matched by coherent, unified leadership.” Masemola ordered Sibiya, his deputy, responsible for crime detection, to stay at home for intentionally disobeying his instructions regarding the disbandment of the KwaZulu-Natal political…

The motion of no confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is still being processed for approval before it is tabled for consideration by Parliament. This development comes on the heels of the party having to resubmit the motion in an effort to ensure compliance with parliamentary rules. This emerged when MK Party chief whip Colleen Makhubele enquired at the meeting of the National Assembly Programme Committee yesterday. The motion is not included in Parliament’s programme for the term, which ends with the constituency period from September 22 until October 5. “We submitted a motion of no confidence. We would like to know when it will be tabled and how far it is,” Makhubele said. "I know there are amendments that were submitted. I don’t see…

The Isuzu bakkie is back in black with the announcement of the X-Rider Black limited-edition model. Only 150 of the X-Rider Black units will be produced at Isuzu’s Struandale plant in Gqeberha this year, available to South African customers as well as those in other African markets. Each X-Rider Black will be numbered, with a special plaque fitted on the left-side inner fender, and it gains several unique styling enhancements. There will be three derivatives of the double cab bakkie with the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or automatic in 4x2 guise, or the 4x4 automatic with shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive engagement. Engine Under the bonnet, it’s fitted with Isuzu’s 1.9 DDi four-cylinder turbodiesel engine producing 110kW and 350Nm of torque. It’s the same engine that achieved an economy figure…

On 3 September, Beijing hosted a solemn ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote address and inspected the armed forces. Eighty years ago, the peace-loving people from all over the world stood in solidarity against our common enemy. We fought bravely, and achieved the great victory in the anti-fascist war. This war was an unprecedented catastrophe in human history. It affected around 2 billion people in over 80 countries and regions in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceania, and caused over 100 million casualties among military personnel and civilians. The ultimate downfall of fascism is proof that justice always triumphs over evil, light always prevails over darkness, and progressive…

Lewis Hamilton is in the midst of a crisis of confidence and results that the Formula One icon has never known in his storied career, as Ferrari’s fans hope for a sharp turnaround at the Italian Grand Prix. Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton’s arrival at Maranello made Ferrari’s vociferous support dream of an end to an 18-year wait for a world title to be won by a driver in red. Instead, the 40-year-old trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by a whopping 200 points after a disastrous campaign with Ferrari which has not brought him any GP wins, nor even a single podium finish. Last weekend’s Dutch GP was the lowest point of the year for the Scuderia, with both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc crashing out of a race which had been…

Bafana Bafana central defender Siyabonga Ngezana has candidly acknowledged the mounting pressure on the South African national team as it gears up for crucial 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Nigeria. The 28-year-old Ngezana plays for Romanian SuperLiga giants FCSB. Before that, he played seven seasons for Kaizer Chiefs after featuring in Orlando Pirates' youth system. Last weekend, Ngezana, who has been flying the South African flag with distinction abroad for the past two seasons, played a full 90 minutes for FCSB in their 2-2 league draw against CFR Cluj. "It is clear we have pressure, having not qualified for the World Cup in so many years," he remarked, underlining the historical significance of the upcoming fixtures. “This sentiment echoes the frustrations of a nation that last…