Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-19 i Mercury

Ascendis Health on Tuesday announced that the vast majority of its shareholders have voted in favour of delisting the company from the main board of the JSE, marking the next phase of its successful strategic turnaround and growth journey. Shares in Ascendis Health, which is a South African health and wellness investment holding company were unchaned on the news. Ascendis Health first proposed delisting from the JSE on June 29, 2023 Of the shareholders who took part in the vote, almost 93% voted in favour of delisting. The holders of a majority of Ascendis shares have also indicated to Ascendis Health’s management that they want to remain on as shareholders after the delisting, showing strong support for the strategic direction that has been charted by the Ascendis management to…

THE Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) delivered a resilient per-formance in the year ended 31 March, growing its assets to R2.7 trillion from R2.38 trillion and achieving a 14.1% investment return, despite a year marked by economic uncertainty both at home and abroad. The Fund maintained a strong 119% funding level, underscoring its long-term financial sustainability. Global markets were strained by ongoing geopolitical tensions, elevated energy costs and persistent inflation. Domestically, South Africa continued to grapple with sluggish GDP growth, structural bottlenecks and sectoral underperformance. However, improvements such as reduced load shedding and the formation of the Government of National Unity supported a modestly more stable economic environment. The GEPF said the introduction of the Two-Pot retirement system, which allows limited early access to pension savings, also had a noticeable…

South Africans are heading into the festive season under the heaviest financial strain seen in nearly a decade, according to the DebtBusters Q3 2025 Debt Index, released on Tuesday. The report shows that 95% of people who applied for debt counselling in the third quarter relied on a personal loan, while 22% used overdraft facilities regularly — the highest levels ever recorded. Benay Sager, executive head of DebtBusters, said the results confirm a troubling deterioration in households’ financial resilience. “Those who applied for debt counselling are now using an unsustainable 70% of their take-home pay to service debt – which is the highest level recorded in the last eight years,” he said. Sager added that successive interest rate and petrol price reductions have helped consumers better deal with debt; however,…

South Africa’s unemployment rate, currently at 32,9%, represents not merely a statistical indicator but a profound socio-economic crisis with far-reaching human consequences. For our nation, 32.9% means that 8.2 million people, including 62.4% of young South Africans aged 15 to 24, are unable to support themselves or their families. It means millions of our youth, our breadwinners, our graduates, and our entrepreneurs are locked out of the economy growing at a paltry 0.8%. And yet, in the midst of this socioeconomic pressure, South Africa’s offshore petroleum potential remains largely untapped. This is not due to lack of resource, capability, or need, but because of a global narrative that increasingly penalises countries like ours for trying to grow. This must change. Before 1949, Qatar was one of the poorest nations in…

The South African savings industry continued its long-term trend of contraction in 2025 as consumers remained under pressure and unemployment continued to rise, while the Two-pot Retirement System added to the structural headwinds. This was according to the chairman of one of the largest private sector asset management firms, Saks Ntombela, and the CEO, Anton Pillay, who were commenting at the release of the 52% black-owned Coronation Fund Managers’ annual financial results for the year to September 30. They reported a 5% outflow from their average funds under management (AUM) through the 2025 financial year, a figure that had moderated from the previous year. “As a major player in the South African savings market, we remain exposed to industry trends, and we do not expect to see rapid industry improvements…

As a mature woman who still loves a good beauty find, I’ve learned that eyeshadow can be our best friend or our worst enemy. Some days, the wrong shade or texture makes my eyelids look tired or creased, and other days, the right product suddenly lifts my whole face. If you’ve ever stood in the beauty aisle wondering which eyeshadows will work for ageing skin, you’re not alone. The truth is, our eyelids become thinner, drier and more sensitive as we get older, which means we need formulas that are kinder, creamier and far more flattering. Make-up artists agree: the key is not to give up on eyeshadow, but to choose textures and colours that enhance mature eyes rather than emphasise lines. From soft matte powders to silky cream sticks…

The Office of the Premier in KwaZulu-Natal has been blasted for “toying” with the ambitions of young people and making “empty promises” after pledging business funding when it did not have the money. Members of the Finance Portfolio Committee recently took the office to task after it emerged that the office had promised R100 million in business funding support for young people in Youth Empowerment Funding at a time when it did not have the funds. It held an event in June to announce the recipients of the funding. The office was heavily criticised for hosting this function, as it had no money to disburse. In addition, the actual disbursement of the funds stalled after it emerged that there might have been irregularities in the selection of the beneficiaries, leading…

NORTH West businessman and alleged information peddler Brown Mogotsi made explosive allegations during his testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry yesterday. Mogotsi who claimed to be an “agent” for crime intelligence said he only found out about the December 31 letter penned by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) through social media and not via any connection to Mchunu. He defended his access to sensitive information of the SAPS and crime intelligence, disputing claims that it was due to his dubious relationships with senior police officers or government officials. Mogotsi has been accused of leveraging his relationship with Mchunu to access police information and solicit funds from the embattled businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to fund ANC activities. During his September appearance before…

Electrical appliances including air fryers, irons, paraffin stoves, child safety restraints, motorcycle helmets, counterfeit clothing and expired food were among the items seized in operations held by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), police, National Consumer Commission and Border Management Authority (BMA) among others. The operations were held in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Northern Cape, and key border posts between August and October. The NRCS said the campaign aimed to combat the influx and distribution of unsafe, counterfeit and non-compliant products in South Africa. The organisation said in Limpopo, enforcement activities in Musina and Makhado, strategically located near border posts, led to the confiscation of non-compliant goods valued at approximately R500 000. These items ranged from automotive brake fluids, electrical appliances like air fryers and irons to household products…

It’s well known that the curtain will come down on Hugo Broos’ Bafana stint after the 2026 Fifa World Cup in North America. And so, with barely a few months before that happens, the question remains: who will succeed the silver-haired Belgian and build on the foundation he has laid during his five-year spell with Bafana? Well, that remains to be seen. If it were up to him, Broos would hand over the baton to his right-hand man Helman Mkhalele, who has experience, knows South African football with its pros and cons, and is familiar with the ins and outs of the team after being part of Broos’ backroom staff from day one. But it’s not in Broos’ hands, nor those of the association, Safa, to appoint Mkhalele as the…

Ireland’s talismanic scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park has been a thorn in the Springboks’ side for a number of years. The Leinster No 9 has been central to Ireland’s rise under Andy Farrell, dictating tempo and providing the spark behind their high-paced attacking structure. Gibson-Park is the chess master in their intricate way of playing. Ireland play an outcomes-based attacking game that is planned a few phases ahead to achieve the desired result. They create mismatches between backs and forwards and gaps on the inside or outside of the defensive line for their strike runners to cause the most damage. Last year, during their two-match series in South Africa which ended in a drawn 1-1 series, Ireland managed to combat the Springboks’ famed rush defence with clever inside balls that caused a…

Arthur Zwane and his AmaZulu side have quietly assembled an impressive start to their 2024/25 campaign and now find themselves well-positioned to finish the year strongly as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break draws near. Despite undergoing one of the most extensive squad overhauls in the league before the season began, Usuthu have settled quicker than many expected and currently sit sixth on the Betway Premiership log, placing them among the most consistent and competitive teams of the campaign. They return to league action this weekend at Moses Mabhida Stadium (3.30pm kickoff), where they will face a rising but unpredictable Siwelele FC outfit. AmaZulu will be eager to respond following their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Polokwane City in their last outing – a result that temporarily halted their growing…

The High Court in Gauteng has delivered a significant ruling in favour of consumer rights, dismissing an appeal by Sandton Repo Cars concerning a contentious vehicle sale. In a case that has garnered attention for its implications on consumer protection practices in South Africa, the court upheld a prior decision mandating the dealership to refund R459 900 to a consumer who purchased a 2018 Volkswagen Golf, which, unbeknownst to the buyer, had sustained damage in a previous accident. The dealership turned to the court after the National Consumer Tribunal ruled in June 2024 that it had violated the Consumer Protection Act by refusing to collect the faulty vehicle and issue a full refund. The consumer purchased the vehicle on May 13, 2020 for R459 900 and was told it…

South Africa’s trade environment remained firmly in negative territory in October, according to the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) Trade Conditions Survey, released on Tuesday. The composite trade index came in at 46, unchanged from the year-to-date average and still below the neutral 50 level, signalling continued pressure on businesses. Sacci said that both global and domestic economic developments continue to weigh on the sector. “The negative conditions continue and are evident from the Sacci Trade Conditions Surveys for some time now. In October 2025, trade conditions were still in negative territory with the composite survey index at 46 – it is below the neutral level of 50,” it said. In the first 10 months of 2025, the average for the composite trade index was also 46.…

Reinet Investments’ €6.7 billion net asset value (NAV) at September 30, 2025, reflects a 3.7% decrease from March 31, primarily due to lower fair value estimations held by the investment holding company. The company, which is listed in Amsterdam, Luxembourg, and on the JSE, and which is chaired by well-known South African businessman Johann Rupert, stated in its interim results on Tuesday that the estimated fair value had declined in investments in Pension Insurance Corporation Group, Trilantic Capital Partners, TruArc Partners, Asia Partners funds, NanoDimension funds, and other investments. The decline in NAV also reflects a dividend paid and expenses for management and performance fees. “Offsetting these decreases are increases in the estimated fair value of certain investments, including Coatue funds and Prescient funds, gains on certain investments including Trilantic…

Like many South African women, I dread the idea of booking a mammogram and it brings a mix of anxiety, dread and discomfort. Anyone who has had one knows what to expect: your breast is compressed between two plates with pressure that can reach up to 20kg. While doctors argue this is necessary for a clearer X-ray image, the reality is that the process can be painful, traumatic, and for some women, enough reason to avoid screening altogether. When breast cancer is already a leading threat to women’s health, fear of pain should never be the barrier that stops early detection. While mammograms remain the most widely used method, they are far from perfect - and importantly, they are not the only option. South African women do have alternatives, each…

ANC MP Xola Nqola said that they were disappointed by the testimony of Dr Mary de Haas to Parliament yesterday, as it appeared to be hearsay evidence. Yesterday’s proceedings at Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, began with evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse SC taking De Haas through her affidavit. Throughout the morning, De Haas jumped around from an array of topics, before landing on the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), where she delivered a blistering critique. An established violence monitor and long-time analyst of political violence, De Haas spoke candidly about alleged abuses, lack of transparency, and operational failures within the embattled unit. De Haas revealed that many cases were arbitrarily designated as “political killings” without…

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has committed that within two months, they will have a joint plan of action to deal with the incomplete project at the Ohlange Institute in Inanda. The Ohlange Institute, where Nelson Mandela cast his first democratic vote in 1994, was founded in 1901 by Dr John Langalibalele Dube and his wife. Despite over R33 million in investment since 2012, the site has deteriorated, with infrastructure like the amphitheatre collapsing. Crucially, planned developments—including the Tower of Hope, Interpretation Centre, Craft Centre, Sports Centre, and School of Advocacy—have failed to materialise. Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson said this week's visit was in response to a motion passed by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) with regards to the incompleteness of the project at…

Former public enterprises minister, Dr Malusi Gigaba, who also serves as co-chair of Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence, appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court yesterday facing a charge of corruption. Gigaba, an ANC Member of Parliament, faces corruption charges relating to three Transnet contracts he signed during his tenure as public enterprises minister. Authorities are investigating wide-scale corruption in Transnet SOC Ltd’s multi-billion-rand locomotive procurement deal. Earlier this month, it was reported that Gigaba visited the offices of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) in Lynnwood, Pretoria East. At that time IDAC confirmed he had not been placed under arrest and that there would be no court appearance that day. The visit marked a further step in the National Prosecuting Authority’s efforts to investigate individuals implicated in large-scale…

Fresh off consecutive victories in Mexico and Brazil, championship leader Lando Norris, has tempered expectations ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, admitting that McLaren could face their toughest weekend of the season under the Strip’s cold night lights. Norris, who now holds a 24-point advantage over teammate Oscar Piastri, was blunt when asked whether Las Vegas’ conditions might help McLaren this year. “Hinder, for sure. I think it was our worst race last year, so I’m not really looking forward to it,” Norring told Sky Sports. McLaren struggled in Vegas in 2023, with Norris finishing sixth and Piastri seventh despite having a title-winning car. The low-temperature sessions and unusually slippery surface exposed weaknesses McLaren has worked to address over the past 12 months. “We’ve been trying to work quite…

The Proteas Test team have a song that they sing when coming together for a picture at the end of a big win or a triumphant series. “We make you look good, we make you look good! Shukri Conrad, we make you look good!” has rung out on the field with plenty of spontaneous laughter over the last couple of years. It is clearly an inside joke, with the players having a bit of fun at their coach’s expense. The song, however, is draped in sarcasm, with the players actually celebrating Conrad’s contribution to their performances, especially during the last World Test Championship cycle, when the Proteas managed to win seven Test matches in a row before beating Australia in the final at Lord’s in June this year. Conrad, together…

KAIZER CHIEFS will be looking to do away with a somewhat wretched record in Egypt when they kick-start their CAF Confederation Cup group campaign this weekend. Amakhosi are on a mission to win their second continental title since being crowned CAF Cup Winners’ Cup champions back in 2001. To do that, they will have to get the better of two strong opponents from the land of the Pharaohs starting with El Masry whom they face away this weekend. With former champions Zamalek also in their group, the Glamour Boys face a tough challenge in their quest to get back to the top table of African football, Chiefs having last been to a continental final back in 2021 when they suffered a 3-0 defeat to – wait for it – Al…

South Africa’s flagship reform programme is facilitating unbundling at Eskom and Transnet South Africa’s flagship reform programme, Operation Vulindlela, has helped unlock about R500 billion in private-sector investment, largely driven by new electricity generation projects and reforms in telecommunications, including the long-awaited auction of 4G and 5G spectrum, which has opened the door to cheaper communication. But this progress, while significant, is still far from the investment volumes the country needs, said Rudi Dicks, head of the project management office in the Presidency and co-lead of Operation Vulindlela. Speaking during the latest PSG Think Big webinar on Tuesday, Dicks said the next phase of the program, Operation Vulindlela 2.0, is accelerating structural reforms at Eskom and Transnet, though the process remains highly complex. “We require not just R500bn, we require…

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has formally approved the inclusion of indigenous crops and medicinal plants in the list of declared agricultural products, a move he says will unlock the economic potential of a long-marginalised sector valued at an estimated R12 billion a year. The Department of Agriculture (DoA) confirmed that the approval, granted on 21 July 2025, follows a request from stakeholders within the agricultural industry. The newly recognised products will now fall under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, enabling producers to benefit from statutory measures and structured market development. According to the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), indigenous crops and medicinal plants currently contribute less than 3% to South Africa’s annual agricultural output, which stands at approximately R450bn. Of the R12bn estimated value, about R3bn is attributed…

Last week, on the 29th of October 2025, young climate leaders, policymakers, and negotiators gathered at the COP30 Youth Dialogue hosted by the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) South Africa 2025, supported by the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) and funded by the European Union. The event, themed “Towards a Compact for the Future: Solidarity, Sustainability and Equality,” could not have come at a more critical moment. With South Africa preparing to host the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit and Brazil (and the rest of the world) gearing up for COP30, the conversation turned to the central issue that has haunted global climate politics for decades: money. In the 1996 film Jerry Maguire, a desperate sports agent is confronted by his client’s now-iconic demand: “Show me the money.” The phrase, though simple,…

The ANC has called for an investigation into how the country’s intelligence services failed to warn the government about the imminent arrival of planes transporting refugees from Palestine. The Mercury understands from members of the NEC, who were part of the meeting this past weekend, that the party is worried about the fact that refugees had arrived in the country, with the intelligence services knowing nothing about it. Two planes have landed in the country, with one landing a few days ago. The arrival of the passengers raised alarms within government circles, as it has since emerged that the refugees did not know where they were being taken. A source in the NEC said during discussions, members were shocked that the intelligence services failed to detect this situation. “Keep in…

THE ANC hopes the lifestyle audits that its mayoral candidates will undergo will help in fulfilling its commitment to strong, diverse, and capable candidates. These were some of the measures ANC Electoral Committee chairperson Kgalema Motlanthe announced this week as part of the ANC’s extensive vetting process to rid the party of unethical leaders. The party only fully controls two metros - Buffalo City and Mangaung, while it is in a coalition government in eThekwini Municipality. Motlanthe, who briefed members of the media on the candidate selection process for the 2026 local government elections yesterday, said mayoral candidates for metros and cities will be handled through the National Official Office Bearers. Motlanthe said this is to ensure that they select people who bring expertise and the requisite qualifications to occupy…

Chief of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, has issued a stark warning that decisions to drastically reduce the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) workforce is effectively asking the defence force to curb its operations. “For our Cabinet to approve the reduction of the SANDF work force or strength is actually nothing far from telling us [to] implement a defence version of what General Mkhwanazi has disclosed in the Madlanga Commission with regard to the closure of the Political Killing Task Team,” Lobese said while addressing the Chief of the Navy's Prestige Charity Ball at St George's Hotel in Tshwane. Lobese made the remarks during his Prestige Address, in which he painted a grim picture of a Navy hamstrung by years of underfunding, dwindling resources, and what…

MINISTER of Transport Barbara Creecy has expressed support for a proposal to introduce eight-year driver’s licences for motorists. However ,commercial drivers will still need to renew their licences every two years for safety reasons. This comes as South Africa struggles with a substantial backlog in issuing driver’s licences, a situation exacerbated by ageing equipment and reliance on a single card-printing machine. Currently drivers must renew their licences every five years. Answering questions before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), the minister said a study conducted before her appointment recommended different renewal periods for commercial and ordinary drivers, which forms the basis of the proposed eight-year validity. “I read that study when I was appointed. It is an interesting study. It talks about, if you are having a public driver’s license,…

Germany captain Joshua Kimmich said his side “wanted to send a message” with Monday’s 6-0 thumping of Slovakia in Leipzig which sealed their progress to the 2026 World Cup. Leroy Sane struck twice and Nick Woltemade scored for the third straight game for Germany. The win put Germany through at the top of Group A and into next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Slovakia finished second and will go into a play-off. “Everyone wanted to send a message today. Everyone knew what was at stake,” Kimmich told Germany’s ZDF. “In Germany, we’re not used to it being difficult to qualify – that’s why I’m very happy with how we played.” Germany have laboured past underdog opponents in this campaign but were 4-0 up at half-time and…

Bandile Shandu is a team player at Orlando Pirates – that he’s fallen down in the pecking order and his Buccaneers’ future looks bleak with every passing month doesn’t appear to be relevant. Shandu has made only four appearances at Pirates so far this season. And that highlights the minimal contribution he has made in the team’s strides, which include winning the MTN8, reaching the Carling Knockout final, and being second on the Betway Premiership standings, three points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who’ve played two games more. His lack of game time has seen Thabiso Lebitso own the right-back position so far, while his backup Deano van Rooyen has recently recovered from a lengthy injury. And that’s not all. It appears that coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has lost his faith in…

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Thabo Nthethe believes winning the CAF Champions League would make sacrificing every other trophy this season worthwhile – even if it means surrendering their long- running dominance in the league. The Brazilians launch their continental campaign this weekend against DR Congo outfit Saint Eloi Lupopo in the group stage, having advanced with an emphatic 7–1 aggregate victory over Nigeria’s Remo Stars in the second preliminary round. Since lifting the title in 2016, Sundowns have been a consistent force in the competition, with last season marking yet another closest attempt for them at reclaiming the crown after several semi-final exits. Their narrow defeat to Pyramids FC last season, in a final that seemed destined for Chloorkop, has sharpened their focus as they aim to correct those fine…