Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-12-08 i Mercury

Industry experts have delivered mixed views after the Ports Regulator of South Africa approved a lower-than-requested tariff increase for the National Ports Authority (NPA), granting an average rise of 7.57% for the 2026/27 financial year, below the 9.61% initially proposed by the Authority. Ports Regulator CEO Mukondeleli Johanna Mulaudzi said the NPA submitted its tariff application on 1 August 2025 in terms of Section 72 of the National Ports Act, seeking allowable revenue of R16.73 billion for 2026/27 and projecting tariff increases of 9.61% for the following two years. After assessing the submission, public inputs, presentations, and updated inflation figures from the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, the Regulator authorised a revenue requirement of R17.42bn. This includes an ETIMC allocation of R800 million, resulting in the weighted average tariff increase of…

PIC probes whether governance recommendations were falsely reported as implemented The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has instituted an investigation into whether the recommendations of Judge Mpati on governance improvements at the entity were falsely reported as implemented by the previous CEO to Cabinet, deputy finance minister and chairperson of the PIC, David Masondo, has said. Responding to questions in Parliament on Friday, Masondo admitted that the PIC had been led to believe the recommendations had been fully implemented, but after persistent questioning from Parliament, the corporation had to initiate an investigation when no record of implementation could be found. “The report that went to the DTIC Minister said the implementation had been 100% done, but thanks to the persistence of MPs on this matter, we had to check our records…

Science infrastructure is not just critical for the generation of new scientific knowledge and the development of researchers and scientists. Science infrastructure also has immense potential to drive socio- economic development for local communities and stimulate science tourism. Over the past three decades, as the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, we have made significant and targeted investments in the building of key science infrastructure for South Africa. As South Africa, we are proud hosts of the Square Kilometre Array- the world’s largest radio astronomy project. Through the SKA, we have significantly enhanced our international collaboration in advancing the frontiers of discovery science on the back of cutting-edge infrastructure in the field of astronomy, computational technologies, fibre optics and engineering. Further to this, we have also been able to use…

I delivered a keynote address to the 5th SAIGA conference held at the Emperors Palace and asked the question, “Whither governance when Moses has broken the tablets at the foothills of Mount Sinai?”. When we stood before the nations in 1994, newly liberated but materially poor, we did not anticipate that the riches of the state would eventually afflict us, paralysing our human agency. That agency was once epitomised by the poor who triumphed over a labyrinth of apartheid laws and prisons. Yet today, we face a tragic inversion: the liberators have become the predators. Hani, Mandela, Biko, Sobukwe, Maxeke, Sisulu, and Tambo cannot sleep in peace, despite our songs wishing them eternal rest. They cannot rest because the "Covenant of Truth"—the tablet of governance—has been broken. We have mutated…

As the festive shopping season kicks into high gear, our screens light up with tempting offers, urging us to act fast, snag deals and buy more. The promise of savings, paired with the festive cheer, is hard to resist. But beneath the glittering sales banners lies a deeper psychological story, one that shapes our spending more than we might realise. We live in a world of instant gratification and endless choices, and the practice of conscious consumerism offers a refreshing pause. It’s not about guilt-tripping or restraint, but about reclaiming control, aligning what we buy and how we give with what we truly value. The psychology of festive shopping: why can’t we resist the deals? So, what’s really happening in our brains when we see a deal? “Humans are wired…

THE KwaZulu-Natal government needs more than R1 billion to get the Drakensberg cable car project off the ground. There is growing scepticism about the future of the ambitious project, with stakeholders questioning if it will ever get off the ground. Councillors in the Okhahlamba Municipality, one of the key stakeholders in the project, said they have not been informed about any progress in the project for almost five years. The R1bn figure is based on information produced in 2017 and contained in a report by the Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, compiled in June this year. However, EDTEA MEC Musa Zondi dismissed views that the project has been neglected, stating he had picked it up after it had been dormant for 12 years. The Drakensberg cable car…

Seventeen rhino horns and more than 26kg of lion and tiger bones, skulls and claws have been seized in Kempton Park, Gauteng. According to authorities, a “major breakthrough has been achieved in the fight against wildlife trafficking following a coordinated transnational operation that resulted in the seizure of a significant consignment of rhino horns and lion/tiger parts destined for the South East Asian illegal market.” The operation involved the Border Management Authority (BMA), the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), working with a broad network of supporting agencies. The raid took place on December 1 and was led by the DPCI Wildlife Trafficking Section. Integrated support came from the Border Management Authority, SOCI Vaal Rand, Counter-intelligence Head Office, SARS Customs, CAP Special Operations,…

Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi has lashed out at those allegedly plotting to remove ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa, saying the federation will not “elevate small minds” behind anonymous campaigns ahead of the party’s upcoming National General Council. She urged those who are eyeing the position to do so through the right channels rather than hiding behind anonymous campaigns. Losi spoke at the weekend on the sidelines of Cosatu’s 40th anniversary celebration in Dobsonville, Soweto, where she was joined by Ramaphosa and SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila. “We did not issue a statement because we did not want to elevate faceless investors,” she said, prompting a visible smile from Ramaphosa beside her. “There’s no organisation that will not experience these things when approaching a congress. When people are sure of what they…

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has achieved a 92% in its second-quarter performance report for the 2025/26 financial year, spanning July 1 to September 30, 2025. BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato highlighted that the authority successfully met 11 of its 12 quarterly targets, as set in its Annual Performance Plan, overcoming various operational challenges previously reported. Masiapato spoke during a media briefing where he gave a report on the BMA’s work for the second quarter. He highlighted that heightened operational activities during the quarter were primarily driven by preparatory meetings for the G20 Leaders’ Summit. Over the three months, the BMA facilitated the attendance of several dignitaries at more than 40 G20 track meetings nationwide. Additionally, the Grobler’s Bridge port of entry processed a significant number of Zion Christian Church…

South Africa’s first fully internal bone transport and limb-lengthening reconstruction has been performed on a 64-year-old former police officer at Tygerberg Hospital. This is the only case of its kind performed in the country across both the state and private sectors. In partnership with Stellenbosch University, the hospital now stands among only a few centres worldwide with the capability to perform this advanced limb salvage technique within the public sector. The patient had lived with the long-term consequences of a severe gunshot injury sustained in 2018. Despite multiple surgeries elsewhere, he continued to struggle with chronic pain, an unhealed fracture, and a substantial difference in leg length that affected his quality of life. Surgeons reconstructed a 50mm bone defect and corrected a 30mm limb-length discrepancy. The fully internal device allows…

Orlando Pirates ended their year exactly as they would have scripted it – with another trophy in hand and growing certainty that they are only flourishing under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Their Carling Knockout Cup triumph over Marumo Gallants not only completed a domestic cup double for 2025, but also underlined a shift in mentality and consistency that has carried the Buccaneers to the summit of the Betway Premiership heading into the AFCON break. For Ouaddou, who replaced José Riveiro in July, the success marks an impressive turnaround from a difficult start that threatened to derail his early months in Soweto. The Moroccan-born mentor arrived with expectation weighing heavily on his shoulders. That weight grew even sharper when he lost his first two league matches – a stumble that, at…

Lando Norris claimed his maiden drivers’ championship yesterday to complete McLaren’s first title double since 1998 with a perfectly judged drive to finish third behind Red Bull’s winner Max Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri. A tearful Norris won the title by two points ahead of Verstappen, who relinquished his crown after four consecutive years, in a tense and emotional season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix dominated by strategy and tactics. After crossing the line his team engineer told him: “That’s it mate, you are world champion, world champion!” “Thank you guys, you made a kid’s dream come true,” he replied. “I haven’t cried in a while, I didn’t think I would cry but I did,” Norris said, on the podium in the desert night at the floodlit Yas Marina circuit. “I…

Kaizer Chiefs will not only search for redemption but also for all-round team organisation when they start the second half of the season next year, following a disappointing end to the year. Chiefs were held to a 0-0 stalemate by TS Galaxy in the last game of the year – and in the Betway Premiership – as they finished fourth on the log with 24 points. Given the fact that this was their fourth successive game without a win, and that they trail log leaders Orlando Pirates – who have a game in hand – by four points, this was certainly not the ideal end Chiefs wanted in 2025. After ending last campaign with silverware, there was plenty of hope that Chiefs would turn around their fortunes this season, but…

Moody’s Ratings has reaffirmed its existing view on South Africa’s creditworthiness following a periodic review completed on 27 November 2025, cautioning that while economic conditions have improved, deep structural constraints continue to weigh on the country’s long-term prospects. The review, which did not constitute a ratings action, maintains South Africa’s long-term issuer rating at Ba2 with a stable outlook. This comes after S&P Global Ratings has announced an upgrade of South Africa’s credit rating, the first increment in almost 20 years. This upgrade signified a recognition of the country’s improved economic trajectory, buoyed by stronger revenue performance, enhanced growth prospects, and a gradual easing of pressures that have long beleaguered state-owned enterprises. Moody’s said South Africa’s rating reflects chronically low growth potential linked to ageing infrastructure, a weak labour market,…

South Africa’s agribusiness confidence bounced back in the final quarter of the year, rising by five points to 67 in the Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI), released on Friday. The improvement follows two consecutive quarterly declines and places the index firmly above the neutral 50-point mark, signalling renewed optimism across the sector. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz), said favourable production conditions and strong export performance underpinned the rebound. “Favourable weather conditions, strong exports throughout the year on the back of ample grains, oilseeds, and horticulture harvests, as well as better port efficiencies, are among the key drivers of optimism in the sector,” he said. He added that government’s announcement of a nationwide foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination campaign had also buoyed sentiment, given the long-running challenges…

As Walmart opened its first South African store at Clearwater Mall in Johannesburg and its second in Fourways Mall it enters a retail battlefield already dominated by some of the country’s most deeply entrenched supermarket brands: Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Boxer, Woolworths, and Spar. Shoprite is currently the reigning giant in retail land and with its Sixty60 online offering is eating its competitors lunches although Pick n Pay is trying hard to turn its fortunes around. Walmart’s much-publicised Every Day Low Prices philosophy might sound good on paper, but in South Africa, price wars are nothing new. Local players have honed the art of affordability and loyalty across decades of economic turbulence, social diversity, and consumer nuance that even a global retail giant may find difficult to decode. The Local…

RMB Holdings (RMH), currently the target of an approach by the Atterbury Property Fund, said net asset value (NAV) decreased to R662 million by September 30, 2023, from R919m as at September 30, 2022. RMH said in its annual financial results Friday this decline was primarily driven by a 2% increase in the underlying NAV of Atterbury - Atterbury comprises 92% of RMH’s portfolio value - offset by an impairment of R272m; a R34m increase in the expected credit loss on the Integer shareholders’ loan; and the yield on cash not being sufficient to fully cover operating expenses. As at September 30, RMH’s market capitalisation came to R557m. The NAV per share fell to 47.5 cents by financial year end, 28% lower than 66 cents at the end of 2022.…

The city reached an agreement with labour unions to increase eThekwini Municipality workers salaries The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in eThekwini has announced a landmark settlement agreement on benchmarking, following sustained union advocacy to address pay parity, among other issues. The agreement means that workers will now be paid the same as their counterparts in other metros across the country. The agreement will cost the municipality an additional R500 million a year. To counter that expense, the city is proposing to reduce overtime and introduce a shift system. The union and the municipality had been locked in a prolonged dispute over pay disparities. Workers had previously complained that they were being paid significantly less than their counterparts in other metros. The agreement also averted what could have been…

The Department of Home Affairs has announced extended operating hours across selected offices ahead of the festive season, in a bid to ease pressure on services and help South Africans secure essential documents before year-end travel. From December 8 to 19, 2025, and again from January 5 to 16, 2026, Home Affairs offices equipped to process Smart ID Cards and passports will operate two hours longer each day, closing at 6pm instead of 4pm. “As part of our continued commitment to delivering dignity for all, the Department of Home Affairs is extending operating hours, by an additional two hours daily for applications and collections of enabling documents,” said Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber. Clients are encouraged to book appointments through the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS) on the…

As governments crack down on online platforms from social networks to porn sites, business is booming for one sector offering AI age checks based on selfies. The technology promises speed and accuracy in implementing laws like Australia’s social media ban for under-16s – in force from December 10. As a user, verifying your age with the technology is a breeze. All it requires is taking a head-on selfie with a phone or computer camera, and an automated decision is made within a minute. “We estimated your age is 18 or older,”read a pop-up window on the Roblox gaming site. At startup Yoti’s spacious London office, mannequin heads – some fitted with wigs or masks – are lined up along one of the windowsills for testing. Their AI is not fooled…

THE KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has appealed to eThekwini Municipality to reinstate the water and electricity supply to government offices while the state tries to find the money to pay its bills. In an unprecedented move last week, the municipality shut down the electricity and water supply to most government buildings over unpaid rates bills. It has emerged that while the affected departments have paid their utility bills, their services were disconnected because they owe rates – the responsibility for payment of these lies with Public Works. The most affected departments are Transport and Education. In an interview on Friday, Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer appealed for leniency and called on the City to rethink its position ‘for the sake of its own citizens who…

Kristoffer Reitan overcame what he described as “excruciating pressure” to become the first Norwegian winner of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player at Sun City yesterday. Reitan took a five-stroke lead into the final round and withstood strong challenges from South Africa’s Jayden Schaper and England’s Dan Bradbury to win by a single stroke on 17 under par with a closing 72. Schaper and Bradbury shared second place on 16 under par, with respective final rounds of 68 and 66. “It feels amazing,” Reitan said, after the second DP World Tour victory of his career, which now ties him with countryman Viktor Hovland as the Norwegian player with the most wins on the DP World Tour. “This is an amazing tournament, an incredible golf course and a…

Sharks (5) 19 Tries: Hatton, Braude, Malan; Conversions: Hendrikse, Smith Toulouse (28) 56 Tries: Capuozzo (3), Marchand (2), Gourgues, Castro-Ferreira; Conversions: Ramos (8) French giants Toulouse had too much firepower for a relatively inexperienced Sharks side, winning their first-round Investec Champions Cup clash at Stade Ernest-Wallon 56-19 yesterday, but the visitors never wilted in the face of the onslaught. The six-time champions, loaded with international stars, scored eight tries and coped comfortably with the late withdrawal of French international flyhalf Romain Ntamak against a Sharks side led by No 8 Nick Hatton but missing several of their Springbok big guns. The Durban side showed a willingness to run the ball early on, but a cross-kick in the third minute led to the opening score for Ange Capuozzo, which flyhalf Thomas…

Ben Stokes refused to give up hope of winning the Ashes despite going 2-0 down in the five-match series after another heavy loss to Australia at the Gabba yesterday. England went into the series with many at home believing they had a real chance of regaining the Ashes. But after a two-day loss in Perth and yesterday’s eight-wicket defeat in Brisbane, those aims already look daunting. “The worst thing to do now is to not have hope and not realise that we still have the opportunity to do what we came out here to do,” Stokes said. “I haven’t lost hope, the dressing room hasn’t lost hope, and I’ll be doing everything I can as a captain to make sure that everyone is as positive as they possibly can be.”…

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has raised concerns that last week’s court judgment in its legal dispute with AfriForum over municipal electricity tariff timelines encroaches on the powers of the Minister of Finance as set out in the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). Nersa also noted that the ruling was delivered without the National Treasury’s participation, despite its central role in municipal budgeting processes. Nomfundo Maseti, full-time regulator member for piped gas and acting member for electricity, said Nersa is likely to appeal the judgment but must, as a courtesy, inform the Minister of Finance of its implications, particularly the new court-imposed timelines, which she said are misaligned with MFMA requirements. "The court has made out these orders without an opportunity for those that are given powers…

An upward trend in intermediate input costs for South African miners is emerging, the Minerals Council said on Friday, even though overall input costs remain historically subdued. The Minerals Council said on Friday that the emerging trend of rising mining input costs is being driven by “higher prices for intermediate mining inputs, including iron ore—which is performing stronger” than a year ago. “These increases are putting pressure on costs where these and other minerals are used in intermediate processes. Additionally, there has been a notable rise in sawmilling and wood costs, electricity and water tariffs, and significant increases in road transportation costs,” said the Minerals Council. These factors, it explained, were collectively driving the upward trend in mining input costs that has been recorded over the past three months. Data…

The African National Congress (ANC), will be holding its National General Council (NGC) from the 8th to the 11th December. Whilst it is natural for a political party to spend time engaging upon politics, it is critical that this NGC of the ANC, gear its attention to the daily struggles that millions of workers experience, to give hope to the unemployed and to tackle the obstacles facing inclusive and rapid economic growth. Society wants to hear from the leading party in government frank self-introspection and most importantly for the ANC to emerge with concrete proposals on what needs to be done to ensure the state can fulfill its constitutional mandate to provide public and municipal services, to utilise public resources in the most effective way possible to stimulate economic growth…

Anglo American says its merger with Canadian miner, Teck Resources does not affect its obligations and interests in South Africa, with the enlarged entity geared to grow its investments domestically. Over the past few days, South African economist Duma Gqubule has said that the transaction will “provide a final death knell” for the Johannesburg and London listed resource giant. Anglo American has been shedding its South African assets under CEO Duncan Wanblad, with the company finalising its exit from Anglo American Platinum this year. Anglo American has said that its merger with Teck “does not change South Africa’s sovereignty, our operations and many other interests in South Africa or Anglo American’s obligations” in the country. “The merger with Teck is about building a stronger global critical minerals company that is…

The Bhisho High Court showed no mercy to an Eastern Cape robber who committed crimes while out on parole for murder. The court sentenced Fikile Msindwana, 57, to 50 years imprisonment for a string of armed robberies that he committed with five others across the Eastern Cape. In sentencing Msindwana, with co-accused Camagu Zimela, Siphelo Mase, Siyamthanda Mkhangeli, Noveki Maqundeni, and Zoleka Ntsizi, Judge Igna Stretch determined that the robberies were not spontaneous. Judge Stretch stated that the evidence showed the crimes were planned. Between December 2018 and July 2019, local businesses were the targets of a series of armed robberies. In several of these incidents rifles, including AK-47s, were discharged. “It has been contended on Msindwana’s behalf that I should consider his age as substantial and compelling circumstance…

The Global Business Women’s Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GBWCCI) recently hosted a dynamic Business Networking Breakfast in Umhlanga, positioning women’s financial empowerment, business leadership, and strategic collaboration as key drivers of South Africa’s future economic growth. Held at the IBV Privé Lounge in Umhlanga, the event convened entrepreneurs, business executives, financial institutions, and policymakers to discuss actionable strategies to uplift women-led enterprises and strengthen inclusive economic participation. GBWCCI President Fawzia Peer opened the event with a powerful reminder of the chamber’s mission. “As chambers of commerce, we do more than sell services. We sell belonging,” she said. “We confer status and credibility through membership… We offer praise and validation through recognition, awards, and spotlights.” Peer said the chamber remains committed to helping women acquire practical business skills, navigate procurement…

The Khanyile family is struggling to come to terms with the loss of their three children who were among the 12 people killed in the mass shooting at an illegal tavern in Saulsville hostel, west of Pretoria on Saturday morning. The tragic shooting incident occurred around 4am, leaving 12 people dead, including three minors, and 14 others wounded. Of the 14 that were wounded eight are members of the Khanyile family, who also lost three children- a three-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, and a 16-year-old girl. The police have launched a manhunt for three suspects and are investigating the incident as 12 counts of murder and 14 counts of attempted murder. The family yesterday shared their deep-seated fears in the wake of the attack, carried out by unknown gunmen, which…

SOUTH Africa is living through a violence epidemic so deeply woven into daily life that many people no longer recognise its weight. We see the posters, the awareness campaigns, the public statements of commitment from leaders. Each year during the 16 Days of Activism, we speak of “raising our voices.” Yet for millions of women, children, families and communities, the remaining 349 days look painfully familiar. Despite billions being spent on policing, crisis counselling, emergency medical care, shelters and public messaging, violence continues to rise. Gender-based violence (GBV) alone drains an estimated R28–R42 billion from the economy every year. Bullying in schools and workplaces continues to climb. Cyberbullying is increasing at twice the rate of in-person bullying. Femicide remains five times higher than the global average. It is not that…

Proteas Women: 201/5 (Tunnicliffe 51, Van Niekerk 41, Maguire 3/43) Ireland Women: 136/3 (Prendergast 51*, Paul 40, Tryon 2/24) Proteas Women won by 65 runs, lead series 2-0 There were several reasons to be grateful for the Proteas’ Women’s series sweep of Ireland at Boland Park yesterday. For starters it ended a run of bilateral series defeats for a team that has reached consecutive T20 World Cup finals. But on an individual level, it also displayed the value of Western Province duo Faye Tunnicliffe and Dane van Niekerk to the national team’s cause. Tunnicliffe has for a long period been among the leading run-scorers in domestic cricket, but due to a variety of factors has not been able to transfer that form to the international stage since her debut back…

The last time the Proteas faced India in an ODI prior to the recently-completed three-match series, they boasted a middle-order consisting of Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller. Fast forward two years to the series decider in Vizag, and it was only Markram that remains – and that is only due to Tony de Zorzi’s hamstring injury. That is a collective loss of 309 ODI’s worth of experience. The replacements Matthew Breetzke (12) and Dewald Brevis (9) have a sum of 21 caps. Klaasen has since retired from all forms of international cricket and both Van der Dussen and Miller will be 38 by the time the home World Cup arrives in 2027. It would be a fair judgement to assume that neither will be…

Arne Slot was still reeling from Liverpool’s latest stumble at Leeds when Mohamed Salah took aim at his coach and the club’s hierarchy in a post-match rant that could mark the end of his legendary career at Anfield. The English Premier League champions are facing problems after a run of four wins in 15 games in all competitions and now have to contend with what could be a messy divorce from one of the club’s all-time greats. Only two men – Ian Rush and Roger Hunt – have scored more than Salah’s 250 goals for the 20-time English champions. The Egyptian has been key to two of those title triumphs, most notably last season when he swept the board of individual awards during a stunning campaign as Slot won the…