Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-12-11 i Mercury

Mr Price Group’s share price plunged by over 13% on the JSE Wednesday after it announced the R10 billion acquisition of a store chain in Eastern Europe, marking the biggest cash value retailer in South Africa’s entry into the European market. The group plans to acquire NKD Group GmbH (NKD), a leading value retailer with 2 108 stores across Central and Eastern Europe, a move that brings Mr Price’s total store count to over 5,000. NKD would be acquired from funds managed by TDR Capital, based in Germany. NKD sells affordable apparel and homeware and employs over 10 000 people. Mr Price said the deal is a “transformational step in the group’s long‑term growth strategy.” Mr Price Group’s share price fell 13.46% to R181.76 in the afternoon. The price is…

Online trading platform directors face blanket debarment from the industry for 30 years The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has taken decisive action against Banxso (Pty) Ltd and its key individuals, imposing a staggering R2 billion in administrative penalties for a range of serious financial misconduct offences. Alongside the hefty penalty confirmed on Banxso and its directors, Harel Adam Sekler and Warwick David Sneider, the regulator also levied an additional fine of R16 million on the company for various other contraventions. Individual penalties were imposed on directors Manuel de Andrade, Mohammed Bux, and Henry James Simpson, amounting to R20 million, R10 million, and R5 million, respectively. All four directors — Sekler, Sneider, de Andrade, and Bux — face a blanket debarment from the industry for a period of 30 years,…

Mahube Infrastructure, which listed on the JSE in 2015 and initially traded as GAIA Infrastructure Capital, has been made an offer to delist and taken private in terms of a scheme of arrangement. Mergence Renewable Energy Debt Fund II Trust, managed by Mergence Investment Managers, and Specialised Listed Infrastructure Equity En Commandite Partnership (SLIEP), managed by Creation Capital, have established a new special purpose vehicle called Sustent Holdings, as the offeror, a statement said Tuesday. The transaction offers an opportunity for shareholders wishing to exit their investment at a premium to the share trading price. At R5.50 per share cash, the offer represents a premium of 30.64% to the R4.21 closing share price, and a 32.31% premium to the 30-day volume weighted average share price of Mahube of R4.16 per…

It’s been a tough year for many South African entrepreneurs. A 2025 study revealed that more than half (52.8%) of the country’s small businesses are contracting, trading with difficulty, or at risk of closure. While liquidations increased by 3.8% in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, even one business shutting its doors is one too many. If you find yourself in a difficult trading position or staring down the possibility of liquidation, it can feel as if you’re stuck and unable to shift direction. But recovery is possible. One of the most underrated tools to turn things around is collaborative, structured brainstorming – a process that helps uncover practical and innovative turnaround solutions to reposition your business. At its core, brainstorming is a…

KAP's share price surged over 13% on the JSE Wednesday after it said operating profit increased because challenges it faced in the 2025 financial year had, as expected, eased. In an update for the five months to November 30, 2025, KAP's directors said earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased due to increased panel production and sales volumes, including full utilisation of the new PG Bison fibreboard line; better local vehicle assembly volumes; an improvement in underperforming businesses; and lower finance costs. The share price traded 13.13% higher at R1.81 on the JSE Wednesday, a price however that was still well off the R3.13 it had traded at a year before. The previous year's results were impacted by higher costs from the start-up of PG Bison's fibreboard line;…

Longyuan South Africa Renewables opened the gates of its De Aar, Northern Cape, wind power complex on November 25 this year to the community for an open day that blended learning, celebration, and genuine connection. What was originally planned as a straightforward information session quickly grew into something far more meaningful, especially for the new cohort of technical students who arrived with their families, eager to see the world they are stepping into. Set against the wide-open plains of De Aar, the towering turbines created a striking backdrop. Their steady rotations captured a simple but powerful truth, that the wind sweeping across the Karoo can be transformed into electricity that lights homes, strengthens the national grid, and fuels the ambitions of an entire region. Guests, including students, technicians, and members…

A Mpumalanga traffic officer who demanded a R50 bribe from a motorist has been handed a five-year prison sentence, wholly suspended, by the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said Thembisile Yende's arrest followed growing concern from Ermelo motorists who complained about officials allegedly soliciting bribes. “Yende was arrested in 2022 in Ermelo after the Hawks Middelburg-based serious corruption investigation team reacted to the outcry after motorists in Ermelo raised concern about traffic officials who unduly sought gratification in exchange for not fining motorists for traffic law violations,” said Nkosi. Yende, 48, was sentenced on Tuesday after being arrested during an undercover operation carried out by the Middelburg-based Serious Corruption Investigation team in 2022. According to the Hawks, officers conducted the sting on March 30, 2022 after…

Mandla Mashimbyi has done a credible job since being appointed Proteas Women’s head coach. After a tenuous start, which included a couple of bilateral series defeats as the former Titans men’s coach found his feet in the women’s game, Mashimbyi’s unique coaching methods — by his own admission — have filtered through the team. The result was a dream run to a first-ever appearance in a Women’s World Cup final. The reality now, though, is that the Proteas are preparing for another T20 World Cup in just over six months’ time in England. It was only 18 months ago that Laura Wolvaardt and her team fell short against New Zealand in the short-format showpiece in the UAE. With this in mind, Mashimbyi has poured his resources into going one step…

Hype is swirling, and the unbeaten buzz is loud, but the Stormers are tuning out the noise as they steel themselves for a seismic Champions Cup duel with La Rochelle in Gqeberha on Saturday. The Cape side will host the former champions at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (3pm kick-off) as they look to keep their unbeaten run intact following a strong start to the season in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and elite European competition. While there is plenty of hype around the Stormers and the form they are currently in, director of rugby John Dobson has warned that getting caught up in it could be detrimental. It is an important match in the context of the season for the home team; they will look to maintain their winning…

The memory of a beloved club figure was honoured in the most fitting way on December 6 and 7, when Hillary Bowling Club hosted the inaugural Mark Ramsden Memorial Tournament. Twenty-eight trips teams took to the greens to celebrate the life of Mark Ramsden, a vibrant and committed club member who passed away in October 2024. Mark joined Hillary Bowling Club more than twenty years ago and quickly became part of the fabric of the club. He served multiple terms on the club committee and as a selector, including four terms as Club President and his influence was felt both on and off the green. A respected competitor, he played a pivotal role in Hillary’s success in the PNB league and went on to represent Port Natal Bowls in the…

The KwaZulu-Natal based clubs are slowly but surely showing that they are not in the top flight just to make up the numbers, as they’ve displayed grit and determination over the last few months to earn respectable positions in the Betway Premiership. Last season, AmaZulu and Richards Bay carried the province’s torch in the league, both earning respectable top-eight finishes, while Lamontville Golden Arrows did just enough to stay afloat and away from the drop zone. The trio have continued with their respective strides this season. As a result, the returning Durban City – formerly known as Maritzburg United – have hardly looked out of place either, as the quartet finished the year in decent positions. AmaZulu Established in 1932, AmaZulu are the oldest club in the PSL but over…

Transnet and International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), the world’s largest independent terminal operator, on Wednesday formally signed a 25-year partnership agreement for the operation and upgrade of Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2. The signing concludes a lengthy process that included a court challenge lodged by APM Terminals, a Maersk subsidiary, which contested the awarding of the port terminal development contract. ICTSI’s victory in the matter in October cleared the way for the partnership to proceed. Transnet described the agreement as a landmark milestone in South Africa’s economic reform agenda and its strategy to attract private-sector investment into key logistics operations. The State-owned company said ICTSI’s involvement is expected to enhance terminal productivity, increase throughput, and strengthen the country’s container supply chains. According to Transnet, ICTSI has a globally…

Consumers have placed Discovery Bank first in DataEQ’s South African Banking Sentiment Index. The index analysed 4.8 million online consumer mentions from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025. This as the industry recorded its strongest overall performance in ten years, achieving an overall Net Sentiment of 27%. Discovery maintained its position as South Africa’s most positively spoken-about bank, achieving an industry-leading 61% Net Sentiment. This was driven by praise for its rewards programmes, personalised benefits, and overall banking experience, along with campaign-linked advocacy through hashtags such as #DiscoveryBestBank and #TreatMeTuesday. FNB followed with 46% Net Sentiment, supported by positive conversation around eWallet, FNB Connect, and praise towards branch service. The #LoveFNB campaign added further improved sentiment, with customers highlighting app usability, payment convenience, and eBucks rewards. Absa placed…

Food manufacturers are responding to South Africa’s toughening economic environment by introducing smaller packs and adjusting pricing downwards to boost demand as consumers trend down in search of value offerings. This is despite a rebound in consumer confidence as reflected by the FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) which moved to -9 index points in the fourth quarter, after falling from -10 to -13 in the third quarter of 2025. Although the fourth-quarter CCI reading of -9 is slightly lower compared to the 2024 festive season reading of -6, it is the highest consumer confidence reading for 2025. Despite the South African Reserve Bank moving its inflation target to 3%, consumers are still feeling the pinch of cost pressures, driving a large portion of them into debt. To survive the squeeze…

The Dezemba holiday rush is about to kick into high gear! For tourism businesses, this isn’t just a busy period; it’s a golden opportunity. KwaZulu-Natal, for example, is expecting to welcome over two million visitors, generating an estimated R13 billion in economic activity. As a Small, Medium, or Micro Enterprise (SMME), you are the backbone of South Africa's tourism sector. You’re the guesthouse owner with the amazing breakfast, the tour guide with the best stories, and the artisan with the unique crafts that bring visitors back year after year. So, how do you make sure your business isn’t just surviving the rush, but truly thriving? Siya Mthethwa, Chief Strategy Officer at South African Tourism and Acting Chief Convention Bureau Officer, shares four practical tips to help you capture this growth.…

Libstar Holdings' share price surged over 8% on the JSE Wednesday after it announced the disposal of its fresh mushroom business and plans to restructure so that it can focus on its food businesses. The share price traded 8.5% higher at R4.50 on the JSE in the afternoon, slightly higher than the R4.20 it traded at a year ago. Smalltalkdaily Research market analyst Anthony Clark said Libstar's trading statement reflected a weaker performance than he had expected. He said the higher share price was likely due to the announcement of a further cleaning up of the "spider's web" of businesses the group once had. He said Libstar was still trading under a cautionary notice, and might in the future be acquired by another food group. Libstar's fresh mushroom operations in…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly defended the ANC’s record in implementing the Freedom Charter, citing achievements in housing, basic services, and democratic elections during his address at the party’s NGC meeting. Ramaphosa said over the past three decades, since the dawn of democracy, the ANC has ensured that it lives up to the ideals of the Charter, which was drawn up on June 26, 1955, in Soweto. On Tuesday night, Ramaphosa delivered a keynote address at the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter. Ramaphosa said those who claim that the ANC has deviated and failed to implement the ideals of the Charter are lying, adding that this landmark document is a total of the country’s aspirations and a road to a new life, which the ANC has used to implement…

The leadership tier of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) must be stabilised, and lifestyle audits should be endorsed to ensure an ethical prosecuting organisation. This is how two of the candidates running for the position of head of the prosecuting authority see the future of this office. Both the current Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, Nicolette Bell, and her deputy, Advocate Adrian Mopp, yesterday assured Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and her panel that they are competent candidates to run the country’s prosecuting authority and to take over from the head, Advocate Shamila Batohi, when she steps down next month. Mopp stated that if he took over, the starting point must be ensuring the independence of the office. He pointed out that some say the NPA had been…

Newly-appointed Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Willie Aucamp, has reaffirmed his commitment to annual financial disclosures required of MPs and Cabinet ministers. This comes in response to questions from MK Party MP Mzwanele Manyi, who sought clarity on Aucamp's stance regarding the reporting of financial interests, particularly relating to his family’s involvement in game-breeding operations. Aucamp said while he, as an MP, is obliged to disclose his business interests, including trusts and companies, his family is not required to report their interests to Parliament. “As private citizens, however, my family is not duty-bound to report business to Parliament,” he said. Manyi had enquired whether Aucamp would disclose the full list of entities in which he and his immediate family hold direct or indirect interest in game-breeding operations. He also…

Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has exposed a growing threat in the pharmaceutical sector regarding the proliferation of suspected counterfeit and illicit medicine. He said the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) had recorded 507 suspected counterfeit and illicit medicine cases in the 2024/25 financial year, of which 110 were confirmed. The minister also revealed that approximately R3 million was spent on the destruction of these products, highlighting the significant financial and public health risks posed by the illicit trade in medicines. Motsoaledi was responding to a question posed by EFF Member of Parliament (MP) Thandiswa Marawu, who asked the minister to address the rapid rise in the sale of counterfeit medicines across the Republic. Marawu asked about the types of medicines most commonly counterfeited, the…

Xavi Simons said he wanted to “build my own legacy” after marking the return of Son Heung-min on a visit to Tottenham with another goal in the number seven shirt once worn by the former Spurs star. The Dutch attacking midfielder followed his commanding display in last weekend’s win over Brentford with another impressive showing in a 3-0 Champions League win at home to Slavia Prague on Tuesday. Simons rounded off victory with a late penalty as Son finally bid farewell to the Spurs faithful after a decade of superb service with the north London club. “It is really nice to score the goals, but feeling great on the pitch, that is the most important for me and I’m enjoying it,” said Xavi. The 22-year-old, a £52 million (about R1.18…

While Johan Ackermann will be without a host of national players for their Champions Cup clash against Northampton Saints, the Bulls coach has still been able to include nine Springboks for the trip to England. The Bulls, who depart for the United Kingdom today, have injected experience and depth into their travelling group despite being without marquee flyhalf Handré Pollard, tighthead Wilco Louw and lock Ruan Nortje. The trio are observing mandatory rest periods following the Springboks’ November commitments. Among the Boks included is influential loose forward Elrigh Louw, who continues his road back to peak condition after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Louw has now featured in two matches since his comeback and is expected to add power to the back row. The squad also receives a timely…

Arne Slot dedicated Tuesday’s 1-0 Uefa Champions League win at Inter Milan to the players he took to Italy, refusing to further fuel a public row with star forward Mohamed Salah. The build-up to the match had been dominated by Salah’s extraordinary criticism of Slot, who on Monday admitted he had “no clue” as to whether the unsettled attacker had played his last game for the Reds after deciding not to take him to Milan. Salah sparked huge drama at Liverpool when he said he felt like he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club and no longer had a relationship with Slot after being left on the bench for Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Leeds. “In the rich history Liverpool have, they have had many of these evenings,”…

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has cautioned that South Africa should be more proactive in protecting local airlines owed money from blocked funds abroad, even though the country itself does not appear on IATA’s latest list of nations restricting repatriation of airline revenues. IATA’s newly released global report shows that $1.2 billion in airline revenues remain trapped by governments worldwide, with only a marginal $100 million improvement since April 2025. A striking 93% of these blocked funds are located in Africa and the Middle East (AME). Kamil Al-Awadhi, regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, on Wednesday said South Africa should be “concerned” that its carriers are being supplied and sustained by revenue that is effectively inaccessible. "There is no blocked funds in South Africa. However, the…

The PayInc Economic Index, measuring the value of all electronic transactions processed through PayInc, levelled off in November 2025 but stayed higher than a year ago. This was after six months of consecutive gains. Continued resilience and improving economic indicators point to encouraging developments for the economy. “The PayInc Economic Index held steady at 103.1 in November, unchanged from October. Despite this pause, the index is still 3.5% higher than a year ago and has grown by an average of 2.9% year-to-date, nearly double the 1.5% registered in 2024,” said Shergeran Naidoo, Head of Stakeholder Engagements at PayInc. After reaching an all-time high of 188.9 million in October, the number of transactions cleared through PayInc in November subsided to 179.9 million but was still up by 8.1% on a year…

Across South Africa, a new wave of farming is rising, powered by technology, creativity and ambition. From the rich soils of Giyani in Limpopo to the fields near Vryburg in the Northwest, the future of food goes beyond soil and water. Innovation and inclusion give youth, women and disabled farmers the tools to lead. AgriTech is transforming the face of farming. Drones survey fields, sensors track soil health and moisture, and mobile apps help farmers detect crop diseases before they spread. Precision irrigation systems cut water use without sacrificing output. At the same time, AquaTech is taking root through aquaponics and fish farming, allowing communities to grow fish and vegetables together in systems that save water and increase yields. This isn’t theoretical. Smart aquaponics, solar-powered pumps and app-controlled irrigation are…

Standard Bank, Africa’s biggest bank by assets, has partnered with Safaricom Telecommunications, Kenya’s largest telecommunications provider, to provide funding of $138 million (R2.4 billion) as part of investment towards Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia (STEP). The bank said in a statement on Wednesday that it acted as the sole arranger, lender, and facility agent on the term facility to STEP and played an advisory role. Standard Bank’s financing facilitates Safaricom’s ongoing rollout of digital infrastructure and services in Ethiopia. The move comes hot on the heels of Vodacom Group announcing last week it will spend about R35.77 billion to acquire a further 20% stake in Safaricom, bringing its stake to 55%, as the Kenya government moves to raise additional capital instead of raising taxes or debt. Business Report reported that…

Shareholders in Anglo American have approved the Johannesburg and London-listed resource group’s tie up with Canadian miner, Teck Resources under a “merger of equals” basis that has been disputed by South African opponents to the deal. South African shareholders in Anglo American stand to receive a R73 per share special dividend in addition to other economic benefits after the global miner agreed to the tie-up with Teck Resources. This comes after Anglo American turned down an offer from global rival, BHP. Shares in Anglo American rose 1.40% on the JSE on Wednesday, extending the stock’s 3.1% and 9% rally over the past 30 and 90 days respectively. This week, Anglo American announced that its shareholders had approved “resolutions proposed in connection with the implementation of the merger of equals” of…

Smartphone Free Childhood South Africa (SFC-SA) is calling on the government to follow international trends and ban social media access for children under the age of 16. The organisation has urged the government and schools to urgently adopt a mandatory ban on smartphones and social media access for children under 16, describing the move as a crucial public health priority before the new school year starts. The organisation spoke out after Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media access for children under 16. The island nation also threatened heavy fines for companies that fail to comply. However, other child rights organisations have adopted a more cautious approach saying while they advocate for control, they are not in support of a total ban. Kate Farina, head…

The South African government has expressed its disappointment and regret following the United States' decision to exclude the nation from next year's G20 summit, a move described by the minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, as regrettable, yet one that will not deter South Africa’s commitment to global multilateralism. Speaking at a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Ntshavheni addressed the unexpected development, confirming that the cabinet views the exclusion as a setback but maintains a firm resolve to engage diplomatically to safeguard South Africa’s standing in the international forum. “Cabinet says the US' decision to exclude South Africa from next year's G20 is regrettable,” minister Ntshavheni said. “While this development is regrettable, as a founding member, South Africa's commitment to G20 principles and collaborative framework remain unwavering.” The G20, or Group of…

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has raised concern about the 43 aviation incidents reported in South Africa during the current financial year, of which 12 crashes resulted in 17 deaths. The SACAA said it extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues affected by the recent general aviation (GA) fatal accidents recorded across the country. “The regulator is deeply concerned by these occurrences that resemble a similar trend back in October 2008. In this 2025/26 financial year alone, the Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division (AIID) recorded 43 accidents of which 12 were fatal accidents, resulting in 17 fatalities. “This is an increase of 10 fatal accidents when compared to the same period at the end of November 2024. It further noted that experience-induced complacency, undue haste,…

It took him a while to reach 100 international matches for the Sharks after an overseas stint with Harlequins, but André Esterhuizen always knew that Durban was the place where his heart lies and where he was coming back to. The hybrid player, as he was dubbed at the Springboks for being comfortable both in the backline and among the forwards, will reach the milestone on Saturday when the coastal side faces Saracens at Kings Park in the second round of the European Champions Cup. Esterhuizen (31) will follow in the footsteps of his former centre partner at the Sharks, Lukhanyo Am, who reached his 100 caps in May this year. The Klerksdorp-born Bok will embrace the tough challenge ahead, but said that as a young boy, he never imagined…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos considers himself fortunate to have the squad he does compared to his counterparts in other countries. Although he began the pre-Africa Cup of Nations finals camp without four European-based players, South Africa’s senior national team coach is better off than most. “It’s a little problem. Not a big problem. I am happy to be the coach of a team whose majority of players are local because we can start the camps. I don’t think my colleagues in other countries are so lucky at the moment,” Broos said. Speaking to the media at the University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre, where the team is camping ahead of their departure to Morocco for the continental showpiece from December 21 to January 18, Broos addressed Fifa’s decision to…

South African rugby’s annual awards season always sparks lively debate, but this year’s race for SA Rugby Player of the Year feels especially spicy. The shortlist isn’t official yet, with nominations opening for the media this week, but if we’re being honest, there’s a clear cluster of contenders who’ve shaped the Springboks’ season: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nché, André Esterhuizen, Cobus Reinach and flyhalf bolter Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Marx is the obvious headliner. Being crowned World Rugby Player of the Year is no small feat — it’s the sport’s highest individual prize and a hat tip to just how brilliantly consistent he’s been. How he re-established himself as the Boks’ premier hooker and kept that form going in tough Test matches deserves the plaudits. But here’s the thing: there are a few…

South African netball spent 2025 in the pressure cooker – and by design. With the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow fast approaching, Netball South Africa (NSA) mapped out one of the toughest international calendars in Proteas history. The result was a season in which the Proteas were tested by world-class opposition, endured hard-earned growth and showed promising signs from the national pathway. Proteas embark on brutal but necessary Test schedule This year, the Spar Proteas faced the strongest teams in the sport: Jamaica, England, New Zealand and Australia – all ranked above South Africa and key benchmarks for a squad in transition. The year began with a demanding away series against Jamaica, whose physicality and aerial strength continue to set the global standard. While the Sunshine Girls’ towering shooting circle…