Innholdsfortegnelse for 2026-01-09 i Mercury

S&P Global reports that December saw the strongest downturn in operating conditions South Africa’s manufacturing sector closed out 2025 on an exceptionally weak footing, with business activity contracting sharply as demand dried up and firms cut back on inventories and employment, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data released on Thursday. The Absa PMI fell by a further 1.5 points to 40.5 in December 2025, moving even deeper into contractionary territory and marking its lowest reading since 2020. The index remains well below the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction, underscoring the severity of the downturn in manufacturing activity as the year came to an end. The bleak Absa PMI reading followed the release of the S&P Global South Africa PMI earlier in the week, which also…

A lot of noise has surrounded the issue of National Health Insurance (NHI), some saying it is unaffordable whilst others say the government is not ready. There is also the option of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) versus NHI. To me the UHC and NHI difference is semantic and not substantive. The point is health is a matter for the government. A bifurcation of focus leads to a number being left behind. My mother ultimately took her last breath at Baragwanath Hospital in South Africa in October of 1964. With all the will in the world, my parents - both teachers - their income would never afford a private facility. Fast forward to the days of medical insurance schemes. I have walked through the corridors…

Cape Town authorities have issued an urgent appeal for residents, businesses and visitors to cut back on water use after dam levels dropped significantly following a surge in consumption during recent hot weather. The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate warned on Wednesday that dam storage is now 19% lower than at the same time last year, raising concerns about water security if high usage continues through summer. According to the City, lower annual rainfall has reduced inflows into dams, placing additional strain on the water supply system. While officials stressed that taps are not in immediate danger of running dry, they cautioned that sustained high consumption could quickly change the situation and force the introduction of restrictions. Data from the City’s weekly water dashboard shows that average…

Extreme heat, dense vegetation and limited access are complicating firefighting efforts across parts of the Western Cape yesterday as crews continue to battle multiple active wildfires from the Overstrand to the Garden Route. In Stanford, a fire burning between the Die Kop informal settlement and Stanford Industria remains out of control, prompting the deployment of aerial support. A helicopter was dispatched from Stellenbosch shortly after 9.30am to assist ground crews struggling to reach the fire line due to thick bush and inaccessible terrain. According to Overstrand Municipality, the fire is burning deep within dense vegetation and is inaccessible to firefighting vehicles. Working on Fire teams and Overstrand Municipality fire crews are on scene, with a specialised NCC team en route to strengthen containment efforts. Municipal manager Dean O’Neill said the…

Repairs to water pipeline no. 53 in Pietermaritzburg, which supplies approximately 30 megalitres of water per day, are expected to be completed by Saturday. uMngeni-uThukela Water is undertaking the repairs after a burst on the pipeline a week ago near Willowton Road. The pipeline supplies water from the DV Harris Waterworks to the Umlaas Road Reservoirs and onwards to the eThekwini Municipality. eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba, who visited the repair site on Wednesday, said that he was satisfied with the progress uMngeni-uThukela Water is making. Speaking at the site, Xaba commended the teams for working tirelessly since the burst was discovered. “I am confident that by the end of this week, the repairs will have been finalised. We expect the water supply to be fully restored by next week. What…

Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada are best mates. But the Proteas seamers are also among the fiercest competitors and enjoy a healthy rivalry. So, when Ngidi became the first bowler to claim a Betway SA20 hat-trick on Wednesday evening, he could not wait to get off the field to let Rabada know that he too had joined the exclusive club. Rabada is, of course, already a member after his three-peat at the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup against England in Sharjah. “I definitely didn't know it was the first hat-trick in the Betway SA20. I knew it was my first one, but since you guys have let me know, I think once I get my phone, I'll just send him a little message asking if he saw that,” Ngidi said…

Manchester United caretaker boss Darren Fletcher hopes Benjamin Sesko's double in a 2-2 draw at Burnley proves to be the launching pad for the Slovenian striker after a tough start to life at Old Trafford. Sesko had scored just twice in 17 appearances since his £74 million move from RB Leipzig prior to Wednesday's trip to Turf Moor. The 22-year-old produced two clinical finishes early in the second half to turn the game around for United after Ayden Heaven's own goal gave Burnley a half-time lead. But Jaidon Anthony's fine strike saw United drop points for the fifth time in six games. "I was so happy for him. I spoke to him yesterday and we presented a video showing his movement and showing his goals, just showing how it is…

While the Lions’ results remain inconsistent, their performances are on an upward trajectory, and flanker Siba Qoma reckons they are not far off a "purple patch". The Lions have been doing things in threes this season: they began with three losses, then won three in a row, before another sequence of three defeats. They ended that latest streak with a last-minute 23–22 victory over the Sharks last week, and Qoma — who has been making a huge impact off the bench — is hopeful that another, longer winning run has started. “We have to be more consistent, more clinical in our finishing,” he said ahead of Saturday’s home Challenge Cup match against Lyon. “When you have your hand on their throat, you have to squeeze harder.” Qoma is enjoying a…

WeBuyCars has ditched Dekra Automotive for vehicle condition reports, replacing it with its own subsidiary, Inspectify, in an attempt to provide clearer, more accurate information to customers. This move comes just a month after the automotive retail giant was hit with a R6 million settlement with the National Consumer Commission, following complaints that its sales agreements were unclear or in breach of the Consumer Protection Act. There also appear to have been complaints from consumers over the quality and accuracy of vehicle condition reports, with some buyers stating that previous Dekra reports were difficult to understand. The company's Head of Strategy, Willem Kloppers, told IOL that Inspectify was created to improve transparency and consistency in vehicle inspections, giving customers clearer, more understandable information about the cars they are considering. "WeBuyCars…

When South Africa hosts a global platform like the G20, the temptation is to treat it as a moment — a diplomatic success, a media milestone, a week of global attention. That would be a costly mistake. The real value of hosting the G20 did not lie in the summit itself, but in what comes after: the legacy we deliberately design, institutionalise, and activate. South Africa has been here before. The 2010 FIFA World Cup demonstrated that global events can be catalytic — not only for infrastructure delivery, but for confidence, reputation, and long-term positioning. The question now is whether we have the strategic discipline to move from hosting to harvesting the goodwill we created at the G20 Global Leaders’ Summit. The G20 as a Strategic Inflection Point The recent…

The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) says it will investigate claims that Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) is seeking to claim co-payments back from its members due to an error at South Africa's biggest medical aid in December. The CMS said it had received no formal complaints from Discovery Health's members who had alleged claims processing errors, but Medicheck, a consumer health advocacy organisation in South Africa, had subsequently lodged a concern with the regulator. DHMS has sent communication to about 0.6% of its members requesting them to repay co-payments after a processing error saw claims incorrectly paid out at a higher rate than their plan's benefits allow. Media reports suggest Discovery is claiming as much as R22 000, R25 000 and R37 000 back from some of its members.…

MORE communities are sounding the alarm over the deteriorating state of provincial roads, saying they are damaging local economies and hampering services to communities. The Kamberg community in Mooi River in the Midlands is the latest to raise concerns about the state of roads. They highlight that the road, known as P164, is a lifeline for business and services in the community. They claim that it is in a dilapidated state and is threatening business activity and schools, including life-saving emergency services. Their complaint comes shortly after the communities in uMngeni and iMpendle local municipalities detailed their own challenges with poor provincial roads. uMngeni Mayor Chris Pappas recently clashed with the Department of Transport over the state of provincial roads in his area. In an open letter, the Kamberg community…

The IFP-led KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) is headed for another political showdown with the ANC-led Umkhanyakude District Municipality following the latter’s rejection of a Section 154 intervention. In terms of the Section 154 intervention, Cogta deploys experts to intervene in the municipality to identify problems that have affected service delivery and finances. It has since emerged that the municipality never accepted the decision to be placed under Section 154. The municipality was placed under the category in September after it was removed from under Section 139(b), which curtailed its administrative and financial powers and placed it under the appointed administrator Bamba Ndwandwe. Ndwandwe was reappointed to provide technical assistance in terms of the Section 154 provisions; however, it has emerged that since his appointment, he…

The African National Congress (ANC) yesterday marked 114 years since its founding in 1912 — a milestone that arrives at a moment of reflection, renewal and political pressure for the once-dominant party. Founded to unite South Africans against colonial oppression, the ANC went on to lead the struggle against apartheid and govern South Africa since the advent of democracy in 1994. But as it celebrates more than a century of existence, the party does so under the weight of declining electoral support, internal divisions, governance failures and public frustration over unemployment, corruption and service delivery. This year’s anniversary is being commemorated in Rustenburg, North West, where a week-long programme has included door-to-door campaigns, community engagements and a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony. The celebrations will culminate in a rally at Moruleng Stadium…

Hysterical cries swept through Bester, Area 10, in Inanda, when the bodies of five suspects were carried from the house they were killed in and placed into the forensic pathology services vehicle. “My mother’s child,” one person cried repeatedly. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said five suspects wanted in connection with murder, attempted murder, including attempted murder of police officers and house robbery cases, were shot and killed in a shootout with police in Bester in the early hours yesterday morning. Netshiunda said the suspects had been causing considerable disruption in Inanda and its neighbouring areas. He said that at the end of November, the suspects shot at police and have been at large since. Netshiunda said the police operationalised intelligence yesterday morning after receiving information on the suspects’…

In the aftermath of Bafana Bafana’s disappointing 2–0 defeat to Cameroon in the Round of 16, the spotlight has fallen on the effectiveness of the national player development programme. The defeat, marked by frustrating missed chances and a solid Cameroonian defence, prompted a candid response from coach Hugo Broos. He did not hold back, calling out issues within the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and questioning its effectiveness in preparing players for the fierce competition they face on the world stage at major tournaments. Despite enjoying significant possession against the Indomitable Lions, Bafana Bafana consistently struggled in the final third, failing to convert their chances. In contrast, Cameroon capitalised on theirs, converting two of the four shots they managed to direct on target. Broos noted the stark difference between the PSL…

When Bafana Bafana’s AFCON campaign ended on Sunday, their road to redemption at the upcoming FIFA World Cup finals in North America officially began. Bafana were not at their best during the tournament. Much was expected of them following their third-place finish in the previous edition in Ivory Coast, and there were early signs that they could emulate the victorious "Class of ’96". Regardless, they cannot afford to look backwards now; they must ensure they are ready to put on a clinical display at the World Cup. Based on performances in Morocco, we look at the players who have all but secured their tickets to the global showpiece, and those who are likely to miss out on the world’s biggest stage. Tickets Secured Ronwen Williams Williams has been the cornerstone…

AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane has opened up on the reasoning behind the club’s decision to sign Zimbabwean midfielder Mason Mushore, describing the move as both a necessary response to recent challenges and part of a wider plan to strengthen the squad. The Durban-based club confirmed Mushore’s arrival from Highlanders FC on a permanent deal on Wednesday evening, adding depth to a midfield department that has been tested heavily this season. Usuthu are currently fifth in the Betway Premiership standings and are eager to cement their place in the top eight for next season’s MTN8, while also keeping an eye on a possible CAF qualification spot. Zwane admitted the signing was accelerated by a difficult period where AmaZulu were left thin in key positions due to injuries and unavailability. “The…

South Africa’s manufacturing sector lost momentum in November 2025, with production contracting year-on-year and month-on-month as structural pressures and weakening demand weighed heavily on key industries, according to data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Thursday. Manufacturing production declined by 1.0% in November compared with the same month in 2024, while seasonally adjusted output fell by 1.1% compared with October. The month-on-month decline followed a 1.0% increase in October and a 0.3% rise in September, signalling a sharp reversal in recent gains. Stats SA said the largest negative contributions to annual production came from the wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing division, which contracted by 7.9%. This was followed by basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery, which fell by 2.5%, while…

Global cooperation is proving more resilient than expected despite deepening geopolitical tensions, but it is increasingly fragmented and falling short of what is required to address mounting economic, security and environmental risks. This is according to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Cooperation Barometer 2026, which was released on Thursday ahead of the WEF's 2026 Annual Meetings in Davos later this month. The Barometer, now in its third year and developed in collaboration with McKinsey & Company, shows that while overall levels of global cooperation have remained broadly unchanged in recent years, the form of cooperation is shifting. According to WEF, traditional multilateral mechanisms are under strain, giving way to smaller, more agile coalitions of countries and, in some cases, private-sector players that are stepping in to fill gaps left…

The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, has set aside the controversial contract with French tech firm IDEMIA for the printing of the country’s driving licences and ordered the Department of Transport to re-advertise the tender within 30 days. Pending the appointment of a successful service provider under the re-advertised tender, the department has also been allowed by the court to outsource the services of printing and issuing of driving licence (cards) to the Department of Home Affairs. The department announced in September last year that it had appointed biometric security company, IDEMIA, as the preferred bidder for a tender to print new South African driving licence smart cards. IDEMIA is a French multinational technology firm that provides biometric identification and security services. The tender has been advertised and withdrawn repeatedly in…

THE joint military exercises planned to take place off the coast of South Africa this weekend could cause the country further financial turmoil by “irritating” its key trading partners. Military experts have warned that while the exercises are unlikely to provoke a military reaction from countries like the USA, they could, however, trigger an even harsher financial response. The naval exercises are planned with Russia, China, and Iran. They have been labelled as BRICS Plus, although India and Brazil are not taking part. The opening ceremony is on January 10. The relationship between South Africa and the USA is at its lowest ebb since the return of Donald Trump as US president. The two countries have been at loggerheads, with the USA imposing tariffs of 30% on South Africa. Chris…

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern over the high levels of unemployment in the country, revealing that the issue often keeps him awake at night. Speaking at Sun City in Rustenburg on Wednesday during the ANC's January 8 celebrations preparations, Ramaphosa acknowledged the country's ongoing challenges, including crime, state capture, and other socio-economic issues, but stressed that unemployment remains one of his biggest priorities. “The issue of unemployment keeps all of us here on the stage awake,” he said, adding that the gravity of the situation particularly troubles him personally. “It especially keeps me awake at night in terms of trying to find solutions.” His comments come just days after ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe sparked controversy during an interview with SABC. Mantashe criticised the dynamic between government and…

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has officially endorsed the renewal of Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s term as KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner. Ntuli recently held a meeting with South African Police Service (SAPS) National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, on the issue. Mkhwanazi’s current term is set to expire on March 30, 2026. According to a statement from the KZN provincial government, Ntuli, during the discussions, expressed confidence in the commissioner’s leadership, professionalism, and ethical standards throughout his tenure. The premier highlighted the importance of stable and effective leadership in tackling the province’s ongoing crime challenges. “According to section 207(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, the national commissioner must appoint a provincial commissioner for each province, with the concurrence of the provincial executive (the Premier). “The premier reaffirmed the…

The Sharks have sent a squad composed mostly of up-and-coming youngsters to Manchester to face Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup. This presents a golden opportunity for these players to leapfrog senior figures who have failed to produce this season. Arguably the most important position on the field is flyhalf, and the Sharks are crying out for a top-quality number 10 to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and breathe life into a listless, aimless backline. To be frank, the Sharks’ attack is stagnant. It has been for an age. There has been zero growth in this area beyond the return of André Esterhuizen to bash the ball up the middle. While Esterhuizen performs this role exceptionally well, it should not constitute the sum total of their…

The Bulls showed plenty of fight against the Stormers in Cape Town, but their inability to seize control during periods when they held the upper hand ultimately came back to haunt them in defeat. As they prepare to face the Bristol Bears in the Champions Cup at Loftus Versfeld, the emphasis will be on delivering a complete performance to halt their losing streak. They enjoyed scrum dominance, brought plenty of physicality, and showed encouraging signs on attack. With the Bears visiting Pretoria for a 3pm kick-off, we highlight five areas where the Bulls can assert themselves, claim a vital victory, and spark a turnaround in their season. The scrum The Bulls are generating a solid scrum platform, but too often it goes unused. They need to turn forward dominance into…