Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-10-28 i Mercury

Consumers are under ‘extreme pressure’ and their situation has worsened, says Summers South Africa’s consumers are under “extreme pressure,” and their situation may even have worsened since the six-month period to August 31, Pick n Pay’s CEO Sean Summers said Monday. The group, which has closed a net 60 supermarkets in South Africa as it moves to regain profitability, yesterday released interim financial results that showed its turnaround gathering momentum, with trading profit up 273.5% to R310 million from R83m. This follows a turnover increase of 4.9%, with like-for-like (LfL) sales up by 4.7%. Summers said in a telephone interview that given the pressure consumers are facing with a lack of disposable income, he was concerned that up to R1 billion a month is being taken offshore through online gambling.…

Durban’s business sentiment weakened again in the third quarter of 2025, marking the fourth consecutive quarterly decline, according to the latest Durban Business Confidence Index (DBCI) released on Monday. The index, compiled by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Macroeconomics Research Unit in collaboration with the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and eThekwini Municipality, fell by 0.53% — from 52.40 points in Q2 to 52.12 points in Q3 2025. Researchers, Professor Harold Ngwala and Dr Ntokozo Nzimande, said the decline reflected a deterioration in sentiment regarding both current and future economic conditions in the city. “The data further indicates that business executives were more pessimistic in the third quarter of 2025 than they were in the same quarter of 2024, with the index dropping by 17.38% on a year-on-year…

In governance, wisdom is often mistaken for eloquence. Yet some of the most powerful moments in leadership are not found in what is said, but in what is withheld. The ability to listen deeply, to discern before speaking, and to know when silence carries more weight than words lies at the heart of ethical stewardship. The modern boardroom is filled with voices. Strategies are debated, reports are read, and opinions are shared with conviction. But beneath the noise of activity, there is often a missing rhythm: the stillness of reflection. Where many believe that strength in leadership is found in constant articulation, I suggest that it is rather found in the balance between expression and understanding. Wisdom is not in the loudest voice, but in the truest one. Knowing when…

In 2016, when I asked Oliver Fortuin what disruptive trend could render legacy telcos obsolete within a decade, he answered with one word: "content." Fortuin, then leading BT's Sub-Saharan operations (now CEO of Airtel Business Africa), had been arguing that "the conversation about Africa charting its own destiny doesn't happen without technology." He wanted Africa to move beyond merely deploying Western innovations to actually originating them: homegrown and home run, not just jumping on board at the roll-out stage. Whether today's content landscape matches his 2016 vision, I can't say. But the disruption is undeniable, and the timing is peculiar. The latest GWI social media report shows time on platforms peaked in 2022 and has declined since, with young people leading the retreat. Canadian startup founder, investor and advisor to…

Negotiators have reached a framework of a trade deal to avert additional 100 percent tariffs that President Donald Trump had threatened to impose on imports from China, setting the stage for the US president’s highly anticipated meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in interviews Sunday that constructive meetings with his Chinese counterparts led to the deal, with the delegation from Beijing agreeing to defer restrictions on rare earth minerals that were poised to harm the US economy. The announcement marked a significant de-escalation of a whiplashing trade war between the world’s two largest economies, which heated up when Trump threatened to ratchet up tariffs earlier this month in response to China’s restrictions on the minerals, which are essential components in most electronics. “President…

In this colourful season, you don't need to chase every trend or buy the latest fashion to look stylish. Self-love is accompanied by neatness, confidence, and choosing clothes that flatter your body shape. Never attempt to imitate others. Instead, concentrate on these suggestions to boost your style: Understanding your personal style First, try to discover your own style by considering your body size, shape, and skin colour. Not every trending piece of clothing can suit you. Look up to other people of your size and body shape, and you can take it from there and add your own flavour. Identify elements that genuinely appeal to you and consider how they might be integrated into your own unique expression, rather than simply copying what you see. During hot weather, opt for…

While matrics across the country have started with their final exams, lawyers are battling it out in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, as to whether their results may once again be published in the media early next year. This has been an ongoing issue since 2022, and while several judges have up to now given the green light for the publication, the matter has never been fully ventilated. The dispute over the public publication of matric results began in 2022 when the Department of Basic Education (DBE) tried to prohibit it. At the time, the judge agreed with AfriForum and the other parties involved that the publication of the results was in the public interest and that the use of examination numbers instead of the names of the matriculants provided…

The chairpersons of Parliament’s Social Services Cluster oversight committees have revealed a troubling culture of bullying at Milnerton High School following their visit last week. The visit follows the assault of a 16-year-old grade 10 pupil by several other boys, in a video that subsequently went viral. During the media briefing yesterday, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Education, Joy Maimela, said bullying undermines the safety, dignity, and mental health of many learners. “Education cannot thrive in an environment of fear, and a learner who feels unsafe cannot learn, while a teacher who fears discipline cannot teach effectively.” Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences & Creative Industries, Makhi Feni, said that their view is that the incident at the school “is a continuation of racist acts that continue…

Dozens of people gathered outside the HOMii Flats in the Durban CBD yesterday to call for justice for the Dlamini twins, who fell down a lift shaft at the apartment complex on October 18. Aphelele died as a result of the fall, while his twin sister, Aphile, was critically injured and is in a coma. Yesterday would have marked the twins' eighth birthday. The march was organised by the advocacy group March and March alongside the MK Party labour desk, drawing a substantial crowd of residents and supporters demanding accountability from the building management. Khaya Dlamini, the twins’ father, said his daughter, who survived the fall, remains in a critical condition. “She underwent another surgery, the second surgery, which was a success. However, she’s still in a coma. She has…

A provident fund has come under fire from the Pension Funds Adjudicator (PFA) for paying out a member’s withdrawal benefit without his consent and for failing to comply with the rules of the fund and the Pension Funds Act. In a ruling handed down by Adjudicator Muvhango Lukhaimane, the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) National Provident Fund was found to have acted “in contravention of the rules” after processing a benefit payout despite the member’s request that his money be transferred to an annuity account. The complainant, a former Pick n Pay employee who worked at the retailer from December 2017 to November 2023, told the adjudicator that he had instructed the fund to transfer his full benefit to an EasyEquities annuity account because it was…

“He’s a breath of fresh air on his own without picking up a bat.” This is how Proteas coach Shukri Conrad described Quinton de Kock’s reintegration into the national team. De Kock was in the international wilderness since last year’s T20 World Cup final against India in Barbados, but recently made a retirement U-turn and was immediately called up for the once-off T20I against Namibia earlier this month. Conrad was, however, away with the Proteas Test side in Pakistan and only welcomed South African cricket’s prodigal son back into the fold this week ahead of the three-match T20I series, starting Rawalpindi on Tuesday (start 5pm). “We are really chuffed and thrilled that we’ve got some fresh faces, some fresh energies,” Conrad said. “Not to suggest that the energies were flagging…

“Attack wins games, defence wins titles,” Alex Ferguson famously said. And it’s a message Arsenal seem to be taking to heart as they chase a first league championship in more than two decades. The Gunners not only look like champions – they have the control, composure, defensive solidity and consistency that champions are made of. While there’s still a long way to go in the Premier League title race, the title increasingly feels like Arsenal’s to lose. What sets this Arsenal side apart from Mikel Arteta’s nearly men of the past two seasons is not flamboyance or flair, but something far rarer in north London: ruthless efficiency. The Gunners have become the hardest side in the Premier League to score against, boasting the best defensive record in the division –…

The rand held relatively steady over the past week, buoyed by South Africa’s long-anticipated removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist — a development widely seen as a vote of confidence in the country’s financial reforms. The local currency traded in a narrow range, hovering around R17.30 to the US dollar, after fluctuating between R17.22 to the US dollar on Monday, R17.46/$1 midweek, and closing at R17.26/$1 on Friday. The movement mirrored broader volatility in the US dollar index, though the FATF announcement helped anchor sentiment in South Africa’s favour. FATF confirmed on Friday that South Africa “will no longer be subject to increased monitoring”, acknowledging that the country had successfully completed its reform commitments within the agreed timeframe. However, the Treasury cautioned that delisting marks “the start…

After much concerted effort and collaboration, South Africa’s exit from the FATF greylist is a milestone worth celebrating. It represents the tangible results of systemic reform across the financial sector, including regulation and prosecution, demonstrating that decisive action, innovation, and accountability can deliver measurable progress. This achievement is more than a regulatory checkbox; it signals that South Africa is building a stronger, more resilient financial ecosystem, capable of supporting investment, fostering competition, and encouraging fintech innovation. While there is still work to be done to ensure these gains are sustainable, the delisting demonstrates that a coordinated effort and strategic focus can transform compliance challenges into opportunities for growth and global credibility. The next test lies in turning compliance gains into a permanent culture of accountability and resilience. Without the culture…

The AWS outage that occurred on the 20th October highlighted the risk faced by global tech, AI companies and tech reliant businesses broadly. Thousands of clients rely on AWS for complex, demanding, data-intensive operations, including streaming video, running web applications and storing huge amounts of digital information. The services that were affected included WhatsApp, the British government’s website and tax services, the payment app Venmo, the cryptocurrency platform Coinbase, games at The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal’s website. Dozens of other companies and retailers — including Amazon, Hulu, Snapchat, McDonald’s, Ring doorbells and the game Fortnite — also experienced interruptions. CyberCube estimated that the outage impacted more than 2 000 large organizations and around 70 000 organisations in total. Last year, a much wider, daylong internet outage…

HSBC bank on Monday revealed a financial charge of $1.1 billion linked to money sought by a European fund caught up in the late Bernard Madoff's huge investment fraud. The London-headquartered lender revealed the fallout amid a Luxembourg lawsuit brought by Herald Fund dating back to 2009, when Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison for running a pyramid-style scheme. HSBC said it was setting aside $1.1 billion in a provision to be included in its third-quarter results due Tuesday. Its share price was down around one percent in early London deals following the news. It comes after HSBC on Friday lost part of an appeal in a Luxembourg court ruling. The bank on Monday said "the eventual financial impact could be significantly different" to the money it is…

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Monday a trade deal with the United States could happen within days, possibly easing punitive tariffs after months of animosity. Lula met President Donald Trump at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit on Sunday, after urging the US leader earlier this month to lift punitive 50 percent trade tariffs. "I'm convinced that in a few days we'll have a definitive solution.... so that life can continue well and happily," Lula told reporters in Malaysia on Monday. The two leaders of the Americas' largest economies stand on polar opposite sides on issues such as multilateralism, international trade and the fight against climate change. Trump has instituted a 50 percent tariff on many Brazilian products. He has also imposed sanctions on several…

If you’re thinking of cutting out gluten, you’ve probably wondered whether sourdough bread is safe. With wheat-free diets becoming more popular among the health-conscious and people with digestive issues, it’s important to ask: is the trendy loaf of sourdough bread truly gluten-free? The short answer: not unless it’s specifically made that way. Let’s unpack exactly what’s going on, in plain terms. What is sourdough and how is it made? Sourdough bread is made by mixing flour, water and salt with a “starter”, which is a living culture of wild yeasts and lactic acid bacteria. Unlike bread made with commercial baker’s yeast, sourdough uses this long fermentation process to leaven (rise) the dough through natural action of the microbes. Because of the slower, natural fermentation, sourdough has a distinct flavour and…

THE former commander of the disbanded Cato Manor Organised Crime Unit has spoken out on its closure more than a decade ago, stating that the move was a “catastrophic mistake” for the province and has crippled the police's ability to fight and contain violent crimes. Former Major General Johan Booysen, who has since retired, described the closure as a “disaster”, adding that the police unit had been one of the best in the country. Booysen spoke to The Mercury yesterday, days after former police minister and commissioner Bheki Cele told members of the Parliament Ad Hoc Committee that closing the unit had severely undermined the fight against crime. The Ad Hoc Committee is investigating allegations of collusion between politicians, senior police officers, members of the judiciary and criminals to undermine…

Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has revealed that, despite the R500 million Spaza Shop Support Grant being launched, only a small portion of the funds have been disbursed, with just 109 spaza shops currently receiving assistance. The minister was responding to a parliamentary question from African Transformation Movement (ATM) MP Thandiswa Marawu, who asked about the total amount disbursed, the number of beneficiaries, their demographics, and the geographic distribution of the funding. Ndabeni-Abrahams said, “To date, 10 993 applications have registered and started the application through the Spaza Shop application portal. To date, 2 125 have completed the application process and need to be verified in terms of the programme criteria, which includes municipal licensing and permits.” She added that of the 2 125 completed applications, “109 have…

Former President Jacob Zuma will continue to fight for his constitutional rights and to seek justice from fair-minded courts that remain true to the principles of our Constitution and he may even seek damages from the State. This is according to the JG Zuma Foundation, which has expressed its deep disappointment and firm protest against last week’s Gauteng High Court, Pretoria judgment in which Judge Anthony Millar ordered Zuma to pay back the State R28.9 million in legal fees accumulated by him. The court also ordered that interest must be paid on this amount, which is expected to run into millions. This is to reimburse the State for the bill it had footed over the years to fund his private lawsuits. Zuma was given 60 days in which to pay…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) yesterday argued before the Gqeberha High Court why it should be granted leave to appeal the acquittal verdict handed down to Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused. While Omotoso has left the country, the State is still pursuing the matter. Omotoso and his co-accused Lusanda Sulani, aged 41, and Zikiswa Sitho, aged 33, had faced charges ranging from racketeering and trafficking in persons to rape. The trial spanned eight years before the acquittal. Judge Irma Schoeman found that the State failed to properly cross-examine the accused and to present compelling evidence against them. In its application for leave to appeal, the State asked the court to reserve six key “questions of law” for possible appeal. These included whether the trial court had properly…

Johannesburg High Court Judge Pieter du Plessis found that it was not in the “interests of justice” for businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to be released on bail. Judge du Plessis yesterday handed down his ruling in the bail appeal that Matlala had brought in the high court after he was denied bail in the magistrate's court. Matlala has been charged with attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane. She was shot in the foot on the N1 highway near Sandton in 2023. He also faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering. Matlala was denied bail in September at the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court after Magistrate Syta Prinsloo ruled that he had failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances justifying his release and found that he posed a flight risk.…

Banyana Banyana’s 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification hopes will hinge on their decisive second-leg clash against the DR Congo, set to take place at Dobsonville Stadium tonight (7pm kick-off). South Africa returned home with a vital 1-1 draw from the first leg of the qualifier in Central Africa last week. With everything to play for, the aggregate winner will book their ticket to Morocco next year to compete against the continent’s best. For the first time in this round of qualifiers, assistant coach Thinasonke Mbuli will have access to her full squad for the crucial second leg, with the overseas-based quartet of Amogelang Motau, Hilda Magaia, Sinoxolo Cesane and Thembi Kgatlana all available for selection. Banyana will not only be fighting for qualification but also seeking redemption after…

South Africa’s renewable energy pipeline has surged past grid capacity, with new generation commitments now outpacing the system’s ability to absorb them — underscoring the urgent need for greater investment in battery storage and grid flexibility. According to the 2025 South African Renewable Energy Grid (SAREG) Survey — a collaboration between the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA), and Eskom National Transmission Company SA (NTCSA) — the country’s contracted renewable energy capacity has risen sharply to 220 030 MWac, up from 133 748 MWac in 2024. The total includes all solar PV, wind, and battery storage facilities, spanning projects that are operational, under development, or at early planning stages. The survey recorded a significant increase in participation, with 673 projects included this year…

The announcement last week that South Africa has successfully exited the Financial Action Task Force grey list is cause for genuine celebration. More importantly, it offers critical lessons about what works when we get serious about reform. When grey listing was a serious risk already in 2022, BLSA commissioned research showing the economic impact could range from under 1% of GDP if we reacted fast and credibly, to 3% of GDP if we were slow and unwilling to meet FATF standards. We warned that the reputational damage would be significant, including enhanced due diligence requirements for all transactions between South Africans and the rest of the world, potential loss of foreign banking relationships, and reduced appetite for investment. The good news is that we have managed to keep the impact…

It’s a catch-22: AI adoption among businesses of most, if not all kinds, is now a competitive must – yet it’s not a panacea and the human cost can be considerable. This is both in terms of job displacement due to the adoption of fast-changing technology that can drive efficiencies (read: head count) but requires a new breed of skills, as well as the impact on consumers who continue to seek human-based support and customer care in response to over-digitised and automated path to purchase channels that lack sentience and person-to-person understanding and empathy. This is a key insight of the 7th annual South African Customer Experience Report, which I co-authored and which has just been released. While AI in all its forms – from Gen AI, AI assistants and…

South Africa’s new Shesha, an energy drink made from the juice extracted from fresh, raw sugarcane, is a global first. Shesha is produced by Womoba, a subsidiary of the not-for-profit SA Canegrowers. Shesha is made from hand-harvested, high-quality sugarcane stalks that are peeled and crushed to form the base of this naturally sweetened, fortified energy drink. No other energy drink in the world is produced this way. Produced and canned in KwaZulu-Natal, this innovative and proudly home-grown product supports job creation and economic growth in rural communities. “Shesha is about doing something new and exciting with a crop we’ve known for generations. It’s proof that innovation can start right here at home — turning sugarcane into something fresh, relevant and proudly South African,” said Higgins Mdluli, a sugarcane grower from…

Astoria Investments, the Mauritius-domiciled investment holding company listed on the country’s stock exchange and the JSE’s AltX market, said Monday it intends to delist because its share price trades at too wide a discount to net asset value. The company was spun off from RECM and Calibre in April 2022 and takes significant minority stakes in businesses, often investing alongside management teams to drive net asset value. The company’s thinly traded shares shot up 24.79% on the JSE on Monday afternoon to R7.50 per share - a year ago, it was trading at R8.10. Some of its investments include in Outdoor Investment Holdings and Goldrush Holdings. Astoria’s board said they wished to acquire all of Astoria’s shares for R8.15 per share in cash, following which the listings on the AltX…

MULTIPLE mistakes in the ballistics report prepared by an SAPS forensic expert was central to the testimony of Brigadier Mishak Mkhabela, the national head of Ballistics Section of the SAPS, at the Madlanga Commission of inquiry yesterday. Mkhabela, who is stationed at the Forensic Science Laboratory in Silverton, Pretoria was quizzed about the potential sabotage when he testified about what transpired with the forensic report linked to the murder case of Armand Swart, a Vereeniging engineer, who was gunned down on April 17, 2025, in a case of mistaken identity. He said that a Captain Makgotloe (Mkhabela did not provide a first name) was responsible for the report on the weapons and exhibits recovered from the suspects linked to Swart’s murder. The hitmen allegedly mistook Swart for a colleague who…

Three people, including a pilot, were killed when a helicopter crashed at Danielskuil in the Northern Cape on Sunday. The Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division (AIID) confirmed that an Alouette helicopter (registration ZU-RAL) went down at Danielskuil. “All three occupants on board - a pilot and two other people - were fatally injured,” the AIID said in a statement. According to the agency, the pilot had been ferrying the aircraft from Elandsvlakte to Olifantshoek when it crashed in the Kurumanheuwels area of Danielskuil. The helicopter was substantially damaged on impact, and a post-impact fire destroyed the aircraft. “Investigators have been dispatched to the site, and a preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website within 30 days of the accident,” the AIID said. The division extended its condolences to…

Police in Mpumalanga are investigating a horrific case in which a man allegedly killed his wife and two young children before setting them alight inside a vehicle at Boekehouthoek, Kwaggafontein. Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed the incident, which took place on Friday. The victims have been identified by police as Lucia Thembisile Mashiyane, 32, and her two children, Bokamoso, 7, and Karabo Ngele, 4. Police were alerted after the suspect’s uncle contacted them in the early hours of Friday, informing officers that his nephew had confessed to killing his family and setting them alight at Zithabiseni Bridge. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered a charred vehicle containing the severely burned remains of the mother and her children. A 72-hour activation plan was immediately launched…

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, has declared war on rogue elements in the province’s trucking industry, following a far-reaching enforcement operation that laid bare a web of exploitation, corruption, and unsafe practices along South Africa’s busiest freight routes. Over the weekend, Duma joined law enforcement agencies at the Mkhondeni Weighbridge in Pietermaritzburg, where his department’s #NenzaniLaEzweni (“What are you doing in this world?”) campaign intensified its push to restore order on KZN’s roads. The operation saw 98 trucks stopped, 47 drivers interviewed, and several arrests made, including one of a Zimbabwean truck driver found driving under the influence of alcohol. “Undoubtedly, he was on his way to cause a horrific accident that could have resulted in fatalities,” Duma said, adding that the operation’s purpose was to…

Kwagga Smith believes that the tough five-match itinerary the Springboks will undertake this November will help the team move to another level of performance. The Bok management arranged for two extra matches to be added to the original three-game schedule, as coach Rassie Erasmus looks to grow squad depth while improving performance. “Five matches are a lot, but it’s a great challenge for the squad because we need to be on form every weekend,” the versatile loose forward said. “All the Test matches will be tough, not just France and Ireland (the Boks also play Italy, Wales, and Japan). But that’s where we want to be. We want to measure ourselves and perform well as a team. This tour will help us grow our game.” Smith, who will win his…

As if Pakistan were not a handful, the Proteas’ next Test assignment looms large with mighty India awaiting the arrival of the ICC World Test champions with bated breath. The home team are treating the two-match series as a world championship heavyweight title bout with Shubnam Gill’s team eager to show everyone who cares to listen that the Proteas’ capture of the WTC mace back in June was more due to favourable fixture scheduling than performance. The Proteas have shown though they are worthy champions, meeting every challenge that is put before them, particularly after last week’s first Test win in Pakistan for 18 years. But even coach Shukri Conrad was forced to admit the upcoming two Tests in Kolkata and Guwahati will indeed be his burgeoning team’s ultimate challenge,…

Orlando Pirates will be out to restore pride when they welcome defending champions Magesi FC to Orlando Stadium for a Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final clash today at 7.30pm. The Buccaneers are still reeling from their painful exit from the CAF Champions League, where they were edged 5-4 on penalties by DR Congo’s Saint-Eloi Lupopo on Saturday after a 3-3 aggregate draw. That setback has left Pirates desperate for redemption on home soil – and the Carling Knockout represents their final chance to add another major trophy to the cabinet this year. Despite their disappointment in continental competition, the Soweto giants come into this tie with renewed confidence. They have gone unbeaten in their last two matches in regulation time across all competitions, including a dominant 3-0 victory over Lupopo at…