Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-10-04 i Mercury

The north wind doth blow, And we shall have snow, And what will the robin do then, poor thing? He'll sit in a barn, And keep himself warm, And hide his head under his wing, poor thing! THE skies are leaden, it’s freezing cold and it feels as if we could be in for another snowstorm. And I write from the Midlands, not from the Drakensberg. And I read that the government weather fundis have warned that we should expect more flurries of snow like the recent one. It recalls my first experience of a snowfall in these parts. A friend and I were in Matatiele, East Griqualand. A blanket of snow came down. Road and rail contact with elsewhere was cut off. Farmers on tractors were pulling their sheep…

Municipalities and their functions reflect the reality of governance in South Africa. Grand legislation and regulations formulated and passed by parliament and implemented by ministries have a theoretical effect on the people of this country, but it is the function of municipalities that genuinely affect the day-to-day lives of the South African people. Unfortunately, the reality for many South Africans is that they live in a municipality run by incompetent, self-interested, uneducated and ill-equipped officials. This has resulted in infrastructural decay, corruption, and the collapse of essential services. According to the South African Local Government Association (Salga), a third of all municipal councillors don’t even have a matric. In the private sector, not having a tertiary education would be considered insufficient to even apply for a job. Yet, in the…

The Iranian leadership, that has taken that once cosmopolitan country, back to the darkest of ages now it thinks it can gnash its teeth, considering itself as some kind of meaningful power. Blasting missiles towards Israel, carefully aimed at non-civilian targets, reflects their fear of having a full out war with Israel, and ultimately America. Iranian people were a happy, progressive people, under the leadership of the Shah. However today, Iranian women possibly, the most beautiful women in the world are treated like third class citizens. Downtrodden through diabolical religious fanaticism. The sooner the Ayatollahs are given their walking shoes, the sooner a prosperous and happy Iranian nation will re-emerge allowing this once great nation to rise up, and be part of the civilised world. How nice it would be…

Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has said the government is considering the option of privatising the South African Post Office (Sapo). The minister made these comments in light of the fact that Sapo is in dire financial straits and is seeking another government bailout. Sapo said that the situation was so serious that should the government fail to provide the almost R4 billion in funding, it could be at risk of being liquidated. In early September, a formal application for R3.8 billion in funding for the Sapo from the National Treasury was submitted. Joint Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs), Anoosh Rooplal and Juanito Damons said these funds were needed in order to fully implement the approved business rescue (BR) plan. The Mercury’s sister newspaper Business Report reported at the time that the…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said his proposals on cost-cutting measures will be tabled as part of his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) later this month. “The Ministers committee on the budget is in the process of considering the budget proposals to be tabled as part of the MTBPS at the end of October and all information in this regard will only be available at that point,” Godongwana said. The revised cost containment measures issued by the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer in June 2024, remain in place and guided departments in terms of cost containment, he said. Godongwana was responding to a parliamentary question from DA MP Farhat Essack, who asked about cost-cutting measures he will introduce in the MTBPS to reduce luxury spending on perks and benefits for…

Nehawu (National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union) held a picket at the Department of Employment and Labour's labour centre in Durban yesterday as they commemorated the World Federation of Trade Unions’ (WFTU) International Day of Action. Nehawu KZN deputy secretary Ntokozo Nxumalo emphasised the significance of the picket, raising concerns about the working conditions of employees at the labour centre. “Our biggest concern with the labour centre in Durban is safety, and as the custodians of employment and labour, the Department of Employment and Labour should treat its employees with care as well,” Nxumalo said. The picket was part of a broader campaign to raise awareness about the challenges faced by workers in South Africa and beyond, with Nehawu choosing key locations to highlight specific concerns. In addition to…

A mass memorial service is expected to take place this weekend for the 18 victims who died in two shooting incidents in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape. A total of 15 women and three men lost their lives. The youngest victim was a 14-year-old boy. No arrests have been made, but one person was taken in for questioning earlier this week, the national police minister confirmed during a visit to the Eastern Cape. According to police, the motive for the shooting is not known. The mass memorial is expected to take place this Sunday, with the funerals expected to take place next weekend (October 12 and October 13). Khuselwa Rantjie, spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Premier, said the memorial was decided on after discussion with relatives of the victims. “This…

There is an urgent need for culturally relevant strategies to support their well-being THE theme for this year’s World Teachers’ Day, held annually on October 5 to celebrate teachers around the world, is “Valuing teachers’ voices: towards a new social contract for education”. To fully harness the pivotal role teachers play in shaping, nurturing and driving education and the future educational progress of their learners, it is crucial that their voices are heard and valued in the decision-making processes that affect their profession. According to the United Nations’ cultural agency, Unesco, World Teachers’ Day “is a day to celebrate how teachers are transforming education but also to reflect on the support they need to fully deploy their talent and vocation, and to rethink the way ahead for the profession globally”.…

At a laboratory in Beijing, purple and green hybrid-species grapes are laid out on a board for testing, part of the strategy China’s nascent wine industry is using to try to combat climate challenges. Scientists are using genetics and artificial intelligence to address imperfect weather, as well as anticipate future problems that might be wrought by rising global temperatures. “In China, since we have a young industry, we don’t have many clear observations about the effect of climate change,” Dai Zhanwu, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), said. “But globally … there are many clearly observed impacts.” The world’s wine production dropped 10% last year, mostly because of “extreme environmental conditions” such as droughts and fires, according to a leading industry body. Scientists say climate change, driven…

Pakistan and Russia have signed their first agreement on barter trade after a large delegation of Pakistani government officials and businessmen visited Moscow. The Pakistan-Russia Trade and Investment Forum kicked off in Moscow on Monday, with more than 70 Pakistani businessmen and 100 Russian companies taking part. The forum would have a positive effect on bilateral relations between the two countries, said Russian Deputy Trade and Investment Minister Alexey Gruzdev while welcoming the Pakistani delegates. Islamabad wanted to enhance its trade with Russia, Pakistani Federal Minister for Privatisation and Communications Abdul Aleem Khan said, adding that the two countries had long-standing diplomatic and commercial relations and Pakistan attached importance to its ties with Russia. Two agriculture companies from Russia and Pakistan have signed the first barter deals on the sidelines…

LONDON: The British government has chartered a limited number of flights to support its citizens to leave Lebanon, it said yesterday, repeating its advice for them to leave the country immediately. More than 150 British nationals and dependants left Beirut on a government chartered flight on Wednesday, the statement said. “To meet the demand for the charter flight on Wednesday, additional flights will depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport from yesterday. The flights will continue for as long as the security situation allows,” it added. | Reuters…

TAIPEI: Nine people died yesterday after a fire ripped through a hospital in southern Taiwan, the island’s fire agency said. The blaze in Pingtung County was reported at around 7.40am, and was put out soon after 1pm, according to the fire agency. Eight victims were confirmed dead after being taken away for treatment, and another was later found dead at the scene. The fire broke out the same day that Typhoon Krathon made landfall in the island’s south, although Taiwanese authorities did not link the two. Krathon forced schools and offices to shut for a second day amid strong winds and heavy rain that have left two dead and more than 100 injured. | AFP…

THE fishing has been very productive offshore with most regions producing good fish. Make sure to prioritise your safety over catching a fish or two as the seas have been a bit gnarly... Take your time. How long have you been dreaming of the fish you are going to catch? Why then do you want to rush the fight and possibly part the fish off because you are over-exerting your tackle? The North Coast has seen a lot of action in the deep. The summer visitors are starting to make it on to more catch reports. Some monster tuna have been landed off Richards Bay along with some good marlin sightings. The dorado have come on the bite in the deep. The recent rains have pushed a lot of debris…

The DA in KwaDukuza is pleased to note the aligned position of the political parties in council today (yesterday), who unanimously rejected the proposal to convert the position of Project Management Director from a fixed term contract to permanent. We are however gravely concerned that the Municipal Manager, Nhlanhla Mdakane continues to undermine a democratically elected council by presenting shoddy items and quoting vague and misleading legislation, in an attempt to ensure his deployees who have captured the civil engineering department have indefinite access to public funds. The incumbent, whose contract has now been extended for a three-month period, was the very official who was tasked with implementing projects under the R1.2 billion in disaster grants. While we welcome the decision to advertise the position in line with the approved…

Although much is made of the great strides in upliftment and prosperity that have characterised China since 1980 (The Mercury, September 30), the recurrent theme in commemorating 75 years of Communist Party rule is that of repression. Certainly the Communist Party has nothing to commemorate for its first 30 years. The unmitigated tyranny of Mao Zedong’s policies of the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution cost tens of millions of lives. As Harrison Salisbury stated in his book The New Emperors, when President Nixon arrived on February 21, 1972, China was a wasteland, its surviving population traumatised, its factories shrouded in cobwebs and its schools in shambles (p.306). Credit for China becoming a prosperous dictatorship belongs to Deng Xiaoping. He decollectivized agriculture by dividing people’s communes into private plots, thereby…

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli yesterday announced the launch of a Climate Change and Sustainability Council to combat extreme weather events following recent disasters in the province. Ntuli announced the launch of the council during a briefing at his office in Durban yesterday. The Premier said since the 2022 floods, the province had experienced extreme weather events such as wildfires, tornadoes, and a recent snowstorm that resulted in damage and loss of life. He said climate change was no longer a theory but a living reality in KZN. “We can no longer behave as if everything is normal. Even scientists have warned us that our seasons will be wetter and hotter, we may have long droughts and rains in the wrong season, and this may lead to a long-term catastrophe. That…

The eThekwini Municipality is developing a water cuts schedule that will see certain areas only receiving water on some days. The City’s head of Water and Sanitation in the eThekwini Municipality, Ednick Msweli, revealed this yesterday. The City announced water curtailment measures earlier this week. It initially only spoke of restrictors on meters and reduced pressure in taps but Msweli yesterday said some areas should also expect to receive water only on certain days. He said in areas where water will be available on certain days, the residents will be informed in advance. Msweli, eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba and officials from Umngeni-Uthukela Water Board held a briefing with the media yesterday. The amount of water supplied to Durban residents is to be reduced after the Department of Water and Sanitation…

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has suspended an immigration officer stationed at Beitbridge Port of Entry in Musina, Limpopo over corruption allegations. This comes after the 52-year-old was arrested along with six foreign nationals on Sunday during a sting operation. According to Limpopo police spokesperson Hlulani Mashaba, at about 6.30am, while members of Operation Vala Umgodi were conducting an operation focused on addressing corruption among officials, a complainant observed an individual approaching the immigration officer, leading to an exchange of money. Mashaba said upon investigation, the officer was found in possession of money which she could not account for as well as six passports belonging to foreign nationals. “The owners of these passports were traced and located on buses arriving from Malawi, awaiting processing at the port of entry. All…

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) is keeping a close eye on developments following a nationwide porridge product recall after the death of three children in the Eastern Cape. Last month, Lithembelihle Bambela, Iminathi Bambela and Live Ndudane from Mdantsane's Unit 2 died after reportedly consuming Namib Mills's Top Score Instant porridge, purchased at a Spar store in the province. The commission said it received a notification of the product recall from both Namib Bills and the Spar Group. “South African consumers who purchased Top Score Instant Porridge by Spar Group are urged to stop consuming the product and immediately return it to the retailer for a full refund,” the NCC said. It said a separate investigation was under way by the relevant Buffalo City Metro authorities. NCC acting commissioner, Hardin…

Three suspected criminals wanted in connection with a string of murders and extortion cases in KwaZulu-Natal have died in a gun battle with police. The three men were killed in two separate incidents in Mariannhill and Inanda. In the latest incident, which took place in Mariannhill in the early hours of yesterday morning, police pounced on a hideout in Edabe informal settlement in Tshelimnyama. KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said when police officers approached the house, the suspects opened fire from inside the house. “In self-defence, police returned fire and during the shoot-out, two suspects were shot and fatally wounded. “They were found in possession of two firearms.” He said all recovered firearms will be taken for ballistic testing to ascertain if they are linked to other crime scenes.…

Eskom has said electricity should be restored by today to all areas in the KwaZulu-Midlands, which have been impacted by power outages after a recent snow storm damaged infrastructure in the area. Eskom said yesterday that there had been severe damage to electrical infrastructure, caused by the heavy snow that fell from September 21, with the most affected area being the KZN Midlands. “To date, not all affected customer supplies have been restored. There have been repeat faults caused by the heavy rains experienced from 1 October 2024. 95% of the supplies have been restored to date and Eskom is communicating daily to the customers in the affected areas. The estimated restoration time for all affected customers is Friday (today)”. Business owners in the area this week told The Mercury…

COALITION governance has become a prominent feature of South Africa’s political landscape, emerging across local, provincial, and national levels. The ANC, often the leading party in these coalitions, has consistently branded these power-sharing arrangements as “governments of unity”. However, the reality behind this rhetoric tells a very different story. Rather than embodying true unity, these coalitions are political marriages of convenience, fragile and unsustainable. The term “government of unity” is a gross misrepresentation of what is actually a scramble for power, driven by self-interest rather than a commitment to public service or cohesive governance. The ANC’s weakening grip on power has led to a proliferation of coalition governments. At the local level, particularly in key metros such as Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Nelson Mandela Bay, no single party has been able…

Japanese shares rallied yesterday as the yen extended losses after the country’s new prime minister dampened interest rate hike expectations, while Hong Kong shares fell for the first time in more than a week after a blistering China-fuelled surge. Traders remained on edge, however, as they awaited Israel’s response to an Iranian missile attack on Tuesday, which has fanned fears of a regional conflict in the Middle East, pushing oil prices ever higher. The Nikkei gains, which come after a roller-coaster few days in Tokyo, followed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba saying the time was not right for further increases in borrowing costs after a meeting with central bankers. News of Ishiba’s victory in a ruling party vote on Friday last week, essentially making him premier, sent the yen soaring and…

Dutch airline KLM plans to cut costs and delay investments to improve profits amid rising equipment costs, staff shortages, and increased airport fees. The airline aims to enhance its operating result by €450 million in the short term, boosting its profit margin to over 8% by 2028 from 5.4% in 2023. KLM will adjust flight schedules, reduce an undisclosed number of office jobs, and seek productivity improvements through automation. Chief executive Marjan Rintel highlighted that KLM is not operating at full intercontinental capacity and will work with unions to expand with the current pilot workforce. The airline will also postpone investments in new headquarters and maintenance buildings while maintaining planned investments for fleet renewal. KLM plans to generate at least €100m annually through new onboard products and enhancements to its…

KABUL: The Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the police have detained a former judge in a joint operation for his alleged links to a network accused of attempting a coup in 2016, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported this week. Mustafa Karatay, a fugitive wanted for eight years due to his alleged ties to the Gulen movement, was captured at his apartment in the Yenimahalle district of Ankara after a tip-off, Anadolu reported, citing anonymous security sources. During the operation, security forces also seized a laptop, tablet, phone and other digital devices he allegedly used to communicate with the movement’s top leadership. Karatay was believed to play a key role in the movement. | Xinhua…

MORE than 700 000 people were internally displaced in Haiti, an increase of 22% since June, a UN spokesperson said on Wednesday, citing new figures from the International Organization for Migration. More than half the people were children, said Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, at a daily briefing. He said escalating gang violence was deepening the humanitarian crisis. The school year started on Tuesday, and UN humanitarian partners had been working with the authorities to support the back-to-school campaign. Some 1.4 million pupils and teachers had experienced disruptions to education. | Xinhua…

Most top players would hope to have made their Springbok debut – or at least be in a squad – by the age of 25. Bulls star David Kriel, though, hasn’t been that lucky despite being a consistently strong performer over the last few seasons. He’s had to watch many of his franchise teammates who are similarly conscientious in their displays earn Test caps this year. The likes of lock Ruan Nortjé is the epitome of reliability, and you can include hooker Johan Grobbelaar, flank Marco van Staden and loose forward Elrigh Louw in that group too. Young front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels is a bit different with his explosive ball-carries up front. But instead of being despondent, the ever-cheery Kriel wants to prove himself once more in the United Rugby Championship…

Those of us of advanced age have noticed a certain keenness and sharpness within your soul, a sharpness and keenness that may far outpace the keenness and strength of your body, even your intellect, mind, memory. Perhaps your soul is more aware than you may think and knows it is teetering on inevitable escape, in a year, or three, or more. This is why this is as good a time as any to dance, to sing, to declare, and to do so while you can, however you can, ……. when you can. Your soul is intricately invested in beauty and in your life’s legacy. Reach for the diary, the photograph album, the compendium of letters your grandparents or great uncle or favourite aunt left to you and allow those precious…

Does it ever cross our minds that we will not stay young, powerful and attractive forever? Age will take its toll. We treat our grandparents poorly and give them a torrid time, forgetting that we too will grow old one day. Everything has its time or expiry date, nothing is permanent, invincible and no one is immortal. Enjoy this moment you are in before it becomes a memory. Do not waste time complaining, use what is within your reach before it is too late. Our lives are timed like a flowing river, you will never touch the same water twice. Take the best out of every situation, or encounter with others, tomorrow might never come while you lived the whole of your life waiting for the right time. Which time…

The South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) unequivocally condemns Iran’s unprovoked missile attack on Israel. This assault constitutes a brazen and dangerous escalation that, if left unchecked, gravely threatens Israel’s security and the stability of the entire region. Tehran's actions once again demonstrate its blatant disregard for international law and underscore its role as the primary destabilising force in the Middle East. We call upon the South African government to immediately and forcefully denounce the Iranian regime and stand resolute against the ongoing existential threats to Israel. It is deeply troubling that while the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) swiftly condemned the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah—a man responsible for the slaughter of thousands of innocents—it remains conspicuously silent on Iran's act of aggression. Should the government persist…

A leading economic advisor believes the restrictive monetary policy stance, regarding interest rates, which was adopted by the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at the end of 2021 is hampering the country’s economic growth. Dr Roelof Botha, economic advisor for Optimum Investment Group, who was the keynote speaker at the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s gala dinner on Wednesday night, said interest rates have remained high for too long. The MPC announced its first interest rate cut in four years in September. It reduced the interest rate by 25 basis points. Botha explained that factors such as high shipping costs and higher Brent Crude oil prices caused inflation to rise during the Covid-19 pandemic. But Botha said that once the situation normalised, inflation was bound to…

Blind SA and the Institute for Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) have reached an out-of-court settlement in Blind SA’s Equality Court challenge against the ICB in a matter involving 50 blind and visually impaired students. Last month, Section27, representing Blind SA, launched an urgent application in the Equality Court, sitting in the Western Cape High Court, for an order to ensure that the 50 students were registered and reasonably accommodated to enable them to complete their assessments, tests and exams for the National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management qualification with the ICB. This qualification is essential for aspiring professionals in the financial sector, making the accessibility of its assessments important for blind students. Prior to the launch of the application, the ICB refused to grant the 50 students access to its online…

Former public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has said she is not racist after Parliament hit back at recent comments she made in connection with her impeachment inquiry. Mkhwebane made the comments after the Supreme Court of Appeal struck off an appeal she had brought. She had appealed against the decision of the Western Cape High Court to dismiss her application for the recusal of Section 194 inquiry chairperson Qubudile Dyantyi and DA MP Kevin Mileham when she was facing the inquiry into her fitness to hold office. SCA Judge Visvanathan Ponnan, with other judges concurring, found that her appeal was “self-evidently dead on arrival”. The matter was struck from the roll, with costs. In response, Mkhwebane had lashed out on X (formerly Twitter) and stated her ongoing struggles consistently involved key…

Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said her department has been meeting with the National Treasury and is hopeful the sector will get a reprieve from a dire cut when the medium term budget is announced next month. Members of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) held a protest outside the Anton Lembede Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy in La Mercy as Gwarube visited yesterday, saying budget cuts would have a severe impact on teaching and learning. They also raised concerns over the slow implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act, which was signed into law last month. Gwarube last month said provincial departments were facing a national crisis and needed to cut their budgets between R79 billion and R118bn in the next three years to meet their objectives.…

Last February, the Proteas Women made history when they became the first South African senior team – men or women – to reach the final of an International Cricket Council (ICC) event. And it all happened on home soil, with matches played in Newlands, Paarl and Gqeberha. The South African ladies, captained by Suné Luus, enjoyed a remarkable run. They beat New Zealand and Bangladesh in the group stage, but went down to Australia and Sri Lanka. So, they had to pick themselves up for the semi-final against a powerful England side, and they played the game of their lives at Newlands to win by six runs. It was a blockbuster title decider in Cape Town against Australia, but while they lost by 19 runs, they won the hearts of…

Turkish annual inflation slowed less than expected in September to 49.4%, official data showed yesterday, a figure which analysts said could disappoint central bank officials after a series of interest rate hikes. Türkiye’s central bank began to raise rates last year in efforts to battle soaring prices, after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dropped his opposition to orthodox monetary policy. The September inflation figure was higher than the 48.1% consumer price increase forecast by Turkish economists cited by local media. Inflation had reached 52% in August. “The smaller-than-expected decline in Türkiye’s headline rate to 49.4% y/y (year-on-year) in September will be a disappointment to policymakers at the central bank,” Nicholas Farr, emerging Europe economist at the London-based Capital Economics, said in a note to clients. He said the figure showed that…

PARIS: President Emmanuel Macron is hosting leaders from French-speaking countries this week for the Francophonie summit in Paris, the first in 33 years. The summit aims to strengthen French influence amid global challenges, particularly in Africa, where France’s sway has diminished due to recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Key discussions will also address the crisis in Lebanon, showcasing France’s limited influence in the Middle East. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is among the notable guests. Macron views the summit as an opportunity for dialogue and mediation on various political issues, including a territorial dispute between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. | AFP…

COPENHAGEN: Two Swedish teenagers were charged yesterday with possessing five hand grenades and detonating two of them on a rooftop near Israel’s embassy in Copenhagen, and were remanded in custody until October 30. The teenagers, aged 16 and 19, were detained on Wednesday on a train at Copenhagen’s main railway station and pleaded not guilty during preliminary questioning yesterday in a Copenhagen city court. No one was injured in the two explosions on Wednesday, but the building near the embassy sustained some damage, investigators said. A third man, aged 19, was detained elsewhere in the Danish capital and was released after questioning. | Reuters…