Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-12-04 i Mercury

Lalla Hirayama, the beloved media personality known for her candid approach to life, took to Instagram at the beginning of the month to share a deeply personal and important update. In a post that was vulnerable and empowering, she opened up about her recent health scare and diagnosis of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia, Grade 3 (CIN III). Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of routine Pap smears and cervical health awareness. For someone who has been candid about her mental health journey and her healing process through unconventional therapies like equestrianism, Hirayama’s openness about this experience is inspiring and educational. Her Instagram caption began with a gentle nudge to her followers: “Ladies, if you haven’t gone for your Pap smear recently, please don’t leave it for…

As the year draws to a close, many of us feel the wear and tear of relentless schedules and mounting demands. The rush to meet deadlines and fulfil responsibilities has left people exhausted, both mentally and physically. This state of year-end fatigue is not uncommon, but it feels particularly pronounced this year as we navigate a world that demands more from us each day. For many, the light at the end of this tunnel is the upcoming holiday season, a time to pause, rest and reconnect with loved ones. The thought of spending quality time with family, sharing laughter and making memories is what keeps many of us going. It is a time to reflect on the past year and recalibrate for the year ahead. However, the pressure to push…

The DA has written to the Inspector-General for Intelligence to request that his office probes recent reports that Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has given marching orders to all State Security Agency (SSA) employees over the age of 50. It has been reported that the Minister has called some 200 members of the SSA’s top brass to attention, announcing that every employee in the SSA over the age of 50 is to take early retirement or face retrenchment. Further reports indicate that the same ultimatum is expected to be given to the rest of the SSA’s staff in time. The DA is concerned that such a sweeping move by the Minister will force much-needed intelligence expertise out the door, without any consideration as to each member’s individual contribution to the SSA’s functions.…

It is grim news for South African travellers as fuel prices are set to rise today. The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (DMRE) announced yesterday that both grades of petrol, 93 and 95, will see an increase of 17c per litre from today. Diesel prices are facing even steeper hikes, rising by between 54.88c and 55.88c per litre, making the impact on consumers even more pronounced. The new price adjustments revealed a concerning trend for fuel costs, with illuminating paraffin and liquid petroleum (LP) gas also experiencing increases. The DMRE said that the wholesale price of diesel (0.05% sulphur) would increase by 54.88c per litre, while the wholesale price of diesel (0.005% sulphur) would increase by 55.88c per litre. Illuminating paraffin will increase by 48.88c per litre, while LP…

In a major setback for land restitution, the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights has reduced its targets, citing budget constraints, having failed to settle over 5 000 claims. This was contained in a parliamentary response by Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development Mzwanele Nyhontso to questions by ANC MP Cameron Dugmore. Regarding claims lodged by claimants in terms of the Restitution of Land Rights Act, Act 22 of 1994, before 1998 in each province, Dugmore wanted to know the total number of claims timeously lodged and the claims settled. The act was enacted to restore land rights to individuals and communities dispossessed due to past racially discriminatory laws and practices. This act also established the Land Claims Court (now the Land Court) and created the Commission on Restitution…

A police operation in Isipingo, south of Durban, uncovered a major theft syndicate involving raw materials worth approximately R4 million. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that police in Isipingo have arrested two suspects, aged 25 and 40, for being in possession of suspected stolen property. He said they were expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court this week. “Reports indicate that on Monday, November 2, police received information about people in possession of cobalt hydroxide suspected to be stolen. “The suspects failed to provide proper documents and they were duly arrested,” said Netshiunda. According to a Durban Metro Police Service statement, its officers located a warehouse in Isipingo where stolen soda ash, packed in bags, was stored. The material had been stolen from a company near Mega…

VERY few, if any, ANC members will support the call by the party’s KwaZulu-Natal secretary-general, Bheki Mtolo, for President Cyril Ramaphosa and secretary general Fikile Mbalula to take responsibility for the party’s dismal performance during the May 29 national and provincial elections. On the face of it, Mtolo makes a pertinent assessment that taking responsibility should begin at the top as for the first time since the dawn of democracy, the ANC lost power to govern the country alone. “ANC nationally got 40%, meaning the NEC lost the country by 40%. The NEC led by Ramaphosa and Mbalula lost the country to that. They must take that responsibility. Duma (chairperson) and I are taking full responsibility for losing the province to 17%,” he said. This implies that the Top 7…

Taiwan’s defence ministry said yesterday that it was watching the movements of a Chinese aircraft carrier and assessing China’s military activities as security sources said Beijing could launch new war games as soon as this weekend. China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has held two rounds of war games around the island so far this year, and its forces operate nearby on a daily basis. China has a strong dislike of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, whom it calls a “separatist”, and sources have told Reuters it could launch new drills to coincide with his trip to the Pacific this week which includes visits to Hawaii and Guam. Speaking at a regular news briefing, Taiwan Defence Ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang said Taiwan knew where Chinese aircraft carrier…

Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed doubts about new legislation imposing tougher penalties on women who flout mandatory hijab regulations. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, women in Iran have been required to cover their hair in public. However, more are appearing without hijabs, especially after protests over Mahsa Amini’s death in custody in 2022. She had been arrested for violating the dress code. Parliament has approved the new law, which imposes fines of up to 20 months’ average salary for women but it requires the president’s signature to take effect. “We risk ruining a lot of things in society because of this law,” said Pezeshkian. | AFP…

Nairobi: Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticised Ethiopia for suspending three rights NGOs, accusing them of “squeezing shut” the last remaining space for independent oversight. The government has ordered the suspension of the Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy, the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia, and Lawyers for Human Rights, accusing them of political bias. HRW said that the groups were targeted after they signed a letter criticising proposed amendments to Ethiopia’s media law that aims to bring the country’s media authority under the direct control of the prime minister’s office. | AFP…

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's head coach, has expressed an optimistic vision for the club's future but has tempered expectations regarding their immediate title ambitions following an impressive yet cautious start to the season. Currently positioned third in the Premier League with 25 points, the Blues remain nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. As Chelsea prepares to face bottom-of-the-table Southampton tonight, the Italian manager insists that while the potential for dominance is there, the club is not yet in a position to compete for the Premier League title. Yesterday, Maresca acknowledged the significance of the pressure that accompanies a title race but clarified the current reality of Chelsea's standing. “They (Arsenal) have been there in the last two years very close to City and we were very far from City,” he…

1. To have empathy for others, which is the capacity to join another person in his or her experience to see and understand that person as much as possible. This skill often requires no words at all, not even “I know how you feel.” It requires presence and togetherness. 2. To be able to listen to others, which is the capacity to pay full attention to what another is saying without interrupting, interpreting, reacting or launching into your own similar tale. This skill often requires no words at all. It requires silence and openness. 3. To be able to embrace others, which is the capacity to love and accept other people despite differences (even vast differences) in beliefs, political persuasions and economic status. It involves embracing people of all races,…

We have been writing about gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) for years! We have been doing campaigns, which have all failed. We need to start thinking outside the box. We all remember the Charlize Theron campaign where she said, “Where are all the real men out there?” We obviously never found them! Nothing came of that. We have people writing long missives about reasons but no solutions. We all know South Africa is a very patriarchal country and frankly, it’s too late to try and get at the men. It is entrenched in many who think that women are second-class citizens and deserve to be klapped or worse. We all know children are like blotting paper and learn from an early age, so we need excellent teachers trained in this…

The South African economy contracted by 0.3% (real GDP) in the third quarter of 2024, Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) said yesterday. The agriculture industry was the main drag on growth on the production side of the economy, with transport, trade and government services also contributing to the slowdown. Agriculture recorded its second consecutive decline, falling by 28.8% in the third quarter. It was the largest negative contributor, pulling GDP growth down by 0.7 of a percentage point. Drought plagued the production of field crops such as maize, soya beans, wheat and sunflower. This does not spell good news for consumers heading into the festive period as the year wraps up. Neil Roets, the CEO of Debt Rescue, highlighted the serious impact of South Africa’s sluggish GDP in the third quarter…

The National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) said the agreement reached by the Minister of Basic Education and the Solidarity union on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA) is only binding on those parties who were part of the settlement. The Mercury reported on Monday President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the settlement agreement between the minister and Solidarity regarding two clauses of the Act, which are a major bone of contention. While the Act was passed by Parliament on October 26, 2023, and assented to in September, the implementation of sections 4 and 5 has been delayed by three months to allow for multi-party discussions and proposals on resolving the disputes. Lisa Seftel, Nedlac executive director, said the agreement reached by Solidarity and the department is binding, but…

South Africa’s presidency of the G20 is an opportunity for the country to push for progress on policy areas crucial to the continent’s development, although this will be complicated by polarising trade wars, conflict and diplomatic tensions. The G20 consists of many of the world's largest developing and developed economies, and South Africa’s presidency comes a year after the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20. The United States will take over in December next year under the leadership of Donald Trump, whose administration has already threatened to introduce restrictive trade tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico. Member countries also hold polarising views on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Palestine, with fears that this will complicate the G20’s mission to tackle pressing…

Understanding China’s rise and its relevance for Africa and the wider world Professor Paul Zilungisele Tembe’s latest work, Silk and Knots of Chinese Governance, is a rich and multifaceted exploration of the intricate threads that weave together China’s ancient past and its contemporary governance model. The title itself offers a metaphorical glimpse into the complexity of Chinese civilisation, evoking imagery of silk for its finesse and knots for its structured discipline. This duality aptly frames the book’s central themes: the performative language of governance, the legacy of dynasties, and the crucial interplay of indigenous knowledge systems in shaping a nation’s progress. Tembe, a renowned sinologist, employs an auto-ethnographic approach to bring his academic rigour and personal insights to bear. By drawing on his qualitative research and deep engagement with Chinese…

Hours after two communication cables were severed in the Baltic Sea, 30 Nato vessels and 4 000 military staff took to the same body of water for one of northern Europe’s largest naval exercises. The 12-day “Freezing Winds” drill, which started on November 18, was part of a push to step up the transatlantic defence alliance’s protection of infrastructure in waters that carry 15% of global shipping traffic and are seen as increasingly vulnerable to attack. The Baltic Sea is bordered by eight Nato countries and Russia. There have been at least three incidents of possible sabotage to the 40-odd telecommunication cables and critical gas pipelines that run along its relatively shallow seabed since 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. “Nato is stepping up patrols, ... allies are investing in innovative…

China has fully lifted suspensions on Australian red meat, Canberra said yesterday, dismantling one of the final barriers in a four-year trade war that hammered US$13 billion of exports. A slew of Australia’s most lucrative export commodities were effectively banned from China starting in 2020, as relations between the two nations started to fray. But China has been gradually unwinding these barriers as Australia steps up efforts to mend ties on the diplomatic front. Red meat and lobster were the last two commodities subject to some form of barrier or export ban. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said yesterday that China had paved the way for “full resumption of red meat exports”. Meanwhile, full lobster trade is expected to resume by the end of the year. “We are close to…

KAMPALA: The bodies of two 3-year-old boys were among those pulled from mud in eastern Uganda, swelling to 28 the death toll from a landslide last week that buried several villages, police said, with dozens still unaccounted for. More than 100 people had been feared missing, with 17 dead after last week’s landslide on the slopes of Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano on the border with Kenya, about 300km east of the capital, Kampala. More bodies have been retrieved since, including the two boys, police said. Since October, unusually heavy rains have triggered widespread flooding and landslides in some areas of Uganda, in weather the Uganda Red Cross has blamed on climate change. | Reuters…

Beijing: China said yesterday that it would restrict exports to the US of some key components in making semiconductors, after Washington announced curbs targeting China’s ability to make advanced chips. Among the materials banned from export are metals gallium, antimony and germanium, Beijing’s commerce ministry said, citing “national security” concerns. Exports of graphite will also be subject to “stricter reviews of end-users”, it said. The US this week announced restrictions. The move expands US efforts to curb exports of state-of-the-art chips to China, which can be used in advanced weapons systems and artificial intelligence. | AFP…

US' Olympic bronze medallist Ilona Maher has joined Bristol Bears on a three-month deal starting next month, the Premiership women's rugby union club said late yesterday. Prop Maher helped the US team clinch the Rugby Sevens bronze medal at the Paris Games after defeating Australia. The 28-year-old is the most popular rugby player on social media with a following of 4.6 million on Instagram and 3.3 million on TikTok. Last month, Maher finished runner-up on American reality TV show Dancing with the Stars. The versatile back can play at centre and on the wing. "We believe she will add real value to our programme on and off the field," Bears head coach Dave Ward said in a statement. "I am excited to join the Bristol Bears and put myself in…

TWAS an evening of American politics set to music at the St Clements arts soiree the other evening. Not current Trumpian politics – the man is not yet in office – but reaching way back over the decades. It was all put together in masterly fashion by Durban musician and man-about-town Richard Haslop. The titles of the songs Richard harvested onto a present-day recording give an idea of the content of the evening’s entertainment: I Burn But I Am Not Consumed; Who’s Gonna Build Your Wall?; Mr President (Have Pity On The Working Man); Christmas In Washington; Dear Mrs Roosevelt; FDR In Trinidad; Hey! Ronald Reagan; My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down; Jimmy Carter; Eisenhower Blues; Ohio; Campaigner; Dead Presidents; He Was A Friend Of Mine; White House Blues; John…

Zimbabwe’s airports, especially Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, have come under intense scrutiny due to persistent reports of bribery and corruption involving immigration officials. These issues extend beyond airports to other key points of entry, such as the Beitbridge border post, a crucial gateway between Zimbabwe and South Africa. The scandal has cast a shadow over the country’s efforts to maintain secure and transparent borders, eroding trust in law enforcement and security measures. Travellers passing through Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport have frequently reported being extorted by immigration officials. These officials are accused of demanding bribes from both local and international passengers to facilitate quicker processing or to overlook supposed discrepancies in travel documents. What begins as minor requests for “tea money” can escalate into significant sums, particularly…

DIVISIONS within the ANC National Working Committee (NWC) could potentially save the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) from being disbanded amid concerns of poor performance in the recent elections. Sources in KwaZulu-Natal with close ties to the PEC indicated that members believed their meeting with the ANC national structure, where they had to account for the election loss and the state of the party, had gone well. A high-level meeting between the KZN PEC and the national structure was held on Monday, and it was anticipated that the KZN PEC would be dissolved following catastrophic election losses. However, the ANC announced that a decision on the matter had been deferred until next week. The ANC is seeking accountability following a disappointing election performance. At national level, the party’s support dropped…

PARLIAMENT yesterday approved a salary increase for President Cyril Ramaphosa despite opposition from his ardent critics, the EFF and MK Party. This was after ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli tabled a draft motion in response to the recommendation made by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers in May. Ramaphosa has not had a salary increase since he became the president in 2018. The commission had recommended a 3% annual increase for the 2023-24 financial year and a 2.5% increase for 2024-25 for all office bearers, including Ramaphosa. It had agreed that an adjustment for cost of living increase be recommended for 2023-24 and 2024-25 and stated that covering the period will prevent the continuation of the time lag on the current remuneration. “The commission has considered…

THE City of Cape Town is scrambling to cover up the scandalous collapse of the waste management service in informal settlements. The embarrassing spectacle of dirt and waste piling up, in already neglected townships, for weeks is at odds with the City’s spin that it is a caring city. Inside the administration, the City is hard at work to cover up political and administrative dirt that it doesn’t want you to see. Recently, Council carried the recommendation for the Speaker to investigate the Mayco Member for Urban Waste Management, Grant Twigg, in relation to his department’s mismanagement. The R10 million in wasteful expenditure could have been spent elsewhere. Twigg joins sacked executive director of waste management Luzuko Mdunyelwa under the microscope. Accountability, right? Wrong Sadly, the residents of Cape Town…

EU countries agreed yesterday on a push for stricter anti-smoking rules, backing bans on smoking and vaping in many outdoor areas including playgrounds and cafe patios. A recommendation inviting member states to crack down on second-hand smoke and vapour was adopted by health ministers from the bloc’s 27 nations meeting in Brussels. “Today’s agreement is a crucial step towards our goal of a tobacco-free generation in Europe, and is critical in protecting our children and young people from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke,” said the EU’s health commissioner, Oliver Varhelyi. The recommendation is non- binding, as health is a competence of individual member states. But it gives an indication of the policies governments could pursue in the future as they seek to reduce smoke-related deaths and ailments. It passed…

Namibia was headed for its first woman president with two-thirds of the votes from last week’s election counted by yesterday, giving the governing party candidate a strong lead in a vote the main opposition has already rejected as a sham. Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah from the Swapo party that has led the mineral-rich country since independence 34 years ago had just over 54% of votes, according to an electoral commission tally of nearly 66% of votes. The leader of the main opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Panduleni Itula, was behind with just over 28% of votes. The November 27 election was extended twice as logistical and technical problems, including a shortage of ballot papers, led to long queues that meant some voters gave up on the first day of voting…

CAIRO: Israeli military strikes killed at least 14 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip yesterday, most of them in the town of Beit Lahiya on the northern edge, medics said, as the army issued new evacuation orders in the south of the tiny enclave. Medics said eight people had been killed in strikes in Beit Lahiya while four others were killed elsewhere in Gaza City. An Israeli air strike later killed two people and wounded others in Jabalia, the largest of Gaza’s eight historic refugee camps, in the northern Gaza Strip, medics said. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service yesterday said that 13 of 27 vehicles in central and southern Gaza Strip were out of operation. | Reuters…

Riyadh: Drought cost the world over $300 billion (about R5 trillion) each year, the UN warned yesterday in a report at international talks on desertification in Saudi Arabia. Fuelled by “human destruction of the environment”, drought is projected to affect 75% of the world’s population by 2050, the report cautioned. It said the crisis had already exceeded $307bn in costs annually around the globe. The UN urged investment in “reforestation, grazing management, and the management, restoration and conservation of watersheds”. Marked by droughts in Ecuador, Brazil, Namibia, Malawi and the Mediterranean, 2024 is set to be the hottest year. | AFP…

As Arsenal's stellar run continues, manager Mikel Arteta remains cautious, refraining from declaring Manchester United out of the Premier League title race just yet. The Gunners are poised to face Ruben Amorim's re-energised United side today, with both teams having much at stake amid the competitive landscape of the league. Currently, Arsenal sit in second place in the standings, six points clear of the struggling Red Devils, who find themselves a daunting 15 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. Despite their rocky start to the season, Arteta insists the season is far from over. During his pre-match press conference yesterday, Arteta stated, “It’s still very early in the season. Any team that has the capacity to put five or six wins in a row is going to be up there…

In a week defined by challenges, Banyana Banyana demonstrated resilience and a commitment to development, even as they faced disappointing results in their two-match tour of Jamaica. The South African senior women's football team, under the guidance of head coach Desiree Ellis, concluded their trip with a hard-fought 3-2 loss on Tuesday morning, following an earlier 3-0 defeat to the Reggae Girlz just days before. Despite the back-to-back defeats, coach Ellis remains optimistic about the lessons learned during the tour. “We had a couple of players from our COSAFA squad who just made their debuts; everybody played today apart from the third-choice goalkeeper, and I think that’s a worthwhile exercise,” she noted. These matches were the last for the team this year, as they shift focus to preparing for the…