Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-01-21 i Mercury

TO ALL matriculants who burned the midnight oil, your dedication has paid off and earned you a well-deserved celebration. We now need to fully support them as they enter the next critical phase in their lives. I am sure all The Mercury’s readers would like to extend their sincere congratulations to those who have achieved success. Take a bow. May your future be bright, your path be guided and your dreams within reach. Remember that your matric results are just the beginning of an exciting journey. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education celebrated the outstanding achievements of the matric class with an impressive 89.5% pass rate. Among the standout achievers were Caden Govender and Jia Patel, who both plan to study actuarial science. Well done in flying the flag for KZN.…

AM I the only reader who is astounded, bewildered and/or downright annoyed by some of the letters in the past two days? Two writers from Durban, almost singing from the same hymn sheet, Dr Du Bois and L Oosthuizen both discuss the LA fires and climate change “propagandists”. The remarks about the LA fire equipment being short due to donations to Ukraine are misleading to say the least. At least 10 states donated to Ukraine, in support of their unprovoked war with Russia, and this information was spread on social media by Trump and Musk in their idiotic rants against the Biden government. And the “hidden dangers of emigration to the UK or US” are just laughable. The ongoing attacks against Keir Starmer (Musk again) are again wrongly portrayed. Keir…

HIGH unemployment and limited higher education opportunities have seen young people turning to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in search of a pathway to success. Faced with rejection from universities, financial struggles, and fierce competition, many students who spoke to The Mercury yesterday said they want to acquire skills that would enable them to secure employment. Aphile Phetha, an aspiring engineering student, shared the frustration of being rejected by universities and waiting for responses from others. “I fear time is not on my side, so I decided to try TVET colleges. I did not apply at any college, but I am coming for a walk-in,” he said. Phetha admitted that he felt pressured to act quickly rather than spend a year at home, despite dissatisfaction with his…

Donald Trump pronounced the start of a “golden age” in the US after taking the oath for a historic second term as president yesterday, using his inaugural speech to lash out at what he described as a “broken” society that he would rescue. “The golden age of America begins right now. From this day forward our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world,” Trump said in the US Capitol, where his inauguration was held indoors due to chilly weather. While promising renewal, Trump’s tone was characteristically dark, denouncing what he said had been a “betrayal” of Americans by a “radical and corrupt establishment”. “For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens, while the pillars of our society…

Unemployed doctors in the Eastern Cape yesterday gathered for a peaceful march from Dukumbana, Bhisho, to the Office of the Premier at Lilian Diedrecks House. The doctors, many of whom studied with taxpayer-funded bursaries are unable to serve the communities that invested in their education. Their demands were clear: ◆ Address the issue of unemployed doctors. ◆ Create sustainable employment opportunities in healthcare. ◆ Improve the quality of healthcare delivery in the province. According to the South African Medical Association (Sama), 450 doctors who have completed their community service are still unemployed. In the Eastern Cape alone, approximately 150 doctors have been left jobless, with some waiting more than a year for placement. The Eastern Cape Department of Health has attributed the lack of doctor placements to insufficient funds. A…

THE main corruption trial of former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula could kick off soon if her defence and the prosecution can find common ground on documents she has requested to prepare for her trial. Mapisa-Nqakula was back in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria yesterday where her legal team was due to make an application for further particulars which were contained in the case docket. The prosecution had previously opposed handing her all of the information her team had requested. But shortly before the proceedings started yesterday, both legal teams met Judge Papi Mosopa in chambers, where it was agreed that they would meet in the next three weeks to see whether they could find common ground on what would be supplied to her. Her team had received part A…

The case against a Johannesburg man who was recently arrested after he was found in possession of 10 million images of child pornography has been postponed to January 27 following his appearance before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The court matter against Darren Wilken was deferred to next Monday to allow the police to investigate money laundering charges after he was reportedly found with more than R560 000 at his home during a raid last Friday. State prosecutor Given Mbedzi requested the postponement, saying it was important to ascertain the origins of the money, which was alleged to be from the proceeds of the sale of child sexual abuse material. According to national SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, during the search-and-seizure operation, investigators confiscated several electronic devices…

The tragic events at the Stilfontein mine, where about 240 illegal miners were rescued and 78 bodies recovered, serve as a stark reminder of the urgent crisis facing our nation. The tragedy should also galvanise a collective response from mining companies and the government to tackle illegal mining and its devastating consequences. The loss of so many lives is a heartbreaking testament to the risks these miners undertake, often driven by desperation and a lack of opportunities. We must recognise that the majority of these illegal miners, often seen as outsiders, are human beings whose deaths deserve our attention and compassion. Regardless of their nationality, the tragedies that unfold in these abandoned mines are a reflection of our collective failure to address poverty, unemployment, and lack of effective regulation. Mining…

Experts and policymakers at the weekend urged global support for Ethiopia’s efforts in building a resilient and green economy as a sustainable solution to address the adverse effects of climate change. This came during the UN Development Program (UNDP) annual development conference held in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, as experts, policymakers, and representatives of UN agencies and development partners discussed Ethiopia’s efforts in building climate resilience and sustainable development. Addressing the gathering, UNDP Resident Representative in Ethiopia Samuel Doe said Ethiopia, though a negligible contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, has emerged as “an unmatched leader” in the global response to the existential threat posed by climate change and a strong advocate for Africa’s green journey. “As we stand in critical danger in history, we are acutely aware of…

CAIRO: The first humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza from Egypt at the weekend as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire started taking effect, Palestinian sources confirmed. The sources said that the first humanitarian aid entered the coastal enclave through the border crossing of Kerem Shalom in the southern of Gaza. Earlier in the day, the Egyptian state-run Nile TV showed footage of dozens of aid trucks crossing the Egyptian side of Rafah crossing to be inspected by Israeli authorities before crossing the Palestinian side to enter Gaza. Delegations arrived in Cairo at the weekend to monitor the implementation after the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. Based on the ceasefire agreement, about 600 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid would enter Gaza every day to ease the humanitarian crises in Gaza. | Xinhua…

Kane Williamson has urged his Durban’s Super Giants teammates to “keep playing with a bit of freedom and smarts” as they head into a crucial run of two home matches at Kingsmead. Last season’s runners-up have hit a wall over the last three matches, which has seen the Super Giants slide to the bottom of the table. For a team that possesses the quality that the Super Giants do boast, it certainly is not where they would have imagined themselves approaching the halfway stage of the tournament. It is often during these pressurised times that players and coaching staff freeze up in the bid to scrape together a win and not stay true to their natural expressive style of play. Williamson, though, is an experienced campaigner that has led New…

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages globally. It is cherished for its ability to boost mental alertness, enhance mood and provide that much-needed energy kick. Millions of people start their day with a steaming cup, believing it’s the key to waking up and getting through the morning. However, according to experts in metabolism and circadian rhythms, when you drink your coffee can significantly impact how effective it is. Surprisingly, the best time for your morning brew might not be as early as you think. Why you shouldn’t drink coffee first thing in the morning Studies suggest that this might not be the best habit for maximising coffee’s benefits. When we wake up, our body naturally releases cortisol, also known as the "stress hormone". While cortisol has a somewhat…

A TEACHER is a beacon in the darkness and a hope that gives learners courage and strength to lead their lives. Teaching is a noble profession, and teachers are the source of knowledge and wisdom. We witnessed three Covid-19 waves in 2021, undaunted. Our teachers rose to the challenge during a pandemic and educated our children. We must recognise that our teachers have given their hearts, minds and souls to nurture our children in the things that they see as vital to their education, critical to their success and important to their future. There is a saying that teachers are greater than parents. Parents give birth to a child whereas teachers mould the child’s personality and provide a brighter future. Now is the time to devote to teacher appreciation. Parents…

“My daughter got married 4 months ago. I have hardly heard from her since they came back from their honeymoon. We always communicated a lot and we have been very close all her life. She lived with me until her wedding day. I feel like I have to initiate most of the contact and it makes me sad. It feels like she is holding back. We live in the same area and I don’t want her to feel I am wanting to hear from her every day. I don’t. I just want to be part of her new happiness.” It may be easy to discount or ignore but I’d suggest it is possible that your daughter is accommodating to the culture shock that comes with all life’s major shifts. Even…

The proposed National State Enterprise (NSE) Bill, released for public comment on Friday, has drawn sharp criticism as it could potentially pave the way for “state capture 2.0”. Critics from the corporate, economic, labour and academic sectors argue that the bill is ambiguous in its objectives, could facilitate the sale of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and fails to improve the current state of affairs. Published in the Government Gazette, the bill aims to consolidate all SOEs into a single holding company under the newly established State Asset Management SOC (Samsoc), a state-owned limited company. The bill, open for public comment until February 14, lists 13 SOEs to be transferred as subsidiaries, including Eskom, Transnet and Denel. It also proposes that the government will remain the sole shareholder and allows for the…

A Johannesburg father is in a legal battle to keep his two children in the country after relatives of his late estranged wife sought to take them to Scotland. The court battle unfolded as the father, who struggled with a long-standing drug problem, was determined to prove his ability to provide a stable environment for his children despite his past challenges. The relationship between the man and his wife began to deteriorate in 2019 when he moved out of their shared home in Craighall, Johannesburg. It was stated that the primary cause of their marital breakdown was the father’s drug abuse, specifically the use of CAT. Due to his substance abuse, his behaviour reportedly became aggressive. She obtained a protection order barring him from the property. She began divorce proceedings…

HOPE has rarely felt so fragile or so inadequate in a headline-grabbing workplace sexual harassment case that exposes the degradation of the moral fibre of our nation and hopefully could mobilise us all to reinstate our moral compass. Last week, after more than 15 months of anticipation, a Judicial Conduct Tribunal headed by retired Gauteng Judge President Bernard Ngoepe began hearing testimony on a sexual harassment complaint by Andiswa Mengo, once a secretary in the Makhanda High Court, against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge. Mbenenge, the first senior judge in the country to risk impeachment for sexual misconduct, has denied that he harassed Mengo and has said their interactions were consensual. We think we know where this is going because we have seen it all around us many times…

Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners yesterday after Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages, completing the first exchange under a long-awaited truce aimed at ending more than 15 months of war in Gaza. The three hostages released at the weekend, all women, were reunited with their families and taken to hospital in central Israel where a doctor said they were in stable condition. As the ceasefire took effect at the weekend, thousands of displaced, war-weary Palestinians set off across the devastated Gaza Strip to return home. In the northern area of Jabalia, hundreds streamed down a sandy path, heading to an apocalyptic landscape piled with rubble and destroyed buildings. “We are finally in our home. There is no home left, just rubble, but it’s our home,” said Rana Mohsen, 43, back…

THE rapist and murderer of an Indian doctor was sentenced to life in prison yesterday for a gruesome crime that sparked nationwide protests and widespread hospital strikes last year. The family of the 31-year-old medic broke into tears saying they were “shocked” at the sentence and had hoped her murderer would be hanged, for a case that highlighted the chronic issue of violence against women in the world’s most populous country. But Judge Anirban Das said the case did not deserve the death penalty as it was not “the rarest of the rare cases”, and ordered that Sanjoy Roy must spend his life behind bars. The discovery of the trainee doctor’s bloodied body at a government hospital in the eastern city of Kolkata in August 2024 sparked outrage. The murder…

MOSCOW: Russia said yesterday a British man captured fighting on Ukraine’s side in the Kursk region faces charges of “terrorism” and acting as a “mercenary”, punishable by decades in prison. James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22, was captured in November while fighting with Ukrainian forces in Kursk, the western Russian border region where Kyiv began an incursion in August. Russia’s Investigative Committee said it had completed its inquiry and established Anderson “took direct part in the armed conflict on Russian territory for material reward”. He is charged with “committing a terrorist act” as part of an organised group causing “significant damage to property” and operating as a mercenary in an armed conflict. The first charge carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years, the second an additional 15 years.…

For once Kaizer Chiefs won and looked the part but were probably worth more than the lone goal they scored four minutes before the end of Sunday’s Premiership match against Sekhukhune United. The Ivory Coast-capped goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangaré made some outstanding saves – five in all – to deny Chiefs for most of the match, until the substitute Mfundo Vilakazi broke the deadlock. Chiefs managed a rare clean sheet and Sekhukhune’s coach Lehlohonolo Seema praised their hosts afterwards. This is one of the five takeaways from the weekend's domestic footy. 1 Chiefs, minus Nasreddine Nabi, win well and keep a clean sheet Chiefs coach Nabi is still serving a suspension and sat in the stands at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday. He did his talking before the match…

Aaliyah may be gone but her legacy lives on. The American singer continues to influence pop culture. Born on January 16, 1979, Aaliyah died in a plane crash on August 25, 2001. On her birthday, Mattel honoured the late singer by launching a range of Barbie dolls that look like her. The new Aaliyah Barbie honours the Try Again hitmaker’s iconic style, which included cropped tops, stylish low-rise leather pants and dark sunglasses. “One in a million. Today on Aaliyah’s birthday, Barbie honours the princess of R&B’s unmatched legacy as a once-in-a-generation talent. “A rising star who left an unforgettable mark on pop culture, the Aaliyah Barbie doll remembers her iconic style, keeping her influence alive across generations,” said the Mattel group. Aaliyah’s fans were so happy and many…

After first welcoming the draft legislation, Cosatu has now joined calls in opposition to the National State Enterprises Bill. The Bill in its current form is being driven by Minister Maropene Ramokgopa because the state can no longer afford wholesale funding of state-owned enterprises. As such, privatisation of state-owned enterprises is required, which is putting her at odds with her party allies. The intention of the Bill to alleviate the fiscal burden on the state, and aspects of the privatisation agenda, are in line with the DA position. But the Bill goes further to centralise control of South Africa’s diverse SOEs under one single company, which is not only unnecessary, expensive and cumbersome but also dangerously at risk of grand-scale corruption. The DA unequivocally rejects the creation of a mega-SOE…

I THINK it is time that editors and media platforms make people understand that 30% is not a matric pass mark. It is embarrassing to listen in to discussions when far away from home and expatriates trash our education system. In a nutshell, the 30% which people are chorusing about, “30% is not a pass mark; it has never been and will never be”, according to the Deputy Minister of Education Reginah Mhaule. If any candidate scored an aggregate of 30% in all subjects written, that candidate will not proceed to the next grade and will be regarded as failed. The NSC pass requirements for a Bachelor’s pass is that a candidate must obtain at least 40% in his or her home language (compulsory), at least 50% in four other…

FLYING saucers were seen over Scotland and parts of North England in recent days, according to Sky News. Really? What special interest do extraterrestrials have in Britain? The real interest surely should have been across the Atlantic where Donald Trump was about to take office as president for a second term. Yet there they were, flying saucers over Gateshead, Newcastle, Cumbria and Scotland. Panic down below? No, “flying saucer” is the slang name for a cloud formation scientifically named lenticular, a Latin term meaning lens-like. Flat, oval or round and often with a central turret formation, they have often been misidentified from the ground as “flying saucers”. Also called UFO clouds, the special formation got its nickname from the smooth, symmetrical oval or round shapes it produces, which many have…

The Pietermaritzburg High Court yesterday dismissed the application brought by Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s first wife, queen Ntokozo Mayisela, to interdict the king’s traditional wedding to his third wife-to-be, Nomzamo Myeni. Reacting to the court’s decision, cultural expert Dr Gugu Mazibuko called for the amendment of the Customary Marriage Act, especially the clauses that recognise a man and woman as a couple soon after lobola is conducted and gifts are exchanged. Dismissing the application, the court said there was no proof that what has been announced as the wedding ceremony to take place between King Misuzulu and Myeni at the weekend is in fact a wedding in terms of the law. The judge agreed with the king, who in his opposing affidavit denied that what he planned to do on…

The iconic Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) is set to return on April 25 and 26 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Widely celebrated as Africa’s grandest gathering, this year’s festival promises an even bigger and more exhilarating experience, featuring over 30 world-class artists and an exclusive world-first musical collaboration that will captivate music lovers across the globe. The festival coincides with Freedom Day on April 27, making it a “fitting celebration of the nation’s hard-fought freedom, which has opened South African music to the international stage and allowed the country to showcase its finest talent”. Festival organisers espAfrika said they aimed to deliver another unforgettable experience. “This year’s line-up reflects the diversity of the audience, ensuring something for everyone to enjoy. Since its inception in 2000, the…

Major General Patrick Asaneng, acting police commissioner in the North West, has called for heads to roll following the escape of an alleged illegal mining kingpin. James Neo Tshoaeli aka “Tiger” is believed to have escaped from police custody after resurfacing from shaft 11 at Stilfontein mine last week. According to police, Tshoaeli has been named as a ring leader who controlled operations underground. He also faces allegations of being responsible for some of the miners’ deaths as well as abuse, attacks on the illegal miners, and hoarding of food from the other men. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Tshoaeli, a Lesotho national, was not booked into any of the police stations, or admitted to a local hospital. Investigations were under way to find those officials who facilitated his…

A tragic accident which left five people dead and six injured in the Eastern Cape on Sunday has underscored the need for drivers to adhere to the rules of road. A 4-month old baby was among the five killed in the head-on crash between Nanaga and Makhanda on the N2. The festive season statistics released by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy yesterday were bleak with six provinces recording increases in fatalities. Announcing the preliminary 2024/2025 statistics, Creecy said 1 502 people had died in 1 234 crashes during the festive season. The number of fatalities represents a year-on-year increase of 5.3% compared to the 2023/24 festive season, with a 4.2% increase in the number of crashes. Creecy said this was regrettable, as it reversed the incremental strides made in recent years.…

Lest we forget our heroes and heroines of yesteryear, ANC leaders were spot on when they visited the graves of ANC stalwarts who had passed on to pay tribute to them in their role in the struggle for freedom and justice and to mark the 113th Anniversary on January 8 of Africa’s oldest continuous political party. President Cyril Ramaphosa made it a point to attend a commemoration ceremony to honour the late Dullah Omar at his grave at the Johnson Road Cemetery in Belgravia, which was also graced by Farida Omar, the widow of democratic South Africa’s first justice minister who was a staunch anti-apartheid activist in her own right. The ANC’s anniversary coincided with the 20th anniversary of Omar’s death in 2004. A prominent lawyer, he had served as…

Most Asian markets rose yesterday following a rally on Wall Street and a record-breaking day in Europe, with sentiment boosted by positive talks between Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping that soothed worries about the incoming US leader’s second term. A sense of caution has permeated trading floors ahead of the tycoon’s inauguration later in the day after he warned he would impose hefty tariffs on imports, fanning fears of another debilitating trade war between the economic superpowers. Pledges to slash taxes, regulations and immigration have also led to concerns that inflation could be reignited and force the Federal Reserve to hold off cutting interest rates further, with some observers even flagging possible hikes. Still, while dealers nervously eye the next four years, there was some relief after news…

PARIS: The US and Canada have lifted embargoes on certain French poultry imports imposed after Paris decided to vaccinate ducks against bird flu in October 2023, the French agriculture ministry said yesterday. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, is a viral disease that has ravaged poultry flocks worldwide in recent years, notably in France and the United States. France requires vaccination of ducks to try to limit the spread of the disease, making it the world’s first large exporter to launch a nationwide vaccination campaign against bird flu. Some countries are concerned that vaccinated birds pose a risk as they may not show signs of infection. “After negotiations, French authorities have succeeded in convincing the US and Canadian authorities of the safety of HPAI vaccination,” the…