Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-02-19 i Mercury

Sex is one of the most natural aspects of human life, yet many people still feel too embarrassed to discuss it openly. Instead of asking their doctors or partners, thousands turn to Google every month to find answers to their most intimate questions. But what exactly are people asking? A recent study in the US analysed the most-searched sex-related questions, revealing a fascinating (and sometimes concerning) insight into what people are curious about but too shy to ask in person. While the research focused on American searches, the reality is that South Africans are likely asking the same questions. From concerns about sexual health to confusion about intimacy, these topics are just as relevant here at home. Questions like “How to have sex,” “Why am I bleeding after sex?”…

Eggs have long been a staple in many kitchens, celebrated for their versatility and nutritional benefits. However, an increasing number of people are reporting a sudden aversion to this beloved food, commonly referred to as the “egg ick”. In the aftermath of social media posts, people realised they weren't the only ones getting grossed out by the taste and smell of cooked eggs. In true TikTok fashion, people are now filming themselves making eggs, getting the ick and suddenly going off their meal halfway through. This phenomenon is not just a quirky trend; it’s a complex interplay of biology, psychology, and perhaps even our changing tastes. Understanding the ‘ick’ The concept of getting the “ick” from a food item, such as eggs, can be deeply rooted in our biology. Disgust…

Dr Duncan Du Bois presents Trumpism as a form of moral leadership, but this perspective is both misleading and disconnected from the realities of global politics today. His argument lacks factual substance and instead relies on ideological rhetoric and speculation. The claim that the US is withdrawing HIV/Aids-related funding from South Africa due to concerns about democracy and human rights is simply untrue. The real motivation behind this decision is a politically charged narrative pushed by far-right elements in both South Africa and the US – one that falsely accuses South Africa of land confiscation and discrimination. This narrative misrepresents reality and reflects an outdated, colonial mindset that refuses to acknowledge South Africa’s sovereign right to redress historical injustices. Dr Du Bois’s hostility towards the ANC and South Africa’s strategic…

As exemplified in the US by the Democrats, the significance of those who loudly claim democracy is being threatened are the ones who have the most to lose by the exposure of their agendas and their actions. ANC councillor Nkosenhle Madlala’s claim that Afriforum poses a threat to democracy is a case in point (The Mercury, February 18). Criticism of minorities in South Africa needs to be factored in terms of the following reality (which came out of my pen some years ago): “The welfare of the majority depends on the security of the minorities.” The welfare plight of Zimbabweans is a direct result of politics that ignored that reality. So there is nothing wrong with Afriforum prioritising the interests of white people, a corollary of which benefits black people.…

A 47-year-old former police constable was in the dock this week for “unethical behaviour”. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), said Eric Ellias Sibanyoni, who was attached to the Middelburg Flying Squad, sacrificed his job by accepting bribes from motorists on the N4 highway near Wonderfontein in Mpumalanga. Provincial Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said Sibanyoni’s unethical activities were brought to light by a tourist who was victimised in 2019. An investigation by the Hawks, Crime Intelligence and the Road Traffic Management Corporation led to the arrest of the suspect four months after the complaint was registered with the authorities, said Nkosi. During the investigation Sibanyoni was observed receiving a R100 gratification for looking the other way and not fulfilling his duty. Nkosi said Sibanyoni was dismissed…

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), Africa’s grandest gathering of jazz and world-class musical talent, has announced the first artist in its 2025 line-up: the internationally acclaimed DJ and producer Black Coffee, who will collaborate with award-winning jazz pianist Nduduzo Makhathini in a performance set to redefine musical boundaries. This collaboration, featuring a full orchestra, horns, percussion and an array of special guest vocalists, is set to be one of the most unforgettable moments in the festival’s history. This was the first of several announcements set to be made this week. The full line-up will be unveiled in April. Black Coffee, a global trailblazer in electronic and house music, and Makhathini, a jazz visionary and spiritual music interpreter, share a musical lineage rooted in jazz studies from the then…

A student protest at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) campuses on Monday led to a suspension of in-person lectures yesterday. In videos taken at campuses including Ritson and ML Sultan, students are seen running away and some flocking to the exits as a result of the protest action on Monday. The university confirmed that a group of protesters, many of whom were unregistered students, disrupted activities on some of the university’s campuses in Durban on Monday. Following the violent protest action, the Executive Management Committee (EMC) and the Senate Executive Committee (Senex) convened an urgent meeting and resolved to temporarily suspend in-person lectures yesterday. “From Wednesday (today), all lectures will continue online until further notice. This measure applies to all seven DUT campuses,” the university said. “It is important…

The upcoming G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting serves as a critical diplomatic stage where global leaders will engage in discussions on pressing geopolitical and economic challenges. As an influential member of the G20, China’s participation will be closely watched, particularly in the context of its growing role in shaping international policies. Under the leadership of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, China is expected to reaffirm its commitment to multilateralism, economic stability, and equitable global governance. China’s approach to the G20 has always been rooted in the principle of co-operation and shared growth. With global economies facing inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, and financial instability, Beijing will likely emphasise the need for co-ordinated fiscal policies and open trade frameworks. China has long advocated for economic resilience through mutual co-operation, urging countries to resist…

German politicians make a lot of laws and regulations but on the campaign trail many rage against the country’s notorious bureaucracy, labelling it a monster that needs to be slayed. Whatever else divides them, almost all candidates in the February 23 vote agree with the popular idea that Europe’s biggest economy needs to slash back its thicket of rules, often labelled a “jungle of paragraphs”. Some want to take a chainsaw to it all, inspired by Argentina’s neoliberal President Javier Milei, even if their true intent at times may be to weaken troublesome labour or environmental standards. Conservative poll front-runner Friedrich Merz – who once famously argued a tax return should fit onto a beer coaster – has vowed to go to war against the “bureaucracy monster”. Merz and others…

DAKAR: Around 20 people were killed in northern Mali this week when the vehicles they were travelling in came under attack, with local sources saying that Wagner mercenaries and Mali’s army were responsible. Mali’s military said there had been a “series of clashes” with “armed terrorist groups” in the area. A relative of the driver of one of the vehicles said that the group was bound for Algeria when the deadly attack occurred. “The driver of the first vehicle is my cousin,” they said on the condition of anonymity. “They encountered a group of Wagner mercenaries and some Malian soldiers who shot at them. In the first car, everyone died. My cousin too,” they said, specifying that the passengers included migrants and nomads. Mali’s army said that “seven terrorists” had…

THE HAGUE: An 18-year-old Dutch man who entered the Dutch parliament building last week armed with a knife is suspected of preparing a murder with a terrorist motive, according to the Dutch public prosecutor. The suspect, whose target remains unknown, was arrested by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, the country’s military police, in the building’s lobby last week, the prosecutor’s office confirmed in a statement this week following the completion of an initial investigation. The incident occurred when the intruder scaled the access gates, triggering an immediate response from security forces. As a result, the building housing the Dutch House of Representatives was temporarily placed on lockdown. | Xinhua…

Whether you’re an aspiring chef or simply trying to manage household odours, lingering smells in the kitchen can quickly become an unwelcome distraction. From the scent of last night’s dinner to the sour smell of burnt toast, a fresh-smelling kitchen is essential not just for pleasant cooking experiences but also for a welcoming home environment. Fortunately, common ingredients found in your pantry can work wonders in neutralising unpleasant odours. Baking soda Baking soda is legendary for its ability to absorb and neutralise odours. Simply placing an open box in the fridge or on a kitchen counter can significantly reduce unwanted smells. For more potent results, scatter a thin layer at the bottom of your trash bin or mix it with a little water to create a paste. Apply this paste…

“There’s just no communication!” around here. Many times I’ve heard multiple versions of, “the problem in this relationship (family, business, school, church, charity, hospital, whatever) is there is just no communication”. This is usually the mantra of those “outside” of decision-making processes. It is especially repeated when those on the “outside” are either supposed be on the inside, according to their roles, or who think, correctly or incorrectly, they ought to be. There is NEVER “no communication”. Individuals, groups and leadership teams are constantly communicating. The breakdown is the failure to hear, “read”, discern, or believe what is being communicated. It takes a mix of courage, honesty and risk to discern what is being communicated in a “living system” by those who claim there is “no communication”. The “no communication”…

We are facing a deadly outbreak of hand, mouth and foot disease, which is spreading rapidly and putting our children, especially those in schools and creches, at severe risk. This highly contagious disease affects young children whose immune systems are not fully developed, making them especially vulnerable to complications that could impact their health for years to come. The disease spreads fast in places like schools and childcare facilities, where children are in close contact. Painful sores, fever and blisters on the mouth and feet are just the beginning – if not properly managed, it can lead to serious dehydration and other health issues. We cannot afford to ignore this. It has been reported that cases have risen to 117 in KZN. The IFP in the KZN Legislature believes that…

TEACHERS and parents are calling for clearer guidelines from the Departments of Health and Education on how to curb the spread of the Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal, as cases continue to surge. On Monday, the number of confirmed infections rose from 168 to 195, with all 27 new cases recorded in the eThekwini district. While the Department of Health has urged schools to strengthen hygiene practices, teacher unions and parent bodies said more structured intervention is needed. South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) provincial secretary Nomarashiya Caluza said teachers are growing increasingly anxious as they are unsure how to manage the outbreak. “Teachers are concerned about the outbreak, and some have been calling us because they have no idea how to handle the situation. Our…

A 36-year-old Free State woman who left her two children unattended while she went drinking at a tavern has been sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for five years, after being found guilty of child neglect. The ruling, handed down by the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court last week, follows a disturbing incident in which she abandoned her two children, aged four and one, alone in a house so she could go to a tavern. Police spokesperson Constable Maselela Langa said the case came to light on August 7 last year when an anonymous caller tipped off a concerned community member about the children being left unattended. Upon arriving at the house, the complainant found the toddlers alone. “Efforts by the community to locate the mother yielded no success,” said Langa. The…

Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta has said it will lay an undersea cable stretching across five continents to carry data, including for developing artificial intelligence. The cable will run for more than 50 000km between the US, South Africa, India, Brazil and “other regions”, Meta wrote in a blog. Global digital communication relies on a vast network of undersea conduits, with roughly 1.2 million km of cable already installed, according to a 2024 report by the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Digital giants like Meta have recently muscled in to the world of subsea cables, long dominated by specialist companies like America’s SubCom, France’s ASN, Japan’s NEC and China’s HMN. Intercontinental data flows underpin swathes of global economic activity, but suffer regular accidental damage from incidents like…

A report tabled by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health on stock levels of medication shows that the medication available at different healthcare facilities is in line with the department’s supply norms. The report indicates that supply levels at healthcare facilities are around 80%, the level at which the facilities must start ordering. The department revealed that the normal procedure is that when the stock reaches 80%, the management of the facilities must start ordering to ensure that when the stock reaches 60%, new stock has begun arriving, and the stock is not allowed to drop below 50%. Department officials met with the members of the Health Portfolio Committee in the KZN Legislature yesterday for the second time in as many weeks following concerns that some facilities have run out of…

“IT WILL be a death sentence. Patients will be without quality care as clinics will close, and doctors, nurses and health care personnel will be stopped from working.” Finance Minister Enoch Godwangwana should keep these words by Stellenbosch University Health Professor Emeritus, Usuf Chikte, in mind when he delivers his Budget speech today. Otherwise, the Budget will fall far short if it fails to spell out the finer details of where South Africa will get the money to fill the gap that will be left by the cutting of US aid to HIV & Aids-related programmes. The urgency with which the government must act to prevent a possible health crisis, as warned by Chikte and his colleagues, cannot be overstated. South Africa has made commendable strides in the fight against…

US and Russian officials were set to meet yesterday in Riyadh for what are expected to be the most significant talks to date between the two former Cold War foes on ending Moscow’s war in Ukraine. The two sides are expected to discuss ways to end the conflict in Ukraine and restore American-Russian relations. The conversation could pave the way for a summit between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as the two sides discuss restoring the entire complex of Russian-American relations. The head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund yesterday described Trump as a problem solver ahead of the talks in Saudi Arabia. “We really see that President Trump and his team is a team of problem solvers, people who have already addressed a number of…

The EU’s competition chief says US President Donald Trump has upended the “trustful relationship” between the US and Europe, and that Brussels should focus on providing the predictability and stability that is lacking in Washington. Teresa Ribera, the second most powerful official at the European Commission after President Ursula von der Leyen, said that while Europe needs to negotiate with the White House and hear its concerns on trade, it should not be pushed into making changes to laws that have been approved by lawmakers. Trump and other members of his government have criticised the EU for having too many rules and characterised fines imposed on US tech companies by the EU as a form of “taxation”. “If there is a problem, a point of concern, please explain that. It…

GENEVA: China has called for a debate at the World Trade Organization on “trade turbulence” and how the global trade watchdog should respond in an apparent reference to tariffs launched or threatened by the US. US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports, prompting Beijing to respond with retaliatory tariffs and to file a WTO dispute against Washington in what could be an early test of Trump’s stance towards the institution. The WTO discussion, set to take place yesterday or early today, will be the first time that mounting trade tensions will be formally addressed on the agenda of the watchdog’s top decision-making body, the General Council. An official at China’s mission to the WTO said the ambassador was set to make a statement voicing…

Aveng, the group with infrastructure and engineering operations in Australasia and a mining contracting unit in South Africa, is happy with the progress it has made to split into two separate companies, but no decision has been made whether to eventually keep its JSE listing, CEO Scott Cummins said. The group on Tuesday reported a loss caused principally by two key projects, but the rest of the group and its construction and engineering portfolio performed “admirably and in line with expectations,” Cummins said Tuesday in an interview. Preparatory work, including legal, tax, statutory, and financial due diligence for the separation, has proceeded in accordance with plans. A range of implementation options for the separation are being assessed to deliver shareholder value and will be pursued in the coming 12 months,…

What a wonderful game of rugby this was last weekend – Sharks versus Bulls – the outcome of 29-19 to ourselves was totally unexpected due to the unavailability of key players because of injuries or commitments to Springbok call-ups. Rugby was traditionally a winter sport. In this professional era, it’s punishingly year-round. Hence the injuries and, no doubt, a degree of mental exhaustion. Can the human body cope with this? Does it not deserve a re-look by the rugby authorities? But back to Saturday’s game. Here was heroism. With three players in the sin bin at the same time, all seemed lost. Yet we held on and fought back splendidly. This was an epic. The damsels of the Pub With No Name were ecstatic as they supplied knicker elastic for…

The DA is calling for an immediate and thorough investigation into the recent purchase of a multimillion-rand commercial property by the Crime Intelligence Division of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Berea, Durban. This purchase, approved by high-ranking officials within Crime Intelligence, raises serious concerns due to the vast amount of taxpayers’ money involved, especially as it follows a previous, highly questionable property acquisition in Pretoria, to the tune of R22.7 million – a matter that the Inspector-General of Intelligence confirmed is now being investigated. What makes this new revelation even more disturbing is that Crime Intelligence appears to have spent R22.8 m on a property that was originally listed for R9.5 m – a staggering mark-up of over R13 m. This raises serious concerns over potential corruption, mismanagement…

The City of uMhlathuze has taken a tough stance on air pollution in Richards Bay by resorting to opening criminal charges against offenders. The City presented a report on its air quality monitoring programme to the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Conservation and Environmental Affairs Portfolio Committee on Friday. The City noted that there were challenges with air quality in the port of Richards Bay. The root cause was dry cargo, including coal, sulphur, gypsum and alumina, destined for the port. The handling and transport of these cargoes is contributing to the dust. The report stated that no improvements were made by those fingered for pollution, resulting in a criminal case being registered at Richards Bay SAPS. However, the report stated that the criminal investigation was put on hold, and from March to…

Former president Thabo Mbeki’s grave accusations against Jacob Zuma, his successor, have caused a great deal of controversy. According to Mbeki, Zuma might have worked as an informant or spy for the apartheid regime while he was in Robben Island prison. Reported in the Sunday World over the weekend, the claims emerged during a recently held ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting where Mbeki questioned Zuma’s incarceration on Robben Island. Mbeki’s latest remarks add another level of complexity to the already complicated relationship between the two former leaders of the ANC. His remarks raised the possibility that Zuma worked with the apartheid government against his comrades. Given Mbeki and Zuma’s long-standing animosity, these comments have sparked intense discussion in ANC circles. The origin of this animosity dates back to 2005…

The Department of Employment and Labour has slapped 68 employers with fines amounting to R680 000 for hiring illegal foreign nationals without valid work permits in contravention of immigration laws. In a parliamentary reply, Minister Nomakhosazana Meth said her department conducted blitz inspections in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and the police. Meth said her department’s mandate was to enforce the implementation of labour laws to ensure the protection of workers, while the Department of Home Affairs scrutinised the validity of visas and work permits through the application of immigration laws. Meth said during the countrywide blitz, 68 employers and 322 foreign nationals were found on the wrong side of the law. “With respect to the 68 employers arrested, each employer paid an admission of guilt fine to…

Former Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo and former ANC head of policy Jeff Radebe have been roped in to head Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal’s ANC renewal projects respectively. This was according to sources within the ANC, who spoke to Independent Media anonymously ahead of an important meeting with party secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and the leadership of the provinces. Mbalula’s meeting with the two provinces was scheduled to take place in Johannesburg yesterday afternoon where he was expected to inform them about the make-up of the reconfigured provincial structures. Last month, the party’s national executive committee had reached a conclusion that because of their dismal performances during the general elections last year, the two provinces needed a political shake-up. In KwaZulu-Natal, Radebe was expected to be paired with the party’s former deputy provincial…

What was heralded as a year of solidarity, equality and sustainability for South Africa, the continent and the world, 2025 is turning out to be a nightmare of disruptive disdain for the rule of law, diplomatic niceties, global economic stability, trade and tariffs, net zero and climate action ambitions, the future of the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the hapless residents of Gaza, and global security. It’s bad enough dealing with the tectonic tantrums of a playground bully masquerading as the “leader of the free world” – the very apostle of the current global geopolitical and socio-economic uncertainties. But when that bully, who claimed he was “Saved by God” to carry out his mission as the 47th President of the United States, threatens our Rainbow Nation through withholding funds and a…

Electric vehicle maker Tesla has begun hiring in India, with the company of tycoon Elon Musk issuing advertisements days after US President Donald Trump’s right-hand man met with India’s premier. Tesla has more than a dozen job listings on its website, for both the capital, New Delhi, and economic hub Mumbai, including for a store manager and service technicians. The job listings were posted on the employment website LinkedIn on Monday. Tesla’s India push comes after Musk met one-on-one with Prime Minister Narenda Modi in Washington, raising questions over whether the world’s richest man was meeting the Indian leader in an official or business capacity. Musk has been seeking business opportunities in the world’s most populous nation, with media reports last year suggesting it was scouting for factory and showroom…

India needs to allow the export of 100% broken rice after inventories of the grain reached a record high at the start of February, nearly nine times the government’s target, exporters said. Exports of 100% broken rice could help reduce stocks in the world’s biggest exporter and enable poor African countries to secure the grain at lower prices. “The government has way more rice than needed, so there’s no issue with supply,” said BV Krishna Rao, president of the Rice Exporters’ Association. | AFP…

KINSHASA: Boat traffic returned to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Lake Kivu yesterday as ports re-opened in two cities which have fallen to M23 rebels, a development the UN said could facilitate access to humanitarian aid after weeks of fighting and looting. The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group is trying to show it can administer the cities of Goma and Bukavu as government and UN officials warn of a looming humanitarian catastrophe including potential outbreaks of cholera and other diseases. The World Food Programme said looters stole some 7 000 metric tons of food supplies as the Congolese military withdrew from Bukavu and rebels entered the city at the weekend. A passenger boat from Bukavu to Goma left yesterday, operator Lweni Ndale said, adding it was the first he had sent…