Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-03-27 i Mercury

The latest household affordability index, released by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) on Wednesday, painted a grim picture for South African families facing escalating food costs. From February to March 2025, the cost of the essential household food basket increased marginally by R16.14, now totalling R5 329.36, a rise of 0.3%. Over the past year, the food basket's price has surged R51.43, or 1.0%, when compared to March 2024. Representatives from civil society on Wednesday sounding alarm bells as they report that rising living costs were pushing communities further into the grips of poverty and food insecurity. The PMBEJD points out that among the 44 items they track, 22 saw price increases this March, with core staples such as maize meal, rice, cake flour, white sugar, sugar…

South Africa has taken a pivotal step towards enhancing its environmental finance strategies with the recent release of a comprehensive technical report aimed at assessing the international interoperability and usability of the country’s Green Finance Taxonomy (SA GFT). This collaborative effort between the Climate Policy Initiative and GreenCape aims to enhance the South African Green Finance Taxonomy (SA GFT) by addressing its usability challenges and improving global alignment as the world turns to sustainable finance amid escalating climate concerns. In the first edition of the in 2022, SA GFT served as a framework defining the constitution of "green" investments, providing clarity and certainty for investors. Interoperability between sustainable finance taxonomies is essential to facilitate seamless cross-border flows ofclimate finance, helping countries mobilise the resources needed to achieve the net-zero targets…

BankservAfrica's recent Take-home Pay Index (BTPI) for February has provided a much-needed ray of hope for South Africans, indicating that real take-home pay has experienced a significant rise. The report, released on Wednesday, revealed an inflation-adjusted increase of 0.9% from January, bringing the average real take-home pay to R15 799. This figure marked a significant 10.7% increase compared to the same period last year, the most substantial rise recorded in three years. Shergeran Naidoo, head of stakeholder engagements at BankservAfrica, expressed positivity regarding this development. “Real take-home pay averaged at R14 292, up by 3.1% in 2024, representing the first increase since 2020. Should inflation remain well-contained, 2025 will likely be the second consecutive year of positive real take-home pay growth,” Naidoo said. The BTPI highlighted a notable slowdown in…

THE City of Johannesburg will consider the diplomatic implications of renaming Sandton Drive after Palestinian freedom fighter Leila Khaled as concerns mount over the process. This follows the collapse of relations between South Africa and the US after the election of Donald Trump as that country’s president late last year. Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero said yesterday that solidarity with global causes, such as support for Palestine, should not be used to undermine South Africa’s partnerships with other nations. “Johannesburg values its relationship with the US and recognises the need to address sensitivities that may impact bilateral ties. The city must prioritise healing diplomatic tensions and act in South Africa’s best interests,” Morero said. The motion to rename Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive dates back to 2018, and several attempts…

In a corner of his mother’s backyard, 30-year-old Thabang Moshoke runs a clipper through a client’s hair at a makeshift barbershop. A queue of men and boys wait their turn for a R60 trim from this self-taught barber, who defied South Africa’s massive unemployment rate to create his own job. Moshoke turned his schoolboy hobby of hairstyling into a career when he became among the 32% who are out of work – a rate that rises to 45% for the 15 – 34 age group. He lost his last job, as a petrol attendant, during the pandemic. “Covid-19 sparked the realisation that I could turn this whole thing into a career, and I’ve been moving forward ever since,” said Moshoke. Now he works six days a week, from 8am to…

KWAZULU-NATAL Finance MEC Francois Rodgers told business representatives that he would rather be unpopular than succumb to government departments’ requests for additional funding, which ends up being spent unnecessarily “on nice to haves”. The DA provincial leader addressed captains of industry at Sanlam’s post-budget meeting in Durban yesterday. He presented his R158 billion provincial budget speech in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday. EThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba also attended the event. “Can we get a cartoonist to do a character of me with a big rubber stamp that says ‘no’, because that is mainly my response to any request for additional funding unless it is followed by due process? “That does not go down well, but I must also say that I have been told that any finance MEC who is popular is…

The Dolphins travel to Gauteng for their next match against the log-leading Lions in the CSA 4-Day Series, in a top-of-the-table clash, hoping to continue their recent run of form when matchday six resumes on Thursday. The Durban-based outfit will aim to carry over their winning momentum after recently beating the North West Dragons at the Wanderers, knowing that victory could propel them towards the championship, while defeat could hand their hosts the title instead. Thursday’s matches will be the penultimate round before the final, and the Lions hold a commanding 17-point lead. They also remain unbeaten this season, with three wins and two draws so far. The Dolphins, meanwhile, have lost just one game – against Western Province last year – and have since won two and drawn two…

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance in their 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Benin on Tuesday in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The victory significantly strengthens South Africa’s position in the race for qualification to next year’s global tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada. Broos was full of praise for his players, acknowledging their tactical discipline and focused approach throughout the match. The Belgium-born coach has worked tirelessly to blend experience with youth over the years, creating a squad capable of competing at the highest level. One of the most notable aspects of Bafana’s progress under Broos, has been the team’s growing confidence. Broos has instilled a sense of belief in his players, which is reflected in their performances. “We are not…

Novak Djokovic cruised into the quarter-finals of the Miami Open on Tuesday night with a 6-2 6-2 win over Italian Lorenzo Musetti in one hour 22 minutes. Musetti, the 15th seed from Tuscany, got off to a flying start to take a 2-0 lead in the first set, but then proceeded to lose the next nine games as the Serb, looking confident and sharp, ran away with the game. Djokovic has won the Miami Open on six occasions, but has not featured in the quarters since his last victory here in 2016. The 37-year-old is now just three wins away from winning his 100th tour-level title. “He had a really good start of the match. First couple games I started a little bit slow, and then I knew that if…

Mornay Smith last played for the Bulls on January 10 before last weekend’s clash against Leinster. The 27-year-old tighthead prop hasn’t had much game-time since the arrival of Wilco Louw in Pretoria, who has been a powerhouse in the scrums for Jake White’s team. But Smith – who has been a regular starter in the No 3 jersey for a number of seasons – finally got his chance last Saturday, and came up with the big play that helped his team clinch a last-gasp victory. Lining up for a final scrum where the Bulls needed to secure a penalty in for a match-winning goal-kick, Smith and his fellow front-rowers Akker van der Merwe and Jan-Hendrik Wessels shoved Leinster off their feed to earn the referee’s decision. Centre David Kriel then…

Labat says the transaction represents a “significant development that will further enhance growth trajectory” Labat Africa Group, which previously focused on cannabis sector investments, is now pivoting to technology, and it has entered into a R2.5 billion royalty distribution agreement with Ubits Technology Solutions. The management team at Labat said on Wednesday that the transaction represents a “significant development that will further enhance Labat's growth trajectory in the technology and AI sectors.” On March 4 this year, Labat successfully completed the acquisitions of 75.55% of Classic International and 51% of Anahmu Investments. These acquisitions aim to strengthen Labat's position in the rapidly evolving technology sector, particularly within AI and innovations. “In line with the new journey of Labat, we are excited to announce that Labat has entered into a landmark…

Despite a decline in the number of international tourists visiting South Africa in February, recent statistics reveal an encouraging trend in the tourism industry's recovery. Month-on-month the rate of growth in travelers, between January and February fell, which is not surprising given that February falls outside peak season. Yet, the year-on-year growth numbers were solid. Statistics South Africa’s most recent figures show that, when measured in current prices, income for the tourist accommodation industry increased by 12.1% in January 2025 compared with January 2024. This, it said, was due to a 4.5% increase in the number of nights each person stayed, and an 11.7% increase in the average income per stay unit night sold. Hotels saw the biggest increase, the print showed. In addition, accommodation income also increased in the…

One of the biggest hurdles for any entrepreneur is securing the right type of funding to turn their ideas into reality or to grow their business. With so many financing options available these days, it can be overwhelming to determine the best fit. The truth is that no single funding option is inherently better than another as each comes with its own benefits, trade-offs and considerations. So, how do you know which one is right for you and your business? Here’s a breakdown of five of the most common business funding options and what they offer. Traditional bank loans Banks have historically been the go-to source of financing for anything, including businesses. A traditional bank loan typically requires collateral, a solid credit history, and a detailed business plan. For business…

MTN Group and Airtel Africa have entered into agreements to share network infrastructure in Uganda and Nigeria as they further extend digital and financial inclusion, and they are considering opportunities in other countries on the continent. The sharing agreements target improved network cost efficiencies, expanded coverage and the provision of enhanced mobile services to millions of customers, particularly those in remote and rural areas who do not yet fully enjoy the benefits of a modern connected life. “We continue to see strong structural demand for digital and financial services across our markets. To meet this demand, we invest in coverage and capacity to ensure high-quality connectivity for our customers,” said MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita. “That said, there are opportunities within regulatory frameworks for sharing resources to drive…

Sibanye-Stillwater’s Keliber lithium project in Finland and GalliCam project in France have been named among the European Commission’s first list of 47 Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), a landmark move to secure and diversify the European Union’s (EU) access to essential raw materials. Announced on Wednesday, the list highlights the South African mining group’s pivotal role in bolstering Europe’s green and digital transitions, targeting materials vital for batteries, renewable energy, and defence technologies. The CRMA, effective since May 23, 2024, aims to ensure that by 2030, EU extraction, processing, and recycling of strategic raw materials meet 10%, 40%, and 25% of annual demand, respectively. Spanning 13 EU member states, the 47 projects cover extraction, processing, recycling, and substitution, addressing 14 of the 17 strategic raw materials…

Finland, for the 8th year in a row, remains the happiest country in the world, while Afghanistan remains the unhappiest country, according to the World Happiness Report 2025. The World Happiness Report (WHR) emphasises the importance of social connections and kindness in driving happiness. Africa’s ubuntu philosophy, which highlights communal well-being and interconnectedness, offers invaluable lessons to Western societies grappling with rising loneliness and political polarisation. The University of Johannesburg (UJ) became the first African institution to host the launch of the WHR on World Happiness Day last week. The event marked the WHR’s 13th edition. The findings are powered by Gallup World Poll data and other sources, including the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll, and analysed by experts in well-being science. Gallup CEO Jon Clifton said: “Happiness isn’t…

A global crackdown on SIM box fraud, led by Interpol, has resulted in more than 40 arrests in South Africa and the seizure of over 1 000 criminally-linked SIM cards. Operation Red Card was part of Interpol’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime and brought together law enforcers from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo and Zambia from November 2024 to February. According to Interpol, the cases uncovered during the operation involved over 5 000 victims. More than 300 people suspected of links to cybercrimes such as mobile banking, investment and messaging app scams were arrested and 1 842 devices seized. In South Africa 53 desktops and towers linked to a sophisticated SIM box fraud scheme were also seized. Interpol said this set-up, which reroutes international calls as local…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has refused to entertain questions surrounding Teboho Mokoena’s yellow-card controversy, which continues to stir up debate in South Africa’s Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign. On Tuesday night, South Africa’s 2-0 win over Benin at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Ivory Coast marked another crucial step toward qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The victory saw Bafana maintain their lead at the top of Group C with 13 points, five clear of second-placed Rwanda, who are tied on eight points with Benin. However, it wasn’t just the result that had tongues wagging. Mokoena, who was expected to feature, was notably absent from the match-day squad, amid reports about a potential yellow-card scandal. The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder was booked…

TOMORROW twelve enthusiastic young Port Natal bowlers, and their managers, will head off on a road trip to Bloemfontein to compete in the Bowls South Africa Junior Nationals Championship. Keegan Bauristhene (skip), Jarred Bauristhene, Travis Finestone and Nathan Short, all with experience in national competitions, will vie for the Under 25 title and Troy McDowell (A side skip), Tye Smit, Zanele Bock, Zazi Mkhungo, Slayde Human (B side skip), Thandi Bock, Taylor Laden and Wimpie Nel will do battle in a effort to bring home the Under 18 title. For the eight Under 18 bowlers, this marks their first experience at a national tournament. The district wishes them success, confident that their hours of dedicated practice—honing consistency, communication and teamwork—will serve them well. Troy McDowel looks forward to the…

Steel industry experts on Wednesday expressed scepticism about the deadlines set for the steel tariff review recently launched by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (Dtic), citing its vast scope and the far-reaching implications of its proposals. On March 19, Itac published a notice in the Government Gazette (notice no. 3061 of 2025) informing stakeholders of its intention to initiate the process of reviewing the steel tariff structure. These include breaching the bound rate, introducing control pricing, imposing export duties, and invoking Article 19 of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on tariffs and trade. They warn that such measures would drive up tariffs and prices, potentially leading to the collapse of numerous businesses within the sector. Concerns by the sector are that the current review, covering four chapters…

Global renewable power capacity surged by a record 585 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, accounting for 92.5% of total power expansion, but the growth still lags behind the pace needed to triple capacity by 2030, the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) said on Wednesday. The annual increase, detailed in Irena’s Renewable Capacity Statistics 2025, brought total renewable capacity to 4 448 GW, marking a 15.1% growth rate - the highest since 2000. Solar and wind energy led the charge, comprising 96.6% of net renewable additions, with solar capacity rising 32.2% to 1 865 GW. Despite this milestone, the agency warned that an annual growth rate of 16.6% is now required to meet the 11.2-terawatt target set at COP28 for 2030. Irena director-general Francesco La Camera hailed the progress but underscored persistent…

Africa’s economic growth is too slow for its population boom. With GDP growing at just 3.5% annually while the population expands by 2.5%, the continent is barely inching forward at 1% per capita growth each year. At this rate, it would take 140 years to reach India’s projected 2025 GDP per capita of $11 000 (R200 765.29), 200 years to match China, and 300 years to reach Germany’s standard of living. Something isn’t working. This is not about talent - we have plenty. It’s not about ambition for Africa is home to some of the most innovative entrepreneurs in the world. The real issue is that we keep making the same trillion-dollar mistake. We treat startups like traditional businesses and by doing so, we are holding back the very companies…

Metair Investments CEO, Paul O'Flaherty, said on Wednesday that he expected the company’s newly acquired unit Autozone to contribute 5% to 6% in operating margin and help the firm with its expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa. The acquisition of Autozone was among the landmarks for Metair during the full-year to the end of December 2024. Other major highlights for the period included the disposal of Mutlu, with O’Flaherty also extending his tenure by two years. The integration of Autozone is seen as pivotal as Metair explores its growth potential in the after-sales auto market of Sub-Saharan Africa. “Ultimately we want to see how we will position Autozone in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are looking at East Africa downwards and we are looking to do partnerships and joint ventures,” O’Flaherty told Business Report…

Ice bath therapy, also known as cold water immersion (CWI), has gained popularity among athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and even those seeking general wellness benefits. While some swear by its ability to reduce muscle soreness and enhance recovery, others argue that the potential risks and drawbacks outweigh the benefits. Pros of ice bath therapy Reduces muscle soreness and inflammation One of the main reasons people use ice baths is to relieve muscle soreness and inflammation. Cold water helps constrict blood vessels, reducing swelling and flushing out metabolic waste, which can speed up recovery after intense exercise. Speeds up recovery Athletes often use ice baths to recover more quickly after strenuous workouts or competitions. The cold exposure reduces muscle fatigue, allowing them to return to training sooner and at a higher intensity.…

CHILD rights advocates have welcomed the new Marriage Bill that aims to ban marriages of under 18s. Childline KZN Director Adeshini Naicker said the Bill will help ensure that children are not subjected to forced marriages. “This is a critical step in protecting children from the harmful effects of early marriage,” Naicker said. Members of the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee visited KwaZulu-Natal in the past few weeks to engage in public hearings about the Bill. The hearings were held in eThekwini and Zululand, among other areas. “We believe the Bill could be strengthened by including comprehensive education programmes on children’s rights and the dangers of child marriage, along with expanded child protection services for at-risk children,” Naicker said “To ensure the Bill’s effectiveness, Childline KZN calls for robust enforcement mechanisms,…

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso faces a selection challenge ahead of Friday’s Nedbank Cup quarter-final against Sekhukhune United (7pm kick-off). The conundrum arises as he awaits the return of the club’s Bafana Bafana players, who were in action during the recent 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers. South Africa played Benin on Tuesday in Ivory Coast, just three days before Sundowns’ cup clash with Sekhukhune. The timing of the fixture is particularly tight as it had to be rescheduled due to a double booking at Lucas Moripe Stadium earlier this month. To add further complexity, the game will take place just four days before Sundowns’ CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg against Esperance next Tuesday. The national team touched down on Wednesday, giving Sundowns’ players a brief opportunity to rest…

In the pre-Hugo Broos-era, the idea of back-to-back wins, especially in World Cup qualifiers, was a non-existent topic. Hence, Bafana Bafana last qualified for the global showpiece in 2002 – forget the 2010 qualification by default. For Broos to achieve this rare feat in the recent qualifiers against Southern African neighbours Lesotho and West Africans Benin, he was always going to require some bold individual performances. So, we rate the combined run-on XI, which gives us 14 players. The number 14 comes from the fact that Broos made only three changes in the run-on XI against Benin from the starters who faced Lesotho in Polokwane. Thapelo Morena, Bathusi Aubaas, and Thalente Mbatha replaced Elias Mokwana, Jayden Adams, and Teboho Mokoena. Ronwen Williams | 6 out of 10 Two clean sheets…

I was sick to my stomach this week, almost to the point of gagging. And that’s not because I am currently observing the Muslim holy month of Ramadaan, where I’m required to stay without food and drink from sunrise to sunset. No, it was instead due to the embarrassing situation related to Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena’s yellow-card controversy that could see the national football team be docked three valuable Fifa World Cup qualifying points. For the uninformed, Bafana fielded Mokoena in last Friday evening’s 2-0 victory over Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, despite the Mamelodi Sundowns star having picked up a yellow card in the previous World Cup qualifiers against Benin (MD1) and a second in the following match against Zimbabwe (MD4). Fifa’s regulations clearly indicate…