Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-05-15 i Mercury

Stocks on the JSE defy local employment figures and rally to a fresh record high Stocks on the JSE defied disheartening local employment figures and rallied to a fresh record high on Wednesday, surging past the 93 000-points mark as the easing tensions between the US and China also buoyed global markets. The world’s two largest economies have agreed to cut the hefty import tariffs on each other's goods for 90 days whilst negotiations for a permanent deal are underway. The US will lower those tariffs from 145% to 30%, while China's retaliatory tariffs on US goods will drop to 10% from 125%. US President Donald Trump said weekend talks had resulted in a "total reset" in trade terms between the US and China. As the markets cheered the news,…

The Portfolio Committee on Minerals and Petroleum Resources has resolved to conduct an urgent oversight visit on Alexkor. This follows a briefing from the Equitable Access Campaign (EAC) on its petition for investigations into reports of general accountability failure, maladministration and corruption at State diamond miner Alexkor. This move comes in the wake of the EAC's insistence on launching a public inquiry to address the apparent collapse of accountability mechanisms over the past five years, during which Alexkor has continually received audit disclaimers. EAC's Gavin Craythorne, who this week addressed the portfolio committee after petitioning the Speaker of Parliament, told Business Report on Wednesday that several inquiries into anomalies at Alexkor were shut down without the public getting the answers. These include parliamentary appearances, a forensic investigatipon by Gobodo Consultants,…

In the first quarter of 2025, there were 930 000 primary agriculture jobs in South Africa, an 11% yearly decrease and a 1% quarterly increase. Strong activity in the livestock industries and the recovery of grains and oilseeds from the drought served as the foundation for the quarterly improvements. Many individuals are becoming more and more aware of the significance of the agriculture sector for the country's overall economy as well as for jobs and food security. This has been proven on a few occasions, including during the COVID-19 lockdown periods and in Q4 2024, when the sector kept the country's economy fromentering a recession. Therefore, it raises some concerns when the sector has a quarterly or annual reduction in employment. But depending on the nature of the sector, employment…

South Africa’s “VAT desert storm” may have ended, at least for now, after witnessing political theatrics and policy paralysis, that attempted to bring snow to a desert while bidding to solve the dry revenue generation period. It almost displayed itself through a public gallery with all the makings of a political thriller—multiple plot twists, frantic coalition bartering, and a final “U-turn of the century”—yet the real victims, township businesses and family-run businesses, are left wondering if it is going to rain cats and dogs or bring clear blue skies for VAT season. While the ANC, DA and EFF spar over “fiscal sustainability” versus “taxing the rich,” township spaza shops, clothing retailers and small cafés were caught in the crossfire. When President Cyril Ramaphosa attempted to patch his dripping VAT shack,…

Homes are continuing to increase in value, with a gain in cost averaging 2.2% year-on-year in April, which is the fastest pace at which housing has become more expensive in two years. The April figure represents an increase from the 2% recorded in the FNB House Price Index (HPI) for March. FNB projects house price growth to approach the 3% mark by 2026. In 2023, South Africa’s residential property market comprised 6.91 million properties and was valued at R6.789 trillion, City Mark data indicates. This is the latest information available to IOL. According to Statistics South Africa’s latest General Household Survey, a typical South African household had about 3.2 members. More than three-quarters of homes had four to five members or fewer, while only 13% of households contained six members…

Gauteng SAPS Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni handed over chessboards and marimba instruments to learners at Solomon Mahlangu Freedom School in a bid to combat bullying and gambling by engaging learners in positive activities. He advised learners to stay engaged in sports and positive activities to steer clear of crime. Mthombeni expressed disappointment after some learners were spotted gambling in class right in front of the police. “You are gambling, and you know this is a crime. We are having so many problems in terms of this type of activity in schools,” he said. He cited a recent incident in Pimville, Soweto, where a learner fatally stabbed another following a brawl. “It is not a good thing to partake in this gambling because at the end of the day, you…

Jose Riveiro is leaving Orlando Pirates having earned himself legendary status, but he admits that if it wasn’t for hard work, he wouldn’t have made that lasting impression. Riveiro sat on the bench for his last match as the coach of Pirates when they beat Golden Arrows 3-0 at Orlando Stadium, Soweto, on Tuesday night. That perfect end to Riveiro’s stint at the club was coupled with a handful of fans who braved the chilly Johannesburg weather to bid their ‘padre’ (father) farewell. Riveiro requested an early release from his contract, which was granted by the club, after already deciding against renewing his deal at the end of June. He leaves Pirates as a legend not only due to the five trophies he won and three successive second-place finishes in…

Shukri Conrad admits the Proteas will be “underdogs” when they face Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next month, but believes his team can put the defending champions “under the pump”. Conrad named a settled but inexperienced squad to face the Aussies, with fast bowler Kagiso Rabada leading the way with 70 caps. Captain Temba Bavuma (63) and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (57) are the only other two Proteas with more than 50 Test appearances. In contrast, Australia boasts grizzled Test veterans such as Nathan Lyon (136), Steve Smith (116), Mitchell Starc (96), Usman Khawaja (80), Josh Hazlewood (72) and captain Pat Cummins (67) among their ranks. The Proteas are, however, enjoying a red-hot streak under Conrad’s guidance, having won seven straight Test matches, including their four…

Bryson DeChambeau credits the confidence boost he took from last year’s 72nd-hole PGA Championship loss for helping him win last year’s US Open and making him a better major threat. The 31-year-old American is among the favourites at this week’s 107th PGA Championship, which starts today at Quail Hollow, arriving off a LIV Golf victory two weeks ago in South Korea. “I’m feeling good,” DeChambeau said. “This is exciting times. I’m playing some good golf. Hopefully that continues this week. “Figured a couple (of) things out with my golf swing. Putting really well.” DeChambeau faltered in last year’s final round at the Masters and shared sixth, but found his form at the PGA at Valhalla, battling to the end before losing to Xander Schauffele’s birdie on the 72nd hole. A…

South Africa's agricultural industry has highlighted its resilience in the face of many challenges at the 2025 Nampo Harvest Day conference, which entered the second day on Wednesday in Bothaville in the Free State. Brendan Jacobs, head of agribusiness at Standard Bank South Africa, said agriculture was under pressure from rising input costs, extreme weather events, tightening margins, and trade agreement challenges. “Nampo Harvest Day 2025 arrives at a pivotal moment for South Africa’s farming sector. This year’s Nampo is more than an exhibition; it is a rallying point for real-world, farmer-led solutions. "From mechanisation and market access to financial tools and agri-tech, the event brings together farmers, agribusinesses, and financiers to explore what it will take to sustain growth and resilience across the sector.” Jacobs said the discussions at…

South African small businesses are continuing to display resilience, demonstrating remarkable resilience and optimism for the future in the face of political and economic uncertainty. A recent report, The State of South African Small Business 2025, conducted by the global small business platform Xero reveals that a staggering 83% of small businesses witnessed revenue growth over the past year, while 90% expressed confidence in their prospects for growth moving forward. Despite concerns that loom over the business landscape—nearly two-fifths of the surveyed entrepreneurs were worried about political instability, and more than a quarter anticipated service delivery challenges such as load shedding—small businesses are showing optimism for the year ahead. According to the report, within the next year, 42% of small businesses plan to invest in upskilling their staff, while 40%…

The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) economic growth revisions of South Africa to a meagre 1,5% in 2025 and just 1,8% by the end of the decade should be, and is, cause for alarm. This as growing tensions expand between one of South Africa’s largest trading partners, the US, which saw its new President impose, and then walk-back from, the hefty 30% tariffs inflicted on all imported goods from South Africa. Coupled with rising internal tensions threatening the Government of National Unity, the IMF’s assessment is a call to act. It is with this in mind that the Presidency was recently engaged to strongly emphasise the need to breed more home-grown startups and unicorns, which are businesses that surpass the $1-billion in valuation. Go1 was the first from our shores, followed…

Dipula Properties is on the hunt for additional retail properties, ideally convenience, rural or township shopping centres north of the Orange River, CEO Izak Pieterse said Wednesday. Dipula, the black-managed property group that celebrates two decades of operation this month and which has 61 retail, office, industrial and residential properties mainly in Gauteng, intends to sell its residential rental units, which represent 4% of income. This is to re-allocate capital to the retail and industrial sectors that are core to its business, he said. Speaking at the release of results for the six months to February 29, Pieterse said a few opportunities may close in the short term. The property portfolio’s value increased by 5% to R10.3 billion. Distributable earnings a share (DPS) increased 4.2%, on track with full-year…

enX Group, the JSE-listed manufacturer and distributor of power equipment and chemicals, saw its share price shoot up over 10% on Wednesday after it confirmed a strategy to grow its businesses and dispose of them if opportunities become available. The share price increased by 10.89% to R4.99 on the JSE Wednesday afternoon, but the price is much lower than the R9.20 it traded at a year ago. The net asset value per share was R8.65, compared to R9.06 on August 31, 2024. The company had paid a special distribution of R1.55 per ordinary share on April 7, 2025, amounting to R283 million. In its results for the six months to February 28, the company directors reported a good performance in the Chemical segment; however, with almost no load-shedding in the…

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has again publicly criticised the DA, accusing the party of working to reverse the “gains of freedom" by challenging various legislation in court. The ANC and DA are part of the Government of National Unity (GNU), which was formed after the 2024 elections following both parties failing to win an outright majority. Despite their partnership, both parties have had public disagreements on several issues, including policy and legislation. The DA's challenges to the laws are seen as an attempt to protect the rights of minority groups and individuals, while the ANC views them as an attempt to reverse the gains of freedom. The DA has challenged several laws, including the Employment Equity Amendment Act, the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (Bela), and the Expropriation Act. The…

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said SAPS has not received any complaints from the high-profile political figures who are protected by the police’s VIP protection services unit. Responding to a question in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mchunu expressed confidence in the unit’s performance, saying it was doing its job very well. “If you take any threat or any incident targeting VIPs or anyone provided with security, we have not received any complaint that the services rendered to them were inadequate. We are satisfied that SAPS are doing their job. “They are doing well in that aspect of providing VIP services to designated VIPs,” said Mchunu. The minister was responding during a question-and-answer session in the NCOP. Asked about the recent attack on the convoy of Deputy President Paul Mashatile,…

Having made the top four of the United Rugby Championships the Sharks are confident ahead of their quarter final match against Scarlets at home on Saturday (7.30pm kick-off), said flanker James Venter. Now at the tail-end of his time at the Durban side, Venter said they are confident in the rugby they’ve been playing and fancy their shot at the URC final. The Sharks secured a home quarter final after thumping the Ospreys 29-10, with a bonus point, at Kings Park last Friday. They will be hoping for a victory on Saturday and a Glasgow defeat at the hands of Leinster, so they can move up to third place. Venter alluded to the fact that the Sharks have smelt blood, and adjusted their mentality going into the final round accordingly.…

THE Kagiso Rabada drug ban is now a thing of the past. The fast bowler apologised to the public in his statement, followed all the rules set out by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sports (SAIDS) in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and served his one-month suspension in April. As a result, all-format coach Shukri Conrad and Test captain Temba Bavuma included the 29-year-old in the Proteas squad for next month’s World Test Championship final against Australia at the home of cricket. However, what stings the most to some around the country, and certainly to former Australian captain Tim Paine and perhaps to the Australian media, is how the fast bowler’s situation was not publicised on April 1st or soon after, when the player received the positive…

Proteas Women all-rounder Chloe Tryon said the recent Tri-Series tournament in Sri Lanka, which they were knocked out of, was one of her hardest tours to date. The Proteas faced off against India and Sri Lanka in four matches, three of which they lost, before winning their last game. The experienced all-rounder said they left everything out on the field during the last game against Sri Lanka, and ended up taking away some valuable pointers for the World Cup in India in September and October. Managing their energy and effort in the heat and humidity that sub-continent cricket offers was one of the most vital takeaways from the tour, Tryon explained. Hot and humid, low and slow are the conditions teams are expected to face in places like India and…

Trade unions and other experts have raised concern about South Africa's unemployment rate rising to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025 from 31.9% in the final quarter of 2024 . According to Statistics South Africa, youth unemployment is currently at 46.1% in the first quarter of 2025. Matthew Parks, parliamentary coordinator for the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), said job numbers typically increase during the festive season as sectors like retail and hospitality thrive. Parks said this decrease in employment was extremely worrying. “We cannot continue to normalise an economy where four out of 10 South Africans cannot find work. Our unemployment levels and the inability of an economy stumbling along 1% growth annually to absorb new labour market entrants must be treated as the existential threat…

South Africa is standing at a critical crossroads. The recent headlines have been dominated by the outcry over a few dozen South Africans, described loosely as "Africans," who accepted an opportunity to relocate to the United States in search of a better life for their families. This has been treated as a national scandal, a media frenzy that conveniently diverts attention from the harsh reality millions of South Africans face daily. While we debate the choices of fifty-odd individuals, the true scandal lies in the staggering unemployment rate in South Africa, which now hovers just under 33%. That is one in every three people without a job. For our youth, the situation is even more dire, with nearly two-thirds of young South Africans locked out of economic participation. This is…

In a country like South Africa, where approximately 2.6 million small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) are competing for the attention of the same pool of cash-strapped customers, building a memorable brand is critical for success. Without it, you risk blending into the noise and being chosen based on price alone – a race to the bottom that no business can afford. The good news is that building a winning brand isn’t necessarily about big budgets or expensive ad campaigns. It’s about clarity, consistency and connection. Here’s how small businesses can create a standout brand in a crowded and competitive market: Start with what makes you different Every successful brand is built on a clear value proposition - a compelling answer to the question: Why should a customer choose you…

Tongaat Hulett’s Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) said they had received confirmation from the lenders, most South African banks, that they had received the balance of the funds owed to them by the Vision Consortium, the company that is taking over the struggling Southern African sugar group. This follows the Vision Parties confirming to the BRPs in April 2025 that they had secured credit approval to meet the payments of the balance of their obligations owed to the Lender Group, to enable the Vision parties to complete the acquisition of the claims and security. “This represents a significant step forward in the successful implementation of the BR Plan and reinforces the BRPs’ confidence in its ongoing viability,” the BRPs said in a statement. The BRPs said they were continuing to implement…

What was once the realm of science fiction is now becoming a lived reality for a growing number of people who say they’ve found emotional and romantic fulfillment through AI partners. And it’s not just the young or the tech-obsessed embracing the shift – mature adults, including retirees, are increasingly forming deep bonds with digital companions. One of the most insightful stories came from 60 Minutes Australia, which recently profiled Alaina Winters, a retired college professor from Pennsylvania. At 76, Winters is part of a trend that’s both growing and, according to some experts, raising complex ethical and psychological concerns. She refers to her AI partner as Lucas – a fully virtual character with whom she interacts through text and voice. While the specific programme that powers Lucas wasn’t disclosed,…

While a 50% debt write-off plan by the eThekwini Municipality has been welcomed by ratepayer groups and opposition parties, they have warned that the systemic issues leading to rising debt have to be addressed. These included high tariffs, aging infrastructure, poor service delivery and incorrect billing. The Bluff Ratepayers and Residents Association said that the municipality’s proposed 50% debt write-off was a welcome gesture, but it risks being more of a tick-box exercise than a real solution. Norman Gilbert, chairperson of the BRRA, said that while it may offer short-term relief to struggling households and businesses, it doesn’t address the deeper issues causing the debt—like poor service delivery, aging infrastructure, and unaffordable tariffs. The special debt relief programme was given the go-ahead at a council meeting yesterday. The water debt…

The ANC has dismissed the uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s (MKP) request for a special forensic audit into the aborted 2025 national budget speech, calling it “frivolous” and motivated by “political posturing”. Imraan Subrathie, the ANC Study Group on Standing Committee on Auditor-General Whip and MP, said the request did not warrant a special audit, as the information requested could be reported by the National Treasury and respective organs of state through the Auditor-General South Africa’s (AGSA) annual auditing of public institutions. The ANC was responding to a letter that MKP Chief Whip Mzwanele Manyi had written to the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), Tsakani Maluleke, calling for a full forensic audit into the money spent on the aborted February 2025 Budget Speech, seeking to find out whether it amounted to fruitless…

A little over a month ago, Proteas batter David Bedingham suffered a broken toe in his first fixture of the season back with Durham in the County Championship, keeping him out of action. As a result, at some point, there was a concern about his availability for the World Test Championship final. However, all those concerns were put to bed when Proteas all-format coach Shukri Conrad included the 31-year-old middle-order batter in his squad this week for the June 11-15 final against Australia in London. “In my first game, I got hit by the ball on my toe, and it broke my toe. So, it’s been frustrating because I think the thing with the toe is you can’t do much rehab... there’s nothing you can do,” Bedingham told Independent Media…

The IPL resumes on Saturday after its suspension because of the India-Pakistan conflict, but there are doubts over foreign players, and the extended schedule has sparked a showdown with international cricket. The IPL will now end on June 3, nine days later than planned, putting it on a collision course with the English summer of cricket and preparations for the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s on June 11. An England ODI series against the West Indies starts on May 29, while the South Africa and Australia squads are due to begin build-up for their WTC final before the end of May. South Africa say their Test players must leave India by an originally agreed date of May 26. “Our initial agreement with the IPL and the Indian board…

Golden Arrows have found themselves slipping into troubled waters following a poor run of form in the closing stages of the Premiership season. Abafana Bes’thende have dropped to 14th on the league table, just three points clear of bottom-placed Cape Town City, who have played one game more. Their latest setback came in the form of a second consecutive defeat to Orlando Pirates, this time a 3-0 loss at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night. While Arrows still have a game in hand over some of the other sides fighting relegation, the pressure to turn their fortunes around in the remaining fixtures is now mounting. Coach Manqoba Mngqithi lamented his team’s failure to stick to the tactical plan, which he felt contributed to their inability to put any pressure on a…

The late Robin Williams delivered an excellent set on the comedic absurdities of golf in his Grammy award-winning one-man show back in 2002. It had the Broadway audience in stitches and has since garnered over seven million views on YouTube. Even golfers appreciated Williams’ spoof of their beloved game, with current Masters champion Rory McIlroy and South African legend Gary Player among those who sent heartfelt condolences upon Williams’ death in 2014. This past week, I watched another Robin Williams closely at the Turkish Airlines Open — but this was no laughing matter. Here was a young man, just 23-years old, playing for his livelihood among some of golf’s biggest names at the Regnum Carya Golf Club. The former Fortress Rookie of the Year on the Sunshine Tour in 2023…