Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-05-21 i Mercury

Nissan Africa has moved to alleviate concerns regarding the potential closure of its plants, particularly the Rosslyn Plant in Pretoria amidst reports of a drastic corporate restructuring plan by its Japanese parent company. The news has sent waves of anxiety through the workforce and the automotive sector, given Nissan Japan's recently announced intention to consolidate its global production facilities. In response to Business Report on Tuesday about which plants would be affected, Nissan Africa head of communications and PR, Ramy Mohareb, clarified that the reports about the closure of specific plants were not substantiated by official communication from the company. Mohareb said the group was still focused on its operations and the dedicated workforce driving its success. The re:Nissan recovery plan, aimed at cutting the number of global production plants…

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has come out in support of the Daybreak Foods' board of directors' decision to place the company under business rescue. In a statement on Tuesday, the PIC - a major creditor and shareholder of Daybreak Foods - said it was of the firm belief that the company can be rescued and must be rescued. The PIC said that business rescue was the best path to preserve the company's value and potential, saving approximately 3 000 jobs, and importantly, to realise returns for clients and their beneficiaries on their investment. "The successful application to place Daybreak under business rescue paves the way to appoint a business rescue practitioner who will assist Daybreak to assess the extent of disruption to operations and produce a credible turnaround strategy…

adapt to a value-conscious market The latest Absa Merchant Spend Analytics Report for the first quarter of 2025 has unveiled an unexpected trend in consumer behaviour: card spending growth is slowing, even as broader economic indicators show signs of recovery. This duality reflected a cautious consumer mindset as South Africans navigate new economic realities. In this most recent quarter, card spending grew by just 7% while transaction volumes increased by 10%. While these figures are certainly positive, they mark a noticeable deceleration from the previous year, where spending and transactions soared by 9% and 12%, respectively. Furthermore, the average value of each card transaction has dipped by 3% year-on-year, indicating that consumers are indeed still spending, but they are opting for smaller purchases. “The Q1 data reveals that the consumer…

As the global race toward a low-carbon future accelerates, the country’s rich endowment of critical minerals—such as platinum group metals, manganese, vanadium, nickel, and rare earth elements—has positioned it as a strategic player in the global green economy. These minerals are indispensable to the production of electric vehicles, batteries, renewable energy systems, and hydrogen technologies, making them central not only to climate action but also to economic transformation. As governments and industries worldwide compete to secure supply chains, South Africa must seize this moment to ensure its critical minerals power a future rooted in justice, sustainability, and inclusive growth at home. However, like all extractive industries critical minerals come with environmental, social, economic, geopolitical, trade, and partnership challenges and opportunities. If poorly managed, the production and processing of these minerals…

Sasol was a top mover on the JSE Tuesday, with its long-languishing share price surging 12% after investors appeared enamoured by a capital markets presentation, where a three-year turnaround strategy was outlined to restore the group operations back to optimal performance. The share price was trading at R81.75 on Tuesday afternoon on the JSE, this after the price has fallen steadily over three years from R391.02, in line with the group’s weaker financial performance. CEO Simon Baloyi admitted in his presentation that their performance was below par over the last four years, but a three-year turnaround plan had been formulated to reduce debt, restore the local operations and position the international chemicals business for potential further value unlock initiatives by the end of the decade. He said the group, a…

A SWEDISH mother has found herself in hot water for participating in the notorious TikTok trend that involves cracking raw eggs on unsuspecting family members’ heads. The 24-year-old mother was convicted of harassment after she filmed herself smashing an egg on her young daughter’s forehead and then shared the video online. What might have been intended as a playful family moment now raises significant ethical questions about the use of children in viral stunts. Although the daughter did not initiate the complaint, an anonymous tip-off prompted authorities to investigate, culminating in a court ruling that deemed the act “degrading” and “reckless”. Prosecutor Emma Olsson did not hold back in her condemnation of the prank, stating: “You simply don’t do that to a child. To record and humiliate the child and…

I REFER to your Friday edition, “HIV testing falls in SA”, in which Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the country won't beg the USA for funding. It is understandable to state the country won’t beg, but why even say it when the very statement is intended to irritate the donor. It is clear under every single set of circumstances that South Africa does not have enough funding to run its medical health systems. Already we are seeing how doctors are not being paid their overtime, and other doctors can’t find jobs despite the empty posts at various hospitals. We also read how hospitals are collapsing around the country. Despite this, thehealth minister wants us to believe that all is well on the ground and that all the funders are willing to…

As Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana prepares to present the Budget for the 2025/26 financial year today, he finds himself balancing on a tightrope amid mounting public pressure. Some suggestions include that Godongwana should introduce a wealth tax and draw down from the Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account (GFECRA). However, Godongwana has previously stated that South Africa already has a multitude of instruments that tax wealth comprehensively, while the National Treasury stated that the GFECRA was designed to protect the credibility, independence, and stability of the SA Reserve Bank and the economy. It will be the third time Godongwana tables the Budget after he postponed the initial presentation in February following warnings from the DA to withdraw its support. He scrapped plans to increase VAT following a court case…

As concerns rise over the growing use of blank guns in criminal activity, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has published draft regulations proposing a ban on their import into South Africa. This move follows concerns raised by the SAPS, which has noted a rise in the use of replica and modified guns in crimes across the country. Blank guns, which produce a loud noise and flash without firing bullets, were initially used for police and military training, film props and signalling at sports events. Although non-lethal in their original form, some models can be modified to fire live ammunition, turning them into dangerous weapons. “What makes policing blank guns difficult is the fact that they are not fully regulated under the Firearms Control Act of 2000 (FCA), particularly…

A woman who was unhappy that her father's long-term girlfriend was added as a beneficiary for his death benefit sought relief in the Financial Service Tribunal (FST) to have her removed. DT Mngomezulu passed away in October 2022, leaving behind three daughters—whose legal claim to a share of his retirement fund is undisputed. Before releasing the funds, the South African Local Authorities Pension Fund (SALA) conducted an investigation, and it was discovered that the deceased had been living with Buyelwa Khethelo, and they had been in a relationship since September 2020. As a result, SALA allocated 45% of the death benefit to her. Unhappy with the decision, in June 2024, Thembeka Dlamini, one of the daughters, approached the Pension Fund Adjudicator (PFA) to overturn SALA's decision. Dlamini submitted numerous allegations,…

The National Assembly yesterday adopted a report proposing increased disclosure thresholds and upper limits for donations to political parties and independent candidates. This unanimous decision, except for dissent from the MK Party, Build One South Africa, Al Jama-ah, and the ATM, is a sequel to the public hearings undertaken by the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee after Parliament was taken to court by lobby group, My Vote Counts, when it passed the Electoral Amendment Act without setting the upper limits for donation and disclosure thresholds before the 2024 elections. Before the amendment, the disclosure threshold was R100 000 per financial year, and the upper limit for donations was R15 million per financial year to political parties. When the newly amended law was passed, which also catered for independent candidates in line…

Stephen Cook played only 11 Tests. That had more to do with the fact that he was belatedly selected at 33 years old, though – although still a rookie in comparison to his father, Jimmy, who Test debuted at 39 – than his ability forged over 229 first-class matches. Cook certainly made the most of his limited opportunity. He memorably scored a century on debut against England, and added back-to-back tons against Australia and Sri Lanka. The 104 against the Aussies in Adelaide was a particularly gutsy innings, for Cook had struggled initially on the tour Down Under before finding a way to succeed against high-quality new-ball bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who the Proteas will be encountering again in next month’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s. They…

George Russell has raised fresh concerns over Mercedes’ 2025 Formula One campaign, admitting that fundamental issues in the car’s performance may derail the team’s hopes of challenging at the front as the season enters its hotter stages. The British driver endured his most disappointing Grand Prix of the season at Imola, finishing seventh after starting from third on the grid — a result that left him visibly frustrated and searching for deeper answers. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Russell expressed clear dissatisfaction with the direction of Mercedes’ development: “The trends are pretty clear. When it's hot, we're slow. When it's cold, we're quick. That was the same last year.” Mercedes arrived at Imola with upgrades, including revised front suspension and a new front wing, which…

An urgent Section 150 meeting organised by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to avert a potential strike by thousands of workers at Transnet took place on Tuesday. This followed the United National Transport Union's (UNTU) assertion that they have yet to receive a revised wage proposal from Transnet, despite ongoing negotiations. The union has threatened to issue a 48-hour notice of industrial action if no wage offer is received, which could cripple South Africa's vital freight and transport sector. UNTU general secretary, Cobus van Vuuren, said they would attend the s150 meeting but emphasised that no further negotiations will take place henceforth. “UNTU expects a revised wage proposal to be tabled at this meeting. Should this not materialise, the union will exercise its constitutional right by issuing…

The expulsion of South Africa’s (SA) ambassador to the United States (US), Ebrahim Rasool, in mid-March marked a new low in the often contentious relationship between Pretoria and Washington. Triggered by Rasool’s public criticism of US President Donald Trump’s administration, the incident underscores the fragile nature of US–SA diplomatic ties. Though economic cooperation has continued, particularly in trade, investment, and aid, longstanding ideological and geopolitical differences have frequently placed the two nations at odds on global issues. This diplomatic flashpoint raises an important question (especially considering President Cyril Ramaphosa’s meeting with Trump at the White House this week): Will it lead to a lasting rupture or offer an opportunity to recalibrate the bilateral relationship, potentially leading to a more constructive and mutually beneficial future? Central to answering this are three…

Imagine for a moment standing on a sun-soaked beach, the surf crashing against the shore, and inhaling the salty, moist sea air. It’s invigorating. But is it really? Hundreds of years ago, perhaps, but what about now? How do the ocean and the air interact in the presence of human-created air pollution, specifically nitrogen, and how does this relationship impact climate change? The simple truth is, we don’t know – and I want to find out. Our oceans are as important to life on Earth as the air we breathe. An enormous carbon sink, they help to remove the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, which is of course a good thing. As a matter of fact, nitrogen helps the oceans to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The…

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) on Tuesday signed an agreement with Grindrod Eyamakhosi Joint Venture to develop and operate a container handling facility at the Port of Richards Bay’s Bayvue precinct. TNPA said that the development of this container handling facility was part of its master plan for KwaZulu-Natal ports, which reconfigures the Port of Richards Bay to enhance its capacity for handling containers and liquid bulk commodities. The investment, worth R285 million, is set to increase the port’s container handling capacity from 50 000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 200 000 TEUs per annum. As South Africa’s premier bulk port, Richards Bay has capacity to handle significant volumes of coal, dry, break and liquid bulk commodities and accommodates containers. Designed to drive economic development in the northern parts of…

In South Africa, where strength is often mistaken for silence, boys are still growing up with the message that “real men don’t cry”. From the playground to the classroom, many boys are told to “man up” instead of being encouraged to express their emotions. This silent pressure builds over time, leading to emotional suppression, mental health struggles, and in some cases, harmful behaviour. As we observe International Mental Health Month and the International Day of the Boy Child, it’s time to ask ourselves: Are we giving our boys the safe emotional spaces they need to thrive? Boys are not born emotionally closed off, society teaches them to be. Without safe environments to talk, process feelings, or seek help, many suffer in silence. Because when we allow boys to feel, we…

A 37-year-old man was given a suspended two-year jail term this week for his role in stealing a £4.5 million (R108 million) solid-gold toilet from a stately English home. The fully functioning 18-carat artwork was stolen in a five-minute raid on an exhibition at Blenheim Palace — the birthplace of Winston Churchill — near Oxford in September 2019. Frederick Doe, 37, was handed a suspended 21-month sentence after being found guilty in March of conspiracy to transfer criminal property, and ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work. Judge Ian Pringle said Doe had been a “foolish” middleman in the plot. The toilet artwork dubbed "America" was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and had been on display as one of the star attractions at an exhibition in the 18th-century…

Four men have been charged with two counts of murder following the discovery of human remains believed to be those of missing Pretoria journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Precious Mdhluli. The couple was last seen on February 18, 2025, at their home in Mpumalanga, in their white Volkswagen Citi Golf. The four arrested men, Samuel Mogongwe, Lucky Sikhosana, Sello Uoane and Thato Madisha, are now facing charges of murder, accused of brutally murdering Ndlovu and Mdhluli by shooting them. “All four accused who are charged for the disappearance of the victims appeared before the KwaMhlanga Magistrates' Court (on Monday). Two of them abandoned bail and two will proceed with their application,” said Monica Nyuswa, Mpumalanga spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). “The matter was postponed to…

A memorial service was held yesterday for intern doctor Dr Aluluto Mazwi, who tragically died while on duty at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital last week. Doctors and other members of staff gathered at the Nurse’s hall at the hospital to pay tribute to Dr Mazwi. Some of them carried flowers to place in front of his picture. A picket was also held outside the hospital yesterday by members of the Public Servants Association (PSA) who are calling for accountability and justice following Dr Mazwi's death. The PSA said the picket was not only a form of protest but a collective expression of grief and outrage over systemic failures in the public health sector. “The PSA was deeply disturbed by the tragic death of Dr Mazwi, a young and promising intern…

Ange Postecoglou can end Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought by winning the Uefa Europa League final against Manchester United, but even victory in Bilbao on Wednesday might not be enough to save him from the sack. Beating United to break the silverware curse and earn a place in next season’s Champions League would mark a significant moment in Tottenham’s recent history. The north London club haven’t won a major trophy since beating Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup final, while their last European silverware came in the 1984 UEFA Cup. However, Postecoglou has presided over such a miserable English Premier League campaign that the Tottenham boss heads to San Mamés with his future hanging in the balance regardless of the result. Tottenham’s chairman, Daniel Levy, has not been shy when it…

Amid roaring cheers and a sea of jubilant supporters at OR Tambo International Airport, Fletcher Smythe-Lowe returned home as one of Amajita’s standout heroes from the recent Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Fresh off a stellar campaign in Egypt, the 18-year-old goalkeeper didn’t just help South Africa lift the trophy — he also earned the prestigious Goalkeeper of the Tournament award, underlining his growing reputation as one of the country’s brightest young talents. Calm, composed and mature beyond his years, Smythe-Lowe took a moment during the media frenzy to reflect on his journey, his performance, and the road still ahead. The 18-year-old was at his best for South African U20 men’s national team, keeping four clean sheets across seven matches. His performances were particularly commendable during the knockout stage, where…

Mamelodi Sundowns’ quest to become the most successful South African side in continental football resumes this Saturday when they welcome Egyptian outfit Pyramids FC to Loftus Versfeld Stadium for the first leg of the CAF Champions League final (kick-off at 3pm). The Brazilians are chasing their second Champions League crown — their last triumph came in 2016 under Pitso Mosimane. This marks their first appearance in the final since that historic victory nearly a decade ago. In what promises to be a blockbuster clash against one of the tournament’s surprise packages, Obakeng Meletse highlights five key players who could take Sundowns a step closer to a dream result in Saturday's opening leg. Teboho Mokoena The dead-ball specialist has not only been instrumental on set-pieces but has also brought invaluable experience…

Renergen’s share price rockets 44.7% following announcement of surprising deal Renergen’s share price rocketed 44.7% on Tuesday following the announcement of one of the most surprising deals on the JSE this year, the buyout offer for South Africa’s only onshore gas production company by Nasdaq-listed ASP Isotopes, to create a merged company focused on globally sought-after critical materials. ASP Isotopes, which only last month indicated it wished to do a secondary listing on the JSE later this year, has made a firm share-for-share offer to acquire 100% of the shares in Renergen, by way of a scheme of arrangement or standby general offer. Renergen’s shares traded at R10.13 on the JSE Tuesday, up 44.7%. In the US, ASPI’s share price fell 10.7% to $6.71. Renergen’s market capitalisation was R1.09 billion…

South African poultry producers have the capacity to make up for the loss of Brazilian chicken meat imports due to an outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) in that country. We are currently producing about 21.5 million chickens per week, and the industry has the capacity to increase this by about another million birds per week. As the winter months are a period of lower demand for chicken, the additional supply should be sufficient to ensure there are no shortages of chicken meat, or price increases because of shortages. Brazil announced the bird flu outbreak at the end of last week. As a result, the Department of Agriculture is expected to ban the import of all fresh and frozen chicken from Brazil. Brazil has no compartmentalisation agreement with South Africa,…

Historically, mining has always had a big impact on the environment. But now, with new technology and a global push for sustainability, the industry is changing significantly. However, this transformation is not just about adopting new technology or changing processes - it hinges on the development of a highly skilled workforce that is well-equipped to navigate this landscape as it shifts. As such, we need to prioritise the training and skills development that will make it possible to implement sustainable practices and attract the next generation of mining professionals. Moving beyond automation to skilling for the technological revolution The Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought a total paradigm shift for mining, with autonomous and remote operations, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and big data analytics becoming an indispensable part of daily operations. However,…

Alexander Forbes Group Holdings (Alexforbes) said headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the 12 months to March 31 are expected to increase between 10% and 20% when the group releases its annual results around June 9, 2025. The management of the JSE-listed financial services group said in a trading statement Tuesday that HEPS is expected to be between 67.7 cents and 73.8 cents, compared with 61.5 cents the previous year. The result would also reflect a payment arising from a legal claim. The share price notched up 2.1% to R8.85 Tuesday morning after the release of the earnings forecast, while at the same time, the JSE’s financial index was down by 0.22%. Alexforbes’ share price was 34% higher than a year before. Basic earnings per share are expected to increase…

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi proudly draped the South African flag around the shoulders of Amajita captain Patrick Autata when the victorious Under-20 men’s national football team returned home to a rapturous welcome yesterday. Amajita made history on Sunday by becoming the first South African U20 side to win the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations by beating Morocco 1-0 in the final. The international arrivals terminal at OR Tambo International Airport was buzzing as fans, families, and football enthusiasts gathered to welcome the champions. Chanting and singing filled the terminal as South Africans celebrated the team’s achievement. Autata, who held the trophy aloft before the cheering crowd, was welcomed by Lesufi and other high-profile dignitaries, including South African Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan and Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos.…

KwaZulu-Natal police are investigating the alleged rape of a six-year-old girl in the toilets of a primary school in Esikhaleni, outside Empangeni last month. SAPS spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu said that an investigation is underway. “Empangeni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit detectives are investigating a case of rape following an incident in which a six-year-old girl was allegedly raped at a school at Esikhaleni on 25 April 2025. Investigations into this matter are ongoing,” Ndlovu said. The KZN Department of Education has also acknowledged the incident. Department spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said: “Yes, we are aware of the matter and it’s being attended to.” The incident comes after the public outrage around the alleged rape of a 7-year-old girl at a private school in Matatiele, Eastern Cape. The…

Just over seven years and a month ago Aiden Markram struck a masterful 152 against Australia at the Wanderers. It was his second century of the drama-filled 2017/18 series, and it helped the Proteas seal a first-ever series win over the Aussies post-isolation. At 23 years old, the former ICC U19 World Cup-winning captain had the world at his feet, and was touted to carry on the Proteas batting torch left behind by the legendary AB de Villiers, who was playing in his last Test. It has not always gone according to the script for Markram since. Despite being precociously talented, as those heady days at the Bullring can attest to when Markram dispatched both the pace of Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon’s off-spinners with equal disdain, there have been…

Jack Hinshelwood credited his cousin Harry Howell for creating the space that allowed him to score the winning goal, as Brighton & Hove Albion defeated English champions Liverpool 3–2 on Monday. Howell, 17, made his Premier League debut when he came on as a substitute alongside Hinshelwood in the 84th minute. Just a minute later, Hinshelwood netted at the far post to seal a memorable victory. “It was a really nice moment coming on with my cousin,” said Hinshelwood, 20, in a post-match interview with Sky Sports. “We’ve been working so hard since we were kids, playing together since we were born—kicking balls with each other. “He made a great run across the front post to open the gap for me, so I’ll be thanking him later.” Both players progressed…

While the Springbok alignment camps are not trials or even have on-field training sessions, there is a lot at stake for the 54 players attending the latest edition in Cape Town – or online – this week. With the United Rugby Championship and other leagues around the world winding down, the Test season is almost upon us – and then we will be able to participate in our favourite pastime: picking our own Bok teams for the first international against Italy on July 5 in Pretoria. Knowing the meticulous planner that he is, you would think that Bok coach Rassie Erasmus would have already worked out what his starting XV – and indeed match-23 – would be by now for the two Italy Tests and the one-off fixture against Georgia.…

The Bulls have an abundance of loose-forward options, but who should start in the United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Edinburgh next Saturday? Coach Jake White has happily rotated his loose trio throughout the season with great success, with yet another new face, Nama Xaba, clinching the Player of the Match award in last week’s 55-15 romp over the hapless Dragons. But now it’s all or nothing in next Saturday’s playoff against Edinburgh at Loftus Versfeld (1.30pm). There is no rotation needed – the best openside flank, blindside flank and No 8 must run out against the Scottish club. Let’s look at all the loose-forward options available to White: Marcell Coetzee, Marco van Staden, Cameron Hanekom, Xaba, Jannes Kirsten, Mihlali Mosi, Cobus Wiese and Ruan Nortjé. It is understood that Nizaam…