Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-06-27 i Mercury

Beleagured sugar producer is poised to emerge from tumultuous shadow of its past Tongaat Hulett, the beleaguered South African agro-processing firm, is poised to emerge from the shadow of its tumultuous past, thanks to new leadership and a significant restructuring initiative. Gavin Dalgleish, the company’s new CEO, has expressed optimism about the path towards stability following a protracted period marked by scandals and heavy debt that once threatened its existence. Dalgleish was appointed as CEO with effect from 1 June 2025, marking a significant step in the final phase of implementing the approved Business Rescue Plan and setting the stage for a seamless transition of Tongaat Hulett’s business, assets, and people to Vision, the consortium acquiring the group. In a recent interview, Dalgleish detailed the pivotal changes occurring at Tongaat…

Thungela Resources management on Thursday said coal production in South Africa during the six months to June 30 was bolstered by incremental underground production. However, the opencast operations, primarily at Isibonelo and Khwezela, were impacted by higher-than-expected rainfall, the chief financial officer Deon Smith said in a pre-close statement. In Australia, production and export saleable product qualities in the first half were affected by challenging geology. Smith said Thursday that production is expected to improve in the second half of the year. The share price fell by 4.81% on the JSE to R82.91 in the afternoon, continuing a decline from R111.46 a year ago. Smith said they remained disciplined in executing strategy amid a challenging operating environment, characterised by volatile coal prices and fluctuating foreign exchange rates. In South Africa,…

Farming associations across South Africa are cautiously optimistic following Brazil's announcement earlier this week that it has declared itself free of the recent avian flu outbreak. This declaration comes in the wake of the Department of Agriculture lifting its ban on the import of poultry and poultry products from Brazil, though only partially. The ban had initially been enforced after the outbreak was contained to one state in Brazil. South African meat producers on Thursday raised red flags, however, cautioning that despite this promising news, a shortage of Mechanically Deboned Meat (MDM) was still anticipated in the local market. Francois Rossouw, CEO of Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), said Brazil would need to provide sufficient evidence on their Avian Flu health for the department to completely lift the ban on…

Most people dream of achieving financial freedom, but too often, they sprint toward wealth, only to see their lack of strategy and support trip them up. This impatience can be costly. Building wealth is less like a 100-metre dash and more like running a marathon: it’s about setting a sustainable pace, pushing through challenges, getting support, and making smart decisions consistently over time to achieve specific goals you’ve set for yourself. Success takes planning, preparation, and the ability to endure uncertainty,” says Mahachi. “Financial advisors are like coaches – when the road gets tough and doubt sets in, they help you maintain your perspective and motivation to keep going.” Mahachi’s analogy is rooted in personal experience. Since 2018, she has supported her husband, an ultra-marathon runner, as his “seconder”, providing…

TelCables, the South African unit of Angola Cables, is pursuing agreements to roll out interconnectivity to countries within Southern Africa, an expansion of its metropolitan networks in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Samuel Carvalho, Angola Cables’ chief marketing officer, said in an interview on Thursday that South Africa was becoming a major interconnection hub for global connectivity. Angola Cables specializes in digital and connectivity services such as wholesale interconnectivity and cloud computing among other enterprise IT solutions. Its South African unit, TelCables interconnects South Africa and metropolitans such as Johannesburg and Cape Town. TelCables is now pursuing agreements to expand its interconnectivity solutions into neighboring southern African countries after expanding to East Africa last year. “We now interconnect Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. From Teraco Cape Town to Teraco Durban and…

Apple Inc. is poised to offer further App Store changes to appease European Union antitrust watchdogs who issued an ultimatum after doling out a €500 million (R10.5 billion) fine. The iPhone maker’s proposal - due by June 26 - would make it easier for third-party developers to direct customers away from the Apple ecosystem to make software purchases, according to people familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The pledge, following weeks of tense discussions with EU regulators, would potentially ward off future penalties for failing to fix alleged violations of the bloc’s Digital Markets Act, which led to the fine in April. Apple has said it plans to appeal the penalty through the bloc’s courts in Luxembourg. The European Commission had been readying a formal charge…

The DA has given President Cyril Ramaphosa a 48-hour ultimatum to fire several ANC ministers and deputy ministers implicated in corruption or face the consequences. The ultimatum comes after Ramaphosa's sudden decision to remove DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield from his position yesterday. The Presidency confirmed the dismissal of Deputy Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Andrew Whitfield, plunging the Government of National Unity (GNU) onto shaky ground. Whitfield, a DA Member of Parliament, was serving in the Ramaphosa-led GNU. A brief statement from the Presidency thanked him for his service but gave no reason for his removal. “The Presidency can confirm that in terms of Section 93(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed the Hon. Andrew Whitfield, MP, from the position…

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has emphasised the urgent need for a comprehensive, whole-of-society approach to tackling gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), highlighting that the fight extends beyond policing and requires coordinated action across government and communities. Mchunu was briefing the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus on Thursday, outlining current challenges and government efforts to curb GBVF, which he described as “one of the most pressing challenges facing our nation.” “The country is gripped by GBVF because of its prevalence and reaching distressing levels throughout the four corners of our country. It is a scourge that threatens the safety, dignity, and well-being of women and children, and it requires decisive action,” Mchunu said. He stressed the importance of addressing both the pre-incident and post-incident phases of GBVF, noting, “The first part requires the…

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za Former President Jacob Zuma’s battle to remain an ANC party member has again been thrust into the spotlight after he hauled President Cyril Ramaphosa and his former party to court yesterday. Zuma, who is the former president of the ANC and now leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), launched a court application in a bid to challenge his expulsion from the party. His decision to take the ANC and its leader to court came after the party's disciplinary committee expelled him in July 2024 for publicly endorsing the MKP ahead of the general elections. He argued that the disciplinary steps that the ANC followed in 2024 were illegal and violated his constitutional rights. In a surprising revelation, Zuma admitted that he wants to remain in the ANC to…

It was a mixture of euphoria and disappointment as I drove my Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) GR Yaris into the pits after the final race of the fourth round of the GR Cup held at Zwartkops this weekend. Racing can be a cruel mistress and the highs and lows that come with it put you on an emotional rollercoaster. Practice It had been more than a month since we drove at the Aldo Scribante Circuit in Gqeberha and during the first practice at Zwartkops I felt a little detached from the car as I tried to get back into my rhythm with my times reflecting that as well. The previous week I had done a number of laps during a Mercedes-Benz AMG day and with the help of…

Will Palestinians ever find peace when the people next door refuse to see them as human? A FEW days before the fateful events of October the 7, 2023, I accepted a job offer from an Israeli company, a decision that came with a heavy sense of conflict. As a coloured South African with a childhood framed by apartheid, my heart has long aligned with the struggle for Palestinian justice. Yet, despite my personal and documented opposition to Zionism, I found myself drawn to this opportunity, not to endorse its government’s policies, but to understand the mindset of those who live inside Israel itself. After heated debates and consultations with close friends and family, I decided to take the job and allow myself to remain in it for no more than…

Despite their early exit from the Fifa Club World Cup, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso said it was “absolutely marvellous” to witness his players perform at the highest level against Brazilian giants Fluminense. Sundowns shocked everyone by holding the highly fancied Fluminense to a goalless draw in Wednesday’s Club World Cup Group F clash at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. This outcome meant that Sundowns’ ambitious stint at the Club World Cup came to an end, as the South African champions needed a victory to advance past the group stage. After the match, Cardoso reflected on the experience of his players competing against such esteemed opposition. He expressed pride in his team’s performance in challenging match conditions. “Everybody had the chance to watch 22 players playing at the highest…

Orbit College have completed a fairy-tale run by winning the Premier Soccer League Promotional Playoffs, earning a well-deserved spot in South Africa’s top-flight Premiership next season. After narrowly missing out on automatic promotion in the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) – finishing just five points behind league winners Durban City – the Rustenburg-based side made the most of their second chance in the playoffs, showing remarkable consistency and composure under pressure. Their playoff path was anything but easy. Orbit were pitted against the vastly experienced Cape Town City and a battle-hardened Casric Stars side – both accustomed to the rigours of high-stakes football. Yet despite the odds stacked against them, they relied on their strong campaign momentum and superior tactical discipline to outlast their opponents in what was essentially a sprint…

Tshepiso Moahloli has been appointed as the Director-General of the New Development Bank (NDB) Africa Regional Centre (ARC), effective from 20 June 2025. This decision follows an international competitive recruitment process, signalling the NDB’s commitment to harness talent to enhance its operations across the continent. Her appointment marks a significant milestone for the bank as it embarks on its next decade of operations aimed at fostering sustainable infrastructure development across Africa. Moahloli’s responsibilities will encompass the management of the NDB’s African regional operations. Her role will involve leading efforts in project origination, preparation and implementation supervision, acting as the vital interface between the bank and key stakeholders such as governments, private sector players, and civil society. As the NDB celebrates a decade of existence, it has already made strides in…

Biovac, a biopharmaceutical company in South Africa, and Biological E, a Supplier of vaccines globally from India, have signed a groundbreaking technology transfer agreement to manufacture and distribute a vaccine against pneumonia across Africa. Pneumococcal infection, which the vaccine protects against, is a cause of significant disease, being a leading cause of pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, and sepsis. The World Health Organisation estimated that in 2005, pneumococcal infections were responsible for the death of 1.6 million children worldwide and while this has reduced significantly over time, newer and better vaccines are still needed. The agreement aligns with the African Union Commission and Africa CDC’s 2022 commitment to ensure that 60% of vaccines used in Africa are manufactured on the continent by 2040. Currently, Africa produces only about 1% of its…

The latest Financial and Production Statistics Report, released by Stats SA on Thursday, painted an optimistic picture for South Africa’s agricultural industry. This as total income for the sector reached an impressive R491.7 billion in 2023, reflecting a 6.8% annual increase compared to the R332.0bn reported in the 2017 Census of Commercial Agriculture (CoCA). The main drivers behind this growth were the farming of animals, which accounted for R186.1bn or 37.8% of total income, followed closely by mixed farming with R115.9bn or 23.6%, and horticulture contributing R103.5bn or 21.0%. Additionally, Stats SA noted a positive shift in the agricultural services and fertiliser production segments, with their share of total income rising from 1.1% in 2017 to 2.5% in 2023. Despite these gains, there was a notable decline in the farming…

Integrating tax planning into your estate strategy is essential to ensure your legacy is preserved and your heirs are protected. Without a clear understanding of how tax applies after death, your estate could face administrative delays, unexpected liabilities, and erosion of value. Here are three critical taxes to consider in your estate plan: 1. Final income tax: Sars has the first claim When you die, your tax obligations don’t die with you. Sars has the first legal claim on your estate, and your executor becomes responsible for ensuring that all outstanding tax returns are submitted. This includes obtaining tax certificates and IRP5s from financial institutions and settling any unpaid taxes. Since 2016, two income tax assessments have been required: ● A pre-date of death return, covering income earned and…

Sirius Real Estate’s share price increased 3.18% on the JSE Thursday after the owner of branded business parks said it had acquired a light industrial property in Geilenkirchen, Germany for €12.9 million (R267.4m). The acquisition was in line with Sirius’ “strong acquisition pipeline,” the group management said in a statement. The share price increased to R23.37 on the JSE in the afternoon, continuing a rise in the price over three months, when it was trading at R20.19. The acquisition comes a day after Sirius announced it had secured a new €150m unsecured revolving credit facility, with an initial three-year term, and with the option to upsize by up to an additional €100m. The additional funding would allow the company to continue to take advantage of current market conditions and its…

Scroll through your Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter feed for just a few minutes, and you’ll stumble over story times with words like trauma, boundaries, gaslighting, and the ever-trending term – narcissist. In South Africa, just like everywhere else, these terms are now part of our everyday conversations, from campus WhatsApp groups to personal relationships. But behind the hashtags and headlines lies a deeper and more urgent question: Can a narcissist change? That question has never felt more relevant than now, as the world watches high-profile figures like Sean “Diddy” Combs face a public reckoning for alleged abuse and manipulation. The stories are shocking, but for many South Africans, they’re also painfully familiar. Whether it’s a toxic boss, a controlling partner, or a charismatic friend who leaves emotional chaos behind, narcissism…

The family of an induna who was killed execution-style in broad daylight in front of his children two years ago has commended uMngeni Municipality Mayor Chris Pappas for the help that led to the arrest of the alleged killers, which includes Inkosi Simphiwe Zuma. Inkosi Zuma of the AmaNxamalala Tribal Authority was arrested on June 13 for the murder of his chief induna, Qalokunye Zuma, on January 14, 2023. Zuma made his second appearance at the Impendle Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, where the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) argued against his bail application. Zuma, who is Umkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) leader Jacob Zuma’s nephew, appeared alongside one of his co-accused, who is also his induna, Zwelithini Buthelezi. Buthelezi, who is alleged to have organised hitmen for Zuma, is also…

In a startling revelation, results from the Water Warrior School Water Quality Testing Project conducted by pupils in schools across the country have revealed that a staggering 43% of school water samples tested were found to be unsafe for drinking. Launched during World Water Month in March, the project was led by the environmental organisation Water Community Action Network (WaterCAN) in partnership with Adopt-a-River and the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa), among others. WaterCAN said the project empowered 95 schools across 8 provinces to test the quality of their water supplies, ranging from taps and tanks to rivers. The organisation said pupils used citizen science kits developed by iLAB and pupils and teachers were trained to test, interpret, and upload their findings via the MapMyWater platform. The…

Suspended Road Accident Fund (RAF) chief executive Collins Letsoalo’s suspension will remain in place after the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, turned down his application to immediately be reinstated as CEO. In a scathing judgment released late yesterday, Judge Nasious Moshoanathe said Letsoalo’s application was vexatious. He found Letsoalo’s suspension, which was effected by the RAF Board earlier this month, to be lawful, rational and reasonable. “There is no factual or legal basis to declare the suspension to be unlawful, irrational and unreasonable. Mr Letsoalo has failed to establish a prima facie right, even one open to any doubt. He failed to demonstrate any apprehension of irreparable harm. Thus, he is not entitled to an interdictory relief of any nature, be it interim or final,” the judge said. Accordingly, the application,…

Say what you want about Max Verstappen – cocky, arrogant and sometimes overly aggressive, but you cannot deny that the four-time world champion has a hunger unparalleled to most of his competitors. It’s mid-season and the paddock took a bit of a break to help the mothership market its new movie F1, starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris. There was a fancy display of the grid in New York and most of the drivers showed up wearing their Sunday best. Hamilton won the best dressed award, as usual… But Verstappen opted to head home to spend some time with Lily and test out a GT3 spec Aston Martin at one of motorsports greatest tracks – Spa. He was not the only one to sit the premiere out, as Mercedes driver…

Cape Town City FC’s stint in the top-flight Premiership came to a catastrophic end following a 1-0 defeat against Orbit College in a PSL promotion/relegation playoff clash on Wednesday. Players were left in shock as disbelief swept through the squad after the final whistle, their dreams of remaining in the Premiership dashed in a match that epitomised their struggles this season. Cape Town City, historically a formidable presence by finishing in the top eight for each of their previous eight seasons, found themselves failing to rise to the occasion when it mattered most. In what is a seismic shift in South African football, the club’s catastrophic fall to the First Division marks a spectacular decline for a team that was once a formidable presence in South African football. This season’s…

Mamelodi Sundowns emerged as the stand-out African club at the Fifa Club World Cup, which saw all four African representatives failing to advance to the knockout stage. On Wednesday night in Miami, despite a gripping 0-0 draw against the Brazilian football powerhouse Fluminense, Sundowns fell just one point shy of reaching the last-16 round. At the start of the tournament, Masandawana were overshadowed by the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense. However, they quickly transformed into a team that captured the imagination of fans while demonstrating their mettle on the world stage. Their presence in Group F became a narrative of inspiration and unexpected brilliance since very little was known about the South Africans before the tournament. Travelling to the US to represent South Africa alongside African heavyweights like Al…

Household finances in South Africa are expected to remain strained on the back of accelerating unemployment rate and rising debt levels, resulting in slow expenditure trends. According to the Quarterly Bulletin released by the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) on Thursday, growth in real gross domestic expenditure (GDE) eased to 0.4% in the first quarter of 2025 following an increase of 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Real final consumption expenditure by households increased at a slower pace in the first quarter of 2025 but nevertheless contributed most to growth in real GDP. By contrast, real final consumption expenditure by the general government and gross fixed capital formation contracted further, alongside a further deaccumulation of real inventory holdings, albeit at a slower pace. “Growth in real final consumption expenditure…

In a world being transformed by AI and an unrelenting war for skills, South Africa stands on the brink of an unprecedented opportunity: to become not just a source of talent, but a global talent hub. For too long, we’ve watched our brightest minds leave in search of opportunity, recognition, or growth. But what if South Africa could flip the script? What if we became the place the world looks to when it needs digitally savvy, globally minded, socially conscious professionals. That future isn’t a fantasy. It’s a strategy. And it begins with reframing our national identity — not as a country struggling with unemployment, but as a country brimming with untapped human capital that is ready to lead the industries of the future. The Case for South Africa as…

Growthpoint Properties has upped its distributable income per share (DIPS) growth guidance to 2% to 3% for its 2025 financial year due to improved performance, better property fundamentals in South Africa, continued outperformance by the V&A Waterfront, and lower interest rates. The largest JSE-listed South African Real Investment Trust had reported DIPS growth of 3.9% at the half-year stage, compared to the initial full-year 2025 guidance of a decrease in DIPS of 2% to 5%. In March, the full-year guidance was updated to DIPS growth of 1% to 3%. But a strong performance, as indicated by Thursday's trading statement, resulted in the guidance being lifted once more. Growthpoint management said growth would be offset somewhat by lower offshore income due to the sale of their stake in Capital & Regional…

JSE-listed specialist retail fund Hyprop reported a strong performance for the five months ended May 31, 2025 and is well positioned to make new investments. There had been a “sturdy performance” from the properties in South Africa and Eastern Europe for the five months to May 31, 2025, which “reflects the dominance and resilience of our portfolio despite geopolitical challenges,” CEO Morné Wilken said in a pre-close update. “We continue to look for organic and new growth opportunities... Hyprop is confident of delivering strong growth in the coming year” he said. This would be driven by improved performance by the portfolio, solar and energy project benefits, lower interest costs and benefits of deploying capital. Hyprop recently offered to buy control of MAS to expand in East Europe, for which R808m…

The uShaka Marine World is experiencing financial challenges and will receive a R14 million cash injection so that it remains a going concern. The majority of eThekwini councillors approved the payment to the Durban Marine Theme Park (DMTP) which is controlled by the municipality, at a council meeting yesterday. The theme park and aquarium is located along the City's main beachfront and was conceived as part of the redevelopment of the Waterfront in 2003. The objectives of the creation of uShaka Marine was for it to be a strategic tourism facility for the City of Durban as well as the province of KwaZulu-Natal as a whole. uShaka Marine World entered into an indefinite agreement with the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), a Non-Profit Organisation, in which SAAMBR…

A group of unemployed doctors in KwaZulu-Natal have vowed to continue their sit-in outside the provincial government's offices in Pietermaritzburg until their demands are met. In a statement, the doctors who have been holding a picket outside the offices since Monday welcomed the announcement by the KZN Health MEC that 20 new posts would be advertised but said it was wholly inadequate given the scale of the problem. On Wednesday, Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane announced that the 20 vacancies will be advertised in the coming week as an emergency intervention. She added that the department was still awaiting its allocation from the 800 healthcare posts promised by the national government earlier this year. In response, the unemployed doctors said there were 137 doctors who remain jobless after completing their community…

Accelerating ferociously with all wheels doing leech impressions on the slightly damp tarmac, the big SUV slingshots forward, still accelerating by the time I have to jump on the brakes to avoid becoming one with the mountain at the end of the estate access road loaned to us for the purpose of getting a teaser impression of the new Haval H6 GT Plug-in Hybrid. Pressing on through the few corners the road allows has all the driver safety systems working in sync to ensure the grip is not lost on the slick surface, and even with some enthusiastic wheel-twirling, the Haval stays smooth and steady with hardly a hint of an unpleasant body roll. New and refreshed GWM South Africa has firmly planted its flag in the burgeoning new energy…

JESSICA Motaung says Kaizer Chiefs are not a mid-table team, and the club have been having hard conversations with regards to finding ways to moving up to the top, where they belong. Having finished out of the top eight in the past two seasons and only ending what has been a decade-long trophy drought by winning the past campaign’s Nedbank Cup, the Amakhosi have lost their shine as the country’s Glamour Boys. But Motaung, the club’s marketing director and daughter of chairman Kaizer, says they are intent on changing all that in the upcoming campaign. “Ninth and 10th (positions) is not great for us, and part of the hard conversations we’ve had is that we cannot find ourselves there (again),” Motaung told media at the club’s Taung Village in Naturena,…

When Asenathi Ntlabakanye smeared Sergeal Petersen into the Ellis Park turf during a United Rugby Championship clash, many rugby fans caught on to a truth that Lions supporters already knew: the burly prop would be a cult figure – if given a chance. In the 2019 Rugby World Cup final against England, Tendai Mtawarira packed down against his counterpart Dan Cole – who had replaced the injured Kyle Sinckler. The Beast feasted that day, relishing his dominance and cracking the resistance of the opposition. For the final time in his illustrious career, the exuberant cry of “Beeeeeaaast” rang out around the Yokohama International Stadium in Japan. For many years, it had already been a rite of passage for any fan of the game to proclaim his name whenever he touched…

Orlando Pirates will head into the 2025/26 campaign with a clear objective – to close the gap on serial champions Mamelodi Sundowns and launch a more convincing bid for domestic supremacy. The Buccaneers have wasted little time in laying down a marker, moving decisively in the transfer market to rectify the issues that undermined their title challenge last season. While the Soweto giants finished 13 points adrift of Sundowns, that figure alone doesn’t accurately reflect their efforts throughout the season. Pirates were, for long stretches, the only team capable of forcing the reigning champions out of their rhythm. Although the final table shows a significant margin, the Brazilians were made to dig deeper than usual to retain their dominance. But pushing the champions and actually toppling them are two entirely…

ANRICH Nortjé’s long-awaited return to the green-and-gold Proteas colours has taken another hit, as the fast bowler missed out on South Africa’s T20I squad for the upcoming Tri-Series against hosts Zimbabwe and New Zealand from July 14-26. Coach Shukri Conrad made it clear he wanted Nortjé to return during last summer’s inbound tour of Pakistan, with the hope of featuring him in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. The fast bowler couldn’t make his return, however, due to an injury. Similarly, the 31-year-old has missed out on the upcoming Tri-Series due to a stress reaction. Conrad told the media yesterday that Nortjé would have been in the squad had he not picked up the injury. Another key player in wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has not been included, while spinners Nqaba…