Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-24 i Mercury

The South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) may once again loosen its monetary policy before the year draws to a close despite recent data revealing an uptick in consumer price inflation. This comes as the Sarb’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will announce its decision on the policy rate next week after cutting the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.25% per annum in May. Data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Wednesday showed that the headline consumer price index (CPI) edged higher to 3.0% in June after holding steady at 2.8% in April and May. This was the 11th consecutive month in which inflation remained below the 4.5% midpoint of the Sarb’s 3-6% target range. Stats SA chief director of price statistics, Patrick Kelly, said the annual rate for…

Natco puts in ambitious bid for 135-year-old South African pharmaceutical company NATCO Pharma, a listed pharmaceutical manufacturer in India, has put in a bid to acquire 135-year old South Africa pharmaceutical group Adcock Ingram Holdings via a R4.2 billion deal involving a cash offer to minority shareholders. Adcock Ingram’s share price rocketed on the JSE on Wednesday on news of the bid, with the share price ending 18.1% higher at R67.70. The offer was pitched at R75 per Adcock Ingram share, which represents a significant premium to the share price. The offer comprises all the shares in Adcock Ingram, excluding those already held by NATCO Pharma and major shareholder Bidvest. Should the offer be accepted, NATCO Pharma will hold a 35.75% stake in Adcock Ingram, valued at R4bn, and the…

Norway-based renewable energy group, Scatec ASA, has been awarded preferred bidder status for a R13 billion solar cluster project in in the Free State province, which will add a total of 846MW to the electricity grid. In a statement on Wednesday, Scatec confirmed it had been awarded preferred bidder status in the seventh round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). The project, known as the Kroonstad PV cluster, is expected to operate under 20-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), ensuring a steady supply of sustainable energy once completed. This latest development follows the Department of Electricity and Energy’s strategic re-allocation of energy capacity from onshore wind to solar photovoltaic (PV) solutions. The cluster will comprise three solar power plants, Oslaagte Solar 2 (293MW), Oslaagte Solar 3 (293MW),…

While many South Africans observed Mandela Day last Friday, July 18, with symbolic gestures of service, in townships and rural communities across the country, entrepreneurs marked the day by actively contributing to economic upliftment and community development. In areas often overlooked by formal investment, township and rural entrepreneurs have long been creating jobs, building networks, and strengthening local economies through small but impactful enterprises. Mandela Day this year amplified the ongoing efforts of these business owners, who used the occasion to give back in meaningful ways. Across Limpopo, small-scale bakeries hosted bread-making workshops to teach unemployed youth practical skills, helping them generate income with limited resources. These workshops offered more than baking techniques — they provided a pathway to financial independence and a source of hope for communities grappling with…

Vodacom Group’s share price slid by 5.46% even though first quarter service revenue growth of 13.8% tracked favourably against the group’s medium-term target of double-digit growth. The share price traded at R135.86 on the JSE Wednesday afternoon, after the release of a trading update for the quarter to June 30 - the price was over 42.2% higher than at the same time last year. “Encouraging trends from Vodacom Group's first quarter performance support the confidence we communicated in May this year, when we upgraded our financial targets, signaling that the organisation is poised for stronger growth in the medium term,” said Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub. Egypt remained a star performer, having grown service revenue 43.8% in local currency. In South Africa, which accounts for more than half the group…

If you dream of an Instagram-worthy home filled with perfect lighting and luxurious textures, but your bank account tells a different story, it’s easy to just sigh and keep scrolling. However, with a few smart, budget-friendly tricks, you can transform your home into a dreamy sanctuary. Bedroom Change your bedding: Ditch the over-the-top florals and opt for neutral colours like crisp white, soft grey, or soothing beige instead. Add some plush throw pillows and a textured blanket at the foot of the bed. Curtain call: Ditch those flimsy curtains. Floor-length curtains hung high above the window frame will make your ceilings appear taller and give a more elegant, tailored look. Opt for natural fabrics like linen or cotton blends. Lighting is key: Harsh overhead lighting is a no-no. Instead, layer…

A bill which seeks to reevaluate the bilateral relationship between the US and South Africa and identify government leaders who should be subject to sanctions was passed by a US House Committee on Foreign Affairs this week. The US-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 was introduced in April by Ronny Jackson, a congressman from Texas. The bill, to become a law, will need to be approved by the House and Senate before being signed by President Donald Trump. According to a report by IOL earlier this year, the bill mandates a comprehensive review to identify South African government officials and leaders of the African National Congress (ANC) who may be subject to sanctions for their alleged support of American adversaries such as China, Russia, and Iran. Commenting on…

"All the signs were there." That’s how former Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane described her reaction to being dismissed from the position by President Cyril Ramaphosa, adding that many people wanted her to be fired from the position. Nkabane said she received a call from Ramaphosa on Monday informing her of his decision while she was on her way to Cape Town for a portfolio committee meeting on higher education scheduled for Tuesday. “All signs were there…that there are some forces on the ground that want me out of the system,” she told broadcaster eNCA this week. “To be honest, I am not even shocked, and I have just accepted the dismissal because the President, in terms of the Constitutional prerogative, has powers and functions. When you look at…

Keabetswe Moroane, 43, has been convicted of culpable homicide in the death of her neighbour’s eight-year-old son, who was mauled by her pitbull on November 12, in Bloemfontein. The tragedy unfolded when the dog broke free from Moroane's home and attacked the child as he played in the garage of his home. The court's decision to convict Moroane came after it was revealed that she had repeatedly ignored the growing concerns surrounding the dangerous nature of her dog. Despite efforts by both herself and concerned neighbours to install fences and wooden poles to keep the animal contained, Moroane’s failure to maintain these safety structures directly contributed to the horrific outcome. On the fateful day, the pitbull escaped and plunged into the neighbouring property where the unsuspecting child was playing, resulting…

A husband who had twice signed an agreement to transfer his half of the matrimonial home to his wife later attempted to retract his consent. The husband told the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, that he thought the documents he was signing were only to acknowledge that he got the court papers. But this excuse did not hold water with the court, which pointed out that as an engineer, he is an intelligent man who knew what he was doing. His wife instituted the divorce proceedings against him. She claimed that even before they went to court, they had reached a settlement in which he handed half of their home to her. She attached a settlement agreement signed by her and two witnesses to the summons. The husband had clearly signed…

While youngsters such as Lhuan-dre Pretorius have stolen the show since getting a taste of international cricket against Zimbabwe over the last month, left-arm fast bowler Kwena Maphaka is yet to fire on all cylinders. Maphaka was certainly a standout player at the U19 level and in domestic cricket, as his sheer pace proved too much for opposition batters. However, the same cannot be said about his impact in international cricket and his maiden SA20 season with the Paarl Royals. The 19-year-old earned his maiden international cap in the Caribbean last year, becoming the youngest Proteas player in history. Since that day, however, the fast bowler has yet to light up the international scene. But the youngster still has plenty of time to acclimatise, having only accumulated in 11 international…

Spanish champions Barcelona loaned Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford yesterday with a future purchase option. "Barcelona and Manchester United have reached a deal for the loan of the player Marcus Rashford until June 30, 2026," announced the La Liga champions in a statement. "The agreement also establishes an option to buy the English forward." Barcelona are paying around 75 percent of Rashford's £325,000-a-week wage while he is at the club, with the player foregoing the rest, according to Spanish reports. The 27-year-old England international was out of favour under Man United coach Ruben Amorim and spent the final months of the 2024/25 season on loan at Aston Villa. Rashford, who made his United debut in 2015, became an outcast at Old Trafford, with Amorim publically doubting his commitment and desire.…

Second place surely cannot be good enough this time around for Orlando Pirates. Bridesmaids to Mamelodi Sundowns in the league for the past two seasons, the Buccaneers must be hell-bent on usurping the Brazilians in the upcoming campaign. They showed last season that they can run Sundowns close, having significantly narrowed the points gap compared to the season before. The big question, though, is whether the change of coach will have a positive or negative effect on Pirates’ ambitions. Jose Riveiro managed to give Sundowns a run for their money because he had been at the club for three seasons and had already established a winning formula and built a trusted team that he stuck with. That continuity could well be affected this time around, with new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou…

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) reached a monumental threshold on Wednesday as the FTSE/JSE All Share Index (ALSI) celebrated its ascent to 100 000 points for the first time ever. This remarkable figure is not just a testament to numerical achievement; it symbolises a prosperous evolution since the index began at just 100 points in January 1960, marking a staggering increase of 1 000 times over the past 65 years. The index's annualised returns have exceeded 11%, underscoring the resilience of South Africa’s capital markets and positioning the JSE as one of the best-performing markets globally in both US dollar and rand terms for the year 2025. The bourse has been breaking records since the year began as it started 2025 on a high above 84 000 index points. By…

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has updated labelling regulations for plant-based meat analogue products - a move welcomed by LIVEKINDLY Collective Africa (LKCA) and Fry Family Foods. The regulations do not allow the use of meat names such as beef, chicken, pork in the products but allow the use of names such as burger, sausage, nugget, hot dog. The name for a meat analogue needs to be preceded by a descriptive name such as “plant-based”, “fungi-based”, “mushroom-based”, “vegan”, “veggie” or “vegetarian” and/or a similar descriptive name or term that will assist or enable the consumer to determine the true nature and composition of the meat analogue, according to the regulations. The updated regulations are the result of a collaborative and consultative process that unfolded over…

Visa, an American multinational payment card services giant, on Wednesday launched its data centre in Johannesburg, its first in Africa and part a R1 billion investment over the next three years into South Africa. “This investment reflects our commitment to the long-term potential of South Africa and its economy,” said Michael Berner, the head of Southern and East Africa at Visa. “With the launch of this state-of-the-art Data Centre, we are building the digital foundations needed to drive inclusion, unlock innovation and power the broader vision of sustainable economic growth across the region.” In announcing the investment, Berner said part of the investment will also cover creation of the new jobs. It will support entrepreneurs, SMEs, female leaders and the broader communities, which need some additional financial literacy. Visa’s new…

South Africa has made strides in advancing mental health awareness, with government, schools, corporate wellness programmes, civil society organizations/and NGOs have made it a national priority. However, South Africa’s entrepreneurial community remain unsupported. Entrepreneurs bear disproportionate emotional burdens. For instance, a 2015 Berkeley University study found that 72 % of entrepreneurs reported experiencing mental health challenges, nearly half had formally diagnosed conditions like depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or substance-related issues. Meanwhile, there is no recent South African data that speaks to the invisible struggles entrepreneurs face and how these conditions, amplify stress, isolation and burnout. The 2025 South African MSME Access to Finance Report reveals that micro-enterprises businesses with turnovers under R1 million generate over 80 % of MSME jobs and account for nearly 86 % of funding requests yet…

In a significant step towards bolstering its international presence, Santam, the short-term insurer owned by Sanlam, has received in-principle approval from Lloyd’s of London to establish a new syndicate. This strategic initiative, branded as Santam Syndicate 1918, pays homage to the company's founding year and is set to commence underwriting in January 2026. “We are very excited about our partnership with Lloyd’s and the expansion opportunities into new territories and classes that the new syndicate will offer,” said Tavaziva Madzinga, CEO of Santam Group. “Lloyd’s is a global hub for insurance business, innovation and talent, and we are pleased to be building out new foundations in this market, with the support of our partners and the talent we have attracted,” he said. The anticipated gross written premium for Santam Syndicate…

Pressure is mounting on the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka, amid growing calls for an investigation into allegations that he interfered in the awarding of contracts for the school nutrition programme. KZN premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said he had written to Hlomuka and asked for a comprehensive report “detailing all relevant facts, context, and any recent developments pertaining to the allegations. “As the head of a government founded on the principles of accountability, transparency, and ethical governance, I am duty-bound to respond promptly and decisively,” Ntuli said. ActionSA and MK Party have both voiced their concern about the serious allegations of irregularities and corruption, while labour union federation Cosatu has stated that the department must come out clearly and explain how the tenders have been awarded. The allocation of tenders…

The National Assembly of South Africa unanimously agreed to revive a motion to investigate statutory rape of young girls and review existing laws for potential amendments. Initially introduced by the EFF in August last year, the motion was read by ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli to continue the work of committees that were unable to conduct public hearings. Ntuli said the portfolio committees of Social Development, Basic Education, Health, Justice, and Police were mandated to receive submissions on the statutory rape of young girls, review legislation and, if necessary, recommend amendments to enforce mandatory reporting of statutory rape by teachers and nurses. The committees were mandated to report to the House by March 31, 2025, but the actual hearings could not be conducted before the deadline. Ntuli said there was…

In what appears to be a reversal of the decision of former KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo, the new ANC provincial leadership is set to re-appoint former KwaDukuza Local Municipality mayor Lindiwe Nhaca. She was unceremoniously kicked out of her mayoral position in November last year by Mtolo, who replaced her with the ousted Ali Ngidi through a vote of no confidence after she defied Mtolo’s orders to resign. In a surprise move, Nhaca’s name was forwarded to the provincial deployment committee alongside former Ilembe district Municipality mayor Siduduzo Gumede and current KwaDukuza Speaker Dolly Govender to choose the mayor from them. This was confirmed by regional task team coordinator Nkosenhle Mngadi yesterday. Mngadi said the regional working committee met on Monday and recommended the three names to the provincial…

It was not hard to calculate who the most popular Springbok Women’s player at the girls coaching clinic held at the SK Walmers RFC ground at the Green Point Track was on Wednesday. Even with the Black Ferns XV in attendance, who boast legendary All Blacks and Auckland Blues flyhalf Carlos Spencer as part of their coaching staff, the youngsters flocked to SA Women’s Rugby Player of the Year Nadine Roos. Even during her scheduled media activities, Roos was called away to share a few inspirational words with the excited group. “I think obviously what's really important for us as a group is to inspire the younger generation. And I think this is exactly where it starts for us. Investing our time and our effort and the skill and experience…

INDIA suffered a potentially major setback when Rishabh Pant retired hurt on the first day of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford yesterday before they reached stumps on 264-4. Earlier, spinner Liam Dawson marked his first Test in eight years with the key wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal after England captain Ben Stokes went against history by opting to bowl first after winning the toss. No team winning the toss and bowling first has ever won a Test at Old Trafford. India, 2-1 down after three Tests, must win in Manchester if they are to keep alive their hopes of winning the five-match series. But the tourists will have to make history as they have never managed to win in nine previous Tests at Old Trafford. India, got through…

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was well-documented during his time at Anfield about his resistance to spending large sums of money on transfer fees. Klopp was famously quoted as saying: “If you bring one player in for $100 million or whatever and he gets injured then it all goes through the chimney.” “The day that this is football, I’m not in a job anymore.” Klopp, of course, is no longer in the hot seat at the Reds, but even he’s needed to change his tune as the Premier League champions have blown away their competitors during the current transfer window with a host of big-money signings, most notably Florian Wirtz. The German international cost Liverpool an initial £100 million, topped up by a further £16 million in potential add-ons, which…

Italy’s Jonathan Milan escaped a spectacular pile-up of flying bikes and bodies to win stage 17 of the Tour de France in lashing rain yesterday, extending his lead in the sprint points race. Overall leader Tadej Pogacar and his closest rival Jonas Vingegaard (4min 15sec behind) finished safely despite a mass fall 800m from the finish line at Valence at the foot of the Alps. On the rain-slick roads at Valence once one rider had fallen his interminable slide across the tarmac sent riders flying like skittles leaving only 10 to contest the sprint. “It was chaotic but incredible. I was expecting a bit of rain. We placed as best as we could and the guys put me in the best spot just before the fall,” said Milan. This was…

The Competition Tribunal of South Africa has approved the R35 billion acquisition of the MultiChoice Group (MCG) by French media giant CANAL+. effectively consolidating two of Africa's biggest television and media groups. This landmark deal, designed not only to strengthen CANAL+’s foothold in sub-Saharan Africa but also to foster competition against dominant global streaming services like Netflix, comes with a series of stipulations aimed at promoting local empowerment in the audio-visual industry. CANAL+, recently spun off from parent company Vivendi, made an offer to MultiChoice shareholders at R125 per share—valuing the total acquisition at R55bn. The Competition Commission previously indicated that the merger would not impede competition within any market. Historically, CANAL+ has focused on francophone African territories, while MultiChoice has predominantly catered to the sub-Saharan demographic. The approval marks…

Despite global economic uncertainties and constrained exit environments, Southern Africa’s venture capital (VC) sector closed off 2024 with a record R13.35 billion in active investments across 1 325 deals, up 24% year-on-year, according to the 2025 Savca VC Survey. Nicola Gubb, interim executive director of Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (Savca), said the findings reflect an industry that has demonstrated remarkable tenacity and resilience. “Behind these numbers lies the story of a maturing market, more sophisticated capital deployment, deeper investor networks, and an encouraging shift toward early-growth stage funding, especially Series A, which speaks to a growing confidence in scalable local innovation,” she said. Stephan Lamprecht from VS Nova, Savca's research partner, said, “South Africa’s VC landscape is showing promising growth, with renewed government involvement - particularly…

By the middle of the year, most small business owners are so busy managing day-to-day operations that any medium- to long-term strategy goes out the window. But doing a mid-year business check-in can be one of the most powerful ways to keep your business on track towards achieving your goals. The economic climate in South Africa remains challenging: consumers are cash-strapped, and many businesses are operating in low-growth sectors. At the same time, we’ve seen positive signs: interest rates have stabilised, fuel prices have dipped even though there’s a threat of a diesel price hike in August, and some SMEs are reporting stronger cash flow compared to this time last year. Whether your business is struggling or thriving, now is the right time to take stock. Here’s how to approach…

Karooooo reported another set of strong results for the first quarter to May 31 with the number of Cartrack subscribers increasing by 17% while the interim dividend was up by more than 15%. On the JSE Wednesday morning, Karooooo’s share price shot up by 5.73% to R920, following the announcement of the results. The share price is up by over 57% over 12 months. The interim dividend of $1.25 per ordinary share was declared versus $1.08 at the same time last year, which was paid due to the strong cash position and good earnings growth, CEO Zak Calisto said in an interview. “We are pleased to report a strong start to the 2026 financial year highlighted by accelerating Cartrack subscription revenue growth across all regions,” he said. In June, Calisto…

Mr Price Group detailed a commendable 6.3% increase in retail sales, reaching R9 billion for the 13 weeks ending June 28, even though June presented a more challenging month, the group said in a trading update on Wednesday. June sales tumbled 5.1%. The group's performance was highlighted by an increase in comparable store sales by 3% over the 13 weekd, showcasing its resilience amidst a fluctuating market landscape. Despite the slip in sales for June, investors appeared cautious as the share price decreased by 2.63% to R209.34. It traded at R211.21 at the same time last year. Management remains optimistic about their competitive advantages, noting significant market share gains of 10 basis percentage points during the reporting period—an achievement that far exceeds the total comparable market's retail sales growth, as…

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ordered a family to demolish a brick-and-mortar structure they constructed on a farmer’s property without permission. In 2006, Basfour, the current owner of the farm, purchased the land. At that time, a family was already living there with permission from the previous owner. The family occupied a cluster of homesteads built of mud and corrugated iron. The bulk of the homesteads were used for dwelling purposes, except for two. One structure was used for traditional ceremonies, and the other, as a storeroom. In June 2017, Basfour’s employee, Louis De La Rey Hattingh, discovered that the family was erecting a new brick-and-mortar structure without Basfour's consent. After the family refused requests to halt construction, Basfour turned to the Land Claims Court (LCC), successfully obtaining an…

Former chief justice Raymond Zondo has questioned the ANC conference resolution in 2007 to disband the elite crime-busting unit, the Directorate of Special Operations, popularly known as the Scorpions. Zondo retired last year after a distinguished 12-year tenure at the Constitutional Court. Yesterday he spoke at the South African Council of Churches’ national church leaders anti-corruption conference in Johannesburg. “We cannot talk about intensifying or strengthening our fight against corruption, or making sure that our fight against corruption is effective, without a police force that is able to do its job properly. In the early 2000s, we had the Scorpions which were very effective in fighting corruption. The criminals had begun to fear them. “In 2007, at the ANC elective conference, a resolution was taken to disband them. And they…

The Durban High Court heard yesterday morning that one of the victims of the 2021 July unrest in Phoenix was hit on his head by a rock and a hammer. Four men, Ravine Naidoo, 67, from Phoenix, Trevor Gopal, 52, from La Mercy, Tyreece Govender, 21, from Phoenix, and Timothy Govender, 46, from Phoenix, are on trial for murder, attempted murder, malicious damage to property, and public violence. Additionally, Gopal is also charged with incitement to commit public violence. The State is alleging that the four men killed Njabulo Allen Dlamini by hitting him with golf sticks, an iron rod and a sjambok, and setting him alight. It also alleges that the accused attempted to kill and burn Nkosikhona Madlala and Sandile Colin Sambo by hitting them with golf…

OVER the past three seasons, the SA20 has grown in leaps and bounds, and the upcoming fourth edition promises to be even bigger with some of the biggest names in franchise T20 cricket having committed to the league already. This season, the SA20 barely clashes with any T20 leagues, meaning the world's top T20 cricketers are available to grace the South African cricket with their presence and skills. Among the players who have been pre-signed for the upcoming season are West Indies all-rounders Andre Russell (Pretoria Capitals) and Sunil Narine (Durban's Super Giants), both who have sparkling T20 careers. Allah Ghazanfar, the latest addition to the long list of Afghanistan's mystery spinners, also joins the SA20 for the first time. He has signed with last season's runners-up Sunrisers Eastern Cape…

With the business end of the bowls league season fast approaching, the race for top honours in both the men's and women’s first divisions is reaching fever pitch. After round 5 in the men’s league and round 3 in the women’s, the battle lines are firmly drawn — and with just two rounds to go, the stakes couldn’t be higher. In the men’s first division, Westville Bowling Club continued their dominant run, racking up a solid 25 points last weekend to cement their position at the top of the log. Their total of 62,5 points puts them 6 points ahead of second-placed Parkhill, who walked away with 21,5 points from their two weekend encounters. Still clinging to third place is Umhlali Country Club, who added 18 points to their tally…

DURBAN City FC chairperson Farook Kadodia is looking to revive the interest of the Indian community in South African football with his newly-promoted Betway Premiership side. Speaking exclusively to Independent Newspapers at the announcement of their sponsorship from the BMW Durban South on Tuesday, Kadodia insisted that although this is not something he “wanted to publicise”, but felt he it was important to highlight the need for Indian representation in the local professional league. According to Kadodia, when he first formed Maritzburg United (now changed to Durban City), they were part of three Indian-owned teams in the PSL along with Manning Rangers and Santos FC. “I come from the days where we used football as a method to demonstrate our stance against apartheid. There used to be an all-African…