Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-18 i Mercury

Barloworld set to delist from JSE as Saudi Arabia’s Zahid Group takes shareholding The Competition Tribunal has granted approval for the acquisition of industrial giant Barloworld by Newco, contingent upon fulfilling specific public interest and empowerment criteria aimed at benefiting historically-disadvantaged persons (HDPs) in South Africa. This heralds a significant shift not only for Barloworld but for its employees, as the merger promises structural changes rooted in empowerment and employee participation. Former executives in Barloworld are acquiring the group through Entsha Proprietary Limited, while Saudi Zahid Group is the other shareholder in Newco. With Newco intending to bump up its shareholding in the South African company, Barloworld will ultimately be delisted from the JSE. The merging parties, through their legal representative, told the Competition Tribunal hearing last week that the…

The International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) advisory opinion of July 23, 2025 marks a defining moment in international climate law. For South Africa, it is not a verdict of limitation; it is a verdict of leadership. The ruling invites developing nations to act decisively while balancing growth, justice and innovation. As the only African country to preside over the G20 and a principal voice within BRICS, South Africa’s role is pivotal. It must now demonstrate how technological solutions, fiscal diplomacy and climate justice can co-exist without sacrificing energy security or economic dignity. The ICJ has clarified that climate harm constitutes a breach of international obligations. States must prevent foreseeable damage, protect vulnerable populations and pursue mitigation aligned with the 1.5°C global target. This reinforces the principle of common but differentiated…

The All Share index on the JSE remains strong after a third consecutive week of record levels. The index ended last Wednesday at 100 278 points and closed on Friday marginally lower at 100 950 points, gaining 1.2% for the week and is already 21.3% higher since the beginning of the year. Due to the stronger Rand exchange rate and the effect of the lower interest rates on financial institutions, the financial index performed exceptionally last week. The Fin 15 increased by 3.5% last week. This is more than half the total acceleration for the year-to-date. This index, as a proxy of domestic sentiment, indicates an improvement in confidence. This is echoed by the healthy recovery and increase in the Business Confidence index. Recovery in Business confidence in RSA The…

Sibanye Stillwater’s share price gave up some of its sharp 12-month gains and fell 3.5% on Friday after it reported impairments for its US platinum operations and on its Keliber lithium project, and despite forecasting a 19-times increase in headline earnings per share (HEPS). The multinational mining and metals processing group headquartered in South Africa with gold and platinum and other operations on five continents said HEPS for the six months to June 30 was expected to be between 180 cents and 200 cents, representing an increase of more than 100% compared with the 10 cents reported last year. The basic earnings per share loss was expected to be between 120 cents and 133 cents, a 55% to 60% improvement compared to an EPS loss of 259 cents in the…

The digital revolution has brought with it an unprecedented ease of access to information. However, as our reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) grows, a new, potentially lethal threat has emerged: the dangerously persuasive power of AI chatbots when it comes to our health. While a quick search for symptoms online has long been a source of anxiety, a recent, alarming case highlights how generative AI can lead to severe, real-world harm. In a recent case, a 60-year-old man, seeking to reduce his salt intake, turned to ChatGPT for dietary advice instead of consulting a medical professional. The AI chatbot suggested he replace sodium chloride (common table salt) with sodium bromide. Sodium bromide, while having some historic medicinal uses, is now primarily an industrial chemical and is toxic in large doses.…

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has announced ambitious plans to own its own offices and save close to R100 million a year in rental costs. The department revealed that it is renting about 22 buildings at a cost of approximately R120m per year. These revelations are contained in its budget that details its cost drivers and how it aims to reduce these costs. The department is facing a financial crisis and has recently been bailed out by the provincial government, which reappropriated close to R900m from other departments to assist the departments of health and education in meeting some of their obligations. Speaking on the cost drivers, MEC Sipho Hlomuka said compensation of employees takes up the largest part of the department’s budget, accounting for close to 90%. “Over the…

Rhodes University's Faculty of Law will officially name its iconic law building in honour of one of its most distinguished alumni and the revered outgoing Chancellor, Justice Lex Mpati. This forms part of its 120th anniversary, marking more than a century of academic excellence and profound contributions to the South African legal landscape. As a testament to this enduring legacy and its pivotal role in shaping the nation’s jurisprudence, it will honour Justice Lex Mpati by naming the faculty after him. “This occasion signifies a commitment to recognising visionary leaders and inspiring future generations who will uphold the rule of law across South Africa,” Judge Gerald Bloem, council chairperson of Rhodes University, said. He added that Justice Mpati’s life and career embody the core values the institution promotes, which include…

Thirteen years after the Marikana tragedy, which resulted in the death of 34 miners in the mining village of Marikana in the North West Province, the victims and their widows are said to be still searching for justice for the slain miners. Saturday marked 13 years since police shot dead 34 striking workers, while at least 10 people, including police and security officers,were killed amid the labour dispute in the weeks leading up to the miners’ deaths. Scores of residents, including families of the victims and other prominent figures, gathered at the Marikana Koppie with Advocate Dali Mpofu, accusing the government of moving at a snail's pace in compensating the victims of the tragedy and their families. Mpofu, who represented the miners, also indicated that the government has so far…

MORE than 100 000 homes across KwaZulu-Natal still do not have access to electricity. KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Thulasizwe Buthelezi revealed that in some parts of the province, there is still very low penetration when it comes to the provision of electricity. The MEC was speaking at a recent event for Eskom’s National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) Indaba. “According to the Department of Mineral Resources’ Electrification Master Plan, which provides a detailed breakdown of electrification backlogs per local municipality at the ward level, there were 112 704 households without access to electricity as of the end of March 2023. An estimated R2.25 billion is required to address this backlog,” he said in a statement. The department confirmed that these figures were referring to KwaZulu-Natal. The…

FOR those millions of fans, the world over, who are die-hard followers of the beautiful game in its most competitive and lucrative global manifestation in the English Premier League (EPL), this weekend marked a welcome return to a weekly routine for the next 10 months. Never mind the individual mega clubs like Man United, Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, with their private equity, sports management company and oil-and-gas rich Gulf royal family owners, the EPL brand is even more beguiling with its literally billions of viewing fans which would make Brand South Africa blush with embarrassment because of its resource inadequacies and parochialism. That the EPL and the English game has a unique pull factor that is the envy of European rivals such as La Liga, Serie A,…

Magnanimous Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt had the good grace to say that the 38–22 scoreline at Ellis Park was not a true reflection of the closeness of the game. The Wallabies soaked up a 22-0 deficit to charge home in the second half, scoring six tries, with several of them interception gifts from the Springboks. It was the Wallabies’ first win at Ellis Park since 1963 and their first on the Highveld since 2010. “I’ve coached enough teams where you get a very rapid start, and it can sometimes cause a bit of a lapse in effort and concentration,” Schmidt said. “I think the Boks just gave us a little bit of belief. I think we won the second quarter 5–0, so we had a little win there, and that…

Chelsea suffered a Fifa Club World Cup hangover as they were fortunate to escape with a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener yesterday. Palace were denied an early goal when Eberechi Eze’s free-kick was ruled out following a VAR review, with Marc Guehi adjudged to have obstructed the Chelsea wall. New Chelsea signing Estevão came closest to finding a breakthrough for the home side, but the newly-crowned world champions were blunt in attack against a disciplined Palace defence. The Eagles’ key duo of Guehi and Eze started despite mounting speculation that the England internationals are set to join Liverpool and Tottenham, respectively. “As long as they are 100% committed, they will play, as they are so good,” said Palace boss Oliver Glasner. “They didn’t just show…

An investigation conducted by the World Economic Forum's board on Friday cleared the body's founder Klaus Schwab and his wife of wrongdoing, after a probe into whistleblower complaints. "Following a thorough review of all facts, the Board has concluded that ... there is no evidence of material wrongdoing by Klaus Schwab," the board announced. In April, the Wall Street Journal reported that an anonymous letter sent to the prestigious institution's board of directors accused Schwab and his wife Hilde of mixing their personal affairs with Forum resources without proper oversight. A spokesperson for Schwab had immediately denied all these accusations, but the 87-year-old said he would step down as head of the WEF. The board of the WEF, best known for its annual summit for political and business elites in…

Cosatu applauds the tabling of the Insourcing Bill at Parliament. The Federation eagerly looks forward to its passage into law and implementation by organs across the state. This progressive and, indeed, long overdue Bill requires state organs to insource security, cleaning, gardening, catering, transport, administrative, healthcare, maintenance, information technology, auditing amongst other functions and, where this is not possible, to seek authorisation for such an exemption under specific conditions and criteria. State organs clearly specified by the Bill include national and provincial departments, municipalities, entities and State-Owned Enterprises. This bold and timely Bill speaks to Cosatu’s principled demand to insource key functions performed by various state organs. It responds to long-standing resolutions of the Federation and the ANC and the Tripartite Alliance. The call to insource has been…

Stadio Holdings, the JSE-listed private higher education company, continued a 12-month rise in its share price on Friday after it predicted that core headline earnings per share (HEPS) will increase between 22.8% and 32.7% for the six months to June 30. In a trading statement, the company forecast core HEPS to be between 19.9 cents and 21.5 cents, compared with 16.2 cents for the same period a year before. The group utilises core headline earnings, which is headline earnings adjusted for certain non-recurring items, to measure and benchmark the underlying performance of its business. Earnings per share (EPS) were expected to be between 20 cents and 21.6 cents, being between 22.7% and 32.5% higher than the 16.3 cents EPS reported for the six-month period in 2024. HEPS will be between…

Think of hormones as the unsung influencers of your life, controlling your mood, energy, body, and even your sense of self. Hormones are the silent conductors of our health symphony, orchestrating everything from physical growth to emotional balance. As a woman, understanding the ebb and flow of these hormonal shifts can empower you to embrace each life stage with grace and confidence. From the first blush of puberty to the transition of menopause, these hormonal changes can feel overwhelming, but they also mark significant milestones in your life. Yet, in South Africa, cultural taboos and gaps in healthcare mean many women navigate these journeys feeling confused or alone. Research from Femmeflow shows that over 70% of women experience mood and energy swings tied to hormones, and it takes an average…

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) chief General Rudzani Maphwanya’s recent visit to Iran, where he reportedly pledged military and political support for the country, could deepen tensions between South Africa and the US. This according to international relations expert, Dr Noluthando Phungula, who said South Africa’s ties with Iran have been a bone of contention with the US. Maphwanya, who travelled to Iran last Tuesday, held meetings with several high-ranking military officials, including Major General Aziz Nasizadeh, Iran’s defence minister, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and General Amir Hatami, the Iranian commander. The trip was aimed at strengthening military cooperation. According to Iranian newspaper Tehran Times, Maphwanya said that the two countries had common goals, and always stood alongside the…

People with disabilities complained bitterly about being ignored and not fully represented at the first national convention of the National Dialogue at the University of SA’s main campus in Pretoria. Members of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Presidential Working Group on Disability expressed their unhappiness about the exclusion of representatives of the sector from the gathering. In a letter read during the plenary, the working group stated that while it commended the vision behind the dialogue to foster unity, social cohesion and a renewed social compact, it was disheartened that voices from the disability sector appear to have been excluded from the process. “We, the members of the Presidential Working Group on Disability, write to express our deep concerns regarding the lack of meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities in the planning…

The Department of Correctional Services has plans to address smuggling and overcrowding in correctional facilities, with Minister Dr Pieter Groenewald revealing this during a recent visit to KwaZulu-Natal. Groenewald said after prison raids, the department was investigating which officials were involved in smuggling contraband and disciplinary action was taken. He said since he became minister, 155 officials have been dismissed because they were part of contraband smuggling. Groenewald said that in July, Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale conducted seven raids. “We do identify the hotspots, and if you look at some annual statistics, more than 40 000 cellphones have been confiscated,” Groenewald said. He said these operations will continue. “We will even increase the raids, and the people must understand that it (contraband) is prohibited, and we will act…

PROTEAS coach Shukri Conrad has backed Aiden Markram to rediscover his form in the upcoming ODI series against Australia. Markram endured a lean T20I series, which the Aussies won 2-1 off the penultimate ball of the decider in Cairns on Saturday evening. The skipper’s contribution across the three matches was a paltry 31 runs at an average of 10.30. It would be easy to brush Markram’s poor return by the way side had it been a once-off. But the 30-year-old has been searching for form since before last year’s T20 World Cup when he led the Proteas to a first-ever final. In fact, his last T20I half-century was at the previous T20 World Cup back in October 2022 against India in Perth. He has walked to crease 31 times since…

Chechen-born MMA superstar Khamzat Chimaev broke South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis’ nine-fight UFC winning streak to become the new Middleweight champion of the world today. “In the last round I went for it... I almost had it... but it didn’t happen." said Du Plessis after the fight, apologising to South Africa for “letting you down”. Fighting out of the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, Chimaev dominated Du Plessis over five rounds with elite grappling and wrestling to which Du Plessis had no answer. From the first round, Chimaev enjoyed early takedowns and top control as he restricted Du Plessis’ movement and breathing with a beautiful crucifix. For more than two minutes, Chimaev had the South African in that position as he tapped away at his head with strikes; however, the…

Marc Marquez was “super happy” to claim his first ever win at the Red Bull Ring as he raced to victory in the Austrian MotoGP yesterday. It was his ninth win of the season and extended his lead at the top of the championship standings. The Ducati rider, who started fourth on the grid, swept past pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi on lap 20 and pulled away for his sixth successive victory. Rookie Fermin Aldeguer closed on him in the final laps but had to settle for second, the best result of his fledgling career, with Bezzecchi completing the podium. “Yes, super, super happy to finally take the first victory here in Austria. I'm riding the red bike (Ducati) and it was working super well,” said Marquez. Victory in the 1 000th…

The National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) 2025 show revealed that South African manufacturers are poised to reap significant benefits from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Unveiling the latest industry insights, Luthando Vuba, executive head of international trade at Standard Bank Group's Business and Commercial Banking, last week highlighted how the AfCFTA is paving the way for South African suppliers to deepen their presence in burgeoning automotive markets across Africa. Emerging automotive hubs in countries like Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Egypt demonstrate an increasing demand for South African components, ranging from engine parts and tyres to cutting-edge Electric Vehicle (EV) technologies. Vuba pointed out that while the sector showed resilience, it faced challenges. He said the latest data from NAACAM revealed a contraction of…

Thousands of bank accounts are being closed in South Africa on the basis of reputational risk despite legislative changes in the United States that seek to stop this. Reputational risk as a metric is a slippery slope. Banks do so on the basis of negative media press. Banks use data platforms LexisNexis, World Online and World-Check that aggregates news from media outlets. The problem is that these articles that flag reputational risk lack any forensic or legal basis. Banks don't have to verify if the perceived reputational risk carries weight and on the basis of the negative articles they can debank you whether the news is true or not. The irony is that the banks themselves, such as Standard Bank and Nedbank, are also flagged by the Zondo Commission for…

Why is the 15th of August - a chaotic and shambolic moment in South Africa - so impactful? It ran for two days, two days ago – the National Convention that launched the National Dialogue. To sketch the background that led to this very moment it was during the last Cabinet Lekgotla that President Thabo Mbeki presided over in July 2008. On the agenda was the discussion of South Africa’s scenarios, the second in the series from the first launched as Memories of the Future: South African Scenarios to 2014: Welcome to Foresight For Development. The first scenarios had four possible outcomes: Dudisanang, Sgud S’ Nais, Skedonk and Shosholoza. By all counts by 2007, South Africa was on a Shosholoza Scenario of high hope, high economic growth, declining unemployment with…

Prime Kapital Investments (PKI) said Friday that it had acquired 14.38% of the shares of JSE-listed eastern and central European property group MAS Real Estate, following an offer to buy out all of its shareholders. Following the settlement of the voluntary bid, PKI will own 254.09 million MAS shares, or 36.32% of its share capital. PKI, with other shareholders deemed to be concert parties, will jointly hold 49.4% of MAS's shares. It brings to a conclusion one aspect of the corporate battles being fought in MAS - South African REIT Hyprop withdrew a competing bid for MAS weeks ago, because MAS and its development joint venture partner (DJV) PKI had allegedly refused to provide Hyprop with the required documentation to make a bid. PKI’s offer to buy all of MAS’…

The eThekwini Municipality is making another push to finally implement the R9 billion Go! Durban transport project. The municipality recently announced another plan, a “refined” strategy in an attempt to overcome some of the logjams that have stalled the project. The council was recently briefed on the refined strategy to push the project through. This comes after the Tactical Adjustment Framework proposed last year failed to be implemented. That strategy would have allowed taxi operators on the completed C3 corridor not to be compelled to be part of the project, enabling them to continue operating on the route without giving up their licences. The C3 corridor runs between Pinetown and KwaMashu. The Go! Durban project has stalled due to a variety of issues. One of the main concerns has been…

Floyd Shivambu will visit King Misuzulu kaZwelithini in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal, to introduce his newly formed party Mayibuye, today. The former Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) Secretary-General announced the visit during the final leg of his consultative forum in Durban yesterday. Shivambu said people had given him the go ahead to form a political movement, which included a political party that will contest elections, starting with the local government next year. He said the political movement will consist of civil society organisation, civic organisation and workers’ unions, amongst others. He met with community leaders and traditional leaders in the province yesterday. “We’re here and this is the last province that we’re visiting out of all the provinces. We went to all nine provinces to speak to the people and listen to…

The search and recovery operation for missing aerobatic pilot, Andrew Blackwood-Murray, 61, from Johannesburg, is ongoing along Durban’s coastline with no new developments reported yesterday. Police divers are leading the search, utilising advanced technology, and current weather and sea conditions have not hampered efforts. The incident occurred last Thursday, when Blackwood-Murray's ZS-AEC Extra 300 aircraft, performing its final display, crashed into the sea off Durban. The crash happened off Battery Beach near the Suncoast Casino. The pilot was participating in an airshow linked to the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Global Summit 2025, an annual global meeting organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). The summit was hosted at both the Durban International Convention Centre and Virginia Airport. On Friday,…

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has expressed its sadness over the death of a learner who tragically fell into a septic tank at Mzila Primary School in Dannhauser, in the north of the province, last week. According to department spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi, the learner was playing when the incident occurred. “As the department, we would first like to extend our condolences to the bereaved family. “No one sends their child to school to perish; everyone always expects him or her to come back home. Our prayers are with the family, as we understand the pain they are enduring,” he stated. Mahlambi further explained, “The school does not have pit toilets but septic tank toilets. The child fell into the septic tank while playing with a tyre. “The teacher, security personnel,…

Where does one draw the line with undocumented migrants? The issue of undocumented migrants in South Africa has caused a stir across various sectors. While some call for their immediate deportation because they deplete the country’s resources at the expense of the nationals, others – including some NGOs – plead on their behalf. They even invoke certain clauses of the Freedom Charter and sections of the country’s constitution to strengthen their argument on why these undocumented migrants should be allowed to stay in this country. The main question that begs for attention is: where does one draw the line between addressing the challenge of undocumented migrants and upholding human rights? Another question becomes: should the rights of these undocumented migrants supersede those of South African citizens? These are very critical…

I’m not sure if Rassie Erasmus is familiar with the poetry of Robbie Burns, but he will grasp the drift of the famous line: “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry”. That is precisely what happened at Ellis Park on Saturday, where the plan the Boks produced from a three-week training camp yielded 22 wonderful points in 20 minutes, only for the scoring spree to give way to 38 unanswered points as the Wallabies roared home in the second half. It appeared that the Boks were lured into Barbarians-style rugby and forgot that Test matches are won by first doing the hard yards. In short, they departed from their DNA of physicality, territorial kicking and set-piece dominance, and instead did an impersonation of the Blitzboks. To rub…

Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki is banking on his players’ individual and collective international experience to prove vital in their crucial final CHAN group stage match. Bafana will face co-hosts Uganda at the Mandela National Stadium in their last Group C match tonight (7pm kick-off). Ntseki’s men must win the clash to qualify for the knockout stage, as they currently sit third with five points, one behind log leaders Uganda, known as the Cranes. The hosts are expected to be formidable opponents, with supporters likely to pack the stadium and rally behind their team. Despite his squad being largely made up of free agents, Ntseki believes they have sufficient experience to survive in hostile environments. “Some of them have played for the national team and at AFCON before,” Ntseki said.…

The All Blacks returned to the top of the world rankings for the first time since 2021 after a 41-24 Rugby Championship victory over Argentina on Saturday, but captain Scott Barrett insisted there was plenty to work on despite the scoreline. “We talked about starting well and I think we did that. We finished the second half quite strong – it was a bit of a statement there,” Barrett said, highlighting the contrast with last year, when the team often faded late in games. New Zealand had raced to a 31-10 half-time lead through tries to Sevu Reece, Ardie Savea and Cortez Ratima, but Argentina fought back to within seven points before Samisoni Taukei’aho’s late double sealed the outcome. Barrett admitted the hosts had been allowed back into the contest.…

The Betway Premiership spotlight turns to Chatsworth tomorrow as Golden Arrows host newly promoted Durban City in a clash that promises intensity, drama, and tactical intrigue. Central to the storyline is the renewed rivalry between two of South Africa’s most respected coaches: Gavin Hunt and Manqoba Mngqithi. Hunt, in his first season with Durban City, has hit the ground running. The veteran tactician has guided the newcomers to back-to-back wins to open their campaign, signaling that the club is no longer content with merely surviving in the top flight. Hunt’s structured approach and tactical acumen have been instrumental in giving Durban City an immediate competitive edge. Across the pitch, Mngqithi’s Golden Arrows have experienced mixed fortunes. After a disappointing loss to Siwelele FC, Arrows bounced back with a tough win…