Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-22 i Mercury

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) said on Thursday they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in promoting sustainable energy supply and infrastructure development across South Africa. "This marks a significant milestone in accelerating the country’s Just Energy Transition programme as South African ports are an integral part of this programme," TNPA said, noting that this landmark agreement signifies the entities’ readiness to create a more unified and efficient sustainable energy market while ensuring energy security. To ensure the effective implementationof the MoU, governance structures will be established through steering committees with workstreams, each with a specific focus on either technical, regulatory, or strategic aspects. Under this agreement, the partnership will ensure alignment in the licensing and operation…

Today’s employment landscape has changed drastically, with entrepreneurship at the center of this transformation. SMEs and small business owners have become the backbone of our economy, contributing around 24% of GDP. While South Africa boasts a vibrant start-up and small business sector, the critical question remains: how do we sustain this growth while simultaneously driving job creation? As it stands, entrepreneurship in South Africa is a driving force behind South Africa’s economic growth, especially in the small, medium, and micro enterprise (SMME) sector, which supports over 13 million employees. However, our SMME failure rate is among the highest in the world. To help stop this bleed, we need to develop school curriculums that equip learners with entrepreneurial skills, giving them the tools and confidence to overcome challenges they may encounter…

Growthpoint Properties has signed up with Africa’s first open blockchain-enabled Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) exchange, Fuel Switch, to unlock easily accessible, tradeable clean energy certificates for its tenants. South Africa’s largest JSE-listed REIT’s green energy initiative, e-co₂, goes live in October 2025, when it will deliver its first green electrons to 10 Sandton office buildings, with hydropower wheeled over the national grid from the Boston Hydroelectric Plant, newly developed in the Lesotho Highlands Water Scheme in partnership with Serengeti Energy. The e-co₂ roll-out puts Growthpoint well ahead in bringing certified renewable energy into daily business use, and e-co₂ wheeled green electricity would be cost competitive for Growthpoint tenants and has a zero-carbon footprint, so tenants could save money and advance their sustainability goals, said Growthpoint’s Head: Corporate Advisory, Werner van…

Indian multinational automotive group, Tata Motors, has sent its first shipment of nearly 500 vehicles to South Africa after a six-year long hiatus. Earlier this week Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV), a subsidiary of Tata Motors—India’s largest automotive manufacturer—announced that they had formally re-entered the South African passenger vehicle market. Tata on Wednesday said that this strategic re-entry was underpinned by a strong alliance with Motus Holdings. Shailesh Chandra, managing director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said that their return to South Africa marked a significant milestone in Tata Motors’ global journey. “We are excited to bring our new-generation of vehicles—designed with cutting-edge technology, uncompromising safety, and modern design—to a market that values quality and innovation,” Chandra said. “With Motus as our preferred partner, we are confident in delivering a superior…

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has said that there was no dedicated police unit to deal with Operation Dudula and other movements around the country that are blocking undocumented people from accessing healthcare services. While their actions are illegal, Masemola said that the police's Public Order Policing (POP) will only respond if public disruptions occur. Masemola made the remarks during a media briefing in Olifantsfontein, Pretoria, yesterday, where he oversaw the destruction of more than R400 million worth of confiscated drugs. This was the first time Masemola has publicly commented on the issue, following continued reports of Operation Dudula and the March and March Movement barring undocumented migrants from seeking medical treatment at public health care facilities. “On Operation Dudula, we don’t have a unit specifically to deal with…

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed it will not renew its Master Service Agreement (MSA) with Postbank, which is set to expire on September 30. This decision raises questions about the impact on grant payments for over 2 million beneficiaries who currently use Postbank accounts. DA Member of Parliament (MP) Alexandra Abrahams submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe, seeking clarity on the reasons behind SASSA’s decision, plans to mitigate any negative impact on beneficiaries, and whether a new payment service provider has been appointed to handle grant payments from October 1. In her parliamentary reply, Tolashe stated that SASSA had “decided to exercise the exit clause of the Master Service Agreement (MSA) with Postbank due to operational reasons and changes within…

When Ford unleashed its first-generation Ranger Raptor, it created a monster in more ways than one. Suddenly the owners of “regular” Rangers were accessorising them to the hilt, sometimes with unproven aftermarket products. The carmaker quickly responded with its own range of accessories, and that continued with the new generation of bakkies introduced in late 2022. Adding to that is a new pair of targeted accessory packs aimed at owners of the chrome-laden Ranger XLT and the Everest Sport SUV. Customers can get these packages fitted to their new or second-hand vehicles at their nearest Ford dealership, while enjoying full factory backing as these are OEM-approved products. Those opting for the Ranger XLT accessory pack, priced at R27,500, can expect a Raptor-inspired grille and other purposeful garnishes. The black-painted grille…

FOLLOWING Prenelan Subrayen's reported suspect bowling action, former Proteas bowling coach Vincent Barnes sympathised with the spinner as he was reported in his One Day International debut. Barnes knows this process well, having overlooked the process when former Proteas men's bowlers Johan Botha and Aaron Phangiso found themselves in Subrayen's shoes. The 65-year-old understands that players can take a hit mentally when in such a situation purely because of the reach such a case can have, as it happened in front of the whole world. Barnes told Independent Newspapers that there is no place to hide in international cricket and that worrying about the legality of your action is the last thing any bowler would want at the highest level. "In international cricket, there's no place to hide. You're on…

Proteas Women’s fast bowler Ayabonga Khaka is pleased with the development of women’s cricket in the country and believes the next area of focus should be grassroots and university level. Khaka, at 33-years old, is one of the senior players in the Proteas side, having earned her first international cap at 20 over a decade ago. The Eastern Cape-born fast bowler is among the few players still active who began playing long before the domestic game turned professional two seasons ago. Having been involved in the women’s game for such a long time, Khaka praised the exponential growth since professionalism began. However, she maintains that grassroots and university cricket require more attention to take the game to new heights. “I think in the country the game is improving, and it’s…

Thank goodness for small mercies. Like finding a well-placed chair after a day of walking, your feet beating in time with your heart, or that first slurp of cold tap water when your mouth feels like a gravel trap. Or, perhaps, like the blessing of a wedding scheduled on the same day the Springboks lost to the Wallabies at Ellis Park for the first time in more than 60 years. The ceremony unfolded against a waterfall backdrop, and after a short trek up to the reception, the customary speeches regaled us with tales of the bride and groom for much of the match. By the time the formalities had drawn to a close, the Boks had already stumbled to a 38-22 defeat — leaving those of us at the wedding…

Exxaro Resources’ share price shot up over 10% on Thursday after the mining and renewable energy group declared its 45th consecutive dividend of R8.43 per share for the six months to June 30 and following the acquisition of manganese assets for up to R14 billion. Headline earnings a share were up by 13% to R17.24. Revenue increased 8% to R20.6bn. Net cash of R12.4bn increased by 27% year-on-year, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation was up 10% to R5.6bn. The dividend was 6% up on the same period a year before. The share price traded at R182.07 Thursday afternoon, up from R166.10 a year ago. On May 3, 2025, Exxaro announced two separate agreements to acquire manganese assets from Ntsimbintle Holdings and OMH (Mauritius) Corporation. The price was…

When President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a National Dialogue on Poverty, Inequality, and Crime earlier this month, it was billed as nothing less than a reset of our democratic project. Forty million rand has been allocated to convene stakeholders from across society to address the country’s systemic failures—from unemployment to corruption to the breakdown of public services. Yet, the reception has been mixed. Two major opposition parties have boycotted the process, calling it political theatre. Civil society voices have questioned whether the dialogue will lead to action or simply more words. Business, for its part, has been largely muted—watching from the sidelines, waiting to see what comes of it. That silence is a mistake. Why This Dialogue Matters to Business South Africa’s economic health is inseparable from its social stability. Investors,…

Building a trusted relationship with your financial adviser is key to achieving your financial goals. The intention should be to forge a relationship that is lifelong and continues through generations. To make the most of the services a financial adviser provides, it’s important to work with someone who is the right fit for you, and that starts by asking the right questions. Work with someone you trust Trust is the cornerstone of any successful financial planning relationship, and your adviser should take the time to listen, understand your personal goals, and provide guidance that aligns with your specific financial situation. Equally important is that you, as the client, fully understand the advice being given. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, continue the conversation until you feel confident and comfortable with the…

Restaurant franchise group Spur Corporation is accelerating its store expansion program with the planned opening of 42 new restaurants in South Africa and 14 internationally in the year ahead. “Our brands have not yet reached saturation in South Africa or beyond. We will continue expanding our presence on the African continent and are optimistic about the growth potential as casual dining continues to gain appeal,” said Group CEO Val Nichas on Thursday. Speaking at the release of the group financial results, she said they had already in the year to June 25 expanded their local and international restaurant presence to 724 outlets in 14 countries. The group’s share price surged over 6% to R35.20 on the JSE on Thursday morning, indicating positive investor sentiment to the release of the results.…

A Durban woman who wanted her estranged husband to be held in contempt of court for failing to pay spousal maintenance had her application dismissed. The couple, who married in community of property in March 2014, found themselves in a lengthy and contentious divorce process that began in January 2019. With no children from the marriage, the wife sought monthly support from her husband, initially demanding R30 000 through a Rule 43 application. In October 2019, the court ordered the husband to pay her R7 500 every month and retain her on his medical aid. He was also ordered to finance monthly instalments for her car. She approached the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Durban for relief after her husband defaulted on payments. She stated that as of September 2022, his…

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is warning of an escalating pet overpopulation crisis that is stretching resources to breaking point and forcing painful decisions about animal welfare. Kennels meant for temporary housing are now full, forcing staff to work tirelessly to care for hundreds of animals awaiting adoption. Belinda Abraham, a spokesperson for the SPCA, said the surge is driven by financial hardship, irresponsible breeding, and pet owners relocating without making arrangements for their animals. “We are facing a pet population crisis on an unprecedented scale. In 2024, 23 621 unwanted and unloved animals came through our doors, far surpassing projections. “As Cape Town’s only non-selective, open-admissions facility, we take in every animal brought to us, from the public who can no longer afford a pet to other welfare…

Trade unions have strongly rejected remarks by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who suggested that union interference, including wage increase demands, contributes to declining government workforce numbers. During a stakeholder engagement on crime prevention with Premier Thami Ntuli in uMlazi this week, Mkhwanazi criticised unions for making it difficult to hire additional staff, claiming that salary demands for officers limited government’s ability to expand the workforce. He linked these wage pressures to rising unemployment and fewer police officers being appointed, arguing that labour laws and salary increases had unintended consequences on staffing levels. Cosatu KZN provincial secretary Edwin Mkhize described the comments as “misplaced, out of context, and (at risk of) creating unnecessary tension between the labour movement and law enforcement leadership.” While Cosatu acknowledged the “important work”…

New Volvo South Africa MD Grant Locke, recently returned from 18 months in Sweden, has been brought into the position to steady the ship and ensure that the brand continues to have a strong local presence. Only a day after his arrival, he launched the new Volvo EX30 Cross Country with at least two more scheduled in the next year or so, including the ES90 electric sedan as well as the electric EX60 SUV. Volvo is continuing to focus on New Energy Vehicles and insists that fully electric vehicles will very much continue to be the backbone of their offerings, while plug-in hybrids and mild hybrids will continue to be in the mix. Cross Country moniker That’s very clear with the reveal of the fully electric EX30 Cross Country, the…

As anticipation builds for the MTN8 semi-final second leg clash between arch-rivals Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates tomorrow in Pretoria, coach Miguel Cardoso is keen to manage expectations, downplaying any advantages his team may hold. With memories of a tightly contested first leg still fresh — in which Sundowns secured an important away goal in a 1–1 draw — the stakes are set for a high-octane encounter at home. Reflecting on last week’s performance in Orlando, Cardoso acknowledged the challenges inherent in knockout competitions. “It might be a cliché, but it’s a fact that matches like our competitions with knock-out rounds over two legs are always very tough, both tough,” he stated, underscoring the intensity and unpredictability that define this format. Despite holding the advantage of a home ground and…

Liverpool can expect a hostile reception when they travel to Newcastle on Monday, amid their pursuit of wantaway Magpies striker Alexander Isak. Meanwhile, Manchester City and Tottenham face off in an early test of their Premier League ambitions. Across Merseyside, a new era begins for Everton on Sunday as they welcome Brighton for the first competitive game at their new 53,000-capacity stadium. AFP Sport looks at the major talking points ahead of the second weekend of the Premier League season. Isak saga hangs over Newcastle vs Liverpool clash Isak is expected to sit out the meeting between his current club and his preferred destination, as a stand-off over the Swedish striker's future stretches into the final week of the transfer window. Newcastle maintain that the 25-year-old will not leave unless…

AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane was pleased that his side secured their second win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants, but he emphasised that there is still plenty of work to be done ahead of their next match. Usuthu bounced back to winning ways after a 2-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in their previous outing. Having already opened the season positively with a 1-0 win against newcomers Orbit College, the clash against Gallants was always going to be challenging, particularly given the Bloemfontein-based side’s confident start to the campaign. A first-half added-time goal from Keegan Allan ended Siwelele sa Marumo’s two-match winning streak in a game where the KwaZulu-Natal outfit could have scored more but were hampered by poor decision-making in the final third. Zwane was pleased…

Despite the numerous changes the Springboks have made, the Wallabies believe they remain a dangerous side ahead of their second Rugby Championship match in Cape Town on Saturday. While his counterpart Rassie Erasmus made 10 changes to the Bok starting team for the deciding clash at DHL Stadium (5.10pm kick-off), Australian head coach Joe Schmidt made minimal adjustments to the team that beat their hosts last weekend. Following that 38–22 victory, Schmidt was forced to replace captain and No 8 Harry Wilson with Rob Valetini. Debutant winger Corey Toole comes in for Dylan Pietsch, who suffered a fractured jaw, while Tom Robertson takes the loosehead jersey in place of the concussed James Slipper. With the Boks expected to return to an aerial and forward-dominated game plan, it will be a…

SA president praises Japan’s willingness to adjust tariffs for strained partners President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded Japan’s willingness to adjust tariffs for its strained partners, viewing it as a significant opportunity for deeper bilateral tariff cooperation in a bid to bolster South Africa's international trade in the face of evolving global tariffs. Speaking at the South Africa-Japan Business Forum on the margins of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) Summit in Yokohama on Thursday, Ramaphosa said Japan is a key pillar in South Africa's outreach. Ramaphosa made clear South Africa's readiness to engage in strategic sectors such as battery minerals, automotive components, renewable energy equipment, and hydrogen technologies. He outlined how his government has swiftly activated diversification strategies in the wake of recent tariff decisions by the…

South Africa's consumers are bracing for more challenging times as the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) has raised concerns regarding a significant rise in consumer food price inflation, which surged to 5.5% in July 2025, up from 4.7% in June. This increase, the steepest seen in 18 months, is part of a broader trend reflected in the recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) release by Stats SA on Wednesday, which showed an overall CPI increase from 3.0% in June to 3.5% in July. Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, on Thursday pointed out the clear acceleration in food prices. He emphasised that the primary drivers of this inflation have been the continued increases in meat and vegetable prices. Sihlobo elaborated on the factors contributing to the rise in meat…

Credit has long had a bad reputation. For years, it’s been associated with financial distress, risky decisions, and debt traps. But South African women are rewriting that narrative. Through careful, deliberate borrowing, many are using credit as a tool for resilience – enabling education, covering unexpected emergencies, and building a more financially secure future for their families. More than 50% of credit granted in South Africa today goes to women. The country’s persistent gender pay gap, compounded by often unequal caregiving responsibilities, has made access to credit critical for many women-led households. Stats SA’s latest General Household Survey reveals that 42.4% of households in South Africa are headed by women. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report shows that women typically earn between 23% and 35% less than…

Zimbabwe-listed hotelier, Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG), is expanding into South Africa with the $5.6 million (nealry R100 million) acquisition of a Cape Town commercial property that it intends to turn into a prime hotel. RTG, which runs city and resort hotels in Zimbabwe, said on Thursday that it was in the process of finalising a strategic acquisition in Cape Town through its South African-registered subsidiary, Rainbow Tourism Group (SA). RTG SA has entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Elleke Hospitality for this acquisition. Under the agreement, RTG will acquire the seven-storey commercial property located along Buitengracht Street in Cape Town. “The property which is currently a commercial asset, will undergo adaptive reuse and refurbishment to transform it into a branded hotel operated under a leading international hospitality group,”…

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has cleared its chief, General Rudzani Maphwanya, of any wrongdoing following his recent controversial trip to Iran. Maphwanya had faced scrutiny for suggesting common goals between South Africa and Iran, and for criticising Israel's actions in the Gaza conflict. This controversy arose against a backdrop of existing strain in South Africa's relationships with key democratic allies, especially the United States. The US has sought clarification from South Africa regarding Maphwanya's visit. The Department of International Relations and Co-operation confirmed that issues were discussed during a Tuesday evening call between Deputy Minister Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel, and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. However, it was not clear if the Iran visit was addressed. The Department…

SECTION27, families of the Life Esidimeni victims, and the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) have criticised the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for delays in prosecuting former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and former Director of Mental Health Dr Makgabo Manamela, nearly a decade after 144 mental health patients died following their transfer to unlicensed facilities. The families explained that they were informed in a meeting with the NPA on Monday that the prosecuting body had received a legal opinion recommending prosecution of Mahlangu and Manamela, but only for the deaths of two patients, Terence Chaba and Virginia Machpelah. SECTION27 said it welcomed the NPA’s indication that it was moving towards a decision on prosecution but expressed frustration with the delays. “We are, however, concerned with the extensive delays by the…

Three men have been sentenced to 10 years’ direct imprisonment each for the attempted murder of an off-duty police officer. South African Police Services (SAPS) Captain Gysbert Johannes Grotius was left with life-altering injuries following a violent assault in eManzimtoti, south of Durban, on August 29, 2021. His attackers, Ndabezinhle Mvune, 29, Simiso Mthimkhulu, 47, and Thamsanqa Msabala, 29, were sentenced in the Durban Regional Court this week. The court heard that Grotius, who was off-duty at the time, was walking along Cato Crest Street when he approached a suspicious taxi with three occupants. According to the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) an altercation ensued, during which one of the suspects struck him with a beer can. “The situation escalated when all three men exited the vehicle and assaulted…

Forget every perception you may have about MGs being a quaint but unreliable car built in a shed somewhere in the English countryside. Okay, they may have had some success early in the previous century, and it’s a bit of an exaggeration to say so, but you know what I mean. Recognised as a quintessential small British sports car that was fun to drive, they’ve had their ups and downs, including a short but unsuccessful stint in South Africa a few years ago. The company has been owned by the Chinese for the last 20 years; first by the Nanjing Automobile Group and for the past 18 years or so by SAIC, which also has joint ventures with General Motors and Volkswagen to produce cars for the Chinese market. Earlier…

Mahindra South Africa has opened their new, purpose-built Vehicle Assembly Facility at the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone in KwaZulu-Natal. It also marks the Indian manufacturer’s 30th year in South Africa with the new plant, located close to Mahindra’s original 2018 semi-knocked-down automotive facility assembly site and represents a significant scale-up in both capacity and technical sophistication. Increased capacity The Durban facility can assemble over 1,000 Pik Up single and double cab models per month, with the ability to scale further as demand grows. It also offers the flexibility to accommodate new models Mahindra plans to introduce in the coming years, alongside an increasing level of locally sourced components. “Our original facility played a pivotal role in establishing our local footprint,” said Rajesh Gupta, the CEO of Mahindra South Africa.…

South Africa is spiralling into chaos under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Here is a leader who has stumbled from one embarrassing crisis to another, fumbling the ball, seemingly fiddling while Pretoria burns. Most infamous among Ramaphosa’s foibles was his handling of the break-in at his Phala Phala home, a scandal for which he has so far escaped accountability. We’ve never gotten to the bottom of the hundreds of thousands of dollars stashed in couches and other furniture that adorn his Limpopo game farm, with investigations and reports into the matter either conveniently clearing the president of any wrongdoing, or having had their adoption and public release blocked by political machinery. I assume one of the shady deals made to include the DA in the Government of National Collusion–…

The Springboks are ready to win ugly, if necessary, in their second Rugby Championship Test against Australia tomorrow in Cape Town. While they’ve steadily progressed on attack under assistant coach Tony Brown, the Boks’ strength has always been their ability to use their forwards in a power game to subdue opponents. From there, space opens up for their backs to work their magic and score tries. More recently, and much to the delight of supporters, they’ve been utilizing a running rugby blueprint alongside their forward dominance. While it has brought spectacular tries, the ease with which they sometimes score has led them to take their foot off the accelerator. That allows the opposition to claw their way back into the game — something that has already happened twice this season.…

Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker will be hoping his side can make their 2-0 first-leg advantage count when they face Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 semi-final second leg at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday (6pm kick-off). The Cape Winelands side travel to Polokwane buoyed by goals from Enyinnaya Godswill and Devin Titus, which gave them a first-leg win that could see them reach their second consecutive final in the competition, having fallen 3-1 to Orlando Pirates last season. Both teams enter the semi-final clash in contrasting form. Stellenbosch have struggled in the league, failing to pick up a win in their first three matches this season, while they face a Babina Noko side that is flying high at the top of the Betway Premiership table with three wins…