Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-26 i Mercury

Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has moved to fortify its fuel security amid the country’s ongoing energy challenges, with CEO Mpumi Mpofu warning that South Africa’s heavy reliance on fuel imports remained a risk to airport operations. Acsa has in the recent past faced significant disruptions to flight operations at its airports as a result of fuel supply challenges due to a variety of reasons, the latest being the shutdown of the National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (Natref), which caught fire on 4 January. Speaking at the release of Acsa’s financial results for the year ended March 2025, Mpofu on Monday said the company had ramped up its jet fuel storage capacity to 10 days as a safeguard against supply disruptions, which have previously caused significant operational setbacks. Mpofu…

For too long, governance has been reduced to the production of paperwork, compliance checklists and board reports. Many boards take comfort in approving strategies, signing off policies and publishing annual reports as if these activities, in and of themselves, are proof of effectiveness. Yet an uncomfortable truth remains: outputs alone do not guarantee that governance is working. The real test of governance lies not in the number of policies approved or reports filed, but in whether those actions translate into meaningful and measurable impact. In other words, governance maturity is not about outputs but about outcomes. King IV reminds us that governance must deliver four intended outcomes: an ethical culture, good performance, effective control and legitimacy. These are the benchmarks against which boards should ultimately be judged. Outputs are easy…

At some point groceries will be delivered at your doorstep without ordering but based on years of shopping data collected by retailers.The so called smart trolley, or the Xpress Trolley, by Checkers and Shoprite is an important step towards such a future. It started with the rewards card that has also been collecting data about shopping habits and behaviour. Consumers have not yet seen the full effects of this development within the retail sector. The latest product by ShopriteX is another shiny thing launched by a group of innovators within the Shoprite Group. They have designed the cart to let customers scan items as they shop, see a real-time running total, pay directly on the trolley, and receive in-store navigation and personalised promotions. It is claimed that all of…

ADvTECH, South Africa’s largest private education and human capital group, reported healthy enrolment, moderate fee increases, improved debtors control, and better margins in the six months to June 30. Normalised earnings per share increased by 16% to 113 cents, revenue increased 10% to R4.68bn, and operating profit increased by a healthy 14% to R982 million. An interim dividend of 45 cents (2024: 38 cents) per ordinary share was declared. Enrolment increased 13% to 105 701 students. Schools Rest of Africa enrolments were up 40% year-on-year to February 2025, while tertiary full qualifications enrolment increased 14%. Half-year headline earnings per share increased by 15% to 112.7 cents. “We continued to build competitive advantage by investing in technology to enhance teaching and learning…ADvTECH delivered another strong set of results,” said the CEO…

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube highlighted that several provincial education departments in the country are facing severe financial constraints, but that they are facilitating the development of financial recovery plans for each of them, which include flushing out ghost learners and teachers. KwaZulu-Natal's education department was among those severely affected by financial constraints. Gwarube and Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule reflected on the state of the education system at the National G20 Basic Education Indaba yesterday. Held in Cape Town under the theme: “Taking the G20 to the People – A National Indaba for Advancing Quality Foundational Learning through Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and Education Professional Development,” the indaba aims to strengthen the sector’s drive to ensure participation in the G20 is felt at all spheres. Having traversed…

A member of the South African National Defence Force who was not promoted to the rank of lieutenant because of two prior minor offences — a fine for negligent driving and a reprimand for improper parking — turned to court to have the decision by the SANDF overturned. While the SANDF Act requires that an officer must never have been convicted and imprisoned without the option of a fine, Frans Matjila told the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, that his transgressions were minor and he only received a fine. The SANDF, on the other hand, regarded them as major offences. Matjila is a non-commissioned officer and holds the rank of flight sergeant. He joined the SA Air Force in 1998 and advanced through the ranks — airman, corporal and sergeant —…

Over one million new protection order applications were filed nationwide in the 2024/25 financial year. Gauteng accounted for the most applications followed by the Western Cape. This was revealed by Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel during a Community Imbizo aimed at combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), held in the Western Cape at the weekend. “These are not just numbers. They are lives. They are mothers, daughters, sisters, neighbours and friends — people who are fearing for their safety. “If someone violates a protection order, it is a criminal offence in terms of the Domestic Violence Act,” the deputy minister said. The event was a collaboration with the Cape Winelands Women’s Movement, a non-profit organisation that seeks to empower women and marginalised communities, particularly those affected…

Durban City coach Gavin Hunt believes their encouraging start to the Betway Premiership will count for little if they fail to capitalise on matches before facing the league’s elite. The top-flight newcomers have picked up seven points from their opening three fixtures, beating established sides and holding their own in their maiden KZN derby against Golden Arrows. Hunt admits that while there is still much to improve on, he is satisfied with the foundation laid. “If someone offered me seven points at the start of the season, I would have taken it. We’re going to try and get as many as we can before playing the big hitters, but we will keep getting better as well,” he said. Durban City head to Limpopo this week for back-to-back clashes, first against…

Australian tours are renowned for the birth of future superstars. West Indian legend Brian Lara announced his arrival on the world stage with his maiden Test century at the SCG back in 1993 when he struck a majestic 277 in the New Year Test. It was a seminal moment in Lara’s career, who later named his daughter Sydney. Thirty-two years later the cricketing world may yet have heralded the next global phenomenon in Dewald Brevis after the Proteas’ recently completed white-ball tour Down Under. The 22-year-old has been touted as a prodigy ever since breaking the record for the most runs at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in the Caribbean three years ago. After a few years of finding his feet in the T20 Leagues around the world, Brevis shattered…

Ruben Amorim’s much-vaunted rebuild at Manchester United could be a false dawn for the former giants if he does not heed the lessons of the past. There is little to criticise in the Red Devils spending nearly £200 million on attacking reinforcements Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo this transfer window, given United’s paltry return of 44 goals in 38 league games last season. Fans should be concerned that United are signing new players before clearing out those who have underperformed, do not fit Amorim’s tactical system, or are simply not in his plans. Many supporters had hoped his arrival would bring a revival reminiscent of the Ferguson era. The Portuguese coach insists he cannot put his project on hold for players to leave. Fair enough. But this impatience…

President says country will continue to engage with partners in the Global North, and Global South President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the nation will persist in its strategic engagement with partners from both the Global North and Global South. Ramaphosa’s remarks came in the aftermath of a fruitful engagement at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Japan, highlighting South Africa's commitment to bipartisan approach to international relations and diversifying its export markets. In his weekly newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa said South Africa’s economic diplomacy was centred on securing market access, attracting investment and promoting sustainable development. Drawing inspiration from leading Pan-African advocate Kwame Nkrumah, Ramaphosa said South Africa will continue to engage with partners in both the Global North and Global South. “Our approach is…

Every year, headlines highlight South Africa’s growing IT skills shortage. From software developers to cybersecurity experts, the conversation is often dominated by the scarcity of qualified professionals. But this narrative, while not entirely inaccurate, risks missing a more urgent and empowering opportunity. Instead of simply counting vacancies and lamenting the lack of talent, what if we shifted the conversation to how we are using the skills we already have? A narrow focus on scarcity breeds stagnation. We should instead shift our focus from the lack of skills to also asking whether existing talent is being deployed effectively and whether businesses are missing opportunities by failing to nurture potential and tap into untapped talent pools. The skills gap may not be as insurmountable as it appears if organisations start approaching talent…

In a notable display of resilience amidst challenging market conditions, Italtile has declared a special dividend of 98 cents per share for the financial year ending June, showcasing its strong cash reserves that exceed operational requirements. This dividend marks a significant increase from the 78 cents special dividend declared in the previous year and accompanies an ordinary dividend of 50 cents, inching up from 49 cents last year. Collectively, the special and final dividend amounts to 148 cents, reflecting a 16.7% increase from 127 cents per share in the preceding year. Following the announcement, the share price surged by 5.7%, reaching R10.99 on the JSE on Monday morning. Lance Foxcroft, CEO of Italtile, who was interviewed by BR, attributed this positive performance to a steadfast focus on customer experience, which…

The future is here! Imagine a pod-like shower that seems straight out of a science fiction movie, but it could soon be part of our daily lives. This is thanks to Japan’s latest invention, the Mirai Ningen Sentakuki, also called the “human washing machine”. Developed by the Osaka-based company Science Co, this AI-powered bathing device is built for both convenience and wellness. It uses advanced water jets, microscopic air bubbles and a smart system that adapts to your body’s needs. The machine could change the way we think about personal hygiene. More importantly, it could hold life-changing potential for elderly people and caregivers around the world. How does the machine work? The process is simple but futuristic: You step into a capsule-like pod, which fills halfway with warm water. High-speed…

South Africa’s driving licence woes are far from over, but the Department of Transport (DOT) says it expects the backlog in cards to be tackled by the end of the year. South Africa relies on a single machine to print licence cards. It has been operational since 1998 and is prone to breakdowns. The most recent of these took place in February, rendering the machine inoperable until May, as it was being repaired by its original manufacturer in France. The effect of this printing backlog is still being felt today. Department of Transport spokesperson Collen Msibi told SABC News recently that even though the Drivers' Licence Card Agency (DLCA) has printed over 800 000 cards since operations resumed in May, there was still a backlog of 539 000 cards. However,…

A KwaZulu-Natal man, who stabbed his partner with a screwdriver and kitchen knife before pouring boiling water over her body while her children watched, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder. The Scottburgh Regional Court convicted the 38-year-old for the murder of the woman in the Hlanzeni area of Umkomaas in March last year. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the attack happened after the woman and her two minor children visited the accused at his home. “At some point, an argument arose after the accused confronted the deceased, suspecting her of infidelity. He began assaulting her with his hands and proceeded to stab her using a screwdriver and a kitchen knife. The deceased was unarmed during the attack. The accused then poured boiling water all over…

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) announced it will introduce mandatory Beneficiary Biometric Enrolment in all its offices from September 1. The national spokesperson for Sassa, Paseka Letsatsi, said this new era is expected to revolutionise the administration of social grants, and the biometric enrolment is set to be the precursor to detecting and nipping in the bud any potentially fraudulent activities in the Sassa grant system. Sassa CEO Themba Matlou said the implementation was supposed to take place earlier, but welcomed the progress made to ensure it is introduced in the new month. “Our plans were to commence with the biometric enrolment at the beginning of the 2025/2026 financial year; however, we hit a snag, but we have ironed out the issues that delayed our plans, and it…

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) is seeking legal opinion on appropriate actions to take following the investigation into systematic discrimination against black healthcare providers by medical schemes. Motsoaledi was responding to parliamentary questions posed by ActionSA MP Kgosi Letlape, who wanted to know the measures he intended to implement to hold medical schemes accountable for the racial discrimination that was uncovered by the Independent Section 59 Panel. Letlape also asked whether the department has engaged or consulted with the CMS to ensure that sanctions were imposed on medical schemes found to have engaged in discriminatory practices. In his response, Motsoaledi said CMS was in the process of procuring a firm of attorneys to develop a comprehensive legal opinion to advise it on appropriate actions…

The Springboks will be at full strength for their two-match trip to New Zealand, with Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Willie le Roux medically cleared. Kolisi has recovered faster than expected from a knee knock that ruled him out of last week’s second Test against the Wallabies, while flank Du Toit has been passed fit after a concussion. The Boks depart for New Zealand today, giving them time to recover from jet lag before facing the All Blacks in Auckland on 6 September and in Wellington a week later. The matches will be pivotal as the team seeks to defend the Rugby Championship title they won last season for the first time since 2019. Coach Rassie Erasmus has stuck largely with the squad that faced Australia. A…

Richards Bay FC head into their upcoming Betway Premiership clash with Chippa United desperate to turn their season around. The Natal Rich Boyz have endured a difficult start, currently sitting at the bottom of the table with zero points from three matches. Their campaign so far has been plagued by inefficiency in front of goal and defensive lapses. In three outings, Richards Bay have managed to score just once while conceding four. Their most recent defeat, a narrow 0-1 loss to Kaizer Chiefs, highlighted a side struggling to find attacking rhythm and lacking the cutting edge needed to challenge stronger opposition. Coach Papi Zothwane is aware of the challenges ahead. He will need to instil confidence in his players and adapt tactics to exploit Chippa’s weaknesses. Richards Bay’s home form…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has appointed Job Stadi Mngomezulu as acting CEO of the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) after seconding him from the National Treasury. This decision comes in the wake of Godongwana placing Kedibone Madiehe on precautionary suspension with full pay, effective immediately, as her tenure has recently come under sharp scrutiny over allegations of procurement irregularities. Moreover, Godongwana announced that the Office of the Accountant General (OAG) unit has commenced a detailed forensic investigation into all allegations of financial misconduct at the agency. The GPAA is a government component which reports to the Minister of Finance and administers the pension affairs of approximately 1.7 million government employees and pensioners, as well as the affairs of their spouses and dependants. The agency has been rocked by allegations of…

In November 2025, Johannesburg will host the G20 Summit — the world’s most influential gathering of political and business leaders — alongside the second Future of Jobs Summit™. This rare convergence of global attention and local action presents South Africa with a once-in-a-generation opportunity: to commit to and co-create one million new jobs by 2030. The idea is not unprecedented. When India hosted the G20 in 2023, they turned the moment into a national economic accelerator, creating over a million jobs in under two years through targeted industry investment, fast-tracked infrastructure, and SME empowerment. South Africa can follow — and even surpass — this example if we act decisively, align our national priorities, and work in true partnership across business, government, and labour. The Power of Co-Creation Co-creation is not…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and workplace chat tools are transforming how organisations operate, communicate, and manage workloads. For middle managers, this shift is particularly profound. Tasks that once dominated daily management responsibilities, such as analysing performance, creating reports, and managing projects, are rapidly being automated, challenging middle managers to urgently redefine their roles. Shifting from oversight to insightHistorically, middle management acted as the bridge between senior leadership and frontline employees. They were responsible for translating strategy into actionable steps, tracking progress, and ensuring teams stayed aligned. Today, AI and chat technologies are changing that dynamic. Digital platforms can deliver real-time insights, automate scheduling, and generate reports with a speed and accuracy that greatly reduces the need for hands-on oversight. Meanwhile, chat tools enable faster, often direct communication between different levels of…

Sasol’s share price shot up over 10% on Monday after headline earnings a share increased by 93% for the year to June 30, as it began to deliver on its Capital Markets Day (CMD) commitments it had outlined in May, and it reported less write downs. “We have delivered pleasing results in areas within our control particularly margin realisation, managing cash fixed costs, and optimising capital spend. These actions are building greater resilience… they give us confidence in …enabling us to reinstate dividends and support investment in future growth and transformation,” said CFO Walt Burns. The share price was trading at R119.80 on Monday afternoon on the JSE, continuing a steady recovery since the CMD, but it was still below the R147.96 that it was trading at on the same…

There’s a new trend among couples that’s shaking up the way they think about love, intimacy and boundaries: it's called “soft swopping”. This practice allows partners to have fun with others while agreeing to one important rule: no penetrative sex. In simple terms, it's a way for couples to explore their feelings with others but still keep some special things just for each other. Urban Dictionary describes soft swopping or soft swinging as that “form of consensual non-monogamy where couples explore sexual activities with other people, but without engaging in intercourse or penetration”. Recently, “interest in soft swopping has skyrocketed, particularly following the release of the Netflix docuseries, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. People started searching for this trend more than ever earlier this year, likely sparked by discussions…

ANC veteran and former International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor has said the party has lost its glory and that South Africans now look at the once-revered liberation movement with “disdain, horror and shame”. Pandor made the remarks while delivering a lecture during the centenary celebration of former ANC Women’s League president Gertrude Shope on Sunday. Shope, who died in May this year, was a former Member of Parliament and veteran activist. She would have turned 100 this month. “Ma’ Shope would have been dismayed at our faltering progress,” Pandor said. Pandor’s comments come after ANC National Executive Committee members Malusi Gigaba and suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu had also recently criticised the party. Speaking about Shope, Pandor said she had been a keen observer of the country’s development…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has confirmed that unlawfully obtained contracts at the Tembisa Tertiary Hospital will be cancelled following the discovery of more than 111 officials implicated in four corruption syndicates. SIU head Advocate Andy Mothibi said there are disciplinary processes currently underway where several syndicates linked to the corruption at the hospital have been uncovered by its probe. The probe follows the murder of whistleblower and employee of the Gauteng Health Department, Babita Deokaran, in August 2021. Mothibi added that assets worth billions of rand will be seized and recovered in the process. “Our investigation has uncovered more than 111 officials who have been colluding with these syndicates. There might still be more. We have sent all (the information) to the Department of Health. We expect that action…

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) remains committed to continuing the search operation for missing aerobatic pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray who has been missing since his light aircraft crashed into the sea off Durban's Battery Beach two weeks ago. Blackwood-Murray, 61, was performing in an air show when the incident happened on August 14. Parts of the aircraft have been recovered; however, Blackwood-Murray remains missing. NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said: “Any search for a missing person is regarded as an ongoing search. As much as from what we’ve seen, people would like to say the search has been called off, a search like this is never called off. It’s an ongoing investigation,” Lambinon explained. Lambinon said it is no different to incidents that happened, in some cases, years ago. “It doesn’t…

Former Proteas Women’s captain Dané van Niekerk has officially revoked her retirement from international cricket and has been invited to form part of the extended training camp squad ahead of the ICC Women’s 50-over World Cup set to be held in India and Sri Lanka. An extended Proteas Women squad has assembled for a national training camp in Durban from 25 August – 1 September in preparation for the upcoming Pakistan tour and the World Cup. Following the camp, the team will travel to Lahore for a three-match ODI series against Pakistan from 16 – 22 September, before heading to India for the start of the ICC 50-over World Cup, scheduled between 30 September – 2 November. “I am thrilled to announce that I have decided to revoke my…

Springbok Women’s coach Swys de Bruin could not have asked for a more impressive start to their Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign than the record-breaking 66-6 victory over Brazil in Northampton on Sunday. The win in their opening match pushed the Bok Women to the top of Pool D after the first round of the tournament concluded at Franklin’s Gardens. De Bruin was understandably happy after the 10-try romp handed the South Africans the only try bonus-point win in Pool D, as France failed to score four tries in their 24-0 victory over Italy on Saturday. “We have to reset now, and all our focus will move to Italy,” De Bruin said of the second pool match, next Sunday in York. “We wanted a strong start to the tournament and…

Kaizer Chiefs head into their clash against Mamelodi Sundowns best placed to continue their decent start to the season when the two sides clash at the FNB Stadium tomorrow (7.30pm kick-off). With Sundowns on the backfoot following their 4-1 loss in penalties against Orlando Pirates in the semi-finals of the MTN8, there is an unfamiliar lack of confidence and momentum surrounding the defending league champions, and Chiefs could be best placed to go into the match a lot more confident than they have in recent meetings. Amakhosi, together with Sekhukhune United, remain the only unbeaten teams in the league, having won all their matches so far. And while the Brazilians are favourites on paper, the hosts’ current form could prove decisive. Assistant coach Cedric Kaze believes they are well prepared…