Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-28 i Mercury

The latest Household Affordability Index for August 2025 showed that while food prices have eased slightly month-on-month, South African households remain under severe financial pressure, with wages and social grants still falling short of meeting basic nutritional needs. According to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD), which tracks food prices across 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries in major urban centres, the average cost of the Household Food Basket stood at R5 380.62 in August. This reflected a month-on-month decrease of R62.10 (-1,1%), but a year-on-year increase of R153.48 (2,9%). Food price shifts Of the 44 basic foods tracked, 23 items increased in price while 21 decreased. Among the steepest increases were beef tripe (6%), peanut butter (6%), and soup (5%), while items such as potatoes (-9%), onions (-15%),…

Daybreak Foods is optimistic of a pivotal turnaround toward operational stability and long-term sustainability at the breeder and hatchery farms with the R150 million funding provided by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). This funding has set off operations of the sections while licences are sought for abattoir operations at various subsidiaries. This is according to the first phase of the Business Rescue Plan (BRP) for the poultry producer, which went into business rescue after its first quarter performance dipped significantly lower than prior periods. Daybreak was strangled by limited net working capital to operate at capacity, and significant equipment breakdowns, and operational disruptions including strikes and supplier service withdrawals due to the financial position. According to Tebogo Maoto, senior business rescue practitioner for Daybreak Foods, the rescue process has been…

“The national wealth of our country, the heritage of all South Africans, shall be restored to the people.”- Freedom Charter, 1955 It’s a timeless promise, etched into South Africa’s moral and political imagination: that the wealth of this nation would one day be returned to its rightful owners: the people. But fast-forward nearly 70 years from the adoption of the Freedom Charter, and one has to ask: are we any closer to achieving that vision? We’ve got policies, plans, and pages upon pages of industrial strategies. From the National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) to the more recent localisation and sector masterplans, South Africa has no shortage of ambition when it comes to rebuilding its productive economy. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) has been busy crafting incentive schemes,…

As South Africa gears up to host the G20 Leaders Summit in November – the first ever on African soil – the spotlight on our hospitality sector has never been brighter. The event is expected to generate over R1.2 billion in direct tourism revenue, putting local hotels, guesthouses and restaurants to the test on a global stage. The stakes are high, but so is the potential. For entrepreneurs ready to seize the opportunity, here are five practical tips for launching or running a hospitality business in South Africa - guidance that will serve you well in 2025 and beyond. 1 Invest in your digital presence With 66% of hotel bookings now made online, having a compelling, visible digital profile should be at the top of your priorities. You can strengthen…

Blue Label Telecoms’ core headline earnings per share shot up to 461.63 cents from 76.08 cents in 2024, a result that also reflected the early impact of a simplified corporate structure and sharper operating model. Gross profit was up by 2% to R3.38 billion. As part of an ongoing strategy review, Blue Label Telecoms is exploring a potential restructuring of the its’s subsidiaries and associates to separate Cell C and position it for a possible future listing. The processes to obtain the listing of Cell C were underway, said joint CEO Mark Levy. The planned restructure would streamline Cell C’s capital structure and balance sheet ahead of a listing - Blue Label owns about 70% of Cell C currently directly and through various special purpose vehicles. If successful, the move…

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Ronald Lamola says the country is on track to host the G20 Summit. With just 100 days remaining before the Johannesburg Leaders’ Summit, Lamola, in a briefing yesterday, said South Africa’s G20 presidency reflected the country’s commitment to elevating the Global South’s developmental agenda on the world stage. “We are at a pivotal juncture. With numerous working group meetings complete and ministerial declarations adopted, our focus is now on finalising outcomes that embody solidarity, equality, and sustainability.” Upcoming G20 events, including the Compact with Africa 2.0, continent-wide discussions on food security and industrialisation, and the second G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting at the UN General Assembly, are identified as critical milestones, Lamola asserted “These events will showcase Africa’s voice and priorities in global economic…

A Gauteng school principal's attempt to overturn her dismissal at the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) was unsuccessful after she lost her job when two boys drowned during an unauthorised school trip. The two pupils, Siphamandla Peterson, 15, and Sibusiso Sibiya, 17, from the Daveyton Skills School drowned during a discipline camp at Rock Falls Adventure Ranch in Centurion in April 2024. Bertha Gertrude Nomathemba Letsoele was accused by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) of failing to follow established procedures for taking learners on excursions, despite her awareness of these protocols. In March 2025, disciplinary proceedings began against Letsoele. Initially, she denied the charge but later admitted to breaching regulations by not seeking approval for the school trip. Despite expressing remorse, Letsoele maintained during her mitigation that she was…

With less than two weeks until the highly anticipated premiere of the true-crime docuseries "Beauty and the Bester", incarcerated duo Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana have filed an urgent court application to stop the release. Streaming giant Netflix is scheduled to broadcast the docu-series on September 12; however, the couple argues through their legal team that the series contains inaccurate, defamatory, and unsubstantiated claims and violates their constitutional rights. The matter is now set for a court hearing on September 9, just three days before the documentary’s airing. The three-part documentary delves into the shocking 2022 prison escape of Bester, a convicted rapist and murderer, from the Mangaung Maximum Security Prison and his lavish double life. It also covers the nationwide manhunt that ended with his arrest in Tanzania in…

former ANC national spokesperson, Pule Mabe, has submitted representations to the National Prosecuting Authority seeking to have his fraud and corruption charges withdrawn, maintaining his innocence. Speaking to journalists outside the Palm Ridge court in Ekurhuleni yesterday, Mabe questioned the validity and legitimacy of the report by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on the R27 million tender scandal case. He confirmed that a submission to withdraw the case was made. “My lawyers are handling the submissions, and I would not want to get into the theatre of what is happening… that’s why they represent us,” he said. The case has been postponed to February 18, 2026, due to the fact that the State is reviewing Mabe’s submissions. The SIU has obtained a preservation order preventing Mabe from selling or transferring…

While the Springboks embark on the Goliath task of battling the All Blacks in back-to-back Tests on New Zealand soil, it’s understandable that most of the discourse will focus on the massive challenge ahead. Still seething from last year’s Rugby Championship and the 2023 Rugby World Cup final outcomes against South Africa, the All Blacks have a point to prove, and on home soil, they’ll be tough to break down. But while the Boks and their supporters sharpen their focus on the twin battles in Auckland and Wellington, it would be dangerously short-sighted to overlook what follows those games: a resurgent, unpredictable, and often underestimated Argentina. Los Pumas are no longer the underdogs of old. Definitely not after last weekend’s upset over the All Blacks in front of a fired-up…

Despite senior players David Miller and Marco Jansen set to return to international cricket after missing the tour of Australia, it is Donovan Ferreira’s recall that stands out as perhaps the most exciting. South Africa arrived in the United Kingdom on Tuesday, exactly a week before the first match of the tour – the first of three One Day Internationals against England – before the focus shifts to a three-match T20I series. While the Temba Bavuma-led ODI squad is on its own mission, building towards the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup (to be hosted in South Africa), it’s the T20I squad that takes precedence for now, with the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India looming much closer. The management continues its search for the right group of…

Schroders' economists have painted a robust picture of the global economic landscape, hinting at a favourable outlook for risky assets amidst a landscape of changing monetary policies. As economists navigate the complex interplay between growth prospects and monetary policy, the unfolding economic landscape promises to be one marked by resilience, ongoing challenges, and cautious optimism. In a quarterly update on Wednesday, David Rees, head of global economics at Schroders, reported that despite having navigated a challenging period characterised by tariff-related uncertainties, global activity has managed to hold steady in the first half of the year. "Global activity held up well during the tariff malaise in the first half of the year and, with peak policy uncertainty now behind us, we continue to find growth expectations too pessimistic. Solid growth should…

Philip Morris argued in Parliament this week that co-opting scientific approaches, as well as adopting harm reduction strategies within the contentious Tobacco Bill, could help South Africa reduce tobacco-related deaths. The Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill is a proposed South African law that aims to strengthen public health by regulating the sale, advertising, and use of tobacco and electronic nicotine/non-nicotine delivery systems, such as vaping devices. With over 11 million adult smokers in South Africa, the country risks falling behind in harm reduction and encouraging its younger population to quit smoking. Philip Morris is one of the larger tobacco companies in South Africa calling for the separation of regulation for combustible cigarettes and newer smokeless products such as e-cigarettes and pouches, among others. South Africa is in…

I still remember stepping into the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni, my exhibitor badge swinging around my neck, and thinking, this is history in the making. For the first time ever, the Y20 Summit, the official G20 youth engagement platform is on African soil. And there I was, not just watching from the sidelines, but right in the middle of it. The theme said it all: “Uniting for Solidarity, Championing Equality, Driving Sustainability.” But what really struck me was how the words leapt off the banners and into real conversations. Young people from across the globe weren’t just repeating policy talk; they were rolling up their sleeves and saying, this is what we’re building, this is how we’re changing things. From my corner in the exhibition space, I watched it unfold…

Bidcorp produced another solid performance from its global food service and technology in the year to June 30 and headline earnings per share (HEPS) increased by 9.6% to 2,635.8 cents per share. CEO Bernard Berson said he was “very happy” with the results as most global consumer spending markets were generally lacklustre. Revenue grew 6.8% in constant currency, and after adjusting for bolt-on acquisitions and food-basket inflation, the top line grew by 4.5%. Some 94% of the revenue base is outside of South Africa, so constant currency measures are the truer reflection of actual performance. In rand-translated results, HEPS grew by 6.5% to 2 562.7 cents per share, reflecting the impact of the stronger rand. Group trading profit increased by 6.4% to R12.9 billion and 9.3% in constant currency. Basic…

Both property owners and tenants will be affected by the recent updates to the Rental Housing Act. "The 2025 updates to the Rental Housing Act represent a significant step toward creating a more balanced and transparent rental environment," says Carrol Dell, director and head of rental division at Real Estate Services South Africa. “Understanding these changes is crucial for both landlords and tenants to ensure compliance and protect their respective interests.” One of the notable updates is the strengthened requirement for written lease agreements. The 2025 amendments now impose stricter penalties for non-compliance, with fines of up to R15 000 for landlords who fail to provide written agreements upon a tenant's request. “Written lease agreements are no longer just best practice – they're an essential legal requirement," said Dell. "These…

ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula has defended party veteran Naledi Pandor, saying there is “nothing wrong” with her recent comments that the ANC has “lost its glory” and that many South Africans now view the party with “disdain, horror and shame". Speaking at a media briefing at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Tuesday night, Mbalula dismissed suggestions that Pandor should face disciplinary action. He said Pandor spoke truthfully and appropriately at a veteran ANC event. “She said all the right things about the ANC as a veteran, and I am proud of her,” Mbalula said. “She spoke like a veteran at an ANC veteran event. There’s nothing wrong with what she said.” Mbalula said Pandor’s remarks were in line with the values and policies of the ANC. “She was reinforcing…

The late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s grave was yesterday unveiled as a provincial heritage site at the KwaPhindangene Royal Residence, Mahlabathini, outside Ulundi in the north of the province. Speaking on behalf of the family, Buthelezi’s son, Inkosi Zuzifa Buthelezi, said the family was happy for such recognition by the provincial government and the move showed his father’s dedication to serving the public. The launch was presided over by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thamsanqa Ntuli, and other cabinet members. The provincial government said the launch signals the genesis of a three-year project aimed at preserving Prince Buthelezi’s rich legacy that extends far beyond the cultural, ethnic and political spectrum. The project will culminate in the grave being declared a national heritage site; however, that will need approval from the National Heritage…

IN 2024, encouraged by my PhD supervisor, I attended the opening dinner of the Stellenbosch University Science Communication Symposium. As a newcomer, I arrived with modest expectations. But what unfolded went beyond a conference dinner. It became a lesson in institutional history, influence and the value of inter-generational knowledge. It also showed me the importance of ensuring women have a seat at the table across different spheres of society. As Women’s Month draws to a close, I hope that this is something we will continue to focus on throughout the rest of the year. At the event, the presence of three eminent female researchers – Dr Beverley Damonse, Prof Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan and Dr Vijay Reddy – served as a reminder of women’s contribution to science. What stayed with me about…

The Springbok Women feel they still left some points on the field against Brazil, especially from their strong set piece, and their goal is to tighten up in those areas as they lay the foundation for their clash against Italy. Sunday in York will arguably be the do-or-die clash for the Bok Women as they look to advance in their Rugby World Cup campaign. A victory on Sunday will all but guarantee them a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament in England. Therefore, they must be at their best when they head into the duel with the eighth-ranked Italians. “We’ve had our review, and although we scored some really good tries from our scrum and lineout, we still missed a few opportunities out there that we must rectify,” assistant…

Proteas Women’s coach Mandla Mashimbyi has clarified that former captain Dane van Niekerk is not part of South Africa’s plans for next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Van Niekerk, who retired from international cricket under controversial circumstances a few years ago, made her first return to the national set-up this week during the ongoing training camp in Durban. Given the subcontinent conditions – which typically favour spin-bowling all-rounders like Van Niekerk – her presence in camp had sparked speculation that she might make a sensational comeback for the global showpiece. However, speaking to the media yesterday, Mashimbyi put those rumours to rest, stating that the former skipper would not be heading to the World Cup. “She’s just part of the bigger or broader base…

Orlando Pirates are on an upward trajectory after racking up back-to-back victories in the Betway Premiership, but coach Adeslam Ouaddou says they still need to be consistent all round. Pirates beat newcomers Orbit College 1-0 in the league at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night to climb up to seventh place in the standings. That was their second successive league victory following a poor start, where back-to-back losses had piled pressure on Ouaddou early on. But while Pirates are finally getting the much-needed results – having also qualified for the MTN8 final at the expense of rivals Mamelodi Sundowns – Ouaddou is not entirely satisfied. The Morocco-born coach believes his troops need to be more consistent in their performances. In the last two weeks, Pirates have started slowly and often needed…

Curro’s market capitalisation at the close of trade on Tuesday was R4.52bn Edward West An education trust founded by PSG Founder and Capitec co-founder Jannie Mouton has made a R7.2 billion offer to acquire all of Curro Holdings, South Africa’s biggest private education company. The early morning announcements on Wednesday saw the share price rocket 53.68% to R12.31, and the intention is to delist Curro and turn it into a non-profit organisation, a statement said. Curro said its board had received an offer letter from the Jannie Mouton Stigting (Foundation) to acquire all of the issued Curro shares by way of a scheme of arrangement. Curro’s market capitalisation at the close of trade on Tuesday was R4.52bn. The Trust already owns 3.36% of Curro. The offer was R13 a share,…

Amid ongoing global transformation, employment, education and business innovation constitute essential pillars in promoting sustainable socio-economic progress and maintaining long-term stability. I believe the private and public sectors complement each other in supporting this progress toward politically stable societies and cohesive economies. Over the course of South Africa’s Presidency of the G20, businesses and policymakers have created a shared agenda for job creation and economic participation. The recommendations of the B20 Employment and Education Task Force address several challenges to tackling the current economic complexities, including n Promoting job creation through flexible policy measures; n Facilitating business-led employment incentives; and n Supporting inclusivity and resilience in labour markets. The B20’s Employment and Education Task Force resolved that collectively we must go beyond the “what” and provide practical “how” suggestions through…

In July, a mid-sized South African business lost one of its most experienced employees. The impact was catastrophic. Not because of his seniority, but because he was the only one who knew how everything worked. Systems, processes, and compliance routines were all inside his head, underscoring the company’s internal fragility thanks to undocumented processes. This wasn’t an isolated case. Many companies struggle with having their operational knowledge scattered or inaccessible, often written in personal notebooks or stored on individual desktops or held in the memory of key employees. The human dependency risk is a very real challenge because when people leave, they take with them a significant chunk of institutional knowledge. The impact is twofold. On one hand, the lack of centralised and accessible knowledge impacts productivity and operational efficiencies.…

ASP Isotopes (ASPI), the Nasdaq-listed isotopes enrichment company that has most of its team operating in South Africa, and which is acquiring Renergen, listed on the JSE on Wednesday. Just after midday Wednesday, the share price on the JSE represented an 18% premium to the $10.47 share price on the Nasdaq at the close of trade Tuesday - a trader said the volumes were thin, but there was definitely demand for the shares. “While our capital footprint has expanded into the US and Europe, the core of our company is rooted in South Africa. With most of our team and operational assets based locally…listing on the JSE is not just a strategic move; it is a tribute to the nation which has world-class talent and institutional knowledge in all our…

The Equality Court has ruled that remarks made by EFF president Julius Malema in relation to an incident at Brackenfell High School constituted hate speech, and it demonstrated a clear intention to incite harm and promote or propagate hatred. The ruling was made in the Equality Court yesterday. Attempts to get comments from the EFF in response to the judgment were unanswered by the time of publication. The remarks referred to were made by Malema during the EFF’s 3rd Provincial Peoples Assembly, which was held in the Western Cape on October 16, 2022. The court found that the statements constituted an exhortation to kill white males who had participated in an incident on November 9, 2020, at the Brackenfell High School during which EFF members were involved in a violent…

AMID a devastating cash crunch, the KwaZulu-Natal treasury has intervened in the financial affairs of the Department of Education. The treasury announced that the department will now be restricted from basic spending, including purchasing desks or other assets. The treasury intervened as the education sector faces a deepening financial crisis, owing millions of rand to suppliers—some for more than a year. It is understood that the department has “accruals and payables” amounting to R2.3 billion and at least R1.2bn of this amount is overdue from 2023. The department was recently bailed out by the provincial government so that it could pay the norms and standards provisioning to schools. The education department attributed the ongoing crisis to budget cuts imposed by the national government over recent years. As a result of…

Acting Minister of Police Professor Firoz Cachalia said transnational organised crime remains one of the most serious threats to peace, stability, and development across Africa and beyond. He was speaking on the opening day of the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference at the Century City Convention in Cape Town yesterday. The conference brings together police chiefs, ministers, and security experts from across the continent. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said the gathering came at a crucial time. “We gather not merely as representatives of our countries, but as partners bound by a shared responsibility to confront the complex and evolving challenges of transnational crime that undermine peace, prosperity and the rule of law,” he said. Masemola highlighted South Africa’s battle against cross-border smuggling, drug trafficking, firearms proliferation and illegal…

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has admitted his team was not ready to play in Europe this season. After finishing 15th in the Premier League 2024/25 campaign, United finished out of the European qualification spot for just the second time since English clubs returned to UEFA competitions after a five-year ban in 1990. United have seemingly continued where they left off from last season after a loss and a draw against Arsenal and Fulham respectively in their opening two league encounters. A second round Carabao Cup encounter against lowly Grimsby Town, though, last night presented them with a realistic chance to manufacture their first win of the season. “It’s a normal thing that happens in other clubs. I think we were not prepared to play Europe; that is my…

Richards Bay FC coach Ronnie Gabriel says his side’s first victory of the season was long overdue, as the Natal Rich Boyz finally put points on the board in the Betway Premiership. A well-taken strike from Gabadinho Mhango earned Bay a hard-fought 1–0 win over Chippa United in KwaMashu, lifting them off the foot of the table after three successive defeats. For Gabriel, it was a moment of relief and validation after weeks of frustration. The KwaZulu-Natal club had opened their campaign with three losses, scoring just once in that period. Yet Gabriel insisted that performances had shown promise, and that the result against Chippa was a fair reflection of their efforts. “We came into this game with huge pressure, as we needed to get points on the board —…

Durban City head coach Gavin Hunt believes his side’s strong start to life in the Betway Premiership is proof that experience can steady even the most ambitious of newcomers. Four games into their maiden top-flight campaign, City have already collected eight points out of a possible 12. Their latest outing was a hard-fought goalless draw away to Polokwane City on Tuesday, a result that stretched their tally of clean sheets to three. For a club still learning the rhythm of the Premiership, the foundations appear solid. Hunt, who at 61 has seen it all in South African football, has been here before. His four league titles are well documented, but so too are his successful stints guiding newly promoted sides into stability. He says Durban City’s early resilience reminds him…