Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-09-26 i Mercury

South Africans celebrate Heritage Day as a moment of pride in our languages, rituals, music, cuisine, and sacred sites. But there is a tougher economic truth we cannot ignore: our arts, heritage, and creative industries remain underperforming assets. Globally, culture is big business. The creative economy already generates $2.25 trillion (about R38 trillion) annually and accounts for nearly 30 million jobs worldwide, according to Unesco. Yet South Africa’s creative industries contribute just under 3% of GDP – far behind their potential. The question for policymakers, investors, and business leaders this Heritage Day is simple: how do we unlock the value of our cultural wealth and convert it into revenue, jobs, and competitive brand power? Lessons from Global Case Studies n South Korea’s K-wave (Hallyu): In the early 2000s, South Korea…

When Giorgio Armani passed away at the age of 91, the legendary Italian fashion designer and founder of the Armani empire, left behind more than a valuable multinational, he left a carefully scripted succession plan for the luxury-goods business he had built since 1975. In his will, Armani instructed his heirs to sell off stakes in the company gradually. He set specific timelines and even named preferred buyers, such as Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) and L’Oréal. Since his death, the Armani directives have been making international headlines for the detail they contain and the thought that went into them. Armani’s instructions also offer valuable lessons for South African business owners who want to ensure that their companies – small, medium or large – are preserved and not left in…

Gold is glittering for Zimbabwean crocodile skin supplier, Padenga Holdings, as luxury markets reels from global economic uncertainty and a growing shift to bullion as a store of value. Padenga diversified into gold mining in 2019 through the acquisition of Zimbabwe gold mining operations. Analysts said at the time that the diversification represented an “unusual pairing” but is “value accretive” through enhancement of forex earnings potential. Now, the company is reaping the benefits of that diversification, with gold prices spiking to highest levels. Spot gold prices traded above $3 700 (about R63 900) an ounce in early trade yesterday. For the half year to end June, gold Prices closed $3 264 an ounce for Padenga compared to $2 402 an ounce at the beginning of the year. This represents 36%…

Renewed investor interest in renewable energy, IT, mining, as well as finance, is shoring up South Africa’s robust mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity amid rising regulatory scrutiny guided by public interest concerns. The country’s advanced financial sector and stability in the regulatory sector is also helping restore some certainty to investors seeking M&A deals in the country, Yashin Kandielall, head of M&A at Standard Chartered South Africa told Business Report in an interview this week. “The country has seen notable activity in financial services, telecommunications, and consumer goods. Recognising regulatory scrutiny, influenced by public interest concerns and B-BBEE compliance, is crucial in South African M&A,” said Kandielall. Over the past few months, M&A activity such as Harith InfraCo’s acquisition of key energy and transport assets including Lanseria Airport and fibre…

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu did not have the authority to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) as the decision fell outside his authoritative mandate. This is according to the SAPS legislative expert Major-General Marga van Rooyen, who told the Madlanga Commission yesterday that the powers to disband the task team lies with National police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola. Van Rooyen is the third witness to appear before the commission after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkwanazi and Masemola. The ongoing commission, chaired by retired Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is currently investigating allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption within the criminal justice system. This follows allegations made by Mkhwanazi, who accused Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection Shadrack Sibiya of colluding with criminal syndicates and interfering…

The Department of Defence is prioritising perimeter fencing projects, legal processes, and strengthening security to address illegal encroachment on its territory. The department has expressed concern about illegal settlements encroaching on military bases. The department has previously warned that encroachment of these settlements poses serious challenges to national security, operational readiness, and the safety of both military personnel and civilians. Recently, Defence Minister Angie Motshekga revealed a series of measures aimed at protecting the security and operational readiness of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Reports three months ago highlighted the encroachment of informal settlements on 10 key military bases located in the Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Gauteng. So serious is the matter that military bases experience continuous theft of vehicle parts, electric cables, office equipment, and other…

More than 100 illegal immigrants were arrested, a stolen vehicle was recovered and businesses were cited for non-compliance with several laws during a week-long blitz in KwaZulu-Natal by the Department of Employment and Labour, Home Affairs and the police. Representatives from the Municipal Enforcement Agency and the Bargaining Council were also part of the operation. At one business, an employer was issued a contravention notice for under-declaring wages and failing to comply with the National Minimum Wage. The workers also received their full wages immediately. On September 24 in eMabhodini in Newcastle, 158 illegal immigrants were detained with four employers cited for non-compliance with various legislations, and one stolen vehicle was recovered. Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya said the industrial area is known for its textile manufacturing, particularly…

It was a tough weekend for Toyota Gazoo South Africa (TGRSA) in the Outeniqua 400 fourth round of the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC), which took place in the scenic Langkloof Valley between Oudtshoorn and Uniondale in the Western Cape. Good start They started well from Louvain Guest Farm, where rally HQ was situated, with Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet setting the fastest time over the 38-kilometre prologue, just one second ahead of teammates Guy Botterill and Oriol Mena, in an identical GR Hilux IMT Evo. First setbacks Despite their pace, several setbacks put the team on the back foot by the time the dust had settled after the technical 80-kilometre loop at the end of the day. Botterill and Mena first suffered a puncture, and then had to deal…

Abdeslam Ouaddou is a true African. He’s been heaping praise about the continent’s competencies both on and off the pitch. Ouaddou arrived at Pirates this season, replacing head coach Jose Riveiro. He explained that he didn't bring his own trusted lieutenants, who are based in Europe, as he fully believed that the African-born technical team would succeed at the club. True to his belief Ouaddou and his backroom staff delivered their first trophy at the first attempt—the MTN8—which was the record-extending fourth Wafa Wafa crown. And that’s not all. After being involved in a serious car accident in Kempton while trying to help trapped passengers—alongside some members of his technical team and defender Tapelo Xoki—Ouaddou was full of praise for the African medical specialists that helped him return to the…

Just over two years since moving to Bayern Munich, in-form striker Harry Kane can set yet another record in Friday's home clash with Werder Bremen. Playing his 104th game for Bayern, Kane needs two goals to become the fastest man to 100 goals with a club in Europe's top-five leagues, breaking the record of 105 matches jointly held by Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland. Kane is already the fastest to 50 Bundesliga goals, bringing that mark up in 43 matches, a record he also took from the Norway striker. Kane made his Bundesliga debut in August 2023 against Bremen, scoring a goal and setting up another in a 4-0 win, just days after arriving from boyhood club Tottenham. In four matches against Bremen, Kane has four goals and three assists.…

In many South African communities, a funeral is more than a private family matter. It is a cultural commitment that brings neighbours, relatives, and friends together to honour the life of someone who has passed away, and to give them a dignified send-off. While the rituals carry deep meaning, the financial reality is heavy. With families paying for the casket, burial plot, and headstone, as well as catering for mourners and, in some cases, repatriating the body to the person’s place of birth, South Africa is ranked among the most expensive countries in the world to hold a funeral. From the moment someone becomes late, the family home is filled with visitors. Out of respect, visitors are offered tea or a meal, depending on the time of day. This generosity,…

Barloworld said revenue from its heavy equipment and starch and glucose sales fell by 10% to R33.6 billion in the 11 months to August 31. The group, which is scheduled to delist from the JSE following a takeover by a consortium comprising Saudi Arabia-based Zahid Group, Barloworld CEO Dominic Sewela and staff, said in an operational update yesterday that earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) is expected to decline by 9% to R3.8 billion over the period. The share price increased by 1.7% to R119.51 on the JSE Thursday morning, well up from R85.05 a year before. The takeover offer per share is R120 in cash, with a total value unlock of R123.10 per share when considering a R3.10 declared dividend. The extended takeover long-stop date is December…

The potential ruling by the Constitutional Court that parts of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Act, 32 of 2007, concerning consent, are unconstitutional could help reduce incidents of rape. This was heard during oral evidence to the Constitutional Court yesterday in which the Embrace Project, a non-profit organisation which aims to combat gender-based violence, and rape survivor Inge Holzträger have filed an application challenging the constitutionality of the Act. In their persistence for law reform, the applicants want the court to declare sections of the Act unconstitutional and invalid where the challenge hinges on specific provisions dealing with sexual offences in which the absence of consent is a constituent element, most notably rape. Holzträger was raped in 2018 by a man she met through an online dating…

The latest data from the Central Energy Fund shows that diesel is set for a slight decrease in the coming month. This will contrast with petrol prices, which are anticipated to see a slight increase. The expected decrease in diesel prices has been welcomed by energy experts, who believe it is especially crucial for the agriculture sector. They add that the decrease could boost productivity on farms.South Africans have enjoyed relatively stable prices for energy this year. The Mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund is showing that diesel is poised for a price decrease in the region of eight cents for both grades, keeping in mind that the outlook could still change between now and the end of this month but the data is also showing a slight under-recovery…

The Durban Magistrates’ Court has ruled that apartheid-era police and askaris were responsible for the killing of Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) cadre Velemseni Mthunzi Njakazi in 1991, bringing long-awaited closure to his family. Njakazi, a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and its military wing, was killed by members of the Natal Security Branch on January 28, 1991. Two former security policemen, Tjaart van der Walt Fourie and Johannes Hendrik Cloete, had previously applied for and were granted amnesty for the incident. In 2021, the KwaZulu-Natal office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) received the matter for further investigation. The case was referred to the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions responsible for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) portfolio, who worked with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (DPCI)…

When Mihiar Ayoubi joined BMW three decades ago, he entered a world obsessed with precision engineering and the pursuit of the ultimate driving machine. Currently, as the head of BMW Driving Experience, he talks about the transformation of driving itself – from purely mechanical systems to intelligent, connected platforms and, now, to a completely new electric era. “For 30 years I’ve lived through the evolution of driving dynamics, and with this Neue Klasse platform we’ve been able to take everything we’ve learned and start fresh – something that comes once in a century,” he said during an interview after the global reveal of the BMW iX3 in Munich. Three decades of transformation Ayoubi describes the journey of BMW’s driving dynamics in three distinct stages. “The first decade was mechanical,” he…

Proteas Women lost vital time in the park yesterday as their first ICC Women’s World Cup warm-up match against Bangladesh Women was abandoned due to rain. The 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup warm-up matches got underway on Thursday, ahead of the tournament opener between India Women and Sri Lanka Women in Guwahati on 30 September. With the showpiece event set to get underway in less than a week, South Africa needed to get as much time as possible out in the middle, honing their skills and executing their game plans. However, their warm-up match against Bangladesh was cut short after only nine overs of play before the heavens opened, leaving South Africa on 45/3 in Colombo. The side found themselves in hot waters very early in the match, with opening…

Sharks coach John Plumtree has looked to Jaden Hendrikse to solve a flyhalf crisis going into Friday night’s United Rugby Championship opener against the Warriors in Glasgow. Springbok scrumhalf Hendrikse moves to 10 because his brother, Jordan, has a back injury, and Siya Masuku is out with a shoulder problem. Plumtree would have been tempted to play former Junior Springbok Jean Smith at flyhalf, but is taking the pressure off the youngster by playing him off the bench. The injury problem at flyhalf is just one of several challenges Plumtree must negotiate at the start of the campaign. “I’m happy with the way we’ve prepared despite some real challenges. We’re good to go,” he said. “The front row hasn’t played together, the same with the locks, the nine-ten combination too,…

Rory McIlroy says facing Bryson DeChambeau in a Ryder Cup grudge match would be “wonderful” after their verbal feud intensified this week, but he’s more concerned about Europe winning in America. Europe talisman McIlroy, who won the Masters in April to complete a career Grand Slam, will lead the trophy holders against host United States starting today at Bethpage Black. A war of words with American star DeChambeau began at the Masters, where two-time US Open winner DeChambeau vowed to chirp in McIlroy’s ear at the Ryder Cup. McIlroy, a five-time major winner from Northern Ireland, said last month that DeChambeau, who plays in the Saudi-backed LIV series, can only attract attention by mentioning other golfers. DeChambeau told Golf Channel on Monday that, “Whatever Rory says and whatnot is great.…

Mamelodi Sundowns have always set themselves apart with an unforgiving culture. This is not a club that rewards comfort — in recent times even success has rarely been enough to guarantee job security. Rulani Mokwena found that out in July 2024. His record included back-to-back Premiership titles and the historic African Football League. But that counted for little when the hierarchy decided his time was up. Manqoba Mngqithi’s story is equally telling. He was part of the most successful period in Sundowns’ modern history, working alongside Pitso Mosimane and later with Mokwena. That brains trust delivered not only league dominance but also numerous other trophies, cementing the club’s reputation as South Africa’s silverware machine. Yet when Mngqithi finally got the reins on his own in July 2024, he lasted just…

South Africa’s annual producer price inflation (PPI) for final manufactured goods quickened to 2.1% in August, up from 1.5% in July, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reported yesterday. The PPI rose 0.3% on a monthly basis, marking a period of rising inflationary pressures, particularly driven by key sectors such as food products and beverages. Stats SA said the biggest boost to the headline figure came from food, beverages and tobacco products, which grew 4.3% year-on-year, contributing 1.3 percentage points to overall inflation. Monthly increases were mainly driven by food, beverages and tobacco, coke, petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastics, and metals, machinery and computing equipment. The PPI for intermediate manufactured goods climbed to 6.5% y/y in August from 6.4% in July, with basic and fabricated metals providing the largest push. Month-on-month,…

South African social influencers and gig economy participants are now firmly in Sars’ crosshairs, following the revenue authority’s announcement of a new taxpayer segment aimed at tightening compliance in the digital space. This development signals a clear shift in Sars’ strategy: all income, whether received in cash, products, travel, or other perks, must be declared and taxed. Earlier this month, Sars issued a media release outlining its zero-tolerance stance on undeclared income from influencers and gig workers. The announcement also guided how these earners should meet their tax obligations. As digital marketing and online entrepreneurship continue to evolve, Sars is determined to ensure that these emerging income streams are not excluded from the tax net. According to Jashwin Baijoo, associate director and head of strategic engagement and compliance at Tax…

Absa and Standard Bank are among 12 African banks with outstanding Eurobonds that Moody’s says will likely be refinanced through a combination of capital markets sources, including newer long-term Euro and dollar-denominated bonds, lending market instruments the finance institutions’ own foreign currency liquidity. Standard Bank issued $200 million (about R3.4 billion) worth of Eurobonds in March 2020 at a 2.875% coupon rate. The bonds mature in 2020 and are listed by Moody’s as outstanding. Absa Group on the other hand issued $500m junior notes in May 2021 that have an unspecified maturity date and a call date of May 2026. The bank’s notes have a 6.375% coupon rate. Other banks with upcoming Eurobond maturities include Ecobank, the Mauritius Commercial Bank, and about eight Nigerian banks – among them Access Bank,…

THE financial crisis in the Department of Education continues to deepen, with the department revealing that the situation has become so dire that it could not afford to clean its own toilets. The poor working conditions in the department’s offices have caused staff to either be unwilling to come to the office or to leave at midday. The department expects to run out of money next month and is already spending the budget for the next financial year. Officials have stated that the only solution going forward would be for the department to receive a major cash injection. Department officials briefed the members of the Education Portfolio Committee this week, laying out the crises that have resulted from the budget cuts. Committee members said it was clear the department is…

Drug trafficking, oil and fuel smuggling, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing are among the maritime crimes impacting South Africa, Angola, and Namibia. This is according to a new report, Securing Africa’s South Atlantic, compiled by Enact Africa, which delves into how transnational criminal networks use existing legitimate trade routes rather than preferring certain ports. According to the report, illegal trade often passes through ports with high trade volumes, such as Durban and Walvis Bay in Namibia. Coupled with this are often parallel legal and illegal shipments of the same commodity, which obscures illegal trade, amid limited technology and profiling abilities to identify illicit shipments. The report noted that Angolan and Namibian waters suffer from illegal fishing, while Angola is also plagued by vessel attacks and cross-border fuel smuggling due…

Plans to shut down UNAIDS have sparked sharp criticism from South Africa’s Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and SECTION27, who warn the decision threatens to undo decades of progress in the global HIV/AIDS response. In a joint statement, the organisations described UNAIDS as the only dedicated UN body coordinating the HIV response, cautioning that dismantling it “will have a devastating impact on the lives of millions of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.” This comes after media reports regarding the closure last week. TAC and SECTION27 noted the agency is already under pressure, operating with reduced capacity after “massive cuts to country-team staff.” The planned closure follows the steep drop in global HIV funding in 2025, which TAC and SECTION27 say has done “unspeakable damage”. World Health Organisation data showed…

Those of us in the industry have always maintained that for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) to increase their market share in South Africa, it needs to be a small and affordable car that can attract the masses. Chinese Manufacturer BYD has now done exactly that with the launch of the compact hatchback Dolphin Surf, aimed directly at the vibrant urban market with two variants, both priced under R400 000. As the country’s most affordable BEV, the Dolphin Surf comes in two variants: the Comfort and the Dynamic. Power and range The Comfort model features BYD’s 30kWh Blade Battery with a WLTP combined range of 232 kilometres, powered by a 55kW front-wheel-drive motor with a maximum DC charging rate of 30kW. The Dynamic model is equipped with a 38.8 kWh Blade…

Kaizer Chiefs' assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef has come out in support of Gaston Sirino after the midfielder missed two crucial scoring opportunities during the 1-1 draw against Marumo Gallants at FNB Stadium on Wednesday night. A sense of frustration marked Sirino's performance. On the stroke of halftime, he saw his penalty saved by Gallants' goalkeeper Washington Arubi. Later, he missed another golden chance early in the second half, sending the ball over the bar. Had he converted either of those opportunities, the Glamour Boys could have easily been 2-0 up, increasing their chances of securing three much-needed points. Despite his struggles in front of goal, which have left him with only one goal and one assist in seven league appearances this season, Ben Youssef underlined Sirino's importance to the…

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus admits to being uneasy about tomorrow’s crunch Rugby Championship clash with the Pumas at Kings Park, knowing the South Americans believe they can emulate their heroes of a decade ago — when they shocked the Boks at the very same venue. The Pumas are a different beast under Felipe Contepomi, a coach Erasmus admires from their playing days, when the Argentine ran the show at flyhalf and Erasmus patrolled the flank for South Africa. Already this year, Contepomi’s side have beaten the British and Irish Lions, Australia, and New Zealand. “I have watched Felipe’s coaching career with interest,” Erasmus said of his opposite number. “He has put together a coaching staff with an international flavour. Their lineout coach, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, is exceptional; they have…

With the new United Rugby Championship (URC) season getting underway this weekend, all eyes will be fixed on the South African franchises — the Bulls, Sharks, Stormers, and Lions — to see where they will end up in the competition. This is shaping up to be the most competitive edition of the tournament yet, with the teams more familiar with each other and the local sides better adapted to the demands of European conditions. With improved player depth, overseas experience, and a point to prove, each of the four local sides carries its own expectations. We look at where they might finish in the 2025/26 tournament. Bulls: Title contenders (Predicted finish: 2nd to 4th) The Bulls enter the season as South Africa’s top URC hope after flying the flag last…

Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi refuses to get carried away by his team’s giant-killing acts this year, insisting the Pumas are taking their evolution one match at a time. Contepomi spoke to the media at the Pumas’ Durban hotel yesterday evening and, in many ways, his rugby philosophy echoed that of his South African counterpart Rassie Erasmus. When asked what it would mean to Argentina to win the Rugby Championship, he replied: “You are thinking too far ahead. We have one more training session before Saturday’s game against the double world champions, and we are sharpening the knife so that it is ready for game day. That is my only focus at the moment. “Our main thing is to improve each training session, to be better than the previous one,” the…