Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-10-02 i Mercury

South Africa’s manufacturing sector showed renewed momentum in September, with the Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising by 2.7 points to 52.2, its strongest level since October 2024. The PMI, compiled by Absa, the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) and Stellenbosch University, indicates that the sector returned to expansionary territory, supported by stronger domestic demand. Encouragingly, the average PMI for the third quarter improved to 50.8 points, up from 45.4 in the second quarter and 46.2 in the first quarter. However, economists at Absa Corporate and Investment Banking cautioned that the recovery has been volatile, with sluggish global trade, steep US tariffs, and lingering port delays weighing on sustained activity. “Manufacturers have been cautious when making employment decisions, due to extended periods of subdued demand not sufficient to lift production…

In a market defined by its unique cultural nuances and economic challenges, the latest findings from the 2025 Township CX Report signal a significant shift in consumer behaviour among South Africa’s township residents. According to this comprehensive study, which was conducted by Rogerwilco in collaboration with Field and Insights Africa and MoyaApp, price sensitivity dominates as the leading factor in brand loyalty, spotting a transformative trend that marketers cannot afford to ignore. The report reveals that a striking 68% of township consumers now weigh price above all else when deciding on brands, underscoring the financial pressures that influence everyday shopping choices. This marked preference for affordability is accompanied by a strong inclination to support local entrepreneurs, with one in three consumers opting for indigenous businesses over national chains. This data…

South Africa’s summer grain outlook has improved further, with the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) raising its eighth production forecast for the 2024/25 season. The CEC announced on Tuesday that the expected commercial maize crop is now 16.178 million tons, reflecting an increase of 2.38% (376 250 tons) from the previous forecast of 15.802 million tons. This represents a 25.9% increase (3.328 million tons) from the drought-hit 2024 harvest. The committee said the expected maize yield stands at 6.23 t/ha, with the Free State, Mpumalanga and North West provinces expected to contribute 82% of national output. The forecast for the white maize harvest is now 8.328 million tons, representing a 3.05% increase from the previous estimate, while yellow maize output has been revised upward by 1.68% to 7.851 million tons. The…

As a small to medium business (SME) owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and overlook the little operational inefficiencies that can ultimately stifle your long-term growth. With Spring officially underway here in South Africa, it’s the perfect opportunity for renewal – not just on a personal level, but professionally too. Just like the ritual of spring cleaning your home, why not commit to streamlining your processes – decluttering the various operational inefficiencies that slow you down, drain resources, and keep your business from reaching its full potential? Here’s where to start: 1 Conduct a business process audit Take a hard look at your operations. Which tasks take too long? Where do bottlenecks occur? The best way to do this is to gather input from employees,…

Capitec Bank Holdings continued to grow exceptionally in the six months to August 31, with its client base increasing by 8% and its Personal Bank now serving more than half the population, or 25 million people. The size of its client base, by far the biggest of the South African banks, allowed it to use economies of scale to reduce cost per transaction and increase revenue. This was achieved despite being a price leader in the market on many fronts and investing in new initiatives and products, the CEO in office for only 2.5 months, Graham Lee, said. Lee said in an online interview that he had served at Capitec for many years before taking up his new post, and his short-term focus was to ensure continuity of the strategy,…

As World First Aid Day was commemorated recently, it is a reminder that our most powerful safety tool isn’t tucked away in a policy document or an app, but in our own hands. In an emergency, the first few minutes matter most. A calm, competent response can be the difference between life and death. Yet in SA, many of us are unprepared. Research shows that only about 20% of South Africans have CPR training (Resuscitation Council of Southern Africa). Considering that heart disease is on the rise across the continent and with it, cases of sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospitals, this lack of readiness could cost lives. Globally, nearly 500 000 cardiac arrests occur every year. Without cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR, survival is slim. With it, survival rates double or…

South African taxpayers have collectively forked out a staggering R548 million to foreign nationals who lodged claims with the Road Accident Fund (RAF) during the 2024/25 financial year. This was revealed by Acting Transport Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa when he was responding to parliamentary questions posed by ActionSA MP Alan Beesley. “A total of R42.94 billion was paid across 128 716 claims during the 2024/25 financial year. R548 million was paid in respect of claims where the claimant or injured is a foreigner,” Ramokgopa said. He revealed that a total of 222 personal claims were registered where the claimant or injured is a foreigner. As of September 13, 2025, only 17 out of the 222 foreign claims had been successfully settled. On the pending claims, Ramokgopa said 78 had been repudiated,…

The National Consumer Tribunal has ordered two car dealerships to refund customers after investigations found they sold defective second-hand vehicles. The dealerships in Gauteng and Cape Town were found to have breached several provisions of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The rulings follow investigations by the National Consumer Commission (NCC), which welcomed the outcomes as a victory for consumer rights in South Africa. In the first case, a consumer purchased a 2015 Audi A3 from an East Rand dealership in September 2022 for R245 075. Just over a month later, the vehicle began overheating and displayed a “Low Engine Pressure” warning. “The vehicle was collected from the consumer to repair the water pump. However, the defects were not fully resolved, as further inspection revealed that the cylinder head gasket had…

Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene says the party and its leader, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, will remain in the Government of National Unity (GNU) after reaching common ground with the ANC during high-level talks in Johannesburg this week. The meeting followed McKenzie's announcement last week that he would resign from Cabinet and that the PA would withdraw from all governing coalitions with the ANC at national, provincial, and local levels. He cited “bad faith,” political betrayal, and “disrespect” from ANC leaders, particularly in Gauteng, as the basis for the party’s decision. He added that in Johannesburg, the PA had initially held two portfolios, Human Settlements and Roads and Transport, but agreed to give one up when asked. “We were approached by ANC to relinquish…

Sharks and Springbok loose forward Phepsi Buthelezi says the Durban side are determined to bounce back against the Dragons in Newport tomorrow night after last week sinking to a 35-19 defeat to the Warriors in the opening round of the United Rugby Championship. “It’s simple,” said Buthelezi, who has captained the Sharks in the Currie Cup. “We want people to see a proud and desperate Sharks team that will go out there, work hard for one another, and restore pride in the jersey. “We were very disappointed with last weekend. We didn’t stick to the Sharks’ way of playing, the things we worked on in pre-season, and fixing that is the biggest focus for us going into Friday,” the 26-year-old added. Buthelezi, a one-cap Springbok, felt that the Sharks lost…

When the formula works, there’s no need to change it. For 19 years, the Umhlali Bowls Classic has held its place as a jewel on the tournament calendar, consistently drawing bowlers from as far afield as the Johannesburg Bowling Association, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng, Natal Inland Bowls, KZN Country Bowls, Kingfisher and PNB. While the impressive R83 000 prize money certainly adds sparkle, it is not the real reason teams have been returning since 2006, when Dave Riley captured the inaugural title. The secret lies in Umhlali Country Club’s impeccable hospitality – an atmosphere where camaraderie thrives, friendships are rekindled and new bonds are forged, making the three day Classic far more than just a competition. By the close of play on Saturday, after six hard-fought sessions, the log was all but…

CBS Sport’s Uefa Champions League coverage is not everyone’s Five Roses. Targeted for an American audience, there are those who prefer a more analytical approach that rival sports channels offer for “the real football fan”. I’m not one of them. Anchored by the absolutely brilliant Kate Scott, alongside co-hosts Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and the bombastic Micah Richards, its pure entertainment. Each individual has their own unique sense of humour that adds a touch that no other football show can match. But they can also get serious when necessary. Henry’s tactical acumen is second to none and provides expert analysis, while Carragher’s unbridled passion for the game shines through. This was certainly evident on Tuesday evening after Liverpool’s defeat to Turkish superclub Galatasaray in Istanbul. Carragher, of course, holds “The…

Energy users group warns power utility that ongoing uncertainty remains an obstacle to economy The Energy Intensive Users Group (EIUG) has warned that ongoing uncertainty about South Africa’s electricity tariff path remains a key obstacle to growth, industrial stability and investor confidence. The caution comes after Eskom on Tuesday reported a R16 billion profit for the 2024/25 financial year, a dramatic turnaround from a R55bn loss the previous year. The EIUG on Wednesday said the power utility now faces challenges in containing operational and primary energy costs, which are projected to rise between 5% and 15% in the 2025/26 financial year, even as electricity sales volumes are expected to decline by 2–3%. Fanele Mondi, CEO of the EIUG, said the group welcomed assurances from Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa…

In every corner of South Africa, whether in a bustling township market, a quiet suburban street, or a shared workspace humming late into the night, small businesses are rewriting the story of survival. Each day, they wake to an economy that shifts without warning, to power cuts that darken opportunity, and to rising costs that could sap the spirit of even the most seasoned entrepreneur. Yet they press on, not with blind optimism, but with a stubborn brilliance that turns obstacles into stepping stones. Listen to these business owners and you’ll hear an unshakable refrain: there is always a way forward. Instead of waiting for a perfect climate, they refine their craft, chase new customers, and invest in their teams. They take courses, explore digital tools, and experiment with new…

Exxon Mobil plans to cut about 2000 jobs globally as the Texas oil company consolidates smaller offices into regional hubs as part of its long-term restructuring plan. The reductions represent about 3% to 4% of Exxon’s global workforce and are part of the company’s ongoing efficiency drive, Chief Executive Darren Woods said in an memo to employees this week. About half will be in Europe and most of rest in Canada at Calgary-based Imperial Oil which is nearly 70% owned by Exxon. Chevron, ConocoPhillips and BP Plc are among major oil companies to have also announced thousands of job cuts in recent months as crude prices tumbled this year in response to increased supplies from OPEC and its allies. Exxon, however, has been on a major internal restructuring push…

Orion Minerals’ share fell 17.4% on Wednesday after the release of results that showed it had continued to work on its transition to an operating mining company focused on clean energy transition minerals during the year to June 30. “Orion's work programs focused on the completion of the Definitive Feasibility Studies (DFS) for the company's flagship Prieska Copper Zinc Mine (PCZM) and Okiep Copper Project (OCP). Each DFS was released on March 28, 2025,” the group said in a statement on Wednesday. The company, which is listed on the Australia stock exchange and the JSE, aims to be South Africa’s premier copper producer. The share price was trading at 19 cents on Wednesday afternoon, down from 22 cents a year before. The company is also in the process of raising…

The family of the South African Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, who died after falling from the 22nd floor of a Paris hotel on Tuesday, has rejected claims suggesting that he committed suicide. The family said that Mthethwa, 58, had endured torture at the hands of the apartheid police machinery and would never take his own life to avoid accountability for his alleged interference in the work of the police as revealed in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. They have called for a full investigation by French police and South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation into the circumstances leading to his death. Speaking to the media at the Mthethwa home in KwaMbonambi, outside Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal, his relative Khulekani Mthethwa said the family was not buying the reports…

Embattled and disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo says he deserves to testify before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, claiming he holds “hardcore evidence” implicating senior judges in corruption and misconduct. “I am not pleading with the Madlanga Commission to call me, and I don’t need special treatment. But I have a desire to tell the commission. Even Madlanga knows very well that I’ve been engaging with him, even before President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed this so-called commission,” Teffo said in an interview with SAFM. He dismissed claims that he was lobbying to be called as a witness, insisting his appearance before the commission is warranted. “Those narratives that I’m pleading with the commission before it wraps up — I’m not pleading anything. I deserve to be there. And if you want to…

A total of 5 527 suspects were arrested across KwaZulu-Natal during September as part of Operation Shanela, a high-impact police initiative targeting crime hotspots in the province. According to police, the suspects were arrested for various offences, including contact crimes, drug-related charges, and illegal firearm possession. The operation also led to the recovery of 105 unlicensed firearms, among them eight rifles. Of the arrests, 1,464 were for contact crimes. Police said 730 suspects were charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, while 85 were arrested for murder and 93 for attempted murder. In a statement released yesterday, provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza said during these operations, a total of 921 suspects were arrested in connection with drug dealing and drugs were recovered in the process.…

THOUSANDS of school pupils across KwaZulu-Natal could be forced to start next year’s studies without textbooks because the purchase order to produce the books has not been signed. Officials in the Department of Education (DoE) have blamed the provincial Treasury for the delay. However, the Treasury, which oversees the department's financial matters, has pushed back, stating that it cannot approve the purchase because Education has no money. The KZN DoE is underwater financially and is expected to run out of money by the end of October. It is struggling to pay many service providers and has entered into delayed payment arrangements with some of them. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube met with the provincial government this week to discuss the department’s challenges. She met with Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, Finance…

The Madlanga Commission is increasingly uncovering the intricate intersections between organised crime, commercial interests, political violence, and interference in governance. Testimony by the head of Crime Intelligence, Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, has brought particular attention to a prominent cartel identified as the Big 5. In his evidence, Khumalo characterised organised crime as a growing and serious threat to South Africa’s national security and economic stability. He emphasised that the cartel’s reach extends across local and international spheres, forming an extensive web that has penetrated political structures. Khumalo described the group’s principal commodity as the international trafficking of illicit drugs, accompanied by practices that include contracted killings, cross-border vehicle hijackings, kidnappings, tender manipulation, and extortion. He guided the commission through the history of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). He explained…

Max Verstappen’s recent resurgence will be put to the test at the Singapore Grand Prix this week as the Red Bull driver tries to turn the Formula One world championship into a three-horse race. Back-to-back wins in Monza and Baku have left third-placed Verstappen 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, with seven Grands Prix and three sprints remaining. Lando Norris sits between the two, 25 points — or one race win — behind his McLaren teammate Piastri and 44 ahead of Verstappen. Dutchman Verstappen is not getting carried away by the growing talk of a fifth consecutive world title, especially because Red Bull have a poor recent record under the lights in Singapore. Verstappen has 67 GP wins but has never taken the chequered flag at the bumpy Marina…

Wilco Louw has been outstanding coming off the bench for the Springboks over the last three Test matches. The burly prop had the All Blacks’ pack on skates every time he entered the fray after half-time in New Zealand, while he also produced another powerful display against Argentina in Durban. But while Louw has earned plenty of praise for his performances, the man he replaced during those Tests has largely flown under the radar – despite anchoring the Bok scrum with equal power and stability. Thomas du Toit has hardly put a foot wrong as the starting tighthead in the No 3 jersey, and has effectively laid the foundation for Louw to deliver maximum impact once the opposition pack has already been through a half of hard graft. Winning scrum…

Barloworld and Newco have announced that the Standby Offer related to their proposed R23 billion transaction is now wholly unconditional, marking a significant milestone in the consortium-led acquisition process. The breakthrough follows the parties’ decision on Wednesday to waive the condition relating to competition approval from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). With no material adverse changes or competing superior proposals having arisen, all conditions attached to the Standby Offer have now been either fulfilled or waived. As of the announcement date, Newco had received valid acceptances for 77.6 million Barloworld ordinary shares, representing 41.6% of issued shares (excluding treasury shares). Combined with the existing holdings of the consortium and the Barloworld Foundation, this gives Newco control of 65% of Barloworld’s ordinary shares. Sydney Mhlarhi, spokesperson for…

Sibanye-Stillwater said that Richard Stewart, the group chief operating officer who had assumed the CEO-designate role in March, has now taken on the role of CEO of the group, effective Wednesday. Stewart succeeds the well-known mining industry leader Neal Froneman, who retired as CEO and executive director on September 30, 2023, following a 12-year tenure that transformed the group into a leading multinational mining and metals processing company. The group has also appointed Mduduzi Bhulose as Executive Vice President: Business Development. Bhulose joins the group from the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), where he most recently served as the Head of Listed Equities. His appointment will support Sibanye-Stillwater’s continued focus on value creation across its portfolio, strategic partnerships, and disciplined growth. Bhulose has over 21 years of experience in the investment…

A recent court ruling has affirmed the rights of homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and body corporates to regulate short-term rentals, following a legal challenge. This ruling arose from complaints by homeowners and associations about the operation of short-term rentals, with permanent residents expressing concerns about noise, overcrowding, and security risks. The controversy primarily revolves around rentals in residential complexes where owners let out their apartments to weekend or holiday guests—commonly referred to as Airbnb rentals. This decision is expected to have significant implications for managing short-term rentals in residential areas, reinforcing the authority of HOAs to impose regulations aimed at protecting the interests of permanent residents. The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg faced an application by the Blyde Riverwalk Home-Owners Association against about 80 homeowners who used their units for short-term…

In a proactive move to enhance student safety, the Campus Community Safety Forum has been launched to bridge the gap between law enforcement and students, addressing rising security concerns on and off campus. The Police Ministry, South African Police Service (SAPS) management, and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) this week led the launch at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Westville Campus. SAPS social crime prevention head Major-General Thokozani Mathonsi said the programme is designed to ensure police are proactive in responding to crime and security challenges at the university. “One of the things that we are currently doing is to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) through the Department of Higher Education and Training, which will then allow us to work better with universities,” Mathonsi said. The…

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) expressed “deep alarm” over Statistics South Africa's latest Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) for the second quarter of 2025, which revealed a continued deterioration in employment levels across key sectors. The QES report showed a troubling decline of 80 000 jobs from March to June 2025, bringing total employment figures down from 10.59 million to just over 10.5 million workers. The job losses were most severe in community services, with 53 000 fewer jobs, followed by trade (10 000), manufacturing (9 000), construction (7 000), transport (2 000), and business services (2 000). Although the mining and electricity sectors recorded slight gains of 2 000 and 1 000 jobs, respectively, these increases pale compared to the 229 000 jobs lost year-on-year between June…

The Proteas Women have only beaten England once since their World Cup semifinal defeat in Christchurch four years ago. Since then, there have been six ODI encounters between the rivals with England triumphant in the other five. Abundant reason, then, for Laura Wolvaardt’s team to be rank underdogs heading into tomorrow’s World Cup opener in Guwahati. But hold hard there. Although England came back to win the series 2-1 in South Africa last December, the Proteas opening six-wicket win in Kimberley served as a marker. Not only are these two teams closer than they have been for years but it was the beginning of new coach Mandla Mashimbyi’s tenure after the long-serving Hilton Moreeng. Along with some fresh-faces that have infused a much-needed youthful energy into the Proteas squad, allrounder…

No rugby player will play more than 30 games a year going forward after World Rugby announced clear guidelines aimed at reducing player fatigue and injury. The issue of too much rugby has plagued the game for some time, notably in South Africa, where rugby is played for 52 weeks of the year because of the country’s unique position of featuring in the northern hemisphere at provincial level, but in the southern hemisphere at international level. In South Africa, coaches and their unions have largely been making it up as they go along, although SA Rugby has been decreeing mandatory rest periods for their contracted Springboks. Now there are no more grey areas after the world governing body accepted the recommendations made by a project group of leading experts representing…

Beleaguered Rangers manager Russell Martin finally scraped to his first Scottish Premiership win in charge at the weekend and next takes his struggling side to Austria to face Sturm Graz in the Uefa Europa League on Thursday. The former Southampton boss was brought in with the goal of reaching the Uefa Champions League proper and challenging Celtic for the domestic title. Rangers finished second in the Premiership last season, 17 points behind their Glasgow rivals, after sacking Philippe Clement midway through the campaign. The nervy 2-1 victory at lowly Livingston on Sunday left Rangers eighth in the 12-team table, already nine points behind surprise leaders Hearts. Rangers, despite only winning one Scottish title since 2011, have found some respite in Europe in recent years, reaching the 2022 Europa League final…

Orlando Pirates’ faith in Abdeslam Ouaddou is starting to bloom. After a rocky start, the team’s rhythm has returned, quietly vindicating the trust placed in him ahead of this campaign. Following their 2-0 win against TS Galaxy, the Bucaneers have now moved to 15 points after seven matches, having secured five consecutive wins in their last five league outings. Ouaddou’s arrival was met with intense scrutiny before he even had a chance to breathe. Opening the league with defeats to Sekhukhune United (1-0) and Marumo Gallants (2-1), he immediately felt the weight of expectation pressing down. Before his arrival, Pirates had soared the previous season. Even with just one trophy—the MTN8—the bar was set high. Stepping into the space left by Jose Riveiro, the Moroccan coach needed to carve his…