Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-10-16 i Mercury

Total remuneration for executive directors increased over the past year, with chief exectives (CEOs) and chief financial officers (CFOs) seeing median increases of 8% and 19%, respectively, according to PwC’s 2025 Directors Remuneration and Trends report that looked at the executive pay across JSE Top 200. Despite macroeconomic pressure and heightened scrutiny of executive pay, shareholders continue to back remuneration practices. PwC’s 2025 Directors Remuneration and Trends report reveals that executive director pay has rebounded over the past year, with increases outpacing inflation and drawing renewed attention to fairness, transparency, and alignment with performance. Makhosazana Mabaso, PwC’s reward partner, said, “These results contrast sharply with trends observed in 2024, where variable pay outcomes had decreased. The return to stronger performance-linked remuneration suggests a shift in market conditions, as well as…

A troubling picture of deteriorating fiscal conditions emerges around the world The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a stark warning that global public debt is on track to exceed 100% of GDP by 2029, reaching its highest level since the aftermath of World War II. The Fund’s latest Fiscal Monitor report, released yesterday in Washington, D.C., paints a troubling picture of deteriorating fiscal conditions, rising borrowing costs, and deepening debt vulnerabilities across both advanced and developing economies. Vitor Gaspar, director of the IMF fiscal affairs department, said public debt continues to rise as governments face mounting fiscal strain from higher defense spending, aging populations, and elevated interest rates. “Global public debt prospects and risks have worsened since our last meeting in April. In such a scenario, debt would be…

As global financial leaders gather in Washington, D.C. this week for the annual World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings, a new analysis from the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) is drawing attention to the human cost — and potential human benefit — of reforming the world’s debt system. The report, unveiled on Wednesday, reveals that capping African governments’ debt servicing costs could unlock more than $320 billion in revenue, transforming lives across the continent and offering struggling governments a path out of what ACET calls a “cycle of debt and dependence.” Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi, ACET president and CEO, said those resources could achieve a lot if redirected toward strengthening clinics, training teachers or ensuring families have access to clean water. “African governments are currently spending nearly 17% of…

For South African SMEs, the final quarter of the year is more than just a busy season, it is a proving ground. It is when strategy meets execution, and when the right decisions can unlock real growth. Black Friday, in particular, has become a defining moment in the retail calendar. And if last year’s numbers are anything to go by, the stakes are only getting higher. In recent years, we’ve seen a consistent year-on-year increase in transaction activity during the Black Friday period. What was once a single day of frenzied shopping has evolved into an extended week of spending, with consumers planning and purchasing over several days rather than just 24 hours. This steady upward trend is more than a seasonal spike; it’s a clear signal that South Africans…

The PayInc Economic Index, which tracks electronic transactions processed by PayInc, improved for the fifth consecutive month in September 2025 reflecting the resilience of the South African economy and agility of its businesses, While several positive factors are helping to sustain demand, the low growth rate indicates the economy is operating mostly in survival mode. “The PayInc Economic Index continued its upward trend since April, reaching a revised level of 102.3 in September 2025. This is 0.2% up on August’s level and 3% higher than a year ago,” said Shergeran Naidoo, the head of stakeholder engagements at PayInc.The resilience in economic activity, evident in the PayInc data, serves as a reminder of the complexity of the South African economy. Elize Kruger, an independent economist, said, “No single factor is the…

The Durban Girls’ College has implemented numerous reforms to address allegations of racism that had previously impacted the school. The school and the Department of Education recently detailed the changes made to address these allegations and to be sensitive to the needs of its diverse constituents. Mandla Shangase, the department’s acting director of governance and management, briefed the Education Portfolio Committee members on the progress made by the school to date. This came after the school had come under scrutiny due to allegations of racism, particularly concerning the lack of diversity among management and teachers, who were mostly white and not representative of the school’s ecosystem. He stated that the allegations of racism at Durban Girls College first emerged in 2020, prompting officials from the department to visit the school.…

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) in KwaZulu-Natal has made significant progress in modernising its social grant service delivery through the implementation of digital income verification and biometric registration. This is according to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, which is conducting a week-long oversight visit to the province. The committee received a briefing from Sassa officials at the Ilembe District Municipality offices, where KZN Regional Manager Thamo Mzobe said the Beneficiary Biometric Enrolment (BBE) system was fully implemented as of 1 September 2025. She explained that all 82 local offices in the region had been equipped with biometric fingerprint scanners and that 901 officials had been trained to operate the new system. Mzobe also provided an update on the income verification process, noting that 38 dedicated officials at…

A multidisciplinary blitz in Ndwedwe, under the Ilembe District in northern KwaZulu-Natal, revealed the exploitation of foreign nationals for cheap labour on local farms and in shops. The blitz was led by Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala, as the District Development Model (DDM) champion of the Ilembe District, Labour and Employment Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya, and Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza on Tuesday. They were joined by Ndwedwe Municipality Mayor Sam Mfeka and the police. They checked compliance regarding the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Occupational Health and Safety, and Minimum Wage Act. They were also looking at the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), Compensation Fund and other pieces of labour legislation, with Home Affairs looking at compliance with the Immigration Act. This follows numerous concerns…

The weekend of October 11 and 12 delivered bowls worthy of the final Port Natal Bowling Championship of the 2025 season, with thrilling finishes and sportsmanship that reminded everyone why the game endures. After a series of tightly contested playoff matches on Saturday – complete with upsets, nail-biters and gasps from the banks – the men’s semi-finalists for Sunday’s games were decided. At host Club, Westville BC, Stella Park’s John Connellan, Chris Strover, Jason Lott and Jason Butterfield drew club mates Mike Barker, Brian Daventry-Bull, Paul Erasmus and Elijah Mommen in one semi, while Bluff’s Chad Wilson, Kevin Olivier, Jeff Waterman and Bryan Weldon took on Parkhill’s Brad Lezar, Gary Watson, Alex Morrison and Les Taljaard in the other. Connellan’s quartet advanced with a comfortable win, but all eyes were…

Charles Leclerc heads into the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) this weekend carrying both hope and frustration. As the defending winner at Austin, he knows exactly what it takes to dominate here. In fact, Austin 2024 was the last time Ferrari had a perfect weekend, with teammate Carlos Sainz driving home the P2 last year. Yet, this 2025 season has been anything but consistent, leaving fans and Ferrari alike wondering if he can turn speed into results once again. With the championship now out of reach, the focus is clear: a podium, or better, a strong finish to end the year on a high. The Monegasque started the season with flashes of brilliance, from qualifying dominance to early podiums, but those highs were offset by reliability issues, strategy missteps, and…

The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has invited private sector players to submit proposals for the development and operation of a specialised Break Bulk Terminal focused on cold storage for fish and related products at the Port of Cape Town. This is a move set to bolster the Western Cape’s vital fishing industry and enhance South Africa’s export logistics. The project, announced on Wednesday, forms part of TNPA’s efforts to modernise port infrastructure and expand capacity for temperature-sensitive cargo. TNPA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a terminal operator to finance, refurbish, construct, operate, maintain and eventually transfer the new facility under a 10-year concession. The proposed development site – a 7 273 m² brownfield area located adjacent to the ship repair and liquid bulk precincts – is…

As the world’s economic centre of gravity continues to shift, Africa is no longer content with the call for inclusion. It is taking the reins, crafting, co-creating, contributing, and actively shaping the future of global financial governance. From the recent G2O gathering in Durban, a clear message emerged as policymakers, economists, and financial leaders convened for an official side event under South Africa’s G20 Presidency for a high-level forum exploring Africa’s role in reshaping global finance. The world’s financial architecture is in transition – buffeted by geopolitical shocks, widening fiscal pressures, and a growing crisis of multilateral trust. As the system fragments, the Global South faces a pivotal question: will it remain a policy-taker, or help shape the rules that will define the future? Africa is choosing the latter Under…

South Africa’s Agricultural Conditions Assessment Committee (ACAC) says the country’s farming outlook is showing strong signs of recovery across most crop and fruit sectors, but the livestock industry remains under severe strain due to the ongoing Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. In its third quarterly meeting for 2025 held earlier this week under the Department of Agriculture, the committee reported that while overall agricultural conditions are uneven, the balance remains tilted toward a positive growth trajectory. “In field crops, the output is up from the 2023-24 season, boosted by the favourable rainfall and vast planting area," it said. "For example, South Africa's 2024-25 summer grains and oilseed harvest is estimated at 19.94 million tons, a 28% year-on-year increase. This encompasses maize, soybeans, sunflower seed, sorghum, dry beans, and groundnuts.” According to…

It’s funny how life has a way of drawing curious parallels, almost as if the universe enjoys a bit of irony. Recently, we each travelled to Venda, unknowingly within weeks of each other. When we returned, we realised our experiences were strikingly similar stories of a region quietly redefining what local enterprise looks like. Those shared observations culminated in this co-authored article. Across South Africa’s northern reaches, something remarkable is quietly unfolding an entrepreneurial shift that challenges long-held assumptions about who can participate in traditionally centralised industries. Travelling more than 150 kilometres through the area reveals a fuel landscape unlike any other: not one dominated by the familiar big-brand petrol stations, but a diverse network of independent and locally-owned operators. Names unfamiliar to most South Africans line the roads from…

DHL Group on Wednesday announced a more than €300 million (R6 billion) planned investment in Sub-Saharan Africa, reaffirming its long- term commitment to a region of growing strategic importance in global trade. It said in a statement on Wednesday that the multi-year initiative will be deployed across DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding, and DHL Supply Chain to expand infrastructure, enhance service capabilities, and unlock opportunities for businesses across key sectors including e-commerce, perishables, energy, and life sciences & healthcare. John Pearson, the CEO of DHL Express, said “Africa is at a pivotal moment in its trade journey.” He said despite global volatility, the continent continues to show resilience and momentum. DHL's investment reflects confidence in Africa’s trajectory and DHL’s commitment to enabling the trade flows that drive inclusive growth. "By…

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has announced plans to convene a national summit on police killings, describing the continued attacks on law enforcement officers as a “senseless slaughter” that demands urgent national attention. In a statement issued after its Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting held last week, POPCRU said preparations for the summit were under way, although the date had not yet been confirmed. The gathering, it said, would bring together key stakeholders to address the growing number of police officers killed in the line of duty. “The recent Port Shepstone incident, where both a retired police officer and a serving member were brutally murdered, stands as a stark and painful reminder of the dangerous conditions under which our officers operate,” the union said. “These brutal killings…

Thomas Tuchel has completed his first task as England manager with ease as the Three Lions became the first European side to qualify for the 2026 World Cup yesterday. After a perfect qualifying record of six wins and 18 goals without conceding from six games, the hard work for the German now begins in burdening great expectations in tough conditions next year in the United States, Mexico and Canada. AFP Sports looks at the challenges ahead for Tuchel and his team if they are to end a 60-year wait to win a major men’s tournament. Balance star power and team cohesion Tuchel’s bold decision to leave out Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden from his squad this month underlined his desire to find the best collective unit rather than a collection…

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Fifa chief Gianni Infantino would support moving 2026 World Cup games from US cities for security reasons if necessary. In September, Trump raised the possibility of moving games amid his crackdown on Democratic-run cities, but at the time Fifa said that it was up to football's governing body to decide where games are held. “If somebody is doing a bad job and if I feel there’s unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni, the head of FIFA, who's phenomenal, and I would say, let's move it to another location. And he would do that,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if games could be moved from Boston, one of the host cities. “Very easily he would do it.” Trump’s comments…

“BUNCH OF LOSERS!” These were the headlines that greeted Bafana Bafana, with the comments coming from none other than the then Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, after the team’s 3-1 defeat to Nigeria in the 2014 African Nations Championship. Mbalula also claimed Bafana were “useless”, made reference to their “mediocrity”, and stated that “we indeed have a crisis of monumental proportions”. Contrast this to the jubilant celebration scenes, led by current Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie screaming into the cameras “Siyaya e-America” on Tuesday evening at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium after Bafana qualified for next year’s Fifa World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. For Bafana to have come this far is staggering. It’s pinch me, wake up, everybody’s dreaming territory. Qualification for a first Fifa World Cup since 2002 was achieved…

South Africa’s fruit industry is celebrating a major breakthrough after the Department of Agriculture signed a historic stone fruit trade protocol with China, opening the Asian market for five key fruit types – apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and prunes – for the first time. The landmark deal not only enhances trade ties between South Africa and China, but also signals a new phase in agricultural diplomacy – one that promises to boost farmer incomes, create jobs, and strengthen the country’s role as a leading global fruit exporter. Announcing the deal yesterday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said the agreement could unlock approximately R400 million for the sector over the next five years, with export earnings expected to double within a decade. Steenhuisen said that the protocol marks “a major breakthrough for…

What happens when powerful foreign banks can influence the value of our rand, raise the cost of living for millions, and then claim that our laws do not apply to them? That, in essence, is the question now before the Constitutional Court, and its answer will define how South Africa defends its sovereignty in a globalised financial system. In August, the Court heard the Competition Commission’s appeal against the Competition Appeal Court’s decision to dismiss charges of rand manipulation against 13 international banks. The judgment, now reserved, will decide whether foreign financial institutions can be held accountable when their conduct directly affects South Africa’s markets. If South Africa cannot hold global banks accountable for manipulating its currency, then our economic sovereignty exists only on paper. This saga dates back to…

Every year on October 16, Boss’s Day gives employees an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the people who lead them for their support. But in South Africa, there’s a category of bosses who deserve more than just a thank-you card from their teams – the small and medium enterprise (SME) owners. These are the leaders who collectively contribute a third of the country’s GDP and employ over 60% of the workforce. While large corporate CEOs may make more headlines, there is a lot we can also learn from the small business bosses. Here’s why: 1 They often prioritise purpose over profit For most SME owners, the motivation to start a business goes beyond financial gain. Many are driven by a desire to solve a problem, support their community, or build…

The value of the township economy is estimated at R1 trillion a year, but a new survey finds that nearly 80% of township businesses are unregistered, which excludes them from access to finance, formal markets and digital tools, that could enable them to grow. According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), unregistered businesses are those that operate outside formal regulatory frameworks, including VAT registration, labour regulations, and tax compliance. Stats SA finds that the informal township economy accounted for nearly 19.5% of total employment in the last quarter of 2024. For scale, South Africa’s nominal GDP in 2024 was R7.3trln. A survey by Standard Bank conducted across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Limpopo and North-West, in townships that include Meadowlands, Cosmo City, Langa, Khayelitsha, Lebowakgomo, Phoenix, among others, showed that these…

The Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled that Standard Bank had bypassed the rules of the National Credit Act (NCA) when it used settlement agreements with a family trust to enforce its debts by obtaining an order that 14 immovable properties of the trust be declared executable. The SCA found that settlement agreements supplementing a NCA-governed credit agreement are unlawful and void. It said enforcement requires Section 129 compliance. This section of the NCA requires a credit provider to send a written notice to a consumer in default of a credit agreement before legal proceedings can begin. In this case, the bank used the settlement agreements to obtain orders from the Bloemfontein High Court to sell the properties in order to recover its debt, without the consumer being afforded the…

KWAZULU-NATAL government departments are facing increased financial risk, with regressive audit opinions becoming commonplace. The dire warning was made by the Auditor General of South Africa, Tsakane Maluleke, following the audit report for the 2024-2025 financial year, examining government departments and entities in KZN. The report showed a regression in the audit outcomes, revealing that government departments and entities are struggling. However, it noted that the Department of Agriculture had improved its findings to achieve a clean audit. Six departments and entities had not made progress towards a clean audit, while the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has regressed to unqualified with findings. The Department of Health moved to qualified with findings. Three audit reports from entities were outstanding. The report shocked members of the legislature, who argued…

After ignoring a court order for more than a year, which made it clear that the University of Limpopo had to reinstate a doctoral student and appoint external assessors for his thesis, the university and two of its senior officials were held in contempt of court. The Polokwane High Court voiced its dissatisfaction that a June 2024 order was simply ignored, leaving doctoral student Dickiel Kusainda out in the cold. The court recently not only ordered that the university was in contempt but also that Vice Chancellor Professor Nehemia Mahlo Mokgalong and Registrar Kwena Masha must take direct responsibility for ensuring compliance. Acting Judge S du Plessis awarded a punitive costs order against the university and ordered that it immediately re-enrol Kusainda so that he could complete his doctorate. If…

The Department of Water and Sanitation has launched an investigation into the affairs of uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) following a string of allegations of wrongdoing against the water authority. Wisane Mavasa, the spokesperson for the department, stated that the findings of the investigation would be released as soon as it is completed. The scope of the investigation was not immediately clear. Recent allegations that have made headlines include: UUW sponsoring an official to the New York Marathon, including a R125 000 first-class airfare and additional expenses. Conflicts of interest: Claims that a law firm paid tens of millions by UUW hired the board chair’s daughter and that another board member received substantial legal briefs from the same firm. Subsidiary governance failures: The removal of Khanyisani Stanley Shandu as chair of UUW’s…

Hugo Broos will walk away from Bafana Bafana after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a tenure that has restored belief, pride, and purpose in South African football. The 73-year-old Belgian mentor confirmed his decision after guiding Bafana to a 3-0 win over Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night – a result that, combined with Nigeria’s 4-0 win over Benin in Uyo, sealed South Africa’s passage to next year’s global showpiece. Broos’ men topped Group C after a gruelling qualification campaign, finishing a point ahead of Nigeria and Benin. The Super Eagles’ emphatic victory may have earned them an unlikely play-off lifeline, but it was Bafana who emerged as the group’s dominant force – resilient, organised, and consistent from start to finish. And for Broos, qualification marks both a…

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus must make a bold decision over the next couple of weeks about where his captain, Siya Kolisi, will celebrate his 100th Test for the national team. The double World Cup-winning captain currently has 98 Tests for his country, and with five matches scheduled for November in Europe, Kolisi is likely to reach that milestone within the next month. As a leader who has come to embody the best of South African rugby, the milestone must mean more than just aceremony, though, it should reflect his journey and his legacy. That is why Kolisi’s century must be at the Stade de France in Paris, in the second Test against France, tipped to be the showpiece fixture of the tour. The Boks open their northern campaign against…

This Saturday’s Durban derby showdown between new boys Durban City and the pride of the KwaZulu-Natal province AmaZulu, is more than just another Betway Premiership clash. For Simo Dladla, now AmaZulu’s assistant coach, it is a reunion with familiar faces – he meets for the first time the very side he lifted from the Motsepe Foundation Championship into the big league. The twist is that Dladla’s replacement, veteran PSL coach Gavin Hunt, has over the months been praising his predecessor’s work, noting that he built a fantastic team. It does not end there, in his arsenal Hunt has Dladla’s former lieutenant Pitso Dladla. All that is enough to make for a scintilating encounter at the World Cup venue, the Moses Mabhida Stadium set to kick-off at 3.30pm. To this day,…

PAKISTAN v SOUTH AFRICA First Test, Day 4, Pakistan: 378 & 167 (Babar 42, Muthusamy 5/57, Harmer 4/51) South Africa: 269 & 183 (Brevis 54, Rickleton 45, Shaheen 4/33, Noman Ali 4/79) Pakistan won by 93 runs, lead series 1-0 It is a long way back for the world Test champion Proteas from here. The size of their defeat to Pakistan in the first Test at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, by 93 runs, does not tell the full story. For all their gumption of staying in the fight for as long as they did, there were only three individual batters – opener Ryan Rickelton twice – that passed 20 runs in both innings. The rest showed neither technique nor pluck and determination to see it through against the high-quality spin offered…