Innehållsförteckning för 2024-06-21 från Mercury

THIS IS THE second article in a nine-part series that summarises findings from Just Retirement Insights 2024, a tracking study conducted by retirement income specialist, Just SA. Four out of 10 people aren’t setting goals for retirement Confidence in your skills and abilities to plan for retirement is a subjective measurement, and, as was discovered in Just Retirement Insights 2024, self-confidence can sometimes be unjustified. The study showed that 60% of respondents set goals for retirement. While this is an improvement of 20% compared to the 2018 survey, it means that 40% of respondents don’t set goals, a figure that is far too high, given South Africa’s retirement income crisis. Just more than half of respondents surveyed (56%) said they saved money and planned for the future. This could be…

CAPITAL & Regional plc, a UK shopping centre company that has Growthpoint Properties as its major shareholder, said yesterday that discussions were underway with NewRiver real estate investment trust (Reit) about a potential takeover offer. Capital & Regional said in a regulatory JSE notice that the discussions with NewRiver Reit plc regarding a potential takeover offer had led to an extension of the deadline to make a firm offer or walk away. NewRiver Reit focuses on retail parks, core retail centres and regeneration centres in the UK. Originally set for June 20, 2024, the new deadline for NewRiver to declare its intentions was now July 18, 2024. The company said there was no certainty of a firm offer being made, or the terms of any potential offer. Last month Capital…

IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa said that political parties, committed to advancing the interests of the people, should be allowed to join the new Government of National Unity (GNU) led by the ANC. Hlabisa’s views are in sharp contrast to those of the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) federal chairperson, Helen Zille, that any party that wants to join the GNU can only do so with the approval of the pact partners. Speaking to The Mercury yesterday, Hlabisa called on parties that were part of the GNU to refrain from giving individual interpretations of the agreement that forms the basis of the pact. He said the parties should instead meet in private, find the common meaning of the agreements, and interpretations and then speak in public with one voice. The DA and the…

Angry people often blame circumstances for their rage. The circumstances trigger what’s already within. Recently I was in line at a cellular phone outlet. The customer ahead of me began viciously screaming at the salesperson. Encouraged to calm down, the angry man pointed at the salesperson as if he himself was powerless over his own behaviour. The man, apparently, sincerely believes his angry outbursts are the responsibility of others. Backed up in traffic I saw another vivid illustration: on my left, a driver was pounding his fists, waving his arms and yelling into a phone. On my right, the driver was apparently listening to something really funny and enjoying the wait. It would be easy to suggest the driver on the left was in a hurry and the other was…

THE absence of South African Indians in the provincial and national governments is very conspicuous. The latest population statistics reveal that there are 1 697 506 people of Indian origin in South Africa. The majority of us are geographically located in KwaZulu-Natal, with a large number also in Gauteng and Cape Town. How many of us are in government? As a person of Indian origin, I am disheartened to know that even though we vote for parties such as the DA and the ANC, we don’t hold positions of significance in those parties. Clearly we are sidelined. Have we become so complacent as a people that we don’t care anymore? We have become irrelevant in South African politics. During the July 2021 unrest, the Indians of Phoenix were targeted…

The DA in KwaZulu-Natal is encouraged by the latest by-election victory in Newcastle’s Ward 5 where the local residents have demonstrated the confidence they have in us. We see this as a further confirmation that the DA continues to be an attractive party which people can rely on when it comes to good governance and service delivery. The DA does not take this hard-fought victory lightly in what was a hotly contested ward which has been plagued by various service delivery and infrastructural issues. Instead we will use the outcome to better serve the voters of Ward 5, and by doing so continue building our legacy of being a party that puts the needs of the people first. Today’s result is also encouraging as the DA plans ahead towards the…

WESLEY “Matiri” Madonsela, 52, who was convicted of murder and is currently serving a 10-year sentence for the 1989 killing of 17-year-old United Democratic Front (UDF) activist Siphelele Nxumalo, claims that he was not part the notorious apartheid Special Branch police unit, as was claimed during his trial. He was sentenced in November last year with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), immediately after the court matter, saying that the conviction was in connection to Nxumalo’s murder in Chesterville. “Nxumalo died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. At the time, Nxumalo was an activist with the UDF, affiliated with the ANC,” the NPA had said in a statement. “Madonsela, who was allegedly part of an A-Team that worked with the Natal Security Branch, then disappeared after the murder, but was…

The new KwaZulu-Natal finance MEC, Francois Rodgers, has vowed to prioritise the funding of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). The NSNP, a government programme that deals with several challenges facing communities, such as poverty and unemployment, feeds no less than 2.4 million children daily across the province. In March, the department stated in a circular that it was facing budget constraints and would be cutting funding for the programme which would affect 5% of pupils who depend on the scheme, and 25 000 pupils would have been affected. The programme was on the brink of collapse last year when Pacina Retail, a supplier, struggled to deliver food, leaving thousands of KZN school children hungry. Rodgers, the provincial chairperson of the DA told The Mercury that last year,…

The frequent killings of suspects in Kwazulu-Natal and elsewhere places the use of force by the police once again in the spotlight. Some assert that the killings are a result of the “trigger-happy” police officers’ “shoot-to-kill” approach, as mentioned by some politicians. Others applaud the police because they don’t have faith in the criminal justice system and perceive these killings as instant justice because they are sick and tired of crime. It is thus crucial and in the best interest of the police members and the public to explore the legality of the police’s use of force. In South Africa, police officials are legally authorised to apply force when necessary according to section 205(3) of the Constitution, 1996. The provision states, among others, that the police must “protect and secure…

The Springbok Sevens should not be troubled by lowly Mexico in today’s first Olympic Sevens Repechage match in Monaco. In fact, there should be three easy pool games over the next two days for the South Africans to see them safely into the play-offs on Sunday for the one available spot for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Blitzboks will face the Mexicans this afternoon (4.44pm kick-off) in the opener with matches against Tonga (1.44pm) and Chile (5.56pm) tomorrow to complete their round-robin clashes. Then on Sunday, it’s the all- important placement matches and teams like Great Britain, Spain and Canada could stand in the way of the Blitzboks to reach their goal of qualifying. Although the important matches will be on Sunday, Springbok Sevens interim coach Philip Snyman warned…

STANDARD Bank Group has become the latest South African company whose profits are being whittled away by other devaluing African currencies. The biggest lender in Africa by assets said yesterday that its headline earnings grew by only low-to-mid single digits in the five months to May 31 after being negatively impacted by currency movements, most notably in Angola, Malawi, Nigeria, and Zambia. Other listed companies in South Africa with large business interests elsewhere on the continent that have been similarly affected include Telkom and cellphone companies such as MTN. Standard Bank said in a trading update for the five months to May 31 that on a constant currency basis, headline earnings grew by mid-teens period-on-period. Credit impairment charges were marginally higher, based on restated figures for last year’s five-month period.…

Generation Z, a term which refers to the demographic cohort of those roughly born between 1997 and 2012, are becoming parents for the first time. Now, a landmark study conducted by a leading Los Angeles-based strategic consultancy, Culture Bureau, has found interesting insights into how this age group looks at parenting. Some of the most notable findings were that Gen Z parents typically embody many unexpected dualities and contradictions. The study found that many regard themselves as radical traditionalists and for this reason, many Gen Z parents hold surprisingly traditional views on things like home ownership, divorce and suburban living. The Culture Bureau research also found that the era of the “frenemy” Instamom influencer is over and that Gen Z parents are increasingly seeking authenticity as they attempt to change…

All EYES will be on President Cyril Ramaphosa when he makes imminent Cabinet appointments following consultation with political parties that form part of the Government of National Unity (GNU). Ramaphosa will have a few considerations, noting that unlike in the past, he would not only have to consult ANC alliance partners the SACP and Cosatu. Among his considerations will be the size of the incoming Cabinet, key ministerial positions to reserve for the ANC, the number of posts to assign to each of the parties, and the possible inclusion of non-MPs into his new executive. Some parties and interest groups are lobbying him to trim the Cabinet. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula told the SABC that Ramaphosa would constitute a Cabinet that will be reflective of the principles of the GNU.…

MOST of us are accustomed to seeing Stuart Ramsay, the Sky News foreign correspondent, in situations for which the word “awkward” is inadequate. True to form, this week, footage has him on the roof of a giant goods train hurtling across Mexico towards the US border, 1 000km away. With him is a motley crew of men, women, children and babes in arms, clinging on desperately, hoping to make it to the border and somehow get across it into the US for safety, security and a degree of prosperity. The train has its scheduled stops and at these, Mexican officials board and violently pull off as many of the freeloaders as they can. Family groups are broken up. There’s heart-rending footage of a woman with her small child. She has…

Democracy is a system that is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it gives everyone the right to vote as an expression of the egalitarian ideal that we are all equal, therefore, the vote of the privileged class is worth the same as the vote of ordinary individuals. This is the nature of democracy, which we all support principally. It also creates situations where the leading party does not have the majority threshold and therefore can be out voted democratically through parties with smaller vote support who get together and obtain the 51%. As we accept the one principle, so too should we accept the second one. Hence, please allow me to remind the Government of National Unity (GNU) that this will be the second time South Africans will…

A doctorate is the highest post-matric academic qualification and generally requires 6 years of full-time intensive study to complete, with extensive research being undertaken. It is evaluated as M plus 6 vertical, M plus 3 vertical being for a 3-year post-matric degree or diploma. On rare occasions, deserving persons are awarded honorary doctorates for good reason/s, without any studying on account of their significant contribution to society or exceptional prowess in a particular field. There is a recent disturbing trend for honorary doctorates to be awarded by certain local and overseas dubious, fly-by-night, shady, bogus and non- accredited institutions. This is unacceptable and needs to be stopped immediately. It makes a mockery of the aforementioned exceptional awarding. What is more disturbing is that certain local and overseas institutions, of the…

THE Western Cape High Court has granted a final eviction order for various unlawfully occupied sites in the city including along Buitengracht Street, FW de Klerk Boulevard, Foregate Square, taxi rank and the Foreshore. Other areas are Helen Suzman Boulevard, Strand Street, Foreshore/N1, Virginia Avenue and Mill Street Bridge. The City said dignified transitional shelter at their Safe Spaces remained available for those requiring this service. “The sheriff of the court is permitted to evict any remaining unlawful occupants if needed after 30 July. “The order includes a standing interdict against any further unlawful occupation of these areas and further City-owned public spaces by respondents identified in the application,” the City said. The ruling comes after a lengthy court process since the initial granting of an order for eviction notices…

THE IFP has said its success in the municipal by-elections on Wednesday is an indication that the public approves of its decision to join the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU). The party won seven of the 12 by-elections contested in various municipalities across the province on Wednesday. The ANC took a hammering and lost several wards to the IFP and one to the MKP, leading political analysts to warn that the party was facing an existential threat, especially in KZN. The by-elections were held in uMvoti Municipality in Greytown, in uMzumbe Municipality on the South Coast, in Mthonjaneni Municipality, uPhongolo, Nongoma, Newcastle and other areas. The IFP, ANC, DA and the NFP have formed a GPU which culminated in the swearing in of the premier, Thami Ntuli, on Tuesday. Ntuli…

The opening Springbok Test of the year is always a special occasion, but tomorrow’s encounter against Wales is even more significant than usual. It is the first time the Boks will be in action since that memorable October night in Paris last year when they beat the All Blacks 12-11 in the Rugby World Cup final to clinch their fourth Webb Ellis Cup, the second in a row after their 2019 triumph in Japan. It is also different due to the fact that it won’t be played at home, as the massive Twickenham Stadium in London will see two neutral teams fight it out – although with the number of SA expats in the UK capital, there is sure to be considerable Bok support in the stands. In addition, it…

There will be some expected growing pains at Twickenham for the Springboks tomorrow afternoon, but the opening Test against Wales should provide more answers than questions for Rassie Erasmus and his players. In their opening Test of the year, the Boks will take on an inexperienced Wales outfit in London (3pm SA time), and although they are also without some stars, the world champions will want to set an early standard by dominating proceedings. For several players, tomorrow’s duel against the Dragons can set the tone for their season and how they will fit into the returning Erasmus’ plans as he builds a squad for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. No one will be more eager to return to the field than Bok hooker Malcolm Marx after a…

Game fish and big sharks have been the order of the day for the past week. The sardines are still around in full force, so get in on the action, even if it’s just to see the chaos and fun. This time of year sees chaos on the beaches with everyone trying to get to the action of the sardine run. Please take other people’s needs into consideration. For example, if someone is fishing on the beaches or rocks, do not set up directly next to them. Give them some space, and don’t cast over their lines. The offshore fishing has not been fireworks, but there have been fish to catch along the entire coast! The North Coast has seen some yellowtail and amberjack on the deeper marks. These are…

DESPITE advances in financial inclusion, boosted by digital and mobile finance platforms that are blossoming across the region, authorities in southern Africa should enhance competition in banking systems. This was according to Absa Bank chief strategy and sustainability officer Punki Modise, who said that there were varying levels of debt-to-GDP ratios across African countries, while some regional sovereigns such as Kenya, Ghana and Egypt have adopted unsustainable debt strategies. Standard Bank said yesterday that currency volatility in some regional markets had intensified in the first five months of the current year. This comes as South African banks expect non-performing loans to escalate in their home market. Nonetheless, regional financial experts reckon that robust competition in South Africa’s and regional financial ecosystem will improve bankability in the private sector and improve…

Japan is grappling with a concerning surge in cases of a rare “flesh-eating bacterium” that can be fatal within 48 hours. The rise in infections has followed the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, according to a report by Japan Times. The National Institute of Infectious Diseases has documented 977 cases of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS) by June 2 this year, surpassing the previous record of 941 cases reported last year. Health experts fear the situation could deteriorate further, potentially escalating to 2 500 cases by the end of the year. STSS is a rare but deadly bacterial illness that occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and deep tissues. It has a high mortality rate of around 30%. Between January and March 2024, the syndrome claimed 77 lives. Ken Kikuchi, a…

ETHEKWINI fire and emergency services responded to a scene where a man was killed yesterday after his vehicle ploughed through the wall of a fourth floor parking lot in a shopping mall in Overport, Durban. The vehicle had come to rest on its roof on the road below with the man sustaining fatal injuries. ALS Paramedics spokesperson, Garrith Jamieson said that just after noon yesterday, they responded to a serious single vehicle crash with entrapments on Overport Drive. “Paramedics arrived on scene to find carnage as they found that a single vehicle which was on the top floor of the shopping centre parking lot had somehow lost control and ploughed through the parking wall coming to rest on the road below, on its roof.” “The driver, the only occupant of…

Pressure is mounting on the DA to call out and remove racists among its ranks following the suspension of its MP Renaldo Gouws for using derogatory language including the k-word in a video inciting violence against black people. “Alright so there’s a couple of things I want to say. Kill the f***ing k*ffirs, kill all the f***ing n*ggers. That’s all I gotta f***ing say. Kill all the k*ffirs! Kill all the f***ing n*ggers!” he can be heard saying in the video. Gouws first denied having made such a video when contacted by IOL and also insinuated the video may have been manipulated by AI technology. The video was retrieved from the internet archive, which collects snapshots of web pages from time to time for retrieval and then to IOL. While…

THE building collapse in George that cost at least 34 lives was a disaster and revealed that most of the victims were foreign nationals. Recently, 38 Bangladeshis were intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport with false visas. Further, a Pakistani national was just sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment for running a fake passport syndicate, and charged with bribery and corruption. These types of incidents could be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to foreign nationals entering the country. It is quite obvious that certain unscrupulous employers would gladly employ foreigners at reduced wages. Remember the torching of trucks when our local drivers went on the rampage, protesting against foreigners taking their jobs. If South Africa is said to have the most unequal society in the world, then…

IT’S BECOME crystal clear that the breakaway ANC section calling itself MKP, under the spell of arch wizard of old Jacob Zuma intends to take over the role of the EFF in disrupting Parliament and the country by destabilising efforts to ensure the growth that’s desperately needed in order to attract foreign investment . Zuma has manipulated the law for over 20 years in order to stay out of prison for his misdemeanours. The cost of doing so must have cost tens of millions… one wonders who paid for this. What’s apparent with the ANC having been cut in half thanks to JZ is that his wings have been clipped and he’s destined to spend the rest of his political life running in circles with the turkeys instead of flying…

SOUTH Africa’s population is expected to reach 63.1 million people by mid-2024 with Gauteng to remain the most populous province. According to a Bureau of Market Research (BMR) report providing insights into distributional population figures, the provincial breakdown indicates that Gauteng remains the most populous province with an estimated population of 15.4 million people (24.3%). The Northern Cape remains the least populous province with an estimated total population size of 1.4 million people (2.2%), as at mid-2024. Dr Joshua Kembo and Professor Carel van Aardt from the BMR at Unisa, published the report recently on population projections for South Africa by province, district municipality, local municipality, main-place, and sub-place. The percentages of the population group composition are estimated to be 81.8% for Black Africans and 2.7% for Indians/Asians at mid-2024,…

SA’s fragile state makes his people-centred call resonate across the political landscape IT WAS dark before dawn on the path leading to the second inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa, a leader who promised us a New Dawn six years ago. Politics needs light and shade, as decisions on forming this unity government are complicated, and judgements are subtle. We will all wake up every day in the coming months to a president of a multiparty government who paints the boldest of brush strokes on the courageous path to forge co-operation between fractured political persuasions in a historic moment that takes us away from a political landscape characterised by single-party dominance. The leader who divides and inspires many yearning for an effective government that must tackle poverty and inequality entertains and…