Innehållsförteckning för 2024-11-15 från Mercury

Life often presents situations where one must grant another person authority to act on their behalf. These scenarios may include physical incapacity due to illness, extended travel abroad, or delegating property management to an agent. A general power of attorney, as the term suggests, empowers the appointed agent to perform a broad range of legal actions on behalf of the principal. This includes opening bank accounts, entering into contracts, overseeing business affairs, and ensuring seamless management during the principal’s absence or incapacity. In South Africa, there is no standardised form for a power of attorney, making it crucial to seek expert guidance to ensure the document accurately reflects the powers you intend to grant. The power of attorney must identify both the principal and the agent and explicitly outline the…

What kind of person do I (you) want to be? The question is answered if I embrace the wealthy but ignore people of limited means. If I am ignored by a waiter in a restaurant and threaten to withhold a tip or “go to the top”, I have decided who I want to be. If snubbed and I retaliate, my actions answer the question. If I return evil for evil, I have decided. I am constantly revealing who I want to be. Who I am is the product of thousands upon thousands of choices and more, compounding, forming into habits that build platforms for actions and shape the lenses through which I see and respond to the world. I will always be who I have always been when I am…

The Romans declared that they would rule all of the old world east of America forever. Until Brutus used a rusty blade on Julius. Likewise others, including Hannibal, Alexander, Hitler......all took out 100 year bonds on their properties ...but, soon enough, cashed in their sweet-potato chips and vanished. Then, of course, arrived our very own nation of mauraders led by Dr DF Malan. And the inception ceremony of the brand new style of "Apartheid" began to be celebrated all over this land. This was hotly pursued by terms like not so nice "Nie-Blankes" and very nice "Europeans Only". S.A. Defence Force Massacres, Sharpville, X-Ray Machine Security at Major Shopping Centres, Magoo's Bar-type Explosions, Cuba and Namibia all became common vogue. All the while, the Vorsters and…

THE eThekwini Municipality’s Financial Misconduct Board has summoned high-ranking City officials to appear before the board and explain their failure to act against employees who have been found to have committed wrongdoing. The board is concerned that despite investigations being conducted and recommendations made that certain officials should be sanctioned for wrongdoing, these recommendations are not implemented by the City officials in leadership positions. There have been several cases where City investigators have investigated and found wrongdoing, but it’s not clear what consequence management was taken thereafter. The acts of misconduct include an investigation into the allegation that the municipality paid companies R500 million to install light bulbs in street lights when the supplies had allegedly been procured from municipal stores. It was not immediately clear whether any action was…

EFF leader Julius Malema has broken his silence on the exodus of senior party leaders to the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) saying he is not intimidated by former president and MKP leader Jacob Zuma and was ready to fight. Malema was speaking on the party’s podcast. The interview was made available on the party’s social media platforms. “This is not the first time he is inviting me back to fight with him and I’ll do it; I’ll do it with ease. I’m not scared of Zuma or all his people,” he said. “There is no way anyone is going to threaten the existence of the EFF and that person becomes a friend, that will be a lie. People keep stabbing you in the back and when they meet you in…

The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) has sounded alarm bells in Parliament, revealing that the nation’s wind energy sector is being effectively sidelined due to a lack of grid access. During a session with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy this week, SAWEA CEO Nishen Govender implored lawmakers to address the challenges obstructing the transition to a greener energy future. “Grid capacity and grid access; grid allocation remains the most important challenge. Simply put, it means with no transmission, we cannot transition,” Govender said. “We cannot build new generation capacity with no grid to connect. So the dialogue around infrastructure development and grid management to maximise renewable energy potential becomes extremely important and existential in the energy transition.” He said although South Africa has a great policy…

It has been a difficult week for South African sport. Despite the Springboks beating Scotland by 17 points in Edinburgh last Sunday, they received criticism from the British press for daring to use their famous “Bomb Squad” tactic. Then Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos said if they didn’t qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, he would be on the first flight back to his native Belgium. To add to the pressure on local football, Safa president Danny Jordaan – along with CFO Gronie Hluyo and businessman Trevor Neethling – appeared in court on Wednesday on charges of fraud and theft amounting to R1.3 million. Later that day, it was the Proteas’ turn to feel the heat. After beating India in Gqeberha on Sunday, they were smashed to all…

Ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s said in a lawsuit filed yesterday that parent company Unilever had silenced its attempts to express support for Palestinian refugees and threatened to dismantle its board and sue its members over the issue. The lawsuit is the latest sign of the long-simmering tensions between Ben & Jerry’s and consumer products maker Unilever. A rift erupted between the two in 2021 after Ben & Jerry’s said it would stop selling its products in the Israeli-occupied West Bank because it was inconsistent with its values, a move that led some investors to divest Unilever shares. The ice cream maker then sued Unilever for selling its business in Israel to its licensee there, which allowed marketing in the West Bank and Israel to continue. That lawsuit…

BAKU: A task force led by France, Kenya, and Barbados proposes taxing plastics and cryptocurrencies to boost climate finance for developing countries. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley stated at the UN’s COP29 climate talks that “Global Solidarity Levies” could generate hundreds of billions of dollars from polluting industries. The report suggests levies on private jet fuel, frequent flyers, and windfall fossil fuel profits. It estimates that a cryptocurrency levy could raise $5.2 billion due to high energy demands from crypto mining. Additionally, a tax on plastics could yield $25bn to $35bn annually, aiding efforts to combat plastic pollution. | AFP…

BEIRUT: A senior Lebanese official has signalled that Hezbollah is ready to pull its forces away from the Lebanese-Israeli border in any ceasefire, while rejecting Israel’s demand for freedom to act against the Iran-backed group in the future. Pressing its offensive against Hezbollah yesterday, Israel launched airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs for a third consecutive day, levelling more buildings in the area controlled by the group. Ali Hassan Khalil said Lebanon was ready to “precisely” implement a UN Security Council resolution that ended a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, but said “no Lebanese … would accept Israel having freedom of movement in Lebanon”. | Reuters…

Following South Africa’s 11-run defeat in Centurion on Wednesday night, India currently lead the four-match series 2-1 heading into today’s final T20 International at the Wanderers in Johannesburg (5pm start). Cricket writer Ongama Gcwabe highlights three things the Proteas need to do to win the match and level the series at the Bullring... Top-order runs The elephant in the room has been addressed at length throughout the week: the Proteas top-order has been quiet all series. Apart from Tristan Stubbs, who bats at No 4, the rest of the top-order have had a horrid series, a situation that has led to South Africa being on the edge of falling to their fifth T20I series loss. Despite the starts that openers Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks have had, they are yet…

South Africa was greylisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in February 2023 for failing to meet international standards on money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing. The FATF is an intergovernmental body that assesses countries’ ability to combat illicit financial activity. Remaining on the FATF’s greylist would negatively impact all South Africans, both reputationally and economically. The government is, therefore, making a concerted effort to exit the greylist in early 2025, two years after we have been greylisted. One of the outstanding action items that must be addressed for the last scheduled reporting cycle, concluding in February 2025, is timely access to beneficial ownership information concerning companies and trusts. Government’s reaction to greylisting reaping benefits for South Africans Although many South Africans (including trustees and trust service providers)…

WHILE many recognise the benefits of breastfeeding, some surprising aspects are less frequently discussed. Breastfeeding is far more than a means of nourishment; it is a complex biological marvel with profound advantages for both mother and child. Lizeth Kruger, Dis-Chem Baby City’s National Clinic Executive, sheds light on the extraordinary nature of breastfeeding by highlighting lesser-known scientific aspects and educating on the various feeding options available. "Breastfeeding is an extraordinary process that extends beyond providing nutrition to fostering a connection that supports the health of both mother and baby," says Kruger Kruger explores some fascinating and often surprising facts about breastfeeding, underscoring its importance in supporting maternal and infant health: Breastmilk composition changes over time Breastmilk is not a static substance; it dynamically changes to meet the evolving needs…

I wish to address the public at large regarding the proposed monument for indentured labourers of Indian descent and the insensitive comment made by a yet unidentified member of the African National Congress at a full council meeting of eThekwini Municipality. In 2000, as a first-time councillor, I motioned council for the erection of an Indian Indentured Arrival monument. This motion was escalated to the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, where the late Mr. A. Rajbansi, founder of the Minority Front, ensured that R 10 million was set aside by the Premier’s department for this project. My late leader, during his lifetime, continuously called for proper recognition of the struggle of the Indian indentured labourers brought by the British as slaves to save the economy of South Africa, which was effectively bankrupt due…

While the world awaits the outcome of South Africa’s genocide charges against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), there are further steps South Africa must take to force Israel to the negotiating table. The GOOD Party firmly supports the call on the South African government by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s legacy organisations in Cape Town to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel and advocate for a package of boycotts, divestments and sanctions similar to those that forced the apartheid State into talking. Judgements of the ICJ are difficult to enforce. Although it’s a United Nations court, Israel has made its disdain for the UN clear over the past 13 months, and the UN’s ability to hold firm is hamstrung by its structure that affords veto powers to the…

Sappi Southern Africa plans to invest R10.8 billion into its KwaZulu-Natal operations over the next five years, it announced yesterday. This announcement was made at the KZN Investment Conference in eThekwini this week – the investment pledge by Sappi was the second-biggest out of total investment pledges of R76bn. Sappi is deeply rooted in the province, with three operational paper and pulp mills in eMkomasi, Stanger, and Mandeni, as well as 165 000ha of forest plantations. The international paper and packaging group creates thousands of employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly. The last time Sappi made a significant investment pledge in the province was in 2018, notably a R7.7bn Saiccor mill upgrade and expansion project. The group is also one of the largest users of the Durban port, moving about…

The Portfolio Committee on Police yesterday welcomed the progress made in rolling out the integrated and online Firearm Control Management System (FCMS). The new system is set to replace the issue-laden Enhanced Firearm Registry System. One of the key features of the new system is the ability for individuals to apply and pay for firearm licences online, and for licensed firearm dealers to submit their returns electronically. Users will have a profile where they can also monitor the progress of their applications. Committee chairperson Ian Cameron said: “The committee considers the paperless system necessary to ensure effective adjudication of applications and tracking of progress. While the committee noted progress thus far, it urged the SAPS to ensure that project timelines are adhered to and that the migration to the…

KWAZULU-NATAL Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has raised concerns about significant budget cuts impacting the province's education and health departments, warning that these reductions are putting critical services under severe strain. Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Ntuli detailed the financial challenges facing the province, pointing to billions of rand in cuts that have affected staff, operations and service delivery. Ntuli outlined the significant reductions in funding for education over the 2024/25 period, reporting that budget cuts of R5.767 billion, R6.047 billion and R6.363 billion across the next three years equate to a 9.2 percent decrease. He described the situation as “critical underfunding”, which he said had already weakened the department’s core mission of delivering quality education and developing educators. The cuts have frozen staff recruitment and forced schools to operate with…

The petition against Chris Brown’s concert has ignited a debate on women’s rights WOMEN For Change has created a very important petition, calling for the cancellation of the upcoming Chris Brown concert. Chris Brown has been accused of violence against women several times, with the 2009 abuse of Rihanna being the most notable example. The Women for Change petition has been polarising, with some celebrating the activism and support for women, even when it seems “unpopular” to do so. Others have rushed to social media to defend the American singer, sharing their excitement about attending the concert. The sad reality is the Women For Change campaign is unlikely to succeed given that the concert tickets sold out in a matter of hours. South Africa prioritises profit over everything, over social…

Citrus growers in South Africa are among the businesses most nervous that duty- and quota-free exports to the US could be scrapped next year when Donald Trump returns to the White House. The fruits are among 1 800 products across 32 African countries benefiting from preferential market access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), with companies in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana reaping the most dollars in profits. But with US president-elect Trump having vowed to impose at least a 10% tariff on all imports to the US, there is no certainty that Agoa will be renewed. Analysts say the legislation, passed in 2000 and set to expire next year, could be modified if not withdrawn altogether, with potential negative ramifications for companies and jobs across Africa.…

Typhoon Usagi slammed into the Philippines’ already disaster-ravaged north yesterday, as authorities rushed to evacuate thousands of people from flood-prone areas. The fifth storm to strike the country in just three weeks, Usagi made landfall in the town of Baggao in Cagayan province, packing winds of 175km/h the national weather service said. The brutal wave of weather disasters has already killed 159 people and prompted the UN to request $32.9 million (R600m) in aid for the worst-affected regions. The national weather agency had initially raised its highest storm alert, but downgraded to its second-highest as Usagi made landfall. It weakened to 165km/h as it ploughed north to the municipality of Gonzaga and open waters beyond it. Baggao police said no casualties or substantial damage were immediately reported, while 28 residents…

Nairobi: The AU’s health watchdog said yesterday that it had endorsed an mpox test from Morocco, hailing it as a “major milestone” to help combat the outbreak on the continent. The announcement comes three months after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency. The CDC said yesterday that it has recommended what it described as the first locally produced real-time PCR test for mpox from Morocco. It said the test quickly detects pathogen DNA in blood, saliva or tissue, and that the CDC approval underscored its “reliability and efficacy”. | AFP…

ANKARA: Türkiye was offered partner country status by the BRICS group of nations, Trade Minister Omer Bolat said, as Ankara continues what it calls its efforts to balance its Eastern and Western ties. Türkiye, a Nato member, has in recent months voiced interest in joining the BRICS group of emerging economies, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Ankara sees the BRICS group as an opportunity to further economic co-operation with member states. Turkish officials have said potential membership of BRICS would not affect Türkiye’s responsibilities to the Western military alliance. | Reuters…

Astral Foods announced yesterday that its chief operating officer Gary Arnold would be appointed CEO from February 1, 2025 following the retirement of Chris Schutte from the position on January 30, 2025, at the annual general meeting (AGM). The board announced Schutte’s retirement on August 8, 2024, and that a successor was being sought. “Following the completion of a robust replacement process by the Nomination Committee, the board is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Arnold as Astral’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 February 2025,” the integrated poultry producing group said in a JSE regulatory notice. Arnold is currently serving as the group COO, as well as an executive director since 2012, and has worked alongside Schutte for many years. He started his career in 1997 as animal…

HAVING a baby is a life-changing experience, filled with joy and challenges. Among the challenges is the societal pressure on new mothers to “bounce back” and quickly shed pregnancy weight. However, postpartum nutrition is crucial for recovery and self-care. Instead of focusing solely on weight loss, it’s essential to nourish your body with the right foods that support healing and energy. The importance of postpartum nutrition After childbirth, your body undergoes significant changes. Hormonal shifts, physical recovery and the demands of caring for a newborn can take a toll. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, adequate nutrition during the postpartum period can prevent fatigue, promote healing and even enhance mood. Key nutrients for recovery Protein: essential for tissue repair and recovery. Foods like chicken, beans and lentils are…

IT’S the Boks’ Big ’Un tomorrow. They want desperately to maintain their so-far unbroken record of wins in this phase of international rugby. Last week they won convincingly enough in the end against Scotland, but there were also some decidedly iffy phases among a team who had not played together for a while and were not all of them the Boks’ top selection anyway. England, on the other hand, are playing great rugby but so far with meagre results. Their encounter with Australia, a brilliant seesawing of the lead throughout, saw them winners at full time but losers in the three seconds of injury time. They will be determined to reverse matters tomorrow. What a cliffhanger this is! Right across the country, rugby fever has permeated and is the focus…

Israeli historian and author, Adam Raz, wrote an article for the +972 Magazine where he characterised the relationship between Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as collaborative. According to him, Bibi Netanyahu facilitated the growth of Hamas by allowing the Qatari government to send cash to Hamas since 2009. This is true, but the rationale he provides is not. His reason? Netanyahu sought to keep the Palestinian National Movement splintered between Hamas in Gaza and Fatah in the West Bank after relations between Fatah and Hamas collapsed in 2006, after Hamas won the elections in Gaza. Furthermore, Netanyahu knew that Hamas would use the money from the Qatari government to purchase weapons, build tunnels and go to war with Israel. Thus, this strategy would eliminate the possibility of…

In response to recent incidents of children falling ill and some dying allegedly due to food poisoning, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council has called for a special meeting with local municipalities today. Premier Thami Ntuli said the purpose of the meeting is to develop a comprehensive strategy to ensure that spaza shops in the province comply with national laws and regulations. Last month, three children from the Cabhane village in uMzumbe on the KZN South Coast, aged two, six, and 11, died after experiencing symptoms associated with food poisoning, and their grandmother was hospitalised. This comes after a spate of food poisoning cases across the country resulted in several deaths and hospitalisations. The premier said today’s meeting will explore what strategy can be used to address spaza shops compliance with…

Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu and his defence counterpart, Angie Motshekga are set to visit the Stilfontein mine shaft in Orkney, North West today where more than 4 000 illegal miners are reported to be underground. About 1 000 illegal miners resurfaced in the past week after the police and SANDF cut off routes that allow miners to access food, water, and other necessities as part of their increased efforts to stop illegal mining, compelling miners to come to the surface. Three illegal miners resurfaced yesterday while the body of a deceased miner was also retrieved. The actions of law-enforcement authorities has sparked fierce debate around human rights and the rule of law as the illegal miners have refused to resurface as they would face arrest while residents in the…

THE University of Witwatersrand (Wits) has officially unveiled its state-of-the-art Wits Anglo American Digital Dome, an innovative immersive experience designed to take research and learning to new heights. This R90 million investment, made possible through a collaboration between Wits University and Anglo American, marks a significant milestone in educational infrastructure and is touted as the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The launch took place this week where Wits Vice Chancellor, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, alongside his team of professors and associate staff, presented the newly renovated Johannesburg Planetarium, which will now be called the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome. Describing the facility as a "world of endless possibilities," Vilakazi emphasised the cutting-edge technology and multi-layered experiences that the dome will offer to both students and visitors. The upgraded…

The Department of Transport has called on the private sector to work with government to improve the country’s logistics sector. A discussion on South Africa's ports and rail infrastructure was hosted by Absa in Durban yesterday. Mthunzi Madiya, the Deputy Director-General: Maritime Transport Branch in the Department of Transport, outlined the critical importance of port and rail infrastructure to the country’s economy. “Maritime transport is an integral part of the global supply value chain. South Africa has a coastal line of about 3000 km and eight commercial ports play a critical role in international trade. The South African economy is largely dependent on the port and rail infrastructure to perform efficiently, and it is crucial that these assets be managed in a way that makes a meaningful contribution to the…

AS THE 29th Conference of the Parties (COP 29) under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), got under way in Baku, Azerbaijan, earlier this week, it is difficult not to be cynical about a process which has been evolving for three decades since its governing treaty came into force in 1994. The COP process has come under intense scrutiny over the past four conferences in Glasgow, Sharm El Sheikh, Dubai and now Baku, with Belem to follow in 2025 – all in countries with large fossil fuel dependent economies and development agendas, which has raised questions about their suitability and efficacy to host such global events convened to tackle some of the most defining challenges facing humanity. Lest we get bogged down by the…

Senegal will vote in legislative elections on Sunday that will determine whether the new president and government can gain control over the national assembly and push through their agenda for reforms. The high stakes in the election are threatening to spark renewed unrest following a period of calm. The run-up to the presidential election in March saw some of the worst violence in the country’s recent history. Campaigning has grown heated in recent days and comes at a precarious time for the new government, which is navigating a spiralling fiscal crisis that could undermine its ability to deliver on promises to boost the economy and create jobs. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said this week that his supporters had come under attack and urged them to take revenge. He has also…

India’s government has banned non-essential construction in New Delhi, the world’s most polluted capital, and urged residents to avoid burning coal for heating, to combat worsening air quality that has disrupted flights and obscured the Taj Mahal. The new measures, which include sprinkling water with dust suppressants on roads, as well as mechanised sweeping that would help settle dust, will come into effect from today. Delhi’s Chief Minister Atishi, who uses only one name, also directed all primary schools to shift to online classes. They also include a ban on non-essential construction and an appeal to citizens to use more public transport and avoid using coal and wood for heating, a government release said yesterday, without saying how long the measures would be in place. Air quality in Northern India…

Rome: Investigators have broken up a mafia-linked crime ring carrying out VAT fraud in Europe, issuing around 40 arrest warrants and seizing goods worth €520 million, Italian prosecutors said yesterday. A judge in Milan ordered the crackdown on the ring for cross-border VAT fraud via the sale of computer and IT equipment, and for laundering the profits. Those responsible had issued false bills totalling €1.3 billion. Police in several European countries as well as the United Arab Emirates are also carrying out raids and seizing goods in connection with the case.The judge accused the leaders of the network of “favouring association with criminal mafia groups”. | AFP…

Summer is here! Although it is hard to tell from for weather, the summer species have arrived and the strike rate is growing day by day. While the Black Friday hype may still be a few weeks away, the anticipation of landing these pelagic species on new tackle has anglers eager for the season to fully bloom. For our offshore anglers the weather and sea conditions have been a bit up and down, but when the sea calms, there’s been no shortage of fish to catch. While Couta have been a little harder to come by, the pursuit continues, and the reel is sure to sing soon. North of Umhlanga, the fishing skis have been putting in some great work. Snoek and Tuna have been the stars of the…