Innehållsförteckning för 2025-01-28 från Mercury

“My son (35 and single) is in a very bad state now and I’m not a wealthy woman. He lives as far away as possible from me in this country and I cannot go to him every time he is in need. He’s drinking excessively and he’s about to lose his job. I can’t keep paying his rent, which I’ve done twice. I love my son, or have tried to love my son, unconditionally.” I’m very sorry to hear about this bind that you find yourself in with a son whom you have clearly loved as much as you are able. I know the struggle. “Tough” love is not easy and, when exercised, has implications for both the son or daughter and the parent or parents. Parents (and I’m one…

THE interpretation of data is similar to the saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. The number of candidates registered for the NSC in 2024 was 724 156 while only 705 291 or 97% wrote the examinations. Data shows that the number of full-time matrics increased by more than 14 000 from 2023 to 2024, with an increase in the national pass rate of 4.4% from 82.9% to 87.3%. However, although this appears to be positive, data also shows that the number of NSC subjects that were downgraded in 2024 was 13 out of 68 subjects, compared to 11 out of 66 subjects in 2023. This points to the examination papers of 13 subjects being too easy compared to the norm. The number of NSC subjects upgraded in…

A CIRCULAR from the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal shows that the department has directed the implementation of teaching and learning in mother tongue languages for some grades. Pupils in Grade 4 were expected to start learning through Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education (MTbBE) at the beginning of this school year. The circular, issued in December and signed by the head of department, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, confirmed that MTbBE must be implemented at the start of this school year. It directed school governing bodies to lay the groundwork in preparation for the move. The Mercury understands from some teacher unions that the roll out of the programme is very limited, with only a handful of schools participating in the initiative across the province. This programme is the realisation of a decision announced…

SCORES of services providers contracted to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education to supply nutritious meals to poor township and rural schools face an uncertain future following the closure of Ithala SOC Limited (Ithala Bank). The bank played a crucial role in providing financial assistance to service providers, many of whom relied on cession agreements to purchase food supplies for schools. Ithala would be paid back once the Department of Education paid the service providers. The closure of Ithala Bank has created significant disruptions, affecting service providers’ ability to deliver meals to learners. Ithala is facing a provisional liquidation application which has been brought by the SA Reserve Bank’s Prudential Authority. Service providers told The Mercury that the bank’s unique position as a financial institution willing to back small businesses, especially…

The relationship between Government of National Unity (GNU) partners the ANC and the DA stood on shaky ground after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Bill into law – a move the DA has said it would challenge in court. Ramaphosa signed the bill into law last week. Parliament has weighed in on the matter, saying the “factually inaccurate and misleading” media statements that only four provinces voted in favour of the Expropriation Bill when the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) considered the Bill sought to undermine the commitment of that legislative arm to carry out its constitutional obligations. “According to our records, seven provinces voted in favour of the Expropriation Bill, far exceeding the required majority required by the Constitution. In terms of section 65 of the Constitution, the…

A married couple from Pretoria who have been convicted of premeditated murder and fraud after plotting the death of the woman’s ex-boyfriend for insurance money will know their fate today. Sibusiso Mahlangu, 34, and Lerato Mahlangu, 33, of Soshanguve, were due to be sentenced yesterday, but the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria postponed the matter to today. This came after Sibusiso indicated that he was not well. He also asked for another consultation with a social worker who had compiled a pre-sentencing report regarding his personal circumstances. The pair was convicted in November last year following the death of Sibusiso Sithebe, with whom Lerato had previously had a romantic relationship. They also shared a child. On January 2, 2022, the Mahlangu couple lured Sithebe to their house in Soshanguve, where they…

Energy experts and the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (Safcei) have called for the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to be aware of the impact of their decision on Eskom’s tariff application. Nersa is expected to announce their decision on Eskom’s tariff application for the 2025/26 financial year in the coming days. Professor Vally Padayachee, power and energy expert, and a former executive manager of Eskom, said that Eskom has submitted a tariff application to the regulator for an average increase of a massive 36% to its customers from April 1. “Eskom and municipalities make a tariff application each year to Nersa, which they are required to do by law,” he said. “In their respective applications, Eskom and a municipality are requiring approval from Nersa on…

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu reminded the men and women in blue about the need to forge bonds with communities, saying that a police service that commands the people’s trust can “truly” make a difference. Mchunu was speaking at the commemoration of 20th National Police Day at the Kings Park athletics stadium, in Durban, yesterday. “To every member of the SAPS present here and across the country: we thank you. We see your dedication, your resilience, and your commitment to making South Africa a safer place. Know that your work matters,” he said. “Policing is not just about enforcement; it is about service. It is about building trust between officers and communities, ensuring that every citizen – regardless of where they live – feels safe, protected, and heard.” Mchunu paid tribute…

In an age where education is the cornerstone of societal progress, the Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education (MTBBE) initiative announced by the Department of Basic Education last year is a beacon of hope for improving learning outcomes in our schools. This decision garnered widespread support from language and education experts, who hailed it as a significant step towards empowering mother tongue speakers. The advantages of learning in one’s first language are well-documented; studies show that students who receive instruction in their mother tongue tend to grasp content more easily, leading to better academic performance overall. However, an investigation – highlighted in the pages of our publication – reveals that the roll-out of this crucial programme appears to have hit several snags. Union representatives have informed us that implementation will occur only…

Both engines of the Jeju Air 089590.KS plane that crashed last month contained duck remains, according to a preliminary report yesterday, with authorities still trying to determine what caused the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil. Although it is rare for such preliminary reports to go beyond factual details, the report gave no indication about what might have led the aircraft to land far down the runway without its landing gear deployed, highlighting the lack of immediate clues after the plane’s black boxes stopped recording four minutes before impact. The six-page report released by South Korean authorities a month after the crash said both engines of the Boeing BA.N 737-800 jet contained DNA from Baikal Teals, a type of migratory duck that flies to South Korea for winter in…

Montpellier: French police are investigating the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old who refused to give up his phone to two teenagers in Paris, police said. The boy was leaving a football training session at the weekend in southern Paris when the two demanded his phone, the prosecutor’s office said. When he refused, one stabbed him in the shoulder and the boy died in hospital. Suspects aged 16 and 17 were arrested after a friend of the victim helped identify them, the prosecutor’s office added. Both had appeared in court last October accused of violent theft. Paris police prefect Laurent Nunez yesterday said one suspect had admitted to “the attempted extortion and deadly knife blow”. Nunez told RTL radio that overall there had been a fall in of youth delinquency…

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s market regulator said yesterday it would allow foreign investment in listed companies that own real estate within Islam’s two holiest sites of Mecca and Medina, as the Gulf country looks to attract investment. The move will allow foreigners to invest in firms whose revenues rely on the Islamic pilgrimage, one of the top revenue sources for the oil-rich kingdom. Saudi Arabia’s market watchdog, the Capital Market Authority, said the move aimed to attract foreign capital and provide liquidity for present and future projects. Saudi Arabia has said it aims to welcome 30 million pilgrims for Haj and the year-round pilgrimage umrah annually by 2030. In 2019, it earned about $12 billion from the two pilgrimages, according to official data. | Reuters…

The Cats are finally out of the bag! Kaizer Chiefs announced the arrival of three new players to bolster their squad for the second half of the season. Amakhosi announced that they’ve signed striker Tashreeq Morris, midfielder Thabo Cele and attacker Makabi Lilepo. Morris, who put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal, had been linked with the move to the Naturena-based club for the past few days now, with his former coach at SuperSport United, Gavin Hunt, recently announcing his departure from the club on national TV, while thanking him for his contribution. Morris had done well for United this season, scoring four goals and supplying two assists in 16 matches across all competitions. His imminent arrival at Chiefs wasn’t well received by some of the club’s faithful,…

Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United career seems all but over after manager Ruben Amorim said he would rather put the club’s 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital on the bench than the England striker because of his perceived lack of application. Rashford hasn’t been in a Manchester United matchday squad for more than two months and Amorim was critical of the forward in his comments after United’s narrow 1-0 win over Fulham on Sunday night, when he missed out again. “It’s always the same reason (why Rashford is not playing), the reason is the training, where I see what footballers should do in training, in life and everyday. So, if things don’t change, I will not change. It’s the same situation for every player. If you do the maximum, if you do…

In an age where health consciousness is on the rise, reducing one of the leading culprits of obesity and chronic diseases – sugary beverages – is more pertinent than ever. The impact of these sugary drinks on our health can be alarming, contributing to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and dental problems. With many South Africans consuming far more sugar than the recommended daily limit, it's time to take action. By making informed decisions, gradually altering your intake and embracing healthier substitutes, you can successfully reduce your consumption of sugary beverages. Not only will you steer clear of health risks associated with excessive sugar intake but a revitalised lifestyle awaits, brimming with vitality and well-being. Armed with these strategies, you’re now ready to take control of your health, one…

Sunday was an important day on the Indian calendar. It marked the 76th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of India, formally severing all ties with Britain and marking its transition from a British colony to an independent republic. Although it drove out the British bulldog and declared its independence from its colonial masters on August 15, 1947, it was only later that it became a sovereign independent state. The country marked this memorable day, January 26, with celebrations in typical showy Indian fashion. India does not dwell on its cruel past under the British Empire. It’s a forgiving nation and bears the English no grudge. The Western media, too, rarely mentions the evils of imperialism, colonialism and slavery. We hear of Nazi war crimes; the…

It IS disheartening to see our once beautiful parks and gardens overrun with refuse. The Chatsworth garden site stands out as the worst example. It appears that Durban Solid Waste (DSW) is struggling to address this issue. The indiscriminate dumping of refuse on our roadsides reflects a disturbing lack of respect for our environment, communities and ourselves. As we strive to build a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable community, it is disheartening to witness the blatant disregard for proper waste disposal practices by some residents. The community must take responsibility for its actions. I urge the community to engage in constructive dialogue with stakeholders to advocate for the installation of cameras, enabling the implementation of heavy fines for offenders. Taking responsibility for our actions and advocating for positive change is…

THE National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has called on the Private Student Housing Association (PSHA) to provide a list of affected accommodation providers, to resolve its R44 million payment shortfall for student living. The financial aid provider said they would only release payment to students once their accommodation was proven and verified. “The NSFAS administrator calls upon the PSHA to furnish NSFAS with the list of affected accommodation providers and students so that the situation can be immediately resolved. “The call also goes to all accommodation providers who have outstanding legitimate claims to also submit their lists to NSFAS for further processing and verification. “NSFAS would like to remind all accommodation providers that payments of student accommodation will only be finalised on receipt of legitimate accommodation claims. “In the…

The Rwanda-backed M23 rebellion has been at the centre of attention in recent years. However, eastern DRC is home to more than 100 other armed groups, which are a major source of instability too. The question of their demobilisation has haunted the country ever since the end of the Second Congo War in 2003. In 2022, the government decided to form an alliance with armed groups to fight their common enemy, the M23 and its Rwandan backers. At around the same time, it launched an initiative to create an army reserve, known as the Reserve armée de la défense (RAD). The creation of the reserve army allows the government to reward armed group allies with integration while bringing them under institutionalised control. But will this actually work? Our past and…

The besieged Congolese city of Goma was rocked by heavy artillery fire yesterday as France warned the regional capital was on the brink of falling to militia fighters and Rwandan troops. The M23 armed group and Rwandan soldiers entered Goma’s centre on Sunday night after weeks of advancing on the main city in DR Congo’s mineral-rich North Kivu province. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the Rwanda-backed offensive “must stop”, expressing his country’s solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo “as Goma prepares to fall”. With international pressure mounting for an end to the battle for Goma, Kenya announced that Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame had agreed to attend a summit in the next two days. M23 fighters and 3 000 to 4 000 Rwandan soldiers…

The head of the World Food Programme in Afghanistan says the agency can only feed half the millions of Afghans in need after cuts in international aid and an impending freeze in US foreign funding. Many people were living on just “bread and tea”, WFP country director Hsiao-Wei Lee said. Afghanistan was tipped to the brink of economic crisis in 2021 as the Taliban took over and all development and security assistance to the country was frozen, with restrictions also placed on the banking sector. Since then humanitarian aid – aimed at funding urgent needs through non-profit organisations and bypassing government control – has filled some of the gap. But donors have been cutting steadily in recent years, concerned by Taliban restrictions on women, including their order that Afghan female…

MOSCOW: The Kremlin said yesterday it was still waiting for “signals” from the US about a possible meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and newly-inaugurated US counterpart Donald Trump. The leaders of both countries said they were ready for contact but neither side has indicated when. “So far, we have not received any signals from the Americans. The readiness remains. The same readiness, as we have heard, remains on the American side,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. The nearly three-year Ukraine conflict has plunged relations between the two nuclear powers to their lowest levels. Trump told reporters last week he was willing to meet Putin “immediately” to reach a deal to end the fighting. Putin recently praised Trump as a “smart” and “pragmatic” man, saying the conflict might not have…

AmaZulu are on a mission to bounce back from a recent league setback as they prepare to clash with lower-tier side Mighty Eagles in the Nedbank Cup on Tuesday. The highly anticipated match, set to take place at the King Zwelithini Stadium, offers Usuthu a golden opportunity to restore their confidence and aim for a significant victory that could propel them into the round of 16. The KwaZulu-Natal side enter the fixture reeling from a heavy defeat to Stellenbosch last week Thursday in a shocking result that not only raised eyebrows across the division, but also threatened their aspirations for a Top 8 finish. Despite this, the club has demonstrated flashes of improvement under the stewardship of co-coaches Arthur Zwane and Vusumuzi Vilakazi, who are both eager to lead their…

It is very rare that teams emerge from defeat with an even higher degree of confidence, more especially after a cup exit. However, those are the feelings of Richards Bay coach Ronnie Gabriel, who watched as his side was eliminated from the Nedbank Cup during the round of 32 by defending champions Orlando Pirates. The Natal Rich Boyz could not complete a second-half turnaround against the Buccaneers, having gone into the half-time break 2-0 down. Despite Yanela Mbuthuma’s 47th-minute goal, Gabriel’s men failed to convert a host of other chances they created before being sucker-punched in stoppage time by Tshegofatso Mabasa, who scored Pirates’ third of the match. Richards Bay are currently in the bottom two of the Betway Premiership and will now place all of their focus on surviving…

Self-care has become a buzzword in recent years – and for good reason. In a world rapidly spinning on the wheels of deadlines and distractions, self-care has risen to prominence, not merely as a trendy topic but as an essential practice for maintaining our mental and emotional well-being. Social media is brimming with self-care rituals, from elaborate skincare routines to yoga retreats in exotic locations. While these posts are inspiring, they can also put undue pressure on us to "perform“ self-care rather than genuinely experience its benefits. Self-care doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive or Instagram-worthy. In fact, the simplest practices are often the most effective. The key is to find what works for you and consistently make time for it. This practice lies in discovering what resonates with you…

I ENJOYED about 30 seconds of last week’s Sharks match against Bordeaux. I was a little late for the start of the game, and when I got to the viewing spot, a bloke in a black jersey was crashing over for a try. Yippee! The Sharks wear black; it’s been their colour since way back. But oops! This time, I soon discovered, they were wearing white. Oh dear, and what a massacre ensued, the worst defeat I can recall. Deprived through injury of 18 of their top players, what hope could there be against the Welsh demons of Cardiff? Heck, what was I worrying about? The Sharks came back in fine style, heaving the Taffies off the ball in the loose scrums, running, handling, tackling with abandon – on top…

Has Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC president, just declared war on South African citizens by signing the Expropriation Bill into power? It’s like economic sabotage. Considering what the reasons could be for this man’s decision, it can only be one of the following: 1. Ramaphosa was pressured by the RET faction of the ANC to do so. 2. Ramaphosa knows his time is almost up and since he is well into his second term, he is clutching at straws to preserve his power one last time. 3. Ramaphosa wants South Africa to become the next Zimbabwe, perhaps to the appeasement of Russian or Chinese allies? Who knows? He could be paid massive amounts of foreign currency to sell us out. My point here is that we have a president in power…

DEAR Councillor Cyril Xaba, Mayor of the eThekwini Municipality. The citizens of the eThekwini Municipality are facing an unprecedented water crisis due to years of negligence, mismanagement and corruption under your administration. This failure has left communities across the municipality without access to water, a fundamental human right enshrined in our Constitution. I am compelled to address this blatant disregard for the needs of our citizens. Alongside our alliance partner, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, we will not stand by while your administration continues to fail the people who placed their trust in you. We demand that: 1. Water tankers must be dispatched to all affected areas within the next 24 hours. 2. Repair the water supply system immediately and provide a transparent timeline for the full restoration of water…

Half a million rand is earned by illegal poachers for one shipment of abalone while they explore sophisticated equipment and vessels to evade police. This was revealed by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) following the arrest of a 22-year-old man two weeks ago, who was caught with 23 bags of abalone, after he was followed from Robben Island to Hout Bay using the City’s Eye in the Sky technology. The department said this was the tip of the iceberg for the lucrative illegal trade. DFFE spokesperson Peter Mbelengwa said: “The illegal harvesting of abalone in certain and specific areas along the South African coastline, including Bird Island, Dyer and Robben Island, has become a significant challenge. Illegal operators have adapted and evolved in their means to…

Juvenile pythons that were raised at the Crocworld Conservation Centre on the South Coast have been released in a reserve. A gravid (pregnant) southern African python was rescued in December 2023 and taken to the centre. The centre’s team incubated her six eggs, which hatched in January 2024, and they spent the past year raising the juvenile pythons. Crocworld animal curator Busani Mthiyane explained the care provided for the snakes. “They need to be fed small mammals and other reptiles and need a heated, spacious enclosure to grow, increasing in size as they do. They thrive best in moderate humidity and we ensure the enclosure mimics the natural environment as best as possible, with branches for climbing and hiding spots to reduce stress. In the wild, they are threatened…

Judgment in the court matter between the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and the SABC was reserved yesterday by the Gauteng High Court sitting in Johannesburg. The MK Party is seeking to stop the public broadcaster from referring to the collective coalition government as the Government of National Unity (GNU). Former president Jacob Zuma has argued that the SABC as a public institution has a unique responsibility and cannot peddle false, inaccurate, and politically biased narratives to describe the current political arrangement. He previously indicated that the seventh administration constitutes a grand coalition between the DA and the ANC. In court, advocate Dali Mpofu, representing the party, argued that a requirement for a GNU is that parties represent 85% to 90% of the electorate to form part of government. Mpofu said…

Jazz lovers, the wait is over! Early bird ticket sales for the much anticipated Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) officially open today. “Africa’s Grandest Gathering” takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on April 25 and 26. For over two decades, CTIJF has set the stage for a world-class celebration of jazz. This year promises to be no exception as the festival delivers a bold new vibe that blends the timeless legacy of jazz with fresh, trailblazing talent from across the globe. Expect a stellar line-up of international and local artists performing a variety of jazz and jazz-inspired music that will captivate devoted festinos and first-time attendees. General admission festival tickets give audiences access to the Kippies, Manenberg and Moses Molelekwa stages. Surcharge tickets for Rosies…

As the Gaza ceasefire takes hold, Israeli forces turn to Jenin – a regular target seen as a centre of Palestinian resistance Just two days after a shaky ceasefire took hold in the Gaza Strip, Israel, on January 21, launched a large-scale incursion of the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. Soldiers raided hundreds of homes in the West Bank city in what the Israeli military called a “counterterrorism” operation, aiming to reassert control there. Many analysts have suggested the raid is an attempt by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to appease far-right members of his coalition who oppose the ceasefire deal. Whatever the motive, the offensive has been devastating for many of the camp’s residents. The Israeli military has destroyed infrastructure, closed entrances to local hospitals and forcibly…

Masses of displaced Palestinians began streaming towards the north of the war-battered Gaza Strip yesterday after Israel and Hamas said they had reached a deal for the release of another six hostages. The breakthrough preserves a fragile ceasefire and paves the way for more hostage-prisoner swaps under an agreement aimed at ending the more than 15-month conflict, which has devastated the Gaza Strip and displaced nearly all its residents. Israel had been preventing Palestinians from returning to their homes in northern Gaza, accusing Hamas of violating the terms of the truce, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said late Sunday they would be allowed to pass after the new deal was reached. Crowds began making their way north along a coastal road on foot yesterday morning, carrying what belongings they…

Japan’s Fuji Media 4676.T said yesterday its chairperson and the head of its TV unit would step down immediately amid a probe into alleged sexual misconduct by a celebrity TV host. The scandal, which has led to an exodus of advertisers and investor calls for a management shake-up, has also raised concerns about the exploitation of women in Japan’s entertainment industry. In December, Japanese magazines accused Masahiro Nakai, a TV host and leader of the former boy band SMAP, of sexual misconduct. | AFP…

PARIS: Thirty-seven suspected terrorists, including suspected members of Islamic State, have been arrested across east Africa over the last two months, the global police body Interpol said yesterday. Interpol, which is headquartered in France, said the arrests had been made during November and December during operations conducted jointly with the pan-African police body Afripol. The arrests come as concerns mount over a possible resurgence of the ISIS militant group, after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. On New Year’s Day, 15 people were killed after a US Army veteran flying an Isis flag from his truck swerved around makeshift barriers and drove into crowds in New Orleans. Interpol said the operations in Africa had resulted in the arrests of 17 people. | Reuters…

Irish teams are known for their ‘dark arts’ in rugby games, whether it’s their national side or clubs. So it is no surprise Leinster pulled the stunt of shouting in the line-outs against the Stormers this past weekend in their United Rugby Championship (URC) encounter in Dublin. While the Capetonians were outplayed in the second half, not being helped by the loss of their game driver Manie Libbok and line-out ace JD Schickerling, the acts of certain players from Leinster at the line-outs did not sit well with the Cape side and their captain Deon Fourie. The shouting and calling numbers not on their throw happened constantly, and you could see the bemused looks on the faces of the Stormers players when they had to throw in. They didn’t know…