Innehållsförteckning för 2025-02-25 från Mercury

Begin by being willing to be “sharp edged” rather than being “balanced” or “well-rounded”. This will demand that you “put yourself out there”! Adventure and risk are unavoidable to usher in desired change. Get ready for resistance because all growth requires some loss. “Safety” (or risk avoidance – and of course not all safety measures are to avoid risk) and the need for consensus can get in the way of necessary change, discovery and desired growth. Remember, being “nice” can get in the way of being loving and helpful and honest. We can be loving but it may not be perceived as being nice. Without persistence you will change nothing! A good place to start being an agent of change is with the divine gift of generosity. Until you and…

Residents’ fears for the future of Clairwood (The Mercury, February 24) are well-founded given the betrayal of this historic node by successive local government councils and absentee landlords. Since the 1880s when it came to be settled by former indentured Indian labourers, Clairwood flourished as a microcosm of Indian culture, enterprise, industry and education. Up until 50 years ago it had a population of 40 000. Its history, heritage and identity was comprehensively chronicled by Dr Juggie Pather in his 2015 book titled Clairwood: The Untold Story. But its survival has been torpedoed in two ways. The deterioration of Clairwood commenced when absentee landlords allowed informal settlements to mushroom on their properties, thereby devaluing property investment and gradually eroding the traditional social fabric of the area. The other deciding factor…

Patients have raised concerns about the long waiting times at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital and the Phoenix Community Health Centre (PCHC). The patients, who spoke to The Mercury on condition of anonymity, said there were severe staff shortages, overcrowding, and inadequate medical care. The Health Department has recently been in the spotlight over claims that there were medication shortages at healthcare facilities. However, the department produced a report last week which indicated that there were no shortages. Dr Jonathan Annipen, an IFP councillor in the eThekwini Municipality, wrote to KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Speaker Nontembeko Boyce last week, highlighting the issues at both facilities. Annipen said there was a critical shortage of doctors and nurses, which has created “chaos”. “The PCHC requires a complete overhaul of management,” he said, adding that there…

Three accused who are on trial with former mayor of eThekwini Zandile Gumede and others in connection with corruption and other charges related to a multimillion-rand Durban Solid Waste (DSW) tender are seeking new legal counsel as their current advocate is to withdraw. It emerged in the Durban High Court yesterday that Hlenga Sibisi the 10th accused, Mzwandile Dludla, who is accused 11 and accused number 12, ILanga la Mahlase PTY (LTD), can no longer afford the services of top Durban counsel, Advocate Paul Jorgensen. The accused are on trial on charges of conspiracy to commit corruption, corruption, fraud, money laundering, racketeering, and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act, and of the Municipal Systems Act, in relation to a R300 million DSW tender. Yesterday Judge Sharmaine Balton advised the…

SOUTH Africa has a new chairwoman at the helm of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). My esteemed colleague, Dr Karen Stander, a senior lecturer in the Department of Business Management at Unisa’s College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS), has stepped into a role riddled with complexities. Yet, her appointment, while worth celebrating – also signals something more troubling: the ever-persistent reality of the glass cliff. Stander’s appointment by the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, as the non-executive member and chairperson of the NSFAS board comes at a crucial time. NSFAS, a government initiative providing financial aid to students from low-income families, has faced ongoing governance crises, financial mismanagement, and operational inefficiencies. Stander, however, embraces the challenge with deep honour and humility, recognising the immense…

Pope Francis, hospitalised in critical condition with pneumonia in both lungs, spent a peaceful night and was “resting” yesterday the Vatican said amid global concern over the pontiff’s health. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church was admitted to the Gemelli hospital in Rome on February 14 with breathing difficulties and his condition has since worsened. But the Vatican’s morning bulletin said: “The night passed well, the pope slept and is resting.” This is the longest hospitalisation of Francis’s papacy and Catholics around the world have prayed for his recovery amid the worries about his condition. An initial bronchitis diagnosis developed into double pneumonia and the Vatican warned for the first time that his condition was critical. At the weekend it said Francis continues to receive “high-flow” oxygen through…

NAIROBI: A Kenyan police officer deployed to Haiti as part of a security mission under UN auspices has been killed while on duty in the troubled country, Kenya’s police service said yesterday. The East African nation is leading the UN-supported mission, which aims to help Haiti’s national police push back against gangs who control large parts of the country. Earlier this month, Nairobi sent a fresh deployment of troops to Haiti – bolstering their numbers to roughly 700 – with the entire mission consisting of 1 000 officers. However, despite the deployments, the country remains ravaged by crippling instability due to rampant gang violence. The Multinational Security Support Mission said on X yesterday that an officer from the Kenyan contingent had “succumbed to the injuries” suffered during an operation.…

GENEVA: Some 7 000 people have died since January fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the prime minister of the DRC told a high-level meeting of the Human Rights Council in Geneva yesterday. Some 450 000 people are without shelter after 90 displacement camps were destroyed, Judith Suminwa Tuluka added. The M23’s advance is the gravest escalation in more than a decade of the long-running conflict in eastern Congo. Rwanda rejects allegations from Congo, the UN and Western powers that it supports M23 with arms and troops. The prime minister urged the world to act and to impose “dissuasive sanctions” amid mass displacements and summary executions. | Reuters…

After a rocky start to the season, marked by the dismissal of coach Brandon Truter in November, the KwaZulu-Natal-based club is finding its rhythm at a critical juncture. Last season, Richards Bay demonstrated resilience by navigating the promotion/relegation playoffs unbeaten, securing their place in the top flight for a third consecutive season. The optimism surrounding the club's ambitions for the 2024/2025 season was bolstered by a significant R100 million sponsorship deal with Phakwe Gas, fueling expectations of a strong campaign. However, reality has proven more challenging, as the team struggles to replicate its previous success on the pitch. Current season statistics reveal a mixed bag of results – they have registered four wins, five draws, and nine losses in 18 matches, positioning them precariously at 13th in the league. Yet,…

Prosus intends to acquire all Just Eat Takeaway.com’s shares for €20.30 per share cash via the Amsterdam exchange Prosus's share price fell over 7% on Monday after it announced a large €4.1 billion (R78.96bn) online food delivery company acquisition in Europe, Just Eat Takeaway.com, its second big deal in as many months. The Amsterdam-based Naspers subsidiary said Monday it reached an agreement to acquire Just Eat, to create the fourth largest food delivery group globally. In December, Prosus also announced the acquisition of Despegar, an online travel agency in Latin America, for about €1.62bn. In Amsterdam, Just Eat’s share price shot up 53% on Monday. Prosus plans to acquire all Just Eat’s shares for €20.30 per share cash. The price represents a 49% premium to the 3-month weighted average price…

Elon Musk has shifted the world from 0 to 1 with his innovations. Sadly, his latest moves with Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team, a controversial initiative under the Trump administration, are shifting the world from 1 to 0, and that may have a negative impact on tech entrepreneurs from South Africa. His South African heritage is now in the spotlight. It may just create a negative perception for others in the country. The good news is that South Africa boasts other tech founders and entrepreneurs who deserve more praise. A closer look at them shows that they are addressing complex challenges with technology solutions. At the same time, they are making a positive impact on society beyond the call of duty. Take a look at Katlego Maphai, together with…

We blink, we squint and we rub our eyes after a long day but have you ever stopped to think about how your daily habits affect your vision? Most of us don’t. However, research shows that simple, everyday activities may be putting our eyesight at risk without us even realising it. A recent study reveals that 54% of people who use eyelash extensions report eye problems. Meanwhile, weather-related factors contribute to 36.5% of eye disease cases. These numbers are alarming, considering how common these habits are. The hidden dangers of eyelash extensions Lush, long lashes might be the dream but at what cost? A study of 400 women found that: 38% experienced itchy eyes, 36% suffered from lash loss and 34% reported eye redness. According to Gidon Sadovsky, an optical…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana nearly gave us a fright last week Wednesday. He thought he had found an easy way to fund a bloated and profligate government: tax the poor to feed the rich! Without a thought for the embattled consumer he wanted to hit the nation with a 2% VAT increase. But the DA and the other parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) were incensed and shot him down at the last minute. The Budget was postponed and we all breathed a huge sigh of relief. We had barely recovered from the Godongwana blunder when Eskom jumped on the band wagon and shocked the nation by implementing load shedding over the weekend without any warning. It wasn’t just stage 1 or 2 but stage 6 which left…

THE gunning down of openly gay Imam Muhsin Hendricks highlights the disparity between believers. My way or the highway seems to be the war cry of all hardline members of all faiths, be they Christian, Muslim or any other group. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who describes his role as a conduit for all sentient human beings to connect with one another, favours and promotes love, peace and acceptance between all human beings regardless of individualism. He believes that only through acceptance can the human race survive. The Dalai Lama, who doesn’t personally subscribe to a Creator, believes that those who embrace traditional faith systems and believe in God are to be encouraged as pluralism is necessary for the survival of the human race. Translated this means that only through…

The tourism industry body, Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa has expressed optimism about the country’s new tourism node, the Astro-Tourism Strategy, which aims to boost the local economy and foster scientific curiosity, environmental stewardship, and cultural exchange. The National Astro-Tourism Strategy is a joint effort between the Department of Tourism led by Minister Patricia de Lille and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation led by Minister Blade Nzimande. Through astro-tourism one can witness a meteor shower, observe distant galaxies using a telescope, or learn about celestial objects from experts. Astro-tourism includes tours and visits to observatories, museums, planetariums, meteorite sites, amateur astronomy clubs and stargazing routes. The project is being piloted in the Northern Cape, home to the MeerKAT telescope, which is a precursor to the world’s largest…

DESPITE the adoption of the Cybercrimes Act in 2023, South Africa still has significant gaps in its capabilities as cyberattacks on institutions, including government entities, have become a frequent occurrence, with the South African Weather Service (SAWS) the latest target. The SAWS information and communication technology (ICT) systems went down on January 26 following a security breach by criminals. Aspects of critical services including for the aviation and marine industries were interrupted. The SAWS email system and website were also affected. The attack was the second in the space of two days. SAWS’ chief executive Ishaam Abader said they were still working to recover their systems. “It took other organisations that fell victim to this kind of crime anything from weeks to months or more to recover fully. We hope…

In keeping up with global trends, eThekwini Municipality has announced plans to roll out electric or e-buses. In other parts of the world, cities have embraced this form of transport, helping to reduce emissions in Germany and Spain. Delhi in India has the highest number of e-buses in operation. Speaking at the recent C40 Cities conference, mayor Cyril Xaba said: “Within the next 10 – 12 months, the City will have three e-buses for trial purposes and an additional 16 in the next three years.” The mayor said the roll-out of the e-buses is an intervention to achieve climate resilience and carbon neutrality in the City’s public transport system. He said the municipality is also working on the implementation and expansion of the public transport network and the implementation of…

CONTRARY to widespread rumours of his dismissal as a Zulu warrior commander, Prince Vanana Zulu has assured amabutho that he is still their commander. The prince has not been seen leading amabutho at recent events including the imbizo on Friday, which fuelled speculation that he had been sacked. During the imbizo, which was held at the newly built Emashobeni Royal Palace in Pongola, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, the warriors were commanded by deputy commander, induna Sipho Mhlongo. Prince Zulu emerged later in the day wearing plain clothes. He told the The Mercury that it was not true that he had been dismissed. However, he said, he was aware certain people were feeding the king wrong information so that the king would fire him. “I am still a commander of amabutho and…

The recent appointment of a new board for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has sparked renewed hope among prospective students eager to access higher education. This is an opportune moment for the board to fulfill its vital mandate: to provide funding to academically qualified yet needy students. However, it must be clear that the true test of its leadership lies not only in addressing corruption but also in prioritising the welfare of the students who depend on this support. Corruption has long plagued the NSFAS, undermining its core objectives and creating significant barriers for students attempting to navigate the funding process. The board's vow to crack down on these corrupt practices is commendable, yet it cannot stop there. The mandate of the NSFAS is not just about issuing…

Ukraine entered the fourth year of all-out war with Russia yesterday, unsure it could rely any longer on its staunchest ally the US as its exhausted troops fight to hold their ground against unrelenting enemy advances. Donald Trump blasted Volodymyr Zelenskiy last week as an unpopular “dictator” who needed to cut a quick peace deal or lose his country, while the Ukrainian leader said the US president was living in a “disinformation bubble”. Beyond the war of words, US officials opened direct talks with the Russian side in Saudi Arabia last week, shutting out Kyiv and Europe in a stunning change of policy on the war. Washington has made clear it will send no troops as a security guarantee coveted by Kyiv if a peace deal emerges, placing the burden…

A Russian court yesterday upheld a three-year prison sentence for French researcher Laurent Vinatier – one of several Westerners jailed by Russia during the Ukraine offensive. Vinatier, who works for a Swiss conflict mediation NGO, was arrested last summer, as tensions with France and other Western countries soared over Ukraine. Paris has demanded Moscow release Vinatier, accusing Russia of taking Westerners hostage. In October, Russia found Vinatier guilty of gathering information on the Russian military and of violating its “foreign agent” law – which has usually been reserved for Russian nationals. “The sentence... against Laurent Vinatier is left unchanged,” judge Tatyana Sokolova said after an appeal hearing. Speaking in Russian in a video link from prison, Vinatier told the court: “I fully admit my guilt. I repent”. “Everything I did…

BEIJING: President Xi Jinping said China and Russia are “true friends” who “support each other”, state media reported yesterday. Xi was reported as saying that “history and reality show that China and Russia are good neighbours that cannot be moved away, and true friends who share weal and woe, support each other and achieve common development”. It was reported earlier that Xi and Putin held a phone call yesterday “upon invitation” with the Russian leader. Moscow and Beijing have strengthened military and trade ties since Russia sent troops into Ukraine, though China has sought to depict itself as a neutral party amid the nearly three-year conflict. It remains a close political and economic partner of Moscow and has never condemned Russia’s actions, leading some Nato members to brand Beijing an…

Mercedes yesterday unveiled their 2025 F1 car ahead of this week's pre-season testing in Bahrain as they adjust to life without Lewis Hamilton. The British-based team digitally launched the W16 days after unveiling its livery at Formula One's glitzy season launch in London. It marks the beginning of a new era for Mercedes following Hamilton's departure to Ferrari, with rookie Kimi Antonelli stepping up to replace the seven-time world champion as teammate to George Russell. Valtteri Bottas will act as a reserve driver after previously racing for the team between 2017 and 2021. Mercedes, who won eight consecutive constructors' titles from 2014, won four races in 2024, two each for Russell and Hamilton, the team's first victories since 2022. But the car was inconsistent and Mercedes finished fourth in the…

The Stormers coaches want to see their players improve their finishing when they find themselves within striking range of their opponents' try line in future matches. Ahead of facing the Bulls in a crucial North vs South derby on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld, the Cape side knows a better performance when it comes to their conversion rate could be key to getting the victory. A missed kick at goal at the death saw them go down 33-32 earlier in Cape Town against their old foe, but they are set on putting in a better performance this weekend. It was a tough loss, a game they know they could've won, but according to forwards coach Rito Hlungwani they will have no scars as they head to Pretoria to try and turn…

Cosmetic surgery has shed its taboo status in recent years, evolving into a common topic of discussion in beauty and health circles. With the rise of social media, particularly platforms like Instagram and TikTok, we’ve also seen the emergence of new trends that might leave some of us scratching our heads. One such trend is “labia puffing” a procedure that’s gaining traction among women seeking to enhance their intimate areas. What is labia puffing? At its core, labia puffing involves injecting cosmetic fillers or fat into the labia majora to create a fuller, smoother appearance. According to Body & Soul, the treatment aims to enhance the outer vulva in much the same way lip fillers do for our smiles. Dr Fenwa Milhouse, a urologist, explains that women in their 20s…

THE RISK of the 2024 YR4 asteroid hitting Earth at the end of 2032 has slightly increased, according to Nasa data. The BBC reports that latest calculations have shown a 3.1% chance of the space rock making impact in just under eight years. It’s a significant change since the European Space Agency (ESA) estimated in January that there was only a 1.2% chance of a direct hit. The increased odds mean the asteroid – around the size of a football pitch – is the most threatening to Earth in modern asteroid forecasting and would cause “severe damage” if it makes impact. Scientists continue to stress there is no need for alarm. The odds fluctuate. They are working to gather a better understanding of the asteroid’s trajectory. Nasa and the ESA’s…

South Africans are far too accommodating, if you ask me. On a daily basis we are having to dodge potholes and weave through the traffic whilst reckless taxi drivers come up with all sorts of illegal, innovative ways to skip the queues, we are getting hammered by ridiculously high electricity tariffs, and load shedding is now back to haunt our businesses again. Isn’t it funny how we fall for the lies, every single time. If it’s not Cyril Ramaphosa lying about his bullet trains and smart cities, it’s John Steenhuisen who fails to act on another red line being crossed by the ANC. The people of this country are either very naive, too patient or we just don’t care anymore. Our worst nightmares are coming true every day, as more…

WHO can be referred to as a prophet of doom in South Africa, Africa, the UN or the White House? Could it be Robert Sobukwe and Steve Biko who foretold that “without land and dignity” the black man is on his own and without any dignity, or Nelson Mandela and Bishop Mpilo Tutu, who declared that “South Africa” is a land of with great future in “unity and diversity”? Or is it the so-called “self-proclaimed prophets” (according to South African media intelligence) who have boldly predicted that South Africa will be cursed for challenging the evildoing of Israel at the Interna tional Court of Justice? To be fair, coming close to an answer would require a lot of theological reflection, historical research, and a little common sense. So let us…

KWAZULU-NATAL municipalities are urging spaza shop owners and food-handling businesses to register to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and avoid legal repercussions. The deadline for registration is February 28 and the push follows growing concerns over food safety, particularly after foodborne illnesses linked to spaza shops led to the deaths of children last year. In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa directed that all food-handling businesses be registered to ensure regulatory compliance and consumer protection. The initiative aims to protect consumers from potential health risks while also formalising businesses to operate within the law. In eThekwini, officials have received over 4 900 applications, with 408 spaza shops successfully registered. Business licensing manager Qondi Liqwa highlighted the high volume of applications and the positive response from operators last week, when she was…

The ongoing water supply disruptions in eThekwini Municipality, which has seen ratepayers express their frustrations in protests, led to an urgent meeting being called on Sunday by Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina. Majodina and Deputy Minister David Mahlobo met representatives from eThekwini and uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW). For eThekwini, mayor Cyril Xaba and Trading Services committee chairperson Mdu Nkosi were present, while uMngeni-uThukela Water was represented by its chairperson, Advocate Vusi Khuzwayo. Management officials from the national department, municipality, and the water board were also present. The City and water board said the root cause of the water supply disruptions is that the demand for treated water in eThekwini is exceeding the available supply. They said the growing demand was due to population growth and partly due to leaks…

The City of Tshwane has recently discovered the existence of an unauthorised private helicopter landing pad situated on municipal-owned property. The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, said the helipad poses safety and environmental threats as it is near a school and within a wetland behind the Waterkloof Tennis Club. “The environmental impact on the wetland, as well as the safety risks to residents, particularly schoolchildren in the area, are deeply concerning.” An urgent investigation has been launched, Morodi said. “This discovery raises critical questions regarding how municipal land has been used without approval or oversight.”…

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is calling on students to come forward with any information regarding exploitation or abuse by landlords, after concluding its investigation into allegations that landlords were demanding sexual favours in exchange for student accommodation. These allegations surfaced in a Sunday World article published on February 16. In response, NSFAS, in collaboration with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and Thekwini TVET College, launched an investigation into the claims. However, NSFAS stated that their inquiry faced challenges. “The Thekwini TVET College confirmed that the student mentioned in the article is not registered at the institution, making it difficult to verify the authenticity of the incident or provide direct support to the individual involved,” NSFAS said. NSFAS also said that despite urging students to…

THE recent executive order by US President Donald Trump to defund and dismantle Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives is more than just a bureaucratic shift. It is a declaration of whose lives matter and whose do not. Removing DEI initiatives and policies, notably, those that centre on marginalised groups, racial minorities, and LGBTQI+ individuals does not erase their struggles and existence in our society. Instead, it exposes the entrenched unwillingness of power structures to validate and acknowledge these realities. The fact that some leaders feel they can simply "tick off" or "untick" human rights and social justice efforts from policy reveals just how expendable these communities are perceived to be. We need to be clear, erasure at a systemic level does not translate to actual erasure. Marginalised people such…

A former surgeon was to go on trial in France yesterday charged with raping or sexually assaulting almost 300 former patients, most of them children. Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, is already in jail after a court in 2020 found him guilty of abusing four children, including two of his nieces. In the latest trial, to last four months, he faces allegations that he also assaulted or raped 299 patients, many while waking up from anaesthetic or during post-op checkups, at a dozen hospitals between 1989 and 2014. In total, 256 of the 299 victims were under 15, with the youngest aged one and the oldest aged 70. The trial is likely to be a new shock for France. It comes just two months after Frenchman Dominique Pelicot was convicted of…

Germany’s election winner Friedrich Merz has vowed to rule Europe’s largest economy by returning to his Christian Democrat party’s conservative roots, ease restraints on business and crack down on irregular immigration. A long-time rival of centrist ex-chancellor Angela Merkel within the CDU party, Merz has attacked her open-door migrant policy and drawn her ire for accepting support from the far-right AfD on the flashpoint issue in parliament. At age 69, trained lawyer Merz boasts a strong business background. | AFP…

BAGHDAD: Head of Iraq’s National Intelligence Service Hamid al-Shatri said on Sunday that Baghdad has sent messages to Damascus about the security threats posed by Islamic State (IS) gangs in some areas and prisons in Syria, the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported. “Iraqi and Syrian arenas are closely interconnected, and what is happening in Syria directly affects Iraq, and vice versa, and Iraq has sent clear security messages to Syria about the threats posed by some extremist groups,” INA quoted al-Shatri as saying during his participation in the 7th Baghdad International Dialogue Conference. “Iraq attaches special importance to the issue of fighting the terrorist (IS) gangs, as there are still cells affiliated with these gangs in areas such as the desert of Homs and the Levant,” he said, expressing…

Knights’ in-form batter Dian Forrester believes being overlooked for Betway SA20 Season 3 has proved to be a blessing in disguise. The 24-year-old allrounder was highly touted to be picked up by one of the six teams at last year’s auction but was eventually overlooked. “Yeah, of course, you would be disappointed not to get picked up. “I think everyone’s seen how amazing SA20 looks and what it’s like to be a part of,” Forrester exclusively told Independent Media. It’s a month-and-a-half of cricket where you touch shoulders with the best players in the world. We can just learn from them. “So, obviously, I was very disappointed, but I think it worked out for the best. This month-and-a-half gave me the platform just to really improve my game and really…