The Mercury - March 27, 2025

In this issue

March 27, 2025

SA health minister calls for action on universal health coverage

DISCUSSIONS around universal health coverage (UHC) and issues of non-communicable diseases are expected to be discussed at the second G20 Health Working Group meeting held in KwaZulu-Natal this week.

2 mins

US stand on 'reputational risk' in banking stirs debate in SA

THE United States has ignited a debate that South African banking authorities have been shying away from for a while by taking a firm stance on banks having the power to arbitrarily close the accounts of cryptocurrency businesses and politically exposed individuals based on \"reputational risk\".

2 mins

Child rights advocates support Marriage Bill

Legislation will protect minors from being forced into marriage

3 mins

Healthy connections with loved ones have a wider impact

WE ARE ALL, like it or not, intricately connected, and the quality of the connection — and the freedoms bound within it — will significantly impact everyone in our circle of influence, whether we intend it to or not.

1 min

Finance MEC demands budget discipline

Finance MEC Francois Rodgers told business rep resentatives that he would rationalise KZN’s expenditure, establish a government departments’ requests for addi tional funding which ends up being spent unnecessarily on Tuesday.

3 mins

Philosophy of ubuntu is changing how world measures happiness

FINLAND, for the sixth year in a row, remains the happiest country in the world, while Afghanistan remains the unhappiest country, according to the World Happiness Report 2023.

1 min

SAHRC probe into claims of racism against ex-SABC employee hits a snag

THE South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Western Cape office says it is finding it difficult to resolve former SAHRC employee Nobubele “Nobz” Mkhize’s connection with the highly publicised FlySafair incident in which she had an altercation with flight attendants during a flight.

1 min

Daily struggle to earn a living in SA

IN A CORNER of his mother's backyard, 30-year-old Thabang Moshoke runs a clipper through a client's hair at a makeshift barbershop.

2 mins

HEALING OR HYPE? is ice bath therapy right for you? Pros and cons explained

ICE bath therapy has gained popularity among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. I Freepik

2 mins

SA families face rising food prices as affordability index reveals harsh realities

THE latest household affordability index, released by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) on Wednesday, painted a grim picture for South African families facing escalating food costs.

3 mins

Experts question South Africa's steel tariff review deadlines

STEEL industry experts on Wednesday expressed scepticism about the deadlines set for the steel tariff review recently launched by the Department of Trade, Industrial and Competition (Dtic), citing its vast scope and the far-reaching implications of its proposals.

1 min

Labat Africa pivots further into technology with R2.5 billion Ubits royalty agreement

Labat says the transaction represents a “significant development that will further enhance growth trajectory”

2 mins

Tourism sector sees spending surge amid seasonal visitor decline

DESPITE a decline in the number of international tourists visiting South Africa in February, recent reveals reveal an encouraging trend in the tourism industry’s recovery.

3 mins

South Africa unlocks green finance potential with new taxonomy report

SOUTH Africa has taken a pivotal step towards enhancing its environmental finance strategy, with the recent release of a comprehensive technical report aimed at assessing the international interoperability and usability of the South African Green Finance Taxonomy (SA GFT).

1 min

Real take-home pay rises as inflation slows, bringing relief to SA households

BANKSERVAFRICA’S recent Takehome Pay Index (BTPI) for February has provided a much-needed ray of hope for South Africans, indicating that real take-home pay has experienced a significant rise.

2 mins

MTN Group and Airtel Africa forge network sharing agreements in Uganda, Nigeria

MTN Group and Airtel Africa have entered into agreements to share network infrastructure in Uganda and Nigeria as they further extend digital and financial inclusion, and they are considering opportunities in other countries on the continent.

2 mins

Sibanye-Stillwater’s Keliber lithium project gains strategic status under EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act

SIBANYE-STILLWATER’S Keliber lithium project in Finland and GalliCam project in France have been named among the European Commission’s list of 17 strategic projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), a landmark move to secure and diversify European Union’s (EU) access to essential raw materials.

2 mins

Emirates enhances South Africa routes with upgraded Boeing 777 aircraft

Emirates Airlines has announced the deployment of retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft to Johannesburg and Cape Town, marking a significant step for South Africa as the first African nation to receive the refreshed cabins.

1 min

Metair eyes expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa following Autozone acquisition

METAIR Investments CFO, Paul O’Flaherty, said on Wednesday that he expected the company’s newly acquired Unit Autozone to contribute 5% to 6% to operating margin and help the firm with its expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa.

2 mins

Businesswoman launches foundation to empower young entrepreneurs

AS THE world celebrates International Women’s month in March, and reflects on the progress and challenges faced by women, Connie Matlejoane, CEO of CRM Enterprise and a respected business leader in her community, has introduced the Leruo Foundation.

2 mins

Which innovative funding options are best suited for your small business?

ONE of the biggest hurdles for any entrepreneur is securing the right type of funding to turn their ideas into reality or to grow their business.With so many financing options available these days, it can be overwhelming to determine the best fit.

2 mins

Unlocking Africa’s trillion-dollar potential: why startups need more than just SME policies

AFRICA’S economic growth is too slow for its population boom. With GDP growing at just 2.5% annually while the population expands by 3%, the continent is barely inching forward at 1% per capita growth each year.

4 mins

Some great outings, but still a lot more room for improvement in Bafana

IN the pre-Hugo Broos-era, the idea of back-to-back wins, especially in World Cup qualifiers, was a non-existent topic.

3 mins

Soldier’s Eye is eyeing the prize

THISTLETON rates Irish import Soldier’s Eye as an eight race meeting today and the highest rated race is a MR 84 handicap over 1600m for fillies and mares and Soldier’s Eye could be the one to side with.

3 mins

Jockeys’ protest brings Durbanville meeting to an end

In an unprecedented move the NHA slapped Grant Van Niekerk with an immediate interim suspension following his post-race interview after winning the second race on the ironically named Webprousa.com.

3 mins

Scrum hero Smith: Bulls must back it up against Zebre

Morne Smith last played for the Sharks in January before last weekends clash against Leinster.

2 mins

Port Natal bowlers to compete at BSA Junior nationals

TOMORROW twelve enthusiastic young Port Natal bowlers and their managers, will head off on a road trip to Bloemfontein to compete in the Howff South Africa Junior Nationals Championship.

2 mins

Broos’ Bafana have nation smiling again, but familiar incompetence continues to linger

I WAS sick to my stomach this week, almost to the point of gagging.

2 mins

Mokoena's yellow-card saga not entertained

BAFANA Bafana coach Hugo Broos has refused to entertain questions surrounding Teboho Mokoena's yellow-card controversy, which continues to stir up debate in South Africa's Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign.

1 min

Sundowns facing selection crisis

MAMELODI Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso faces a selection challenge ahead of Friday's Nedbank Cup quarter-final against Sekhukhune United (7pm kick-off).

1 min

Broos heaps praise on fearless Bafana Bafana

BAFANA Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance in their 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Benin on Tuesday in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

2 mins

Fortress Kings Park braces for invasion as URC leaders Leinster target Sharks' home record

THE Sharks have not lost at Kings Park this season in the United Rugby Championship, but their fortress will be under heavy siege from Irish giants Leinster on Saturday (7.15pm kickoff).

2 mins

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