The Mercury - April 23, 2025

In this issue

April 23, 2025

KwaZulu-Natal health department faces budget crisis and service cuts

THE KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health is heading for a financial crisis as it faces severe budget shortfalls that have led to the cutting of key services in recent years.

2 mins

'LAWFUL PROCESS' KEY TO VAT HIKE CASE

Harm caused by increase cannot be undone, argues DA's lawyer

3 mins

Small town values triumph: a heartwarming community story

SMALL town folk know when to get together and help. Chelsea is a small town in the US state of Michigan.

2 mins

Pope Francis: a fearless advocate for peace and justice

WITH heavy hearts, the World, had to bear the loss of a distinguished and dedicated humanitarian, Pope Francis who led the Vatican, with strategic outreach.

1 min

Pope Francis could have been our last hope

WITH the sad passing of his Eminence the Pope Francis, the world has lost, probably the only real last opportunity it had for some peace and equanimity, in so many areas around the globe that are infected simultaneously with the same identical artificial virus of the gross abuse of wealth and power to continue to keep disadvantaged communities perpetually marginalised and hopelessly downtrodden.

2 mins

Trump’s troubling comments on Ukraine

ONCE again Donald Trump has exposed who he really is and what he stands for.

1 min

Finding your voice: the importance of self-expression

EVERY person has a voice designed for full expression.

1 min

Accused in Durban schoolgirl murder trial blame each other

THE two men accused of killing a Durban school girl, while she was preparing for her Grade 11 exams have turned the tables on each other, when they gave their version of events at the Durban High Court, yesterday.

1 min

Taylor Swift tribute show coming to Durban

SWIFTIES, get ready!

1 min

R31 million spent on suspended magistrates sparks uproar

THE Select Committee on Security and Justice has raised grave concerns over the payment of R31 million to suspended magistrates, with some individuals having received substantial salaries since 2018 without performing any work.

2 mins

Ramaphosa outlines progress of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group

WHILE the Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG) has made strides, President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledges that challenges remain.

2 mins

The murder of Albert Luthuli and its impact on the ANC

INKOSI Albert Luthuli was killed because the apartheid government hated him for radicalising and militarising the liberation Struggle by adding the armed wing, Umkhonto Wesizwe to the ANC.

2 mins

Pope Francis: why his papacy mattered for Africa

THE death of Pope Francis at his residence on 21 April 2025 marks the end of a significant era for the Vatican and the global Catholic following of 1.3 billion faithful.

2 mins

SHIVAMBU'S BUSHIRI VISIT HARMS VICTIMS

FLOYD Shivambu deserves all the criticism that has been levelled against him for his endorsement of fugitive Shepherd Bushiri, who is wanted here for serious crimes.

1 min

Zulu parade: celebration or cultural misappropriation?

What began as an inside joke now plays out on a global stage

4 mins

Social media users hit by 'crackdown'

VIETNAM is targeting ordinary social media users for posts criticising the state in an expanding crackdown on dissent, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said yesterday.

2 mins

Putin open to direct peace talks on war

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin proposed this week bilateral talks with Ukraine for the first time since the early days of the war, and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv was eager to discuss a halt to attacks on civilian targets.

2 mins

Israeli strike kills Sunni group commander

AN ISRAELI drone strike south of the Lebanese capital killed a top commander from militant group Jama'a Islamiya, the group said in a statement yesterday.

1 min

Students turned away from the 'American Dream'

WHEN 25-year-old biology student Yao’s PhD programme enrolment was deferred due to funding cuts at her US university, she joined a growing list of Chinese students exploring other destinations.

2 mins

Experience live science at the reopened Sterkfontein caves

THE Sterkfontein caves which closed nearly three years ago due to flooding have reopened with a new experience bringing tourists closer to the scientific action.

2 mins

Cop says all leads followed in Joshlin Smith case

THE investigating officer in the case of Joshlin Smith says all leads were followed up from 'fortune tellers, 'sangomas' and even online researchers but no trace of the six-year-old was found.

2 mins

SIU to investigate OUTA's roadworthy certificate fraud claims

THE Special Investigating Unit (SIU) will investigate widespread corruption in the issuing of fraudulent roadworthy certificates, following the release of a damning report by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA).

1 min

New environmental screening tool aims to fast track economic growth

A NEWLY operational web-based Environmental Screening Tool promises to speed up job-creating projects without sacrificing environmental protections.

1 min

Court denies damages claim from woman acquitted of rape charges

THE fact that a woman, charged with six rape charges, was acquitted, does not mean that she is innocent, a judge said in turning down her damages claim for malicious prosecution against the NPA.

2 mins

Walter Sisulu University to investigate student protest leading to fatal shooting

THE council of the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in the Eastern Cape has resolved that an independent investigation, led by Retired Justice Chris Jafta, assisted by two advocates and an attorney, will be established to investigate the events, including their underlying causes leading to the protest that resulted in a student being killed while marching over accommodation related issues last week.

2 mins

Pregnancy: Understanding gestational diabetes and how you can manage it

PREGNANCY is a magical time, filled with excitement and anticipation. But it also comes with its own set of challenges, and one of these is gestational diabetes (GD).

3 mins

Essential breakfast tips for effective muscle building

WHEN it comes to building muscle, most people focus on what happens in the gym.

2 mins

THANDISWA MAZWAI REFLECTS ON MUSICAL JOURNEY AHEAD OF CTIJF

AS THE vibrant notes of jazz prepare to echo through the halls of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Thandiswa Mazwai stands on the brink of another memorable performance, embodying the very essence of this audacious genre.

3 mins

DA and EFF unite in court to challenge VAT increase and protect the poor

IN WHAT must be the strangest political marriage since the dawn of democracy, a court case instigated by both the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to prevent a VAT increase started today.

2 mins

South Africa's automotive industry on edge as Agoa renewal uncertainty grows

AS THE African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) faces uncertainty over its renewal in September, South Africa's automotive industry is bracing for turbulence, with experts on Tuesday warning of significant repercussions if the preferential trade programme is allowed to expire.

2 mins

IMF slashes South Africa's growth forecast as US tariffs wreak havoc

The IMF on Tuesday projected SA's GDP to rise only to 1% in 2025, and 1.3% in 2026

2 mins

Nersa calls for urgent reforms to integrate gas into South Africa's energy mix

THE National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has recommended acceleration of policy and regulatory reforms to entrench gas in the country's energy mix.

1 min

Tanzania's threats to South Africa's agricultural exports are possibly misguided

On the second week of April 2025, South Africa woke up to a surprise that Tanzania's Minister of Agriculture was contemplating to introduce measures to prohibit South African agricultural products from entering the Tanzanian market.

3 mins

VAT hikes, trade shocks and the short-term insurance squeeze

THE short-term insurance industry is facing increased pressure from two directions: proposed domestic tax hikes and global trade uncertainty. Taken together, these developments are likely to deepen financial strain on policyholders while simultaneously threatening the growth and stability of the insurance sector itself.

2 mins

SA considers bolstering agricultural trade with Ukraine ahead of Zelenskyy's visit

CALLS for South Africa to deepen its economic engagement with Ukraine are gaining traction ahead of an anticipated visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday.

2 mins

World Economic Forum chairman, founder, Klaus Schwab resigns

Klaus Schwab, chairman of the Board of Trustees and founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF), has decided to step down.

1 min

Navigating SA's commercial real estate amidst political and global challenges

THE commercial real estate sector in South Africa is being tested by a mix of local political uncertainty and mounting global trade pressure, but the market is holding up with investors adopting a wait-and-see approach.

2 mins

Alphamin Resources resumes production, after March evacuation amid the DRC conflict

ALPHAMIN Resources, the JSE Alt X and Toronto-listed mining company, has reported a strong uptick in net profit for the year to December 31, 2024, but has warned that the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) might impact its operations in the future.

2 mins

Leveraging data and Artificial Intelligence to bridge Africa's $90 billion infrastructure gap

AFRICA’ infrastructure deficit, a $90 billion annual gap, casts a long shadow over the continent's future. The African Development Bank estimates this shortfall shaves nearly 2% off GDP growth each year, choking economic potential and social progress.

4 mins

Adams tipping Engelbrecht, Peter as future of SA spinners

KESHAV Maharaj is 35-years-old. So too is Dane Piedt.

3 mins

Kannemeyer could hold the key

It is only a fortnight before the official start of South Africa’s Champion Season so punters need to pay close attention in the ensuing weeks if they are to try and second guess trainers and their strategies.

4 mins

Should Feinberg-Mngomezulu or Pollard be Springbok flyhalf in All Blacks Eden Park Test?

I WAS honestly worried about Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s injury situation earlier this season.

3 mins

Riveiro backs his battle-ready Pirates to deliver in Cairo

ORLANDO Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is bracing for a blockbuster CAF Champions League semi-final second leg clash against Egyptian giants Pyramids FC in Cairo on Friday at 8pm.

2 mins

Variety the spice of life for red-hot Bulls' Hanekom against URC champs Glasgow

CAMERON Hanekom is just a few weeks short of his 23rd birthday, but is already a marked man on a rugby field.

3 mins

Ancelotti still in 'honeymoon' phase with Real

REAL Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti dismissed suggestions yesterday he is under mounting pressure at the club as they sit second in the La Liga standings and were knocked out of the Uefa Champions League last week.

1 min

Rejuvenated Roos 'staying present' for URC charge

ONE day you’re pushing hard to be part of the Springboks, and the next, you're out for six months with an injury.

2 mins

How Burnley's 'boring' style could secure Premier League survival for Foster's team

BURNLEY have confirmed their return to the English Premier League with victory over Sheffield United on Monday night.

2 mins

Rookie trio pushing everyone to work harder, says Wolvaardt

PROTEAS Women's captain Laura Wolvaardt knows all about being the youngster in the team.

2 mins

Sharks aim for back-to-back wins in emotional clash for Ulster

THE Sharks will be hoping to build on the weekend's smash-and-grab 18-17 win over Edinburgh when they face Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.

1 min

KZN Derby heats up as AmaZulu and Golden Arrows battle for top-eight inclusion

KWAZULU-NATAL will come to a standstill this weekend as AmaZulu and Golden Arrows lock horns in a high-stakes KZN Derby that promises more than just bragging rights.

2 mins

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