The Mercury - April 25, 2025

In this issue

April 25, 2025

Cape Town Jazz Festival pays tribute to the power of partnerships

AS THE Mother City transforms once again into a global stage for music, rhythm and soul, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) has extended heartfelt thanks to those who make “Africa’s Grandest Gathering” possible.

1 min

Dispute over R2.2bn to aid Ithala

National Treasury says its role is to protect customers, not bank

3 mins

Court awards R5.5m in damages after twin swop at birth

THE consequences of a tragic incident more than 20 years ago, when two sets of twin girls were accidentally swopped at birth, unfolded in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, with the Gauteng MEC for Health ending up having to pay R5.5million in damages.

2 mins

VAT reversal plunges parliamentary programme into turmoil

FINANCE Minister Enoch Godongwana’s decision to reverse the 0.5% VAT increase in the 2025-26 budget and to withdraw the Revenue and Appropriations Bills has brought relief to millions of poor and middle class South Africans.

2 mins

Forms of anxiety and when to seek help

SOME forms of anxiety are helpful and life-saving.

1 min

US whirlwind on its way

AS THEY say on the platteland, “Hier kom ’n ding!” (Something's on its way!) It’s as if Oxford or Cambridge were to sue Sir Keir Starmer’s government for two billion quid. Or as if the Sorbonne in Paris were to sue Emmanuel Macron’s government for two billion euros.

2 mins

Why SA business must step onto the Smartbot Train

KODAK was once a leading pioneer in the camera and film industry, after introducing the first handheld camera in the late 1800s. However, over a century later, Kodak saw its demise.

1 min

DA submits memorandum over Ilembe water crisis

THE DA puts Ilembe District Municipality on 14 days' notice regarding water crisis (\"DA leadership unite behind Ilembe residents who have faced human rights challenges through a lack of access to water supply\").

1 min

Malvern family faces tragedy after fire claims home, animals

A MALVERN family is piecing together their lives after a fire destroyed their home on Wednesday. Three puppies also died.

2 mins

Legal Practice Council stands firm on disciplinary action against Mpofu

THE Labour Practice Council (LPC) has defended its decision to charge advocate Dali Mpofu SC, asserting that its national executive committee will not be used to settle political disputes between professional bodies.

1 min

Calls to transform the Zulu Royal House Trust

DISCUSSIONS are under way to transform the KwaZulu-Natal Zulu Royal House Trust (ZRHT) to be a self-sustaining revenue generator similar to the model deployed by the Royal Bafokeng Nation (RBN) in the North West province.

2 mins

The true cost of wrongful conviction

WHAT rand value can be put on the vigorous, productive years of human life and its human dignity?

3 mins

The true cost of wrongful conviction

WHAT rand value can be put on the vigorous, productive years of human life and its human dignity? In the football fan Bathanda Mrabule’s case whose September 2024 drunk driving sentence and fine of R3,000 or 90 days’ imprisonment, of which R1,500 or 45 days was suspended for three years, was overturned by the North West High Court (Mahikeng) on April 10 - it is most of his summer and Easter holidays.

2 mins

SA TEAMS FACE TOUGH CAIRO CHALLENGE

FRIDAY'S CAF Champions League semi-final second-leg clashes in Cairo represent the latest chapter in a long-standing rivalry between South African and Egyptian football clubs.

1 min

Mtshotshisa: a man of many talents and academic dreams

He wanted to turn his lifelong passion for SEK Mqhayi into a PhD thesis

4 mins

India targets Pakistan after hit

INDIA took a raft of punitive diplomatic measures against Pakistan on Wednesday, accusing Islamabad of supporting \"cross-border terrorism\" after a deadly attack on civilians in Kashmir.

2 mins

China, Kenya upgrade ties amid turbulence

CHINA and Kenya announced they had upgraded ties to a “new level” yesterday during a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Kenyan President William Ruto in Beijing, as they both pledged to create an “all weather” China-Africa community.

2 mins

Aid cuts disrupt childhood vaccine programmes

GLOBAL aid funding cuts, led by the United States, are disrupting efforts to vaccinate children against deadly diseases almost as much as the Covid-19 pandemic did, the UN said yesterday.

1 min

Sirens sound in Israel in holocaust mark

ISRAEL came to a standstill yesterday as sirens echoed across the nation in tribute to the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis during World War II.

1 min

UK ends sanctions on Syria defence

THE UK government announced yesterday it was lifting sanctions that were imposed on Syria's interior and defence ministries during the rule of the now-deposed Bashar al-Assad.

1 min

EU diplomat battles with Trump’s upheaval

JUST under five months into her job as the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas admits it has been a roller-coaster start as US President Donald Trump has turned the global order on its head.

3 mins

IEC rules out electronic voting for local elections

THE Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has indicated that electronic voting (e-voting) is improbable for the 2026 local government elections.

1 min

Call to protect SA's majestic leopards

THE beauty and majesty of leopards (Panthera pardus) are not just a captivating sight - they also play a crucial role in the ecological balance of their habitats.

2 mins

Parliament urges Home Affairs to expedite migration policy reforms

PARLIAMENTS' Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has called on the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to accelerate the timeline for its proposed overhaul of South Africa's migration system, urging the department to bring forward the finalisation of the Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection White Paper from 2030 to 2027.

1 min

KZN Public Works' senior officials make financial disclosures

IN THE quest for clean governance, top officials in the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure have disclosed their private interests to avoid conflicts of interest.

1 min

ANC probe into security at mayor's house

THE ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has launched an investigation into how the party-led KwaDukuza Local Municipality decided to secure the protection of the mayor's house at a cost of R173 000 a month without a police threat assessment report.

2 mins

New toll payment solution combats fraud and enhances convenience

WITH South Africans travelling far and wide during the upcoming long weekends, queues at the various toll gates on our journeys are assured as much as potholes will be on secondary roads.

1 min

Boosting engine performance with advanced technology

THE improved Engen Xtreme lubricants range now features the latest additive technology that enhances engine efficiency, reduces wear, and prolongs vehicle life.

1 min

Omoda C5 X debuts in SA

OMODA has launched its C5 X Series in South Africa, sporting improvements to the design, practicality and driving experience.

1 min

Performance meets charm is a 3-door hatchback

THERE'S something special and alluring about a Mini.

3 mins

ASP Isotopes plans JSE listing to enhance local investment opportunities

ASP Isotopes, which uses its own South Africa developed technology to enrich isotopes, plans to add to its 2022 Nasdaq listing with a listing on the Main Board of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

3 mins

Business sector warns of ongoing fiscal challenges after VAT hike reversal

Treasury says decision follows extensive consultations with political parties, and the recommendations of Parliament

3 mins

World Bank forecasts economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

THE latest World Bank Group Pulse report, released on Wednesday, projects a cautiously optimistic trajectory for Sub-Saharan Africa's economic activity.

2 mins

US tariffs threaten to destabilise African banks amid global trade tensions, warns Moody's

MOODY’S Ratings has cautioned that though the US tariffs are expected to have few direct credit implications for African banks, the tariffs will have significant indirect negative implications through the financial markets' risk-transmission channel.

2 mins

WEF confirms investigation into claims against founder Schwab

THE World Economic Forum said Wednesday it has launched an investigation into fraud allegations against its founder Klaus Schwab that reportedly prompted his resignation this week.

2 mins

South Africa's average nominal pay dips as economic challenges loom

SOUTH Africa's economic landscape is experiencing a nuanced shift, with BankservAfrica revealing that the average nominal take-home pay declined in March 2025.

2 mins

Anglo American shareholders to vote on PGM demerger of SA PGM unit

SHAREHOLDERS in Anglo American will vote for the demerger of its South African platinum group metals (PGM) producing unit next week, with the company also expecting to report 2025 half year financials for its steelmaking coal and nickel segments as discontinued operations.

2 mins

Transnet's rail improvements usher in sales growth for Kumba Iron Ore

JSE-LISTED commodity exporter Kumba Iron Ore has reported a significant uptick in sales volumes, with a 6% increase recorded during the quarter ending 31 March 2025.

2 mins

Cashbuild's third quarter revenue grew by 5% in the constrained consumer market

CASHBUILD, the largest retailer of building materials in South Africa, said revenue increased 5% in its third quarter, and the increase was 4% if one excludes the opening of new stores, growth that barely exceeds inflation.

1 min

Zeder Investments' net asset value per share falls after returning nearly R1bn to shareholders

ZEDER Investments, the JSE-listed company with agribusiness investments, said Thursday that net asset value per share (NAVPS( fell by 28.6% for the year to February 28 due to special dividends paid and the lower valuation of an associate investment in Turkey.

2 mins

Is your insurance cover adequate in a volatile rand environment?

TIMES are tough, geopolitical tensions are high in global markets, and South Africa is not immune. Continued pressure onand depreciation of the rand largely due to factors outside of our control fuel fears and add financial strain to a struggling economy, which already needs to deal with successive VAT increases over the next two years.

2 mins

Healing financial trauma: steps to reclaim your money mindset

WHILE financial trauma has the power to unravel lives and cause analysis paralysis when it comes to money decisions, there are ways to address this underlying issue head-on to become financially fruitful.

3 mins

Understanding marriage contracts: a guide to matrimonial property regimes

ONE of the most important decisions you'll make before getting married is choosing a matrimonial property regime. Your choice of a marriage contract can have far-reaching financial consequences, so it's essential to understand the pros and cons of each system before tying the knot.

3 mins

'Greatest-ever' Vardy to leave Leicester at end of season

JAMIE Vardy will leave former Premier League champions Leicester at the end of the season, the relegated club announced yesterday, describing the lightning-quick forward as their \"greatest-ever player\".

2 mins

'Greatest-ever' Vardy to leave Leicester at end of season

JAMIE Vardy will leave former Premier League champions Leicester at the end of the season, the relegated club announced yesterday, describing the lightning-quick forward as their \"greatest-ever player\".

2 mins

"I miss the food," South African Moto3 rider Ruche Moodley says

SINCE pursuing a career as a professional motorcycle racer, Gqeberha-born Ruche Moodley has spent a significant amount of his teenage years overseas, especially Europe.

2 mins

Royals, MI set for a 'Pink Promise' date in Jaipur

Rajasthan Royals have officially announced that their much-anticipated clash with Mumbai Indians on May 1 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur will be the #PinkPromise Match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

1 min

'Fremdscham' in Johannesburg: Lions' season unravels in slow motion

EVERY so often, you get to watch a disaster unfold in slow motion right in front of you. Inevitably, you think to yourself, there must be a German word or phrase to encapsulate the experience.

3 mins

‘Fremdscham' in Johannesburg: Lions' season unravels in slow motion

EVERY so often, you get to watch a disaster unfold in slow motion right in front of you.

3 mins

Five key areas Stormers had to address before battling Benetton in URC

THE Stormers must tighten up a few areas of their gameplay if they want to beat Benetton in their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash tomorrow in Cape Town as they continue pushing for a favourable knockout spot.

2 mins

Offshore fishing buzzing with bottom fish and gamefish

THE Long Weekend is Here — And the Ocean is ALIVE!

2 mins

White downplays revenge as Bulls prepare for first meeting with Glasgow

BULLS mentor Jake White did his best on Friday to deny that they don’t see their United Rugby Championship (URC) match against the defending champions the Glasgow Warriors as a revenge match.

3 mins

Leotlela, Smith steal show on day one Champs

GIFT Leotlela powered his way into a national men’s 100m title on day one of the Athletics South Africa Senior Championships at the Puk McArthur Stadium in Potchefstroom on Thursday.

2 mins

Usuthu set for crucial Derby battle amidst troubling run of form

AMAZULU will travel to the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale on Saturday for a 3pm kick-off against Golden Arrows in what promises to be a season-defining KwaZulu-Natal derby.

2 mins

Arsenal lacked 'energy' in Palace draw as Liverpool prepare to seal title

MIKEL Arteta admitted Arsenal have to get their \"energy\" back for the Champions League showdown with Paris Saint-Germain after a lacklustre 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace left Liverpool on the brink of winning the Premier League.

2 mins

Emerging star Dercksen feels she's better prepared for Mandhana now

ANNERIE Dercksen will always remember her Proteas Women’s ODI debut at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru last year.

2 mins

Esterhuizen calls for Sharks to finish European tour on a high

THE Sharks have set their sights on ending their European tour on a high as they look to clinch an important away victory over Ulster in Belfast on Sunday.

1 min

Have a punt on Fortress Of Fire

THE straight course at Hollywoodbets Scottsville is not always straight forward with the down and up nature of the track often catching out runners not having experience on the course.

3 mins

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