The Mercury - May 02, 2025

In this issue

May 02, 2025

SACP demands wealth tax increase

BUDGET

2 mins

MK Party 'poised for success in 2026 local elections'

THE Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) is on track to dominate other parties come the 2026 local government elections.

2 mins

Payment delays put school meals at risk

Suppliers set to hold sit-ins at offices of senior KZN officials

2 mins

Arrest of illegally practising doctor is a wake-up call

A BOGUS doctor was masquerading as a professional doctor and treating thousands of patients at a well-known surgery.

1 min

Silence on suffering of SA Indians deafening

DURING apartheid, I was always proud of our Indian hero, Anant Singh.

1 min

Sharks – slow starters or running out of juice?

THE damsels of The Pub With No Name in Morningside are becoming a little restive about the Sharks’ pattern of play these days.

2 mins

Workers’ Day: A reminder of power of organised labour in a capitalist society

THE economic system which dominates the world at present is called capitalism.

1 min

All freedom-loving nations should take a stand against Socialist dictators

TO COUNTER what Z Khan wrote in her letter “Understanding the decline of Western dominance’, Talike to say this, if I may: No nation on Earth is meant to dominate another nation, but as the Bible teaches us in Proverbs, there is a time for peace and there is a time for war, a time to build and a time to break down.

1 min

DA’s questions for Motshekga on SANDF's chaotic DRC withdrawal

THE Democratic Alliance will use the upcoming meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Defence on 9 May to question Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga on the SANDF’s troubled deployment and disorderly withdrawal from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

1 min

A lesson on handling conflict in the workplace

ADAM, Bob, and Charlie work together.

1 min

Digital Innovation Lab launched at KZN college

IN A STEP towards embracing the digital age, Minister of Higher Education and Training, Nobuhle Nkabane, officially launched a state-of-the-art Digital Innovation Lab at the Esayidi TVET College in uMzimkhulu, KwaZulu-Natal this week.

1 min

SANDF begins withdrawing troops from volatile DRC

THE families of SANDF members deployed in the volatile eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) can expect their loved ones home soon as they have begun withdrawing from the mission.

1 min

Woman jailed for 30 years for killing child

A 38-YEAR-OLD Mozambican woman was sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment for the murder of three-year-old Melokuhle Ngwenya.

1 min

Cops' car recovered from Hennops River

AFTER days of intensive search-andrecovery efforts, the missing VW Polo vehicle, in which three police officers were travelling, has been retrieved from the Hennops River, near Centurion.

2 mins

Survé family at the heart of Africa’s grandest gathering

THE music may have faded and the lights have dimmed on the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), but the energy is still pulsing through the city.

2 mins

Witness recounts final moments with Albert Luthuli

A FORMER hospital clerk who saw Inkosi Albert Luthuli being brought into Stanger Hospital soon before he died recalled this week how he recognised the face of the Struggle hero.

2 mins

History dispels democratic Israel narrative

DOES any country other than Israel apply the term “present absentees” to a part of their population?

3 mins

CAN KAIZER CHIEFS REGAIN CONFIDENCE?

JUST when you thought the tide was turning for Kaizer Chiefs, they took another step backwards.

1 min

How democracy can deliver dignity, not just discourse

30 years on, black South Africans are still waiting for rights written into law

4 mins

Minerals deal with US a 'milestone'

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha hailed a minerals deal signed with the US as \"an important milestone\" in relations with Washington yesterday and discussed the agreement with the EU's top diplomat.

1 min

Libyan PM orders closure of missions

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah this week ordered the closure of 25 diplomatic missions abroad and a reduction in the number of Libyan diplomats as part of efforts to curb public spending.

1 min

MP killing appears 'premeditated'

NAIROBI: The killing of a Kenyan MP, Charles Ongondo Were, in the capital Nairobi, appeared to have been targeted, police said.

1 min

Ban on registration of foreign surrogacy

MADRID: Spain's left-wing government published a decree yesterday banning the registering of births of babies born abroad to surrogate mothers, a practice outlawed in the country under a 2006 law.

1 min

Ex-leader Yoon indicted for abuse of power

FORMER South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol was indicted yesterday for abuse of power over his martial law declaration, prosecutors said, adding to the impeached ex-leader's legal jeopardy.

1 min

Wildfire could reach Jerusalem

ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned this week that rapidly spreading wildfires near Jerusalem could reach the city, as he declared the situation a \"national emergency\".

2 mins

Schools close in Kashmir amid tensions

MUZAFFARABAD

2 mins

Oldest person, a Brazilian nun dies aged 116

THE world’s oldest person, Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, died this week at the age of 116, having barely survived infancy and attributing her long life to God

1 min

Inclement weather disrupts flights

SCHOOLS were closed and flights cancelled as New Zealand’s capital Wellington was hit by its strongest winds in over a decade yesterday while a state of emergency was declared in parts of the South Island after 24 hours of heavy rain.

1 min

US holds talks with DR Congo, Rwanda over conflict

US President Donald Trump's senior Africa advisor met Congolese and Rwandan representatives in Qatar this week in an effort to end a crisis gripping the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where an armed group is on the march.

2 mins

Payments for some grant recipients delayed

THE South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has announced a delay in the May 2025 payment schedule for some social grant beneficiaries due to a nationwide identity verification process.

1 min

Judicial Commission to probe apartheid- era crimes

UNRESOLVED CASES

2 mins

Budget 2025 take 3: taxpayers to cough up

TAXPAYERS will have to, for the third time, pay the bill for the revised Budget Speech to take place later this month.

2 mins

Father sentenced to two life terms for sexual abuse of his daughter

A 56-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to two life terms by the High Court in Gqeberha for the abuse and exploitation of his daughter.

1 min

R750 000 INDEPENDENT ON SATURDAY DRILL HALL STAKES (Gr2) - 1400m

KWAZULU-NATAL trainers generally have their backs against the wall at this time of year when it comes to facing off with their counter parts from elsewhere in the country, but Stuart Ferrie will be cautiously optimistic that Gladatorian can strike an early blow for the \"locals\" when the Syo son of Vercingetorix lines up against eleven quality rivals in the 2025 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes (Gr2) over 1400m. Gladatorian finished third in this race last year, narrowly beaten by Royal Aussie and Cousin Casey, both of which re-oppose here.

2 mins

R500 000 WORLD SPORTS BETTING GUINEAS (Gr2) - 1600m

EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (127), Fire Attack (126) and Cosmic Speed (125) are the highest rated three-year-olds in the 9-strong field for the World Sports Betting Guineas, billed as the seventh race on the 9-race programme.

3 mins

ALL STAR CAST KICKS OFF CHAMPIONS SEASON ON SATURDAY

THE Country's leading Trainers and Jockeys as well as several of the nation's top thoroughbred racehorses will be at Hollywoodbets Greyville tomorrow as Champions Season gets under way in earnest, with the traditional Season-opener, the IOS Drill Hall Stakes (Gr2) over 1400m, being the first major Feature on the calendar.

1 min

Godongwana commits Treasury to debt stabilisation amidst revised Budget

The revised budget includes processes as set out in the Money Bills and Related Matters Act

3 mins

South Africa advocates for new energy transition strategies at G20 meeting

ELECTRICITY and Energy Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa has put forth a bold proposal aimed at rethinking the global approach to energy finance.

2 mins

Tau says Transformation Fund aims to consolidate black empowerment efforts

MINISTER for Trade Industry and Competition (the dtic), Parks Tau, has clarified that the newly proposed R100 billion Transformation Fund will not leverage Competition Commission settlements as a means of financing.

1 min

The value chain round table is essential for the development of cotton industry

COTTON production in South Africa extends back over 300 years, with the first plantings beginning in the Western Cape, followed by KwaZulu-Natal approximately 156 years later, and was substantially driven by American demand until the 1870s.

4 mins

African nations seek fair credit ratings at pivotal Washington dialogue

AFRICAN countries have started a dialogue with major credit ratings agencies seeking a fair and just systematic ratings to their sovereign credit statuses in a bid to reshape the continent's financial landscape.

2 mins

SA food affordability crisis deepens as food costs rise again

THE recent April 2025 Household Affordability Index released by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) has revealed that the average cost of the Household Food Basket has increased by R90.94 (1.7%) from R5 329.36 in March to R5 420.30 in April.

2 mins

Cybersecurity: how the Cell C and SABS attacks could have been prevented

CYBERCRIME has become the single biggest threat to businesses worldwide.

3 mins

MTN Nigeria reports a significant financial rebound with surge in subscribers

MTN Nigeria Communications has reported a substantial increase in its subscriber base and an financial turnaround for the quarter ending March 31.

2 mins

Turkcell wins Supreme Court ruling allowing $4.2 billion claim against MTN Group

TURKISH cell phone group Turkcell on Tuesday won a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) judgement that will allow its $4.2 billion (about R78bn) claim against MTN Group to be heard in a South African court.

1 min

Winter weather preparedness: what you need to know

headline

3 mins

Achieving financial freedom: strategies for long-term succes

MANY people dream of financial freedom, but the path to achieving it is often misunderstood. It’s not a destination you can reach overnight but rather a carefully navigated journey. To succeed, you must focus on the long term, make smart adjustments, and understand the importance of managing risks and diversification.

2 mins

What US tariff moves could mean for South African farmers?

SOUTH Africa's agricultural sector is no stranger to external shocks, but its future may hinge on decisions made thousands of kilometres away.

4 mins

Yamal after Barcelona heroics: I have so much to do

FOR 22 minutes, Barcelona did not seem to believe they would reach the Champions League final, and then Lamine Yamal decided enough was enough.

1 min

Tricky juggling period awaits Bulls in another play-off quest

SOME Bulls fans on social media bemoaned the fact that the Pretoria side opted not to kick a late penalty at goal in last week's epic victory over Glasgow Warriors in Scotland.

3 mins

Blitzboks, SA women face tough competition at Los Angeles Sevens Championship

THERE will be one last shot at a piece of silverware for the Blitzboks when they start the SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles on Saturday.

1 min

Proteas Women well aware of Sri Lanka’s ‘dangerous’ Athapaththu

THE clear and present danger facing the Proteas’ Women’s team in today’s Tri-Series ODI clash (6.30am start) against Sri Lanka is home team captain Chamari Athapaththu.

3 mins

Cardoso warns Sundowns not to 'sleep' against Cape Town City after Richards Bay rout

COACH Miguel Cardoso lauded the unwavering attitude of Mamelodi Sundowns' players following their commanding 3-0 Premiership victory over Richards Bay on Wednesday evening at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

2 mins

For good hook-up rates, consider threading prawn directly onto circle hook

WITH a long weekend ahead and calmer skies settling in, coastal anglers have another chance to hit the surf — and this one's shaping up to be packed with opportunity.

2 mins

Why the Soweto Derby remains SA's premier football event

DESPITE mixed form from both clubs and Mamelodi Sundowns' dominance, the Soweto Derby continues to hold its place as South Africa's most anticipated and culturally significant football event.

2 mins

Bowls SA appoint Nel as Proteas women's coach

SINCE relocating from Gauteng to the KwaZulu-Natal coast in 2021, Susan Nel has brought with her not only a wealth of experience, but a deep passion for the game of lawn bowls — leaving an indelible mark on the development of the sport in her new district.

2 mins

Pirates face big setback in PSL title race after Sekhukhune loss

ORLANDO Pirates may have just played their last strong hand in the Premiership title race.

2 mins

Zwane: Six-pointer against Polokwane like a cup final for AmaZulu

AMAZULU coach Arthur Zwane has described their penultimate Premiership clash against Polokwane City in Umlazi as the game of their lives.

2 mins

Nabi: 'Little bit ill' Chiefs can stand up

KAIZER Chiefs will be under immense pressure to deliver what may be their most pivotal result of an up-and-down season when they host arch-rivals Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

2 mins

Shandu: Pirates up for the fight

ORLANDO Pirates right back Bandile Shandu stood on business when he previewed tomorrow’s Soweto derby clash against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs (3pm kick-off).

3 mins

Riveiro: Mood in Pirates camp surprisingly good

ORLANDO Pirates will enter the highly anticipated Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium tomorrow (3pm kick-off) in an unfamiliar position, having suffered two damaging defeats - first in the CAF Champions League and then a league loss to Sekhukhune United.

1 min

Matlou can light up Chiefs after 'hard journey'

THE importance of Kaizer Chiefs getting a positive result in tomorrow's Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates cannot be overestimated.

2 mins

Eight On Eighteen goes for par

SOUTH AFRICA'S Champion Season starts officially at Hollywoodbets Greyville tomorrow with the running of the Gr2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes and the Gr2 WSB Guineas and WSB Fillies Guineas.

3 mins

Garrix is all set for winter

GARRIX looks set to take another step forward in his pursuit of a clean sweep in Cape Racing's Winter Series when he takes on seven rivals in Sunday's R350 000 Legal Eagle Stakes (Gr3) over 1800m, but he is unlikely to have matters all his own way.

4 mins

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