The Mercury - May 08, 2025

In this issue

May 08, 2025

Investment surge in S Coast bodes well for economy

INVESTMENT in the KwaZulu-Natal Mid-South Coast is on the rise across key sectors such as hospitality, retail, property, and healthcare signalling a potential economic revival.

1 min

Bid to get Go! Durban project moving

Parliamentary intervention aims to resolve dispute between taxi operators and City

3 mins

KZN health department owes suppliers over R1.7bn

THE KwaZulu-Natal Health department will have to cancel several projects to pay the R1.7 billion it owes service providers.

3 mins

'Discontent' over ANC's meeting with Afrikaner leaders group

THE ANC met with the Afrikaner Leadership Network, which includes the Solidarity Movement, Solidarity, and AfriForum, on Tuesday night in a surprise move facilitated by the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC).

2 mins

Concourt ruling protects citizenship

THE Constitutional Court ruled in favour of an application by the DA to secure the citizenship of South Africans with dual nationality.

1 min

Our paths crossed many times with Dan Pillay, a double, triple agent

I FIRST met Dan Pillay when he was part of the Security Branch of the South African Police that came to arrest me in June 1985. His continued duties for the Security Branch brought him into contact with me during my time in jail.

1 min

Dan Pillay: ANC underground operative aka the Nightingale

IN LATE 1985, an Indian gentleman met me at the reception of La Mercy Beach Hotel in Tongaat, and asked if he could use the hotel call box. He further requested some change. I referred him to the reception staff, not realising that he would become someone important in our lives.

2 mins

Homelessness in eThekwini must be tackled holistically

The DA in eThekwini has written to the head of Safer Cities, Martin Xaba, seeking answers on how the city is planning to mitigate homelessness.

1 min

Real economic reforms needed in May 21 Budget

ActionSA calls on the coalition government to deliver real economic reform when the finance minister tables Budget 3.0 on May 21.

1 min

The screeching championship

THE seagulls were kicking up the dickens of a din in the Belgian coastal town of De Panne the other day.

2 mins

Importance of compassion in understanding others

BEFORE you judge others by their looks or clothing or demeanour or attitude:

1 min

New evidence challenges narrative of Albert Luthuli's death

INQUEST

2 mins

No ruling yet in Employment Equity case

LEGAL CHALLENGE

2 mins

NSFAS outlines challenges and future plans

THE National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) yesterday discussed the complexities of managing student accommodation issues and how they are being addressed.

2 mins

CITY FACES SCRUTINY OVER FUEL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

THE eThekwini Municipality's fuel consumption bill was scrutinised at an Executive Committee (Exco) meeting this week, revealing R86 million spent in the first three months of 2025.

1 min

Suspect in missing journalist case was a witness

NATIONAL commissioner of police General Fannie Masemola has revealed that one of the suspects arrested for the disappearance of Pretoria-based radio journalist Aserie Sibusiso Ndlovu and his partner, Zodwa Precious Mdhluli, was initially a key witness who seemed to be helping police investigators.

1 min

SA TEENS INVITED TO APPLY FOR ARCTIC EXPEDITION

SOUTH African teenagers have been urged to apply for the rare opportunity to journey to the North Pole aboard a Russian nuclear icebreaker as part of the \"Icebreaker of Knowledge\" programme.

1 min

Ramaphosa must justify signing NHI Bill

THE North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has delivered a landmark ruling regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa's signing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law, finding that it is subject to judicial review.

2 mins

Israeli strike kills 13 in Gaza school

ISRAELI strikes on a school housing displaced families in northern Gaza killed 13 Palestinians yesterday, local health authorities said, as Israeli forces continued to demolish homes and buildings in Rafah in the south of the enclave.

1 min

India-Pakistan conflict surges

INDIA and Pakistan exchanged heavy artillery fire along their contested frontier yesterday after New Delhi launched deadly missile strikes on its arch-rival, in the worst violence between the nuclear-armed neighbours in two decades.

2 mins

A country of 'must insult or dehumanise'

IT WAS unseasonably hot in last week's Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development's virtual meeting, and the shining ring-light beams brought a combative glow to the lawmakers’ faces, as members clashed over the adoption of a report recommending candidates for the newly established Office of the Small Enterprise Ombudsperson.

2 mins

Elections prove why Trump Doctrine is on shaky ground

It is for the world to say that we are not going down this crazy route and downward spiral

5 mins

COURTS NOT THE PLACE FOR GNU DISPUTES

GAUTENG High Court Judge President Dustan Mlambo was on to something with the directive that compels mandatory mediation in civil matters before opting to have a judge presiding over the case.

1 min

How childhood diet may lead to a rise in bowel cancer in young adults

NEW evidence suggests that what we eat in childhood — particularly diets high in sugar and ultra-processed foods — may cause serious health issues decades later, including colorectal (bowel) cancer.

2 mins

Government launches Operation Vulindlela II to rejuvenate local municipalities

THE South African government has decided to zero-in on municipalities in a bid to accelerate the implementation of structural economic reforms for inclusive long-term growth in the second phase of Operation Vulindlela.

3 mins

Daybreak Foods seeks PIC approval for business rescue as financial crisis escalates

DAYBREAK Foods has initiated a search for the Public Investment Corporation's (PIC) approval to enter Business Rescue, a decision prompted by mounting financial difficulties which have been exacerbated by a shocking culling of underfed poultry and protests from employees demanding their overdue salaries.

3 mins

Fuel price decrease brings relief to South African households and businesses

THE agriculture sector, alongside economists and trade unions, have expressed optimism following the recent announcement of a fuel price decrease in South Africa.

2 mins

IDPs should shape an economically enabled environment

SOUTH Africa's municipal planning season is in full stretch as local governments carve out their respective development plans for 2025/2026.

3 mins

South Africa prioritises digital inclusion for rural and disadvantaged areas

DEPUTY Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, has reiterated the government's commitment to enhancing internet connectivity across rural and disadvantaged communities in a bid to bridge the digital divide.

1 min

Tobacco town thrives as China struggles to kick the habit

VISITORS mill around a bright red hilltop pagoda in southwestern China, gazing down at a sprawling cigarette factory whose deadly output has put an otherwise unremarkable city on the map.

2 mins

SA's M&A landscape sees renewal as capital markets rebound

SOUTH Africa's mergers and acquisitions landscape (M&A) is being shaped up by cross-border consolidation, portfolio optimisation by multinational corporations, and renewed private equity interest at a time there is fresh impetus across the African continent's capital markets.

2 mins

DRDGold reports increased revenues as gold prices soar despite production dip

A 10% surge in average gold price boosted DRDGold’s revenues for the quarter ending 31 March by 4% despite a dip in gold produced and sold during the period.

2 mins

MTN Uganda reports strong first quarter performance amid regulatory changes

MTN Uganda navigated changes in the regulatory environment in the first quarter to end-March and it remains on track to meet medium-term guidance, the CEO Sylvia Mulinge said Wednesday.

2 mins

King Alexander Investments launches a game-changing platform for retail investors

KING Alexander Investments has officially launched its innovative linked investment service provider (LISP) platform, in a bold move set to disrupt the retail investing landscape in South Africa.

2 mins

Absa Group chairman Sello Moloko steps down from board of the bank

ABSA Group chairman Sello Moloko’s decision to step down as chairman represents a continuation of a number of changes on the board in recent months.

2 mins

How local SMEs can leverage cross-border e-commerce opportunities

WITH cross-border transactions already accounting for approximately 31.2% of all global online sales and projected to grow 219% faster than global e-commerce as a whole through 2028, the market is expected to reach $5.06 trillion in sales within the next three years.

2 mins

Real costs and implications of an unpredictable political landscape for SMEs

IN HIS SECOND of several budget speeches this year, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced two increases in the standard rate of VAT over two years, prompting businesses to spend quite a lot of time and money preparing for their impact.

4 mins

Beyond the bottom line: how to motivate, engage, and retain small business employees

THERE was a time when a gold watch marked the end of a successful career. You joined a company, stayed loyal for decades, and were rewarded for your time - but not necessarily your impact.

2 mins

Rookie Doohan shunted by Alpine

THE Renault-owned Alpine Formula One team confirmed yesterday that Argentine Franco Colapinto would replace Jack Doohan for the next five races, starting at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.

1 min

Durban City on the brink of PSL promotion with a game in hand

WITH the Motsepe Foundation Championship title race set to go down to the wire, we take a look at the key run-in fixtures for the leading contenders as the season nears its dramatic conclusion

2 mins

Chiefs fresher legs a key advantage over Pirates form, Ncikazi

ORLANDO Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has dismissed suggestions that his side are favourites heading into the Nedbank Cup final against Kaizer Chiefs, pointing instead to the Soweto rivals’ pedigree in the competition and their fresher legs as key advantages.

2 mins

Longstreet just makes it home

THE new poly surface at Hollywoodbets Greyville was under scrutiny yesterday but by all accounts passed with flying colours. After winning the first race run on the new surface, apprentice Mxolisi Mbuto commented that he was sat in behind runners and there was very little kick-back which was music to the ears of jockeys that had suffered the kick-back of the former aging surface, year’s past it’s sell-by date.

3 mins

A Mediterranean oasis may yet turn this cricket tragic into a golf aficionado

THROUGHOUT history, cities materialise at the nexus of geography, strategy, and vision. Few places exemplify this phenomenon as strikingly as Antalya, the jewel of Türkiye's southwestern coast, whose origins can be traced back to the ambitious vision of King Attalos II of Pergamon.

2 mins

Firwood Bowling Club hosts successful Newbies tournament for novice bowlers

ON Saturday May 3, Firwood Bowling Club rolled out the welcome mat for fresh talent as they hosted the monthly Newbies tournament—a competition dedicated exclusively to bowlers with four official years or less on the greens.

2 mins

South African Open champion.Naidoo taking it all in DP World Tour

WHEN you have shattered a glass ceiling that had been in place for 122 years, there could almost be a feeling that Everest had been scaled.

2 mins

Amakhosi's time to deliver as Sea Robbers seek Cup record

KAIZER Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze says it’s time for Amakhosi to deliver, as they prepare to face Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 pm.

2 mins

Man Utd seek to bury Bilbao for Europa glory

MANCHESTER United are preparing for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao knowing only a calamity will prevent a likely showdown with Tottenham later this month.

2 mins

We probably didn't bowl our best, says Tryon after determined batting

LOSING three consecutive matches is never a good look for any team; however, perhaps in this case, the Proteas women's team could accept it as a learning curve.

2 mins

Flick fumes over refereeing decisions

BARCELONA manager Hansi Flick was upset over several refereeing decisions in his side's 4-3 loss at Inter Milan that stopped the Catalans reaching their first Champions League final in a decade after an extra-time goal by home substitute Davide Frattesi.

2 mins

Sharks must move on from playing rugby without the ball against Ospreys – Mongalo

THE Sharks recently won two crucial games overseas because of their never-say-die defence, and when they add fluidity on attack, they will be a tough team to beat.

2 mins

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The Mercury is positioned to appeal to achievers with a high disposable income, and the upwardly mobile. This includes professionals, business people, opinion makers, political leaders, public servants, and academics as well as sports and arts enthusiasts. Its readers recognise that they should be plugged into their city, province and country and indeed the world to inform their decision-making and achieve success. The newspaper’s crisp and credible reporting ensures that readers get a “head start” every morning. KwaZulu-Natal's leading daily newspaper & media partners of The Sharks, published since 1852