The Mercury - May 09, 2025

In this issue

May 09, 2025

Chiefs seek glory, Pirates aim for dominance

SOWETO GIANTS CLASH

1 min

UK visa denial: EFF is not backing down

POLITICAL MOTIVE'

2 mins

Call for lifestyle audits for judges slammed

'Measures already in place to maintain their independence and ethics'

3 mins

Mathematics more than the sum of its parts

'TWAS a soiree with a difference at St Clement's this week as Professor Kevin Duffy - a St Clement's regular and one of the boys - entertained and enlightened with a presentation on one of his favourite subjects: What is mathematics? And is it everywhere?

2 mins

Acquittal of VIP protection officers is a national disgrace

THE DA is outraged by the acquittal of the eight SAPS VIP Protection Unit officers - attached to Deputy President Paul Mashatile - after an internal SAPS disciplinary process.

1 min

Intervention needed to stop collapse of state IT agency

ACTIONSA will write to the minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, calling for urgent intervention into the State Information Technology Agency (Sita) to stabilise its leadership and governance.

1 min

Echoes of history in Scottburgh's growth prospects today

THE repetition of the cycles of history never cease to amaze.

1 min

It's the simple things that are never easy...

MAKE an approach toward your neighbour whom you've not talked to in years.

1 min

Terrorism is the correct term for the barbaric attack in Kashmir

I SHOULD like to thank Thobeka Ngema and/or the editor of The Mercury for the article “Durban residents protest against terrorism” (published on Tuesday).

1 min

Durban teen says rapist stole her childhood

SENTENCING

1 min

Prevost becomes first US pope as Leo XIV

ROBERT Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States yesterday, picking the papal name Leo XIV after cardinals from around the world elected him leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

2 mins

Mashatile says resources mobilised to counter Pepfar funding withdrawal

DEPUTY President Paul Mashatile says resources have been mobilised to plug the gap caused by the withdrawal of US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) funding.

2 mins

Former NPA senior official to represent 5 accused in AKA murder case

THE former acting director of public prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal, Advocate Simphiwe Mlotshwa, who has been practising as an advocate in his private capacity for a number of years, will be representing all five men accused of killing South African rapper Kiernan AKA Forbes and his friend, chef Tebello “Tibz’ Motsoane.

2 mins

Mbalula expresses confidence in KZN ANC leadership despite by-election losses

DESPITE being defeated by the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party in three recent by-elections in KwaZulu-Natal, the ANC national leadership said it still has confidence in the reconfigured provincial body led by Jeff Radebe and Mike Mabuyakhulu.

1 min

Concern over the homeless displaced from Albert Park

THE Umbilo Business Association (UBA) is concerned about the repercussions that the removal of homeless people and drug addicts from Albert Park will have on the surrounding businesses and residential areas.

2 mins

Learn from China's response to US tariffs

WHEN US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed that China's economy could lose \"five to 10 million jobs\" due to new tariffs, the headline predictably grabbed global attention.

2 mins

CHIEFS, PIRATES CLASH IN DERBY SHOWDOWN

WHENEVER Kaizer Chiefs take on Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby, it is almost always about bragging rights.

1 min

How the umQwashu oath shaped AmaMfengu's identity

In response to contemporary challenges, current generation must adopt a transformational oath

5 mins

Attenborough celebrates 99th birthday with new documentary

AS SIR David Attenborough celebrates his 99th birthday, the naturalist marks the occasion not with reflection, but with action, launching what he considers one of the most important films of his long and influential career.

1 min

Cop busted on charges of fraud, money laundering

EASTERN Cape police have arrested one of their own - a 48-year-old police officer stationed at SAPS Kabega Park for charges of fraud and money laundering linked to a case.

1 min

Lengthy wait for the 'Please Call Me' Concourt verdict

'JUSTICE DELAYED'

1 min

Landmark Concourt victory for the blind

IN A LANDMARK victory, the Constitutional Court has handed down a ruling allowing for the creation of accessible format copies for the blind like Braille of copyrighted works without needing permission from the copyright holder.

3 mins

Minister Nyhontso defends race, gender disclosure for land transfers

LAND Reform and Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso has defended the new regulation mandating that individuals disclose their race and gender when dealing with property transfers in the country.

2 mins

Positive community sentiment towards KZN police efforts - Mkhwanazi

RESIDENTS in KwaZulu-Natal appear to have positive sentiment regarding the work being done by the police, with KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi describing this as an encouraging sign.

2 mins

The 2025 NWM Rally-Raid Championship Ranger revealed

FORD South Africa has lifted the cover off the new Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) Rally-Raid Championship Ranger for the 2025 season with a new livery and also renewed their partnership with Castrol EDGE lubricants.

3 mins

GR Cup: A new challenge at Aldo Scribante Circuit

IT'S a new car, a new track and a new challenge when the Toyota GR Cup heads into the third round of the National Extreme Festival at the Aldo Scribante Race Circuit in Gqeberha this weekend.

2 mins

Transforming the automotive landscape: hybrid SUV revolution

WHEN it was first introduced just before the turn of the century (yes, that long ago), the BMW X5 set the standard for large luxury SUVs and, in fact, some consider it the pivotal model in the category.

3 mins

India-Pakistan escalating tension could reverberate globally, affecting South Africa

ANALYSTS are warning that the economic ramifications of rising military tensions between India and Pakistan could extend far beyond South Asia, impacting nations like South Africa that count India among their top trading partners.

3 mins

SA's energy one-stop shop projects for IPPs faces hurdles

Renewable energy sector project in limbo due to President Trump's Executive Orders

2 mins

Manufacturing sector continues to struggle as output plummets for eighth month in a row

MANUFACTURING output in South Africa is facing a challenging start to 2025, with output continuing to decline and showing signs of deeper economic troubles.

2 mins

Lessons from DRC private partnership at state-owned ports

THE ability of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) to successfully meet its R12 billion tender commitment to the Durban port has been underscored by its recently announced financial results for the quarter ending 31 March.

3 mins

US Fed pauses rate cuts again and warns of inflation, unemployment risks

THE US Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced another pause in rate cuts and warned of higher risks to its inflation and unemployment goals in a likely reference to President Donald Trump's tariff rollout.

2 mins

FAO food price index rises slightly amid mixed commodity outlook

THE Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has reported a modest increase in its food price index, highlighting ongoing fluctuations in global commodity markets as supply and demand dynamics play a pivotal role in shaping consumer costs.

2 mins

Prosus generated strong revenue growth and and exceeded targets in its 2025 financial year

PROSUS, a subsidiary of Naspers listed on the JSE and Amsterdam stock exchanges, reported robust growth in revenue and profitability for the financial year ending March 31, 2025, said the CEO, Frabricio Bloisi.

2 mins

Sappi reports $20 million quarterly loss amid planned shutdowns

LONGER than expected maintenance shutdowns at two South African pulp mills and an uncertain global economy saw global paper and packaging group Sappi sink into a loss in the second quarter.

2 mins

KAL Group profit dips slightly, but management is optimistic about the second half

KAL Group, the JSE-listed agri, fuel and convenience speciality retailer reported a steady performance in the six months to March 31, with earnings only marginally lower, and it has predicted a stronger performance in the second half.

2 mins

How my mother and grandmother taught me to manage money wisely

THIS Mother's Day, I’m reminded that the early money lessons I’ve learnt didn’t come from textbooks or formal training - they came from the women in my family.

3 mins

Embrace the frolic budget: balancing finance and fun

MANAGING personal finances can often feel like a rigid exercise. But what if budgeting allowed for both responsibility and enjoyment? Enter the frolic budget a concept that balances financial discipline with the freedom to spend on life’s little pleasures.

2 mins

South Africans increasingly access retirement savings amid financial strain

SOUTH Africans are rapidly with-drawing funds from their savings pots under the new two-pot retirement system, with many dipping into their savings for a second time in just a few months, according to Natasha Huggett-Henchie, consulting actuary and member of the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA) Retirement Matters Committee.

2 mins

Brevis blitz dims Kolkata’s IPL playoff hopes

SOUTH Africa’s Dewald Brevis hit a 22-ball half-century as Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by two wickets on Wednesday night, leaving the defending IPL champions in grave danger of missing the playoffs.

2 mins

Odegaard: Arsenal not strong enough in boxes

ARSENAL fell short on the big stage again as their painful Champions League semi-final exit against Paris Saint-Germain left Mikel Arteta to rue his club’s failure to provide him with enough attacking options.

3 mins

Cardoso hails Sundowns' ‘belief and attitude’

MAMELODI Sundowns took a significant step toward sealing their eighth consecutive league title after a commanding 3-0 win over Chippa United in their Premiership clash on Wednesday night.

2 mins

Motale: Why Pirates are under more pressure than Amakhosi

ORLANDO Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi might as well have been playing mind games on Wednesday when he downplayed his side’s favourites’ tag.

2 mins

September says top-eight ‘definitely’ possible for Chippa despite Sundowns loss

CHIPPA United missed a golden opportunity to strengthen their push for a top-eight finish after suffering a costly 3-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday night — a result that now leaves the door wide open for rival teams chasing MTN8 qualification next season.

2 mins

Pretorius’ roller-coaster ride gets wilder with IPL gig

SOUTH African teenage prodigy Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ amazing season has just got wilder after he was signed up to the Indian Premier League on Thursday.

2 mins

Jafta doesn’t view Meso as competition as Proteas Women get set for Sri Lanka

WHEN Karabo Meso was making her come up in domestic cricket, many assumed that Sinalo Jafta would be under the pump for her spot in the Lions women’s team in domestic cricket, as well as the Proteas Women side.

2 mins

Masuku to call the shots for Sharks

SHARKS coach John Plumtree is without Springboks Ox Nche, Lukhanyo Am, Jordan Hendrikse and Grant Williams for tonight’s United Rugby Championship clash with the Ospreys in Durban (7pm kickoff), but the good news is they that they are expected back soon.

2 mins

Riveiro: Pirates must try to make Chiefs play bad

ORLANDO Pirates coach Jose Riveiro is not entertaining any talk of personal glory as his side prepares to face Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow.

2 mins

Chiefs can strategically outsmart Orlando Pirates to win Nedbank Cup final

WITH a blend of tactical nous and spirited execution, Kaizer Chiefs have achance to reshape their Soweto derby narrative this weekend by turning the tide in this storied rivalry.

2 mins

Xoki: 'History doesn't play these games'

ORLANDO Pirates defender Tapelo Xoki has downplayed the significance of his team’s recent dominance over Kaizer Chiefs, insisting that their focus is squarely on the performance required in tomorrow's Nedbank Cup final.

2 mins

Kaze: Pressure is on Orlando Pirates

KAIZER Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze says the team is comfortable with the underdog label ahead of tomorrow's Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates.

2 mins

Okavango hunting a July berth

THE hunt for a berth in the 18-horse field for the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July starts in earnest tomorrow with the Gr2 WSB 1900, a race that has proved to be a good pointer to the outcome of Africa's greatest horserace.

1 min

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