The Mercury - May 16, 2025

In this issue

May 16, 2025

Former Bok winger Hendricks mourned

FORMER Springbok captain Jean de Villiers has warmly summed up how his former teammate Cornal Hendricks should be remembered by recalling the charismatic centre's manner of celebrating a try.

2 mins

Ramaphosa's crucial US visit

Diplomatic push to reset relations

3 mins

Samatu calls for investigation following doctor's death at hospital

THE South African Medical Association Trade Union (Samatu) has called for an investigation into the death of a medical intern doctor at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in uMlazi.

3 mins

Talks underway to tackle DoE's financial woes

THE Department of Basic Education has revealed that high-level engagements are taking place to address the crippling financial problems that have brought the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (DoE) to the brink of financial collapse.

2 mins

Powerful nations won't stand for ANC’s arrogance

THE word has spread like wildfire and the ANC is ina serious panic right now! ‘Trumps offer to Afrikaners to come and work in the US has dealt the ANC a huge blow and left them feeling scared, embarrassed and (are now) looking for ways to retaliate.

1 min

Driver education should include lesson on momentum laws

I REFER to the letter, “Call for action after deadly road accidents in KZN,\" from Riona Gokool, The Mercury, May 13.

1 min

Addressing misconceptions on patriotism and religion

IN HIS article “Patriotism and religion should not be conflated, The Mercury, May 14, Mohamed Saeed raises several points that prompt response.

2 mins

Groovy sea lion - party animal

HERE'S a sea lion that’s the life and soul of the party. Ronan, a California sea lion resident in New College, Florida, grooves to rock’ n roll and electronica, according to the Associated Press.

2 mins

Unions must address the impact of technology on jobs

NUMEROUS economic and employment challenges persist in a year characterised by volatility and uncertainty in global and local economies, accompanied by emerging technologies.

1 min

The chess metaphor in unhealthy relationships

IN HEALTHY relationships, there are no elements of either winning or losing.

1 min

Holomisa announces military inquiry into SANDF casualties in DRC

DEFENCE Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa said the military board of inquiry into casualties sustained by the SANDF in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will begin once the withdrawal of South Africa's soldiers from that country is complete.

2 mins

'Crime is planned from prison,' says former police minister Bheki Cele

FORMER Police Minister Bheki Cele has made a shocking revelation, claiming that most of South Africa's violent crime is being planned and organised from behind bars by inmates serving life sentences.

3 mins

HIV patient testing falls in South Africa after US aid cuts, data shows

THE level of testing and monitoring of HIV patients across South Africa has dropped since the US cut aid that funded health workers and clinics, with pregnant women, infants and youth the most affected, previously unpublished government data shows.

2 mins

Scopa members slam KZN municipalities for spending over R200m on consultants

KWAZULU-Natal municipalities have spent over R200 million on consultants, raising concerns about skills transfer and the effectiveness of these expenditures, according to the Auditor-General.

2 mins

Durban mother handed 20 years for toddler's murder

A 35-YEAR-OLD woman has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Durban High Court after she pleaded guilty to strangling and killing her three-year-old baby girl.

3 mins

Significant triumph for Downs coach

ON A NIGHT brimming with excitement and anticipation, Mamelodi Sundowns celebrated their crowning achievement by clinching the inaugural Betway Premiership title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Chippa United in East London on Wednesday.

1 min

Leon's track record dispels DA's narrative of 'skilled diplomat'

His 'skill' lies largely in catering to the sensibilities of the powerful

4 mins

Resettlement of Afrikaners in the US rooted in refusal to coexist

IN THE quiet corners of Texas, Montana, and Tennessee, a curious and pitiful phenomenon is taking shape, a self-imposed exile where a handful of Afrikaners have decided to flee democracy, diversity, and dignity to recreate an imagined utopia in the heart of conservative America.

2 mins

Ex-Mauritanian leader gets 15 years in jail

FORMER Mauritanian president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for corruption.

1 min

Trump: deal between US, Iran 'within reach'

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump said yesterday that the US was getting very close to securing a nuclear deal with Iran, and Tehran had “sort of” agreed to the terms.

1 min

Illegally built homes demolished

A MOTHER watched in despair as an excavator demolished her Kinshasa home, part of a campaign to clamp down on unauthorised buildings after deadly floods.

1 min

Trump's deportations betray American ideals

ON January 20 this year, Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second and final term as President of the United States, the ‘leader of the free world. However, today there are few characteristics that can define the US as free, especially for non-white citizens or migrants.

3 mins

End of nuclear in Taiwan fans energy security fears

TAIWAN will turn off its last nuclear reactor tomorrow, fuelling concerns over the self-ruled island’s reliance on imported energy and vulnerability to a Chinese blockade.

2 mins

NPA obtains preservation order in asbestos case

Included in the preservation order is a luxury Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, allegedly purchased in cash for R2m.

1 min

FlySafair bans passenger after in-flight altercation

A MAN has been banned from flying with FlySafair and will be liable for flight diversion costs after he became violent aboard a recent flight.

1 min

Court security at risk due to budget cuts

JUSTICE and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has said that budget cuts have severely limited the ability of her department to bolster security measures at courts.

2 mins

Durban gears up for global take-off with new air connectivity plans

STRATEGIC new airline routes are being planned over the next two to three years in KwaZulu-Natal - bolstering efforts to secure direct international flights to Durban and strengthen local tourism.

3 mins

Artists march to Union Buildings over collapse of arts funding institutions

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa, through his office, has confirmed having received a memorandum of demands from a group of artists who, this week, marched to Union Buildings and the offices of the Department of Sports Arts and Culture, in Tshwane, seeking the president’s intervention over the collapse of institutions that fund the arts.

1 min

FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

Grapefruit, my club's acid-tongued member, reminds me of a signal at a railroad crossing, clanging away loudly and futilely as a train passes by.

1 min

Racing the new GR Yaris: insights from our driver

IT WAS the closest racing yet seen in the Toyota GR Cup Challenge this season as we tackled the Aldo Scribante Circuit in Gqeberha.

4 mins

Revived nameplate for new hybrid SUV with impressive 200km electric range

IN A further diversion from its original plan to go electric-only by the end of this decade, Volvo has partially revealed an all-new plug-in hybrid SUV.

1 min

T9 bakkie sets new SA 24-hour record

AS SO often happens in South Africa, there’s lots of banter around a braai fire as well as discussions, heated arguments and occasionally, there’s even a challenge thrown in which, more often than not, is forgotten when the fires have died down.

1 min

SUV gets makeover that challenges the competition

ISUZU has lifted the covers off their revamped MU-X SUV with an exterior and interior update, and also added a flagship ONYX XT 4x4 to the range.

4 mins

Government moves to establish control over artisanal and small-scale mining

THE government is poised to reshape the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) landscape with the recent approval of the Mineral Resources Development Bill of 2025 for public comment.

2 mins

Standard Bank partners with Metair Investments to restructure R4bn debt

STANDARD Bank has partnered with Metair Investments to facilitate a comprehensive restructuring of the South African automotive components and energy storage group's approximately R4 billion debt.

2 mins

World Union of Wholesale Markets Conference highlights Africa's role in global food security

INDUSTRY leaders and government officials descended at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Thursday as the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) Conference kicked off.

1 min

What to expect from the upcoming national budget: Investec’s insights on sin taxes

WITH less than a week to go before the next iteration of the National Budget, Investec doesn't anticipate major personal tax increases, although cigarettes and booze are, again, likely to cost more.

2 mins

Persistent decline in mining production signals trouble for South Africa's economy

THE South African mining sector, characterised by its energy-intensive nature, is facing numerous challenges that threaten its export potential and overall viability.

2 mins

Nampo Harvest Day triumphs with engaging discussions and robust exhibitor presence

THE Nampo Harvest Day 2025 has been declared a resounding success by Grain SA, highlighting the event's significance as a premier platform for agricultural innovation and industry collaboration.

2 mins

Government charts new course for private sector involvement in economic recovery

THE government is ramping up its initiatives aimed at economic recovery by creating unprecedented opportunities for private sector involvement.

3 mins

Karooooo's CEO outlines ambitious plans for expansion and profitability

KAROOOOO, which owns the vehicle tracking and fleet management solutions company Cartrack, has four difficult years behind it and is looking to the new financial year to build growth momentum, said the founder and CEO Zak Calisto.

2 mins

Equites to dispose of its UK portfolio and focus on better growth opportunities in South Africa

\"I DON’T think the UK has had as good a property portfolio for sale in several years,\" is how Equites Property Fund CEO Andrea Taverna-Turisan described the market where the REIT plans to dispose of its seven large logistics facilities.

2 mins

Delta Corporation highlights Zimbabwe's economic fragility amidst revenue growth

DELTA Corporation, Zimbabwe's leading brewer and soft drinks manufacturer, has painted a stark picture of the nation's economy, highlighting its persistent fragility despite signs of resilience in consumer spending.

2 mins

Afrimat to focus on profitability after a period of acquisitions

AFRIMAT, the multi-commodity, mid-tier mining group, has come through a cycle of acquisitions as part of its strategy of asset diversification and will focus on realising the significant potential of all its businesses in the new financial year.

2 mins

Sars' project AmaBillions: a guide to clearing your tax debt

AS SARS (South African Revenue Services) continues to enhance its Compliance Programmes by modernising its systems and integrating artificial intelligence to better identify instances of non-compliance, so too is the revenue collector bolstering the manpower behind its tax debt collections team.

3 mins

Building financial security through long-term insurance

LONG-term insurance spans a wide range of products and providers, and plays a critical role in financial planning.

3 mins

The risks of cancelling your insurance during a financial crisis

IN THIS tough economic climate, many policyholders are forced to make difficult financial decisions, sometimes sacrificing their short-term or non-life insurance coverage to save money, says Edite Teixeira-Mckinon, Lead Ombud of the Non-life Insurance Division of the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO).

2 mins

Chiefs turn their focus to the Top 8 aspirations after Nedbank Cup triumph

KAIZER Chiefs defender Edmilson Dove says the team must suspend their Nedbank Cup celebrations to fully focus on securing a Top 8 finish.

2 mins

Arrows in need of a spark ahead of KZN derby clash

GOLDEN Arrows are in desperate need of a spark to get their season back on track as they prepare to visit Richards Bay FC in the Betway Premiership KZN derby tomorrow at the King Zwelithini Stadium (3pm kick-off).

2 mins

Fat, aggressive snoek aplenty at Umgeni mouth before you finish your morning coffee

IF you've been dreaming of bent rods, screaming reels, and salt spray stinging your cheeks, now’s the time to make it happen.

2 mins

Bulls to honour Hendricks in final URC round-robin match with power 23

THERE will undoubtedly be a sombre atmosphere at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday when the Bulls take on the Dragons in the final regular season match of the United Rugby Championship.

2 mins

Remembering Hendricks: Life lessons in perseverance

BACK in 2017 the late Cornal Hendricks taught me two important life lessons when I invited him for supper one night at the Boardwalk in Ggeberha.

3 mins

Safety of South Africans in the IPL is non-negotiable, SACA insists

THE health and safety of South African players competing in the IPL is of paramount importance, according to Andrew Breetzke, CEO of the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA).

1 min

Dobson overhauls Stormers ahead of final round-robin clash against Cardiff

THE Stormers took a calculated risk with their team to face Cardiff on Friday to ensure all their players in contention for the playoffs will have sufficient rugby minutes under their belt when the knockouts take place.

2 mins

How will SA batting order look in WTC Final?

SHUKRI Conrad has already named his opening pair for the Proteas’ World Test Championship final against Australia — a bold move that has set the tone for what could be a fiercely contested clash at Lord’s next month.

2 mins

Six teams, two rounds, one dream: Giants in fierce sprint for Champions League

SIX Premier League teams, separated by six points, are battling it out for the four remaining Champions League spots with two rounds of matches left.

2 mins

How values and unity powered Sundowns' title triumph

MIGUEL Cardoso’s presence may seem understated on the touchline, but his philosophy roars through every performance his side delivers.

3 mins

Sharks need to empty tank and beat Scarlets to avoid Stormers

IF the Sharks hold their nerve as the United Rugby Championship league phase concludes this weekend, the rewards could be substantial - a home quarter-final and semi-final are within reach.

2 mins

Is Dave The King ready for battle?

LAST season's Equus Horse of the Year Dave The King makes his return to racing after a six-month break when he lines up in the Sir Theophilus St George A Stakes over 1500m that headlines the card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.

4 mins

Just Be Lekker should be cherry ripe

THERE is an interesting ten race meeting at Turffontein Standside tomorrow and the action starts as early as 11h20.

3 mins

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