Newspaper
The Mercury
The fierce resilience of SA's small-business heroes
IN EVERY corner of South Africa, whether in a bustling township market, a quiet suburban street, or a shared workspace humming late into the night, small businesses are rewriting the story of survival. Each day, they wake to an economy that shifts without warning, to power cuts that darken opportunity, and to rising costs that could sap the spirit of even the most seasoned entrepreneur. Yet they press on, not with blind optimism, but with a stubborn brilliance that turns obstacles into stepping stones.
2 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
India ready to rev up chipmaking
WHEN Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared India’s “late entry” into the global semiconductor race, he pinned hopes on pioneers such as Vellayan Subbiah to create a chip innovation hub.
2 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
US government enters shutdown
THE US government began shutting down yesterday as lawmakers and President Donald Trump failed to break a budget impasse during acrimonious talks that hinged on Democratic demands for health care funding.
2 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
Boks’ unsung hero Du Toit laying the platform for Louw second-half assault
WILCO Louw has been outstanding coming off the bench for the Springboks over the last three Test matches.
2 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
Court affirms homeowners’ associations’ rights to regulate short-term rentals
A RECENT court ruling has affirmed the rights of homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and body corporates to regulate short-term rentals, following a legal challenge.
2 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
Slot needs to fix Liverpool's 'mess'
CBS Sport’s Uefa Champions League coverage is not everyone’s Five Roses. Targeted for an American audience, there are those who prefer a more analytical approach that rival sports channels offer for “the real football fan”.
3 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
Malema announces appeal, supporters chant ‘Kill the Boer’ outside court
ECONOMIC Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema emerged from the East London Magistrate’s Court shortly after being convicted for unlawfully firing a firearm and vowed to contest the judgment all the way to the Constitutional Court.
2 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
Five players who could be crucial to Bafana’s success
WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
2 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
Patriotic Alliance to stay in GNU after talks with ANC, Kunene confirms
PATRIOTIC Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene says the party and its leader, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, will remain in the Government of National Unity (GNU) after reaching common ground with the ANC during high-level talks in Johannesburg this week.
2 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
Verstappen aims to extend resurgence in Singapore
MAX Verstappen’s recent resurgence will be put to the test at the Singapore Grand Prix this week as the Red Bull driver tries to turn the Formula One world championship into a three-horse race.
2 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
eThekwini allocates R40 m to tackle leaking pipelines, improve infrastructure
NEWS VISIT
1 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
Operation Shanela initiative leads to over 5000 arrests in KZN
A TOTAL of 5 527 suspects were arrested across KwaZulu-Natal during September as part of Operation Shanela, a high-impact police initiative targeting crime hotspots in the province.
1 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
Trump's Gaza peace plan
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has announced his long-awaited Gaza peace plan that is currently being reviewed by insurgent group Hamas, according to the BBC.
1 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
SA manufacturing index climbs to 2025 high, but recovery remains fragile
SOUTH Africa's manufacturing sector showed renewed momentum in September, with the Absa Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising by 2.7 points to 52.2, its strongest level since October 2024.
2 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
KZN pupils may face 2026 school year without textbooks
THOUSANDS of school pupils across KwaZulu-Natal could be forced to start next year’s studies without textbooks because the purchase order to produce the books has not been signed.
2 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
SA's maize crop forecast lifted as 2025 harvest shows strong recovery
SOUTH Africa's summer grain outlook has improved further, with the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) raising its eighth production forecast for the 2024/25 season.
2 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
Industry urges clarity on Eskom tariffs over electricity pricing
Energy users group warns power utility that ongoing uncertainty remains an obstacle to economy
3 min |
October 02, 2025
The Mercury
Urgent call to prosecute Tembisa Hospital corruption syndicates
THE Tembisa Hospital scandal has ignited a firestorm of criticism and prompted urgent calls for accountability.
3 min |
October 01, 2025
The Mercury
Calls for KwaZulu-Natal transport probe over financial mismanagement
THE DA has written to Premier Thami Ntuli to request an independent forensic investigation following revelations of serious procurement irregularities within KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) Department of Transport (DoT), which suggest reckless financial mismanagement, lack of oversight and the possible abuse of state resources.
2 min |
October 01, 2025
The Mercury
South Africa’s agricultural future: Innovation or missed opportunity?
AGRICULTURE in South Africa sits at a crossroads.
3 min |
October 01, 2025
The Mercury
PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES DISSOLUTION OF GOVERNMENT
ANDRY Rajoelina, president of Madagascar, this week announced the dissolution of the government and promised to appoint a new prime minister within three days.
1 min |
October 01, 2025
The Mercury
How Brown Mogotsi is linked to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Vusimuzi Matlala
LIEUTENANT-General Dumisani Khumalo yesterday described the relationship between Brown Mogotsi and businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala and the link to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
3 min |
October 01, 2025
The Mercury
Mthethwa found dead amid police interference allegations
French authorities are investigating the circumstances around the ambassador's death in Paris
3 min |
October 01, 2025
The Mercury
Addressing key narratives in the information war
THE exchanges between myself and Dr Mahmoud Baker exemplify the extent to which the issues of our time are subject to an information war in which truth is the casualty of fallacy.
2 min |
October 01, 2025
The Mercury
Education in Old England
AN ITEM headed “Why Teachers Drink” lists questions and answers in England’s GCSE examination, sent to me by John Trachim, my former colleague on this newspaper.
2 min |
October 01, 2025
The Mercury
Passengers face flight delays at King Shaka, OR Tambo airports
DEPARTURE delays for flights leaving King Shaka and O.R. Tambo International Airports are due to Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) constraints.
1 min |
October 01, 2025
The Mercury
Teenage pregnancy crisis in KZN: thousands of school dropouts
TEENAGE pregnancy in KwaZulu-Natal is pushing thousands of female learners out of the schooling system, plunging them into poverty and putting their future at risk.
2 min |
October 01, 2025
The Mercury
KYRGYZ PRESIDENT SETS EARLY ELECTIONS DATE
KYRGYZ President Sadyr Japarov has signed a decree scheduling early elections of the Jogorku Kenesh, the country’s parliament, for November 30, the presidential website announced yesterday.
1 min |
October 01, 2025
The Mercury
Kaizer Chiefs eager to regain league ascendancy against AmaZulu
KAIZER Chiefs will be chasing a return to winning ways when they welcome AmaZulu to FNB Stadium on Wednesday at 7.30pm in a Betway Premiership clash with plenty riding on it for both sides.
2 min |
October 01, 2025
The Mercury
Tiger Brands finalises sale of Langeberg and Ashton Foods, safeguarding 3 000 jobs
TIGER Brands has completed the disposal of its Langeberg and Ashton Foods (LAF) operation in the Western Cape, a move that has secured 3 000 jobs and paved the way for the reopening of its tomato purée and canned deciduous fruit business.
2 min |