Tabla de contenidos para 2026-03-25 en Mercury

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) is facing renewed scrutiny over its troubled investment in Daybreak Foods, with Parliament raising concerns about governance failures, weak due diligence and ongoing instability at the poultry producer. South Africa’s largest asset manager of public funds injected more than R1.7 billion into Daybreak, a vertically integrated poultry business on the brink of liquidation. During a briefing to the Standing Committee on Finance on Tuesday, PIC executives outlined the extent of challenges at Daybreak, which has been flagged by the Auditor-General for material irregularities linked to insufficient due diligence at the time of investment. This comes as assets under the PIC management have grown from R2 trillion to R3.6trln. PIC chief financial officer (CFO) Batandwa Damoyi told MPs that the Auditor-General identified 16 remedial actions relating…

Eskom board chairman Mteto Nyati says that Eskom was nearly destroyed by corruption and a flawed energy transition. Nyati said this in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying that the transition failed to prioritise reliable baseload power and instead treated coal as the main problem rather than focusing on managing emissions. "The two things that nearly destroyed Eskom were corruption and a flawed energy transition. That transition dismissed the importance of reliable baseload power, and treated coal as the enemy rather than focusing on managing emissions - the real challenge of energy production," Nyati said. In the past, the power utility has for years been affected by alleged corruption, procurement irregularities and inflated contracts, alongside ongoing operational challenges, ageing infrastructure and repeated load-shedding that led to widespread power outages…

Escalating tensions in the Middle East have pushed the global economy into a period of heightened uncertainty, with South Africa particularly vulnerable to rising fuel costs, a weaker currency and inflationary pressure, according to Lisette IJssel de Schepper of the Bureau for Economic Research (BER). De Schepper on Tuesday said that for South Africa, the immediate transmission is straightforward: a weaker rand, higher oil prices, and rising fuel costs and inflationary pressures. “The current under-recovery in fuel prices is scary, and the impact will be significant. But beyond that, the story becomes far more uncertain - and far more dependent on how long the disruption lasts.” She added that they have been framing this in three broad scenarios. “In a mild case, where the disruption is contained and shipping routes…

Today, single AI query uses roughly ten times the electricity of a typical Internet search, and demand is climbing at lightning speed. In fact, projections suggest data centres could account for approximately 3% of total global electricity consumption by 2030, nearly doubling their current share and, significantly, growing four times faster than the growth of total electricity consumption from all other sectors. The result, a massive amount of heat generation which leads to a thermal challenges legacy data centres simply weren’t designed to handle. Traditional air cooling, the long-time workhorse of data centres, is being pushed to its practical limits by high-performance, high-density racks. To unlock AI's full potential, data centres must move beyond the status quo and embrace advanced, sustainable liquid cooling.The move to high-density, liquid-cooled infrastructure As mentioned,…

In a landmark achievement for South Africa’s renewable energy sector, Lyra Energy has officially reached financial close on its ambitious 255 MW Thakadu solar power project. This development not only signifies a major advancement for Lyra but also contributes to the growing landscape of sustainable energy in the country. The milestone follows the recent establishment of long-term power purchase agreements with a range of private sector offtakers. These agreements serve as the foundational blocks for the Thakadu project, demonstrating the increasing demand from South African corporations and industries for stable energy prices and reliable energy sources, all while striving for significant decarbonisation outcomes. “Reaching financial close is a significant moment for Lyra Energy and for Thakadu,” said Eben de Vos, Head of Lyra Energy. “We have secured long-term offtake with…

Property group MAS plc reported a sharp decline in half-year earnings, reflecting a softer consumer environment in Central and Eastern Europe and the impact of recent asset disposals. The company’s earnings fell significantly to €11.6 million for the six months to December 2025, down from €76.1m in the comparable period a year earlier. Earnings per share also dropped steeply to 1.97 euro cents from 12.01 euro cents previously. The plunge in half year earnings for MAS has been attributed to a moderation in consumption dynamics. “A softer trading environment prevailed in Romania, which is the primary contributor to like-for-like passing net rental income (NRI) growth of 2.4% for the Group's directly owned CEE properties (compared with 7.3% in the corresponding prior period),” it said on Tuesday. Although rental growth remained…

What began as a routine afternoon outing turned into a long, anxious night for one Cape Town family after their beloved dog, Sable, became stranded high on a cliff face. The two-and-a-half-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer had been chasing dassies at Hillcrest Estate quarry in Cape Town on Saturday when his curiosity got the better of him. Scrambling about 20 metres up an 80-metre rock face, Sable soon found himself stuck on a narrow ledge, unable to find his way back down. When he did not return home, his owner went searching and eventually spotted him, perched and stranded, waiting helplessly. As daylight faded, a carefully coordinated rescue effort began. Teams from Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) and the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service worked together to reach…

Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester told the High Court in Johannesburg yesterday that he was lawfully released from Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022 and did not escape. Bester made the claim during an urgent application challenging charges related to his alleged escape from custody. Authorities say he escaped in May 2022 after faking his death in a prison cell fire, allegedly with the assistance of his co-accused Nandipha Magudumana and several prison officials. Earlier this month, the High Court in Pretoria dismissed Bester’s urgent application for the second time, where he had sought transfer to a Gauteng prison. Bester is currently incarcerated at the eBongweni Super Maximum Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal, but he wants to be transferred to the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria. The Department of…

Civil society organisations have expressed deep concern about President Cyril Ramaphosa’s delay in filling two vacancies at the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) following interviews in October 2025. The organisations added that this is the longest duration any president in democratic South Africa has taken to appoint judges to the apex court. This comes as the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is expected to conduct its next round of public interviews to fill various high court and superior court vacancies from April 13 to 17. Following the interviews in October, the JSC recommended candidates for the two vacancies on the ConCourt. The list included Judges Nambitha Dambuza, Glenn Goosen, Ashton Schippers, Kate Savage, and Adv. Alan Dodson SC. While Ramaphosa previously indicated that he is “applying his mind” to the appointments, the lengthy…

Ben Stokes reckons the past three months have been the “hardest period” of his time as England captain but is determined the current leadership group can oversee a revival in the Test team’s fortunes. On Monday, the chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Richard Gould, confirmed Stokes, managing director Rob Key and coach Brendon McCullum would all stay in their posts despite the team’s 4-1 loss on their five-Test tour of Australia, which ended in January. Key denied suggestions Stokes and McCullum had fallen out in Australia, despite the pair offering contrasting messages during a desperately disappointing series loss. Stokes, in an emotional Instagram post, said he was determined to learn from his mistakes following the lowest period of his near four-year spell as England captain,…

While the title race between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns continues to grab headlines, the real intrigue in the Betway Premiership is unfolding just below them. Only nine points separate third-placed AmaZulu FC and eighth-placed Golden Arrows, turning the race for CAF qualification and Top 8 security into a weekly scrap. Here, Smiso Msomi takes a closer look at the teams in the mix for the final qualification spot for the CAF Confederation Cup next season, while battling it out for a lucrative Top 8 finish. THIRD | AmaZulu FC POINTS 37 | P22 W11 D4 L7 GF22 GA19 AmaZulu currently occupy the coveted third spot, but their position is anything but secure. With just a one-point cushion over fourth, Usuthu are walking a tightrope – one slip could see…

They say you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, but usually, that refers to a reliable toaster or a chap that knows what he is doing when it comes to pool maintenance. Nobody ever thought it would apply to a man whose primary hobby appeared to be charging £80 (about R1 800) for a view of a corner flag and calculating the compound interest on a sky-walk at the top of a stadium. Yet, here we are as Tottenham Hotspur fans, staring down the barrel of a rainy Tuesday night trip to Stoke City next season and are now longing for the days when Daniel Levy was still in charge of the club. After years of complaining about “stagnation” while finishing fourth and watching Champions League nights under…

South African consumer confidence showed a modest improvement in the first quarter of 2026, but economists warn that escalating global tensions could quickly reverse these gains. The FNB/BER Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for the first quarter released on Tuesday rose slightly to -7 index points in the first quarter of 2026, up from -9 in the previous quarter. While still in negative territory, the latest reading marks the highest level since the fourth quarter of 2024. The improvement was largely driven by a rebound in sentiment among high-income households. Confidence in this group surged from -12 to -4, supported by a combination of factors including withdrawals under the Two-Pot retirement system, lower interest rates, strong stock market performance and a firmer rand. According to the index, most of the survey…

AG says expenditure was irregular, incomplete and included unresolved criminal cases Transnet has revealed a growing standoff with the Auditor-General (AG) over R42 billion in irregular expenditure linked to its controversial procurement of 1,064 locomotives, highlighting ongoing tensions over accountability and financial governance at the State-owned logistics company. Briefing Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on Tuesday, Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips confirmed that the entity had taken steps to remove the R42.9bn from its books, arguing it had complied with all prescribed processes. However, the AG maintains that the expenditure remains irregular, citing incomplete processes, including unresolved criminal proceedings. Phillips explained that Transnet followed due procedure after the expenditure was not condoned by National Treasury. “We believe we have done what is required. We approached the board to approve…

South African employees, already under financial strain, are likely to face increased pressure as rising oil prices push up fuel costs and inflation, impeding their ability to do their jobs. According to fintech company Wealthbit’s 2026 Employee Benefits Report, 80% of employees in South Africa worry about money most of the time, while 56% of financially distressed employees spend more than three hours a week dealing with personal finances during work hours. This equates to roughly 19.5 working days a year, affecting productivity and performance. Wealthbit chief executive officer Alex Cook said financial stress is a consistent source of pressure for employees. “That’s most of our people, most of the time. And it affects work,” he said. Separate local research shows South Africans were already under pressure before the latest…

You can now permanently change your eye colour, and in South Africa, a first-of-its-kind procedure is giving both medical insight and a deeply personal look at what that transformation really means. This isn’t just another cosmetic trend. It marks the arrival of South Africa’s first permanent eye-colour change procedure, performed by the only surgeon in the country formally trained and qualified in the technique, Dr Rob Daniel. While similar procedures have sparked controversy globally, this approach is notably different. Daniel trained in France and works within a framework rooted in refractive surgery, with strict patient selection and clinical governance at its core. For decades, changing your eye colour meant relying on contact lenses. Temporary, often uncomfortable, and not without risk. This new procedure offers something far more lasting. “It’s the…

Once the grand residences of Mughal-era nobility, the Indian capital’s haveli homes now stand at a fragile crossroads — a handful lovingly restored but many more sliding quietly into ruin. Across Old Delhi — the 17th‑century walled city founded as the Mughal capital Shahjahanabad — cracked facades, shuttered gateways, and sagging balconies tell the story of a heritage under siege from neglect, inheritance battles and relentless urban pressure. Only a few restored pockets provide a glimpse of what once was — airy courtyards, carved sandstone pillars and homes built around a deeply social way of life. Inside one restored mansion that now houses a cultural centre, sunlight filters through stained glass onto carved sandstone arches, the air infused with freshly polished wood and rosewater. Musicians tune their instruments in a…

Eskom has to disclose its contracts for purchasing and transporting coal and diesel, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled this week after it rejected Eskom’s argument that the contracts are commercially sensitive. AfriForum secured the victory over Eskom that will finally lift the veil of secrecy surrounding the power utility’s coal contracts. In terms of the ruling, all active Eskom contracts relating to the purchase, transport, and distribution of coal and diesel and the utility’s contracts for the supply of electricity to neighbouring countries must now be made available to AfriForum. The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria dismissed Eskom’s refusal to provide access to its coal and diesel contracts under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) in 2024. At that time, Eskom had already been ordered to provide…

The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has welcomed the rapid approval of six million Dollvet vaccine doses to combat Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). The swift intervention by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to expedite the importation of these vaccines is crucial for protecting the country's livestock. The move follows a Section 21 permit issued on Friday for an initial two million doses. SAHPRA has confirmed that two additional permits for the remaining four million doses will also be issued. The announcement comes as agricultural and farming organisations have gone to court this week to challenge the government over the vaccination process. Livestock farmers, Sakeliga, the Suider-Afrika Agri Inisiatief (Saai) and Free State Agriculture (the applicants) are seeking an interdict against the government's obstruction of private-sector procurement…

South Africa has reburied the remains of 63 Khoisan people, among southern Africa’s oldest indigenous communities, some of whose bodies were shipped to European museums over a century ago. The remains were laid to rest at a historic monument in Steinkopf, in the Northern Cape province, during a ceremony attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Rows of freshly dug graves lined the site as the wooden coffins, some draped in traditional clothing, were laid side by side. Traditional leaders offered prayers, marking a farewell rooted in ritual. “This is not merely a burial. It is a restoration of dignity long denied,” one of the leaders, James Mapanga, said. Six of the remains were repatriated from the Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, while the others had been held…

ActionSA MP Dereleen James has opened a case of intimidation against the Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie following a series of alleged threats against her. This comes after McKenzie commented during a Facebook Live broadcast on Sunday, saying, “Let Dereleen and Kurt have a good time with my name. A very good time. Let them have a good time with my name. It’s okay. “Die pad is lank. The road is long. I am 24/7 with security. Outside my house now, there’s security. So I want to put it out here. I know who’s behind Kurt. It’s fine. Enjoy my name. Do what you want to do. All right.” Speaking outside the Cape Town Central police station, James said she felt exposed and threatened by the…

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has offered a detailed assessment of Relebohile Mofokeng, expressing optimism about the attacker’s development while explaining what he believes held him back on the international stage. South Africa are set to face Panama national football team in two friendlies – at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday (kick-off 7pm) and DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday (kick-off 7.30pm) – as part of their preparations for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Mofokeng arrives in camp on the back of a standout performance for Orlando Pirates, having scored a hat-trick in a 6-0 win over TS Galaxy. Yet, his impact in national colours has not matched his club form. The 21-year-old played just 96 minutes at the Africa Cup of Nations, including a start…

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus can afford a bittersweet smile as he digests the confirmation of his Kiwi counterpart Dave Rennie’s backroom staff, which is headlined by old school All Black Tana Umaga and canny Scot Mike Blair. Bittersweet because Erasmus will recognise parallels with his own appointment in 2018 while understanding that Rennie has picked a staff prepared to go to war with him in the Greatest Rivalry series with the Boks in August and September. Rennie has opted for less is more – he has trimmed down the number of assistants from the Scott Robertson regime – and gone for a tight-knit group of coaches who have a proven track record with him. His chief assistant will be Neil Barnes, who was Rennie’s right-hand man at the Chiefs when…

The Stormers may have climbed to second on the United Rugby Championship log following a bonus-point win over the Dragons, but as they prepare to host a star-studded Edinburgh side this weekend, the focus in the camp has shifted firmly towards clinical execution. Despite the 34-13 victory at DHL Stadium last Sunday, the performance, especially on attack, can best be described as scrappy. The Stormers created a wealth of opportunities but often failed to provide the finishing touch, a trend that has bit them on a few occasions this season, including in derby defeats against the Sharks and Lions. The Stormers have some wonderful attacking players, with the likes of Sacha Feinberg-Mbgomezulu and Damian Willemse able to create moments of magic to convert their forward dominance into points. However, more…

Proteas Men’s coach Shukri Conrad has branded the Betway SA20 “an unqualified success”. Conrad sang the praises of South Africa’s premier domestic T20 competition whilst in New Zealand, who are preparing to launch their own NZ20 early next year. With virtually the entire Proteas T20 World Cup squad having been rested for the five-match T20I series in New Zealand, the current national T20 squad consists of players that have primarily cut their teeth in SA20. This has given Conrad a first-hand opportunity to work with young batters such as Connor Esterhuizen (MI Cape Town) and Rubin Hermann (Paarl Royals), who have both starred in SA20 the last couple of years. Unfortunately, Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s rising star Jordan Hermann tweaked a hamstring in the series opener whilst fielding and was subsequently…

One of South Africa’s popular e-hailing platforms, Uber, has announced that it will phase out its UberX service from September 1, 2026, with notifications sent to users in Johannesburg. However, it remains unclear whether the change will be implemented in other parts of the country. UberX is a standard ride option on the platform, typically used for everyday trips in non-premium vehicles. It sits between entry-level services like Uber Go and higher-tier options such as Uber Comfort and Uber Black. According to an email sent to drivers on Tuesday which IOL has seen, the company said the move forms part of a broader update to its product structure aimed at simplifying ride categories and improving clarity for both drivers and riders. "We’re making an important update to how products…

South Africa’s efforts to contain the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) received a boost this week as additional vaccine supplies were secured, while the Gauteng Division of the High Court declined to grant urgent relief sought by agricultural groups challenging government control over vaccine distribution. The Department of Agriculture on Tuesday announced that approval had been reached for millions more vaccines against FMD. However, Sakeliga, Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), and Free State Agriculture appeared in Gauteng Division of the High court to interdict the government's obstruction of private-sector procurement and administration of FMD vaccines. Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, welcomed the swift intervention by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) to expedite the importation of six million Dollvet vaccine doses to combat FMD. “This follows…

South Africa’s semigration boom is shifting, as homebuyers prioritise reliable infrastructure, service delivery and job opportunities over coastal appeal. Buyers are being more pragmatic, focusing on long-term sustainability rather than lifestyle, according to Stephan Potgieter, chief executive officer of BetterHome Group Mortgage Origination and BetterBond. “The initial pandemic-driven ‘lifestyle’ rush to the coast has been replaced by a more strategic, service-driven model,” Potgieter said. Potgieter added that “buyers are no longer just looking for a view; they are looking for functional infrastructure, efficient service delivery, financial sustainability, educational opportunities and, increasingly, career longevity”. Separate data from Statistics South Africa shows economic opportunity remains the primary driver of relocation, with 28.1% of internal migrants moving for work. Gauteng continues to attract the largest share of internal migrants, with 4.6 million lifetime…

Last week Saturday we commemorated Human Rights Day. Many reflected not only on how far we have come since the dark days of apartheid, but also on how far we still must go. “Uhuru” or freedom remains an aspiration rather than a lived reality for many. For thousands of South Africans on the frontlines of climate change, true freedom is still out of reach. Climate change is not only an environmental crisis; it is a constraint on human rights and freedoms. The promise of dignity, equality, and security enshrined in Section 24 of our Constitution rings hollow in communities where floods have washed away homes, livelihoods, and resulted in many lives lost. The Constitution guarantees environmental rights, ensuring everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to…

Tharisa plc has secured additional financing facilities from HSBC and Absa Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), with the new capital advances expected to shore up the South African miner’s trade finance activities. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) has availed $30 million for the mining, metals, and innovation company dual-listed on the Johannesburg and London stock exchange while South African banking group Absa advanced $15m with an accordion of a similar amount. HSBC and Absa CIB are existing financiers for Tharisa, and the new trade finance facilities are expected to provide greater flexibility, improve working capital efficiency, and enhance Tharisa’s trading capabilities. “Securing these enhanced trade finance facilities strengthens our balance sheet resilience and optimises our working capital flows. The additional flexibility allows us to unlock further value in…

Weddings may still celebrate love and commitment, but the rules around them have shifted. Today’s ceremonies are more personal, more intentional, and often more carefully planned than ever before. From RSVPs to social media, small missteps can quickly turn into major frustrations for couples. Here’s what you need to know to avoid becoming that guest. RSVP: Not optional Responding to a wedding invitation promptly is one of the simplest and most important things you can do. A delayed RSVP can disrupt seating plans, catering numbers and budgets. Aim to reply within a week, even if you’re unsure. Don’t assume you can bring a plus-one unless it’s clearly stated, and if children aren’t included on the invitation, it’s likely an adults-only event. Think before you post Social media has changed how…

Award-winning actress Moitheri “Terry” Pheto and ex-National Lotteries Commission (NLC) chairperson Professor Alfred Nevhutanda have been fingered by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) as the beneficiaries of a R20.56 million circumcision project. The SIU’s senior manager responsible for the probe into the NLC, Mashudu Netshikweta, told the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition yesterday that a company known as Zibsimode received R20.56m for the circumcision project, but it was not used for its intended purposes. Instead, the project allegedly benefitted Pheto, who was the lead actress in Tsotsi, Nevhutanda, businessman Malwandla Siweya, and former NLC chief operations officer Phillemon Letwaba. The SIU has previously stated that Zibsimode received grant funding of over R20m from the NLC for the rollout of a public campaign and culturally sensitive medical…

The son of late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, and his co-accused, Tobias Mugabe Matonhodze, will spend more nights behind bars as their case has been postponed once again. The case was postponed because the State says it has not finalised plea agreements. The pair appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, where it reportedly emerged that no plea agreement has yet been reached between the State and the defence. Prosecutors reportedly indicated dissatisfaction with the terms proposed by the defence. The matter has been postponed until April 17 for further investigation. The two will remain in custody. The case has faced multiple postponements since proceedings began, with the most recent delay having been caused by a power outage. Last week, the accused abandoned their…

For more than three decades, a Cape Town man who endured abuse as a child carried a burden of shame, anger and doubt. On Monday, that changed when he finally got closure. The Wynberg Court found former teacher Iain Wares guilty in a historic child abuse case, bringing a measure of closure for the complainant, known as “Stephen”, whose testimony was accepted despite a delay of 35 years. “I have waited 35 years for this day. I am overwhelmed and have a sense of relief from the shame, anger and doubt that has bottled up due to this teacher’s abuse he left me with. I can now prioritise my healing and peace for my family,” he said. Wares is also facing extradition to Scotland where he is supposed to face…

As thousands of South Africans prepare to hit the roads for the Easter and Passover long weekend, KwaZulu-Natal authorities have declared a state of high alert, deploying over 3 500 officers to curb road carnage and criminal activity. MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, recently launched the province’s road safety campaign at the Umdloti RTI Centre, signalling a “no-nonsense” approach to law enforcement under the banner of Operation Nenzani La Ezweni. The provincial government has pulled out all the stops, deploying 3 483 law enforcement officers and 105 national traffic police to man the province’s busiest corridors. The operation, which will run until May 3, 2026, includes a gruelling schedule of: 148 multidisciplinary roadblocks. 80 roadblocks dedicated specifically to drunk driving. 118 speed operations in high-accident zones. 17…

During the Sharks’ 45-0 demolition of Munster last week, there was a special moment for young lock Emile van Heerden, who scored a superb try when he took a crisp pass from Grant Williams. It was special because it was a reward for a player who has almost literally been crippled with knee and shoulder injuries since coming to the Sharks as a Junior Springbok four years ago. Van Heerden, the son of former Springbok lock Fritz, seemed to have a career to the top mapped out for him, but each time he came back from an injury, he would suffer another setback. As a result, the tag “up-and-coming youngster” has stuck. “My career has taken a different path because of things I could not control,” the Paarl Boys’ High…

The final line-up for the 2026 World Cup will be decided over the next week, with 16 teams competing for the last four places allocated to European countries. Twelve runners-up from the qualifying groups and four teams that earned spots through their Uefa Nations League results have a second chance to punch their ticket to football's global showpiece. Here, we look at the four play-off routes that will determine the remaining qualifiers for the first 48-team World Cup. Path A Four-time World Cup winners Italy face immense pressure as they attempt to qualify for a first appearance at the tournament since 2014. After lifting the trophy in 2006, Italy’s record at the World Cup has been dire. They suffered two successive group-stage exits before missing out entirely on the 2018…