Inhoudsopgave van 2026-04-16 - Mercury

Borrowing facility marks significant step in strengthening SA capital markets and support for private sector growth The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Citigroup have signed a R1.6 billion borrowing facility aimed at expanding access to local currency financing in South Africa, marking a significant step toward strengthening the country’s capital markets and supporting private sector growth. Announced in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings, the agreement forms part of the broader efforts by the World Bank Group to deepen financial systems in emerging markets by reducing reliance on foreign currency funding. As global economic uncertainty persists, initiatives like the IFC-Citi facility highlight the growing importance of partnerships that blend development objectives with private sector expertise — a model that could shape the future…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended South Africa’s economic management, highlighting the country’s resilience in the face of mounting global uncertainties and regional risks. South Africa has faced a series of economic challenges in recent years, including energy constraints, fiscal pressures, and weak growth. However, the government has implemented a range of reforms aimed at stabilising public finances, improving governance in State-owned enterprises, and addressing structural bottlenecks. IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva on Tuesday shared positive feedback following high-level discussions with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) Governor Lesetja Kganyago, where discussions focused on economic risks facing both South Africa and the broader region. According to Georgieva, South Africa’s economy is showing increased resilience in the face of mounting global uncertainty, even as the IMF…

Debt experts have raised concerns that escalating fuel prices, food costs and inflation are placing severe financial strain on South African consumers, forcing many to rely increasingly on credit to make ends meet. Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue, on Wednesday said the pressure facing households has become widespread and more intense, affecting multiple areas of daily spending at once. “The pressure is no longer isolated to one or two expense categories. It is widespread, persistent, and intensifying," Roets said. "Fuel price increases, higher electricity tariffs, and ongoing food inflation are all hitting households at the same time, creating a perfect storm for financial strain.” Roets added that the fuel and electricity price hikes that came into effect on 1 April 2026 have already proven to be devastating on consumer…

“Every success is a mosaic of invisible contributions; we are shaped by the communities we’re part of, opportunities we are given, and the generosity of others.” These words, attributed to Simon Alexander Ong, came to mind during my recent Easter trip back home. Away from the city lights and hurried pace of Johannesburg, I was reminded of something both simple and profound: the enduring power of community in shaping not only individuals, but entire local economies. There is a particular pride that comes with returning to one’s roots; a quiet, grounding awareness of where one comes from and who helped along the way. In South Africa, especially across rural areas and townships, community is not an abstract idea; it is a living, breathing ecosystem. It is found in the informal…

Many African countries, which have fast-growing energy markets and mines and industries in far-flung rural areas, have expressed interest in the potential development of South African-manufactured pebble bed modular reactors (PBMRs), according to Stratek Holdings chairman, nuclear physicist, and former chairman of the South African Nuclear Corporation, Dr Kelvin Kemm. Centurion-based Stratek Holdings was formed by a small group of nuclear scientists and engineers who are at the stage where they are ready to build a much-improved version of the earlier PBMR that was pioneered by South Africa in the early 2000s. The development of this reactor was put on “hold” after international financiers withdrew from the project because of the global financial crisis of 2008. Since then, a number of PBMRs have been developed by other countries. Stratek’s HTMR-100…

Jostling for positions within the ANC in eThekwini has been blamed for the rising tensions between leaders of the region and ANC eThekwini councillors. According to internal ANC sources, the eThekwini region recently tried to remove two senior party councillors from their positions. The political office bearers that nearly faced the chop include Nkosenhle Madlala, the chairperson of the Governance and Human Resources Committee, and Zama Sokhabase, chairperson of the Community and Emergency Services Committee within the eThekwini Municipality. However, the attempt was blocked by provincial and national leaders. The move to oust the pair came after they were summoned by the eThekwini region recently to explain how their departments had employed people to work, including part-time jobs during the festive season. The Mercury reported that the two councillors had…

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has dismissed the testimony of the late Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D, who testified that Mkhwanazi helped dispose of the body of suspected thief Emmanuel Mbense in 2022. During his testimony yesterday at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, Mkhwanazi claimed Van der Merwe’s evidence, that he ordered the body to be thrown into a dam in Brakpan, was untrue. Van der Merwe, who was shot dead on the driveway of his Brakpan home on December 5, 2025, testified last year that his bakkie was used to transport the body. He told the commission that when Mbense’s body was being loaded into his bakkie, “Julius was still in the yard supervising the whole issue of disposing of the body”.…

Coach Desiree Ellis believes her team is still a work in progress, despite the 1-0 victory over Algeria at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu in the first of two international friendlies on Tuesday. Bafana will face the Desert Foxes again in the second clash of the two-match series at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi tomorrow. Mamelodi Sundowns striker Nthabiseng Majiya found the back of the net in the 35th minute with a delightful goal from the edge of the penalty box, giving the Algerian goalkeeper no chance. “Look, it wasn’t an easy game. We haven’t played together as a team since last year. We had some players who played at Cosafa but not all of them, so it was very important to get some minutes under the belt,”…

AmaZulu FC head into a high-stakes Betway Premiership clash against Orlando Pirates on Saturday knowing that their push for a top-five finish could be tested to its absolute limit by one of the most dangerous sides in the country. Usuthu’s season has been a mixture of grit and frustration in recent weeks, coming off two draws against Sekukhune United and Siwelele, but they remain firmly in the hunt for a strong finish. Sitting in the top half of the table, every point now carries extra weight as they chase a Top 3 finish that would mark a respectable end to their campaign and provide a platform for next season. However, standing in their way is a Pirates side with far more immediate pressure on their shoulders. The Soweto giants are…

When a head coach chooses to overhaul virtually his entire backroom staff less than two months – and only one series – prior to a T20 World Cup, it is hard to believe that all is well within the team. The timing of Monday’s removal of Baakier Abrahams (batting coach), Bongani Ndaba (fielding coach), and Zane Webster (strength and conditioning coach) from the Proteas Women’s set-up certainly came as a surprise. All three are highly professional and skilled in their respective fields, with Abrahams (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Ndaba (Pretoria Capitals), and Webster (MI Cape Town) even being seconded to Betway SA20 men’s franchises during the women’s off-season. The trio played an integral role in the Proteas Women’s team reaching successive ICC T20 World Cup finals, while Webster was also part…

The Durban High Court will be the scene of tense hearings Thursday and Friday as stakeholders including the government and Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) try to block the final liquidation of South Africa’s biggest sugar producer Tongaat Hulett. The company entered business rescue in 2022 after years of financial distress caused by accounting irregularities, debt overload, and operational losses. Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) were appointed to restructure the debt and find investors to recapitalise the company, and the Vision Group was chosen. But this stalled over funding guarantees and compliance conditions, and as the liquidity position worsened and creditors pressed for repayment, resulting in the BRPs filing for liquidation in early 2026. The BRPs said in their latest update on the business rescue that until March 31, 2026, Tongaat continued…

What started out as a geopolitical problem is now affecting energy markets, transportation systems, fertilizer supply, and, eventually, the price of producing food on a global scale. According to recent freight market data, the global supply chain is under increasing pressure. Cost pressures are increasing more quickly than the system can handle this, which will ultimately result in high food prices and an increase in food insecurity, particularly in Africa, Asia, and some parts of the Americas. About 30% of fertilizer, 20% of oil, 25% of liquid nitrogen gas, and 45% of sulphur pass via the Strait of Hormuz. These vital inputs are currently severely blocked. Fertilizer is at the center of the disturbance. According to World Bank data, fertilizer prices have skyrocketed globally as of March 2026. Diammonium phosphate…

With the introduction of a new compulsory VAT registration threshold on 1 April, South Africa's small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are at a crucial crossroads. The limit has now been raised from R1 million to R2.3 million, prompting many business owners to reconsider their VAT registration status. While this change is aimed at relieving the compliance burden for SMEs, the decision to deregister or remain a VAT vendor is not as straightforward as it may appear. For many, the instinct might be to deregister, spurred by the promise of reduced administrative obligations and potential cost savings. However, experts from SME funder Lula stress that business owners should approach this significant decision with caution. “The threshold increase is a positive move in reducing administrative pressure on SMEs,” said Shaheeda Solomon, Finance…

Africa is at a pivotal moment in its hospitality sector, as the continent’s hotel development pipeline reached an unprecedented milestone. With 675 hotels and resorts in various stages of development, translating into 123,846 rooms, investment in the hospitality industry has surged by 18.6% year-on-year. The growth is primarily driven by a booming tourism sector, with international arrivals rising by 8% in 2025, translating to the continent to welcome around 81 million visitors according to the United Nations Tourism. “We’re not seeing global capital flowing into African hospitality. Investment in this region is driven by local and national players, within their own countries,” said Daniel Trappler, Senior Director of Development for Southern and Eastern Africa at Radisson Hotel Group. Local capital is increasingly emanating from pension funds rather than individual private…

South Africa’s economy showed renewed momentum in March, with the PayInc Economic Index recording a strong monthly increase, but economists warn that escalating geopolitical tensions could derail the fragile recovery. The index, compiled by PayInc, rose by 0.9% month-on-month to reach 104.7 in March, placing it 4.6% higher than a year ago. The indicator tracks the value of electronic transactions processed through PayInc, offering a high-frequency snapshot of economic activity. According to Shergeran Naidoo, head of stakeholder engagements at PayInc, the latest reading reflects improving activity across the economy. However, he cautioned that the gains should be viewed in context. Elize Kruger, an independent economist, said that the latest developments signal strong momentum for the first quarter of 2026. “It is evident that the cumulative impact of the tailwinds supporting…

The ANC’s national leadership has finally removed Jeff Radebe as the convener of the party in KwaZulu-Natal, following the failure to revive the structures in the province ahead of this year's local government elections. Making the announcement at a media briefing yesterday, the party’s Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula announced Radebe’s removal and that he would be replaced by Mike Mabuyakhulu as part of a reconfigured Provincial Task Team (PTT). Radebe was removed together with his deputy, Weziwe Thusi, as well as Nomusa Dube, who was deputy coordinator. Dube is now a Higher Education Deputy Minister and has moved to Pretoria. She was appointed last year when President Cyril Ramaphosa fired Dr Nobuhle Nkabane as Higher Education Minister. Mbalula also announced former eThekwini mayor and SACP provincial chairperson James Nxumalo as a…

In a groundbreaking judgment, the Labour Appeal Court found that calling someone a “white racist” does not, in itself, constitute racism. The court ordered Namaqua Wines to reinstate Vuyani Qomoyi, finding that his dismissal in 2021 for allegedly “displaying racist behaviour” was substantively unfair. This is after the Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union (CSAAWU), acting on behalf of Qomoyi, appealed the Labour Court judgment which had confirmed his dismissal. Qomoyi, a shop steward, was fired because he had referred to his superior, a Mr Meyer, as a white racist. “Being referred to by one’s racial classification cannot on its own amount to racist tendencies,” Acting Judge GN Moshoana remarked. Qomoyi, while busy with his duties, was called by Meyer to accompany him to the Human Resources Office. The…

Sooner or later, there will be no one to speak for us Even though I do not know the depth of allegations against Professors Sakhela Buhlungu and Nokuthula Sibiya, their cases may well fall smack in this category of flimsy allegations. The Zondo and Madlanga Commissions have helped to lay bare “state capture” in South Africa. With some of it being dramatised on TV through many witnesses, only a few could claim not to know what it is. On March 23, USAf held a seminal webinar on institutional governance, focusing on what was termed ‘institutional capture’ in the higher education sector. Evidently, state capture is what inspired this webinar. The jury is still out on what ‘institutional capture’, if separate from ‘state capture’, really is. There is ample evidence, though,…

Mamelodi Sundowns are on the verge of reaching back-to-back CAF Champions League finals, fueling strong belief within the squad that they can finally win the coveted crown this season. Sundowns will face Espérance in the Champions League semi-final second leg at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off). The South Africans will head into the match high on confidence – they hold a solid advantage with a clean sheet and an away goal after a 1-0 win in the first leg in Tunis last Sunday. The Brazilians’ win, which came courtesy of Brayan Leone’s goal, was also historic. It was the first time they beat Espérance away in the knockout stage of the competition in three successive matches. The initial first-leg meeting ended in a 1-0 win for…

England’s Test captain Ben Stokes has described himself as fortunate to have avoided more serious consequences after sustaining a facial injury earlier this year, as he continues his recovery with an eye on the upcoming international season. Stokes sustained a broken right cheekbone and several facial injuries in February after being hit by a cricket ball while training with Durham’s academy players. The freak accident occurred while Stokes was coaching; he was struck by a ball hit by 18-year-old Robbie Bowman after momentarily turning his head. The 34-year-old subsequently underwent surgery and is now close to returning to competitive cricket. Opening up about the incident, Stokes admitted the outcome could have been far worse. “Pretty nasty but, funnily, probably the best result of a bad situation, to be honest. I…

A sharp decline in South Africa’s white maize prices has drawn mixed reactions from across the agricultural sector and consumer groups, highlighting a growing divide between relief for households and rising pressure on farmers. According to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, white maize spot prices have dropped by 39% year-on-year, currently trading at around R3,118 per ton. Sihlobo said that among other things, South Africa had a large maize harvest in the 2024-25 production season, but exports were slow in the marketing year that corresponded to this production year. “In essence, we have ample supplies. The outlook for the 2025-26 production season we are in also looks promising, with an expected harvest of 16.5 million tons, down 1% from the previous season…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a decisive shift in how municipalities drive economic growth, placing small businesses and service delivery at the centre of efforts to rebuild local economies. Delivering the keynote address at the 2026 National Local Economic Development (LED) Summit in Ekurhuleni on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said municipalities must reposition themselves as “incubators of economic activity” rather than passive administrators. The summit follows the recent South Africa Investment Conference, which secured R890 billion in pledges. However, Ramaphosa stressed that investment ultimately materialises at local level. “When investors build their business in our country, they don’t set up factories… in front of the Union Buildings,” he said. “This investment takes place in metros, cities, towns and villages,” Ramaphosa said. He warned that weak governance continues to undermine economic potential,…

The general success rate for business funding applications in South Africa remains low, with industry estimates suggesting that fewer than one in three applications are ultimately approved. In South Africa’s constrained funding environment, where many of the capital providers can be too selective and risk-conscious, knowing how to pitch your business funding application is important. Too often, funding pitches focus on the urgency of needing capital rather than clearly articulating why the business is investable, scalable and able to repay – or grow – the funding over time, which is where many otherwise viable businesses fall short. As a starting point, identify your preferred financiers and take time to really understand their application process and what they are assessing. At Business Partners Limited, for example, the funding process is structured…

South Africa’s mining sector delivered a strong start to 2026, with production rising sharply in February, but underlying weaknesses and external risks continue to cloud the industry’s outlook. According to Statistics South Africa, mining production increased by 9.7% year-on-year in February, building on a 5% rise recorded in January. According to the Minerals Council South Africa, the surge was largely driven by platinum group metals (PGMs) and increased demand linked to China’s stockpiling strategy. PGMs were the standout performer, expanding by more than 50% year-on-year and contributing the bulk of the overall increase. However, this growth was partly attributed to a low base in 2025 rather than a sustained structural shift in demand. At the same time, the Minerals Council said China’s efforts to secure supplies of critical steelmaking inputs—including…

Two former SAPS dog handlers said it was their duty to impart their knowledge and skill set when they assisted the Durban Metro Police K9 unit with training. On Tuesday, 13 newly trained K9 handlers began their duties after a passing-out parade in Durban. They had undergone four months of intensive training. This brings the total number of K9 unit personnel to 20, improving the Metro Police’s ability to respond to crime, protect communities and restore public confidence. The eThekwini Municipality stated that the new handlers demonstrated their skills in detecting drugs, tracking suspects, and combating illegal activities. Fazal Rajak, 61, a former lieutenant-colonel in the SAPS and dog handler with 30 years of policing experience, said he jumped at the opportunity to train the dog handlers because it was…

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to appoint Roelf Meyer as South Africa’s ambassador to the US is not merely a poor diplomatic choice. It is a shameful, pathetic, and deeply humiliating act of surrender that confirms what many of us have long suspected: the true liberation of the black majority was deliberately derailed three decades ago and is now being openly auctioned off to US imperialism and the protection of white privilege. History has no empty pages, and those of us who lived through the transition know the truth intimately. During the CODESA negotiations, I served as national spokesperson of the ANC and as a junior member of the ANC’s negotiating team. From close quarters – attending sessions, observing side meetings, and monitoring the daily interactions between the delegations – I…

Barcelona’s dream of Uefa Champions League glory was dashed for a second successive season, but once again they will hope the bitter experience can spark their burgeoning young talent to deliver next term. This faith in the youth brigade – spearheaded by teenager Lamine Yamal – is what they are left clinging to following Tuesday’s quarter-final exit at the hands of La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid. It is a case of déjà vu after last season’s defeat by Inter Milan in the semi-finals. “It’s tough because everyone really believed that we could make it happen today,” said Barca coach Hansi Flick, following Tuesday’s match, which Barcelona won 2-1 but went out 3-2 on aggregate. “We will analyse everything. When something like that happens, players must make the next step. "We…

Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee says his good friend and long-standing roommate, Ruan Nortje, agonised over his decision to leave the Bulls for a club in Japan. Nortje is a quintessential Bull – he went to school in Pretoria at Hoërskool Wonderboom, supported the Blue Bulls growing up, joined the Bulls age group system out of school, and to date has played almost 150 games for the senior team since 2018. Nortje captained the Bulls in their URC finals in 2024 and 2025. Last week, Bulls fans were shocked by the out-of-the-blue revelation that Nortje will join the Kobe Steelers in Japan. They were still getting over the news that another star player, David Kriel, is leaving for La Rochelle. “I’ve been his roommate for the past six years,” Coetzee said,…

The future of Port Natal bowls was on full display this past weekend at Queens Bowling Club, where the district’s top Under-25 players delivered a thrilling showcase of talent, determination and sportsmanship in their singles championship event. Spectators were treated to a weekend of high-quality bowls as our young bowlers battled through sectional rounds and knockout stages in pursuit of championship honours. Among the standout stories was the remarkable performance of the two youngest competitors in the field, 11-year-old Miah Ertekes of Stella Park and 13-year-old Megan Botes from Amanzimtoti. Both showed maturity beyond their years as they faced older, more experienced opponents with confidence and grit. Ertekes, in particular, impressed by winning her section before narrowly losing her quarter-final to eventual champion Jarred Bauristhene. Her composure and competitive spirit,…