Table of contents for 2026-04-23 in Mercury

A momentary boost was given to global markets after United States (US) President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran. The US blockade of the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz is set to remain in place, which keeps concerns over oil supply firmly on the table. Trump said the ceasefire would last until such a time as Tehran could submit a ‘unified proposal’ to end the war. Brent crude oil prices remained elevated as it tested the $100/barrel level yesterday morning, with market analysts taking a cautious approach. It dropped slightly as the day went on to about $98 per barrel. Neil Wilson, Saxo UK Investor strategist said, “The direction of travel is what matters here, and the extension of the ceasefire…

Consumer price inflation (CPI) data released yesterday indicated a slight increase to 3,1% in March 2026 from 3,0% in February 2026. Economists have warned that the slight increase is calm before the storm and inflation could spike from this month due to rising oil and fuel prices caused by Middle East tensions. Stats SA said that annual consumer price inflation was 3,1% in March 2026, up from 3,0% in February 2026. “The CPI increased by 0,6% month-on-month in March 2026.” John Loos, an independent economist, said that Headline CPI (Consumer Price Index) inflation in March accelerated slightly. “The Housing and Utilities CPI was the biggest single driver of overall CPI inflation, increasing its contribution due to a residential rental inflation acceleration." Investec chief economist Annabel Bishop said that March’s CPI…

South Africa’s economic narrative is increasingly framed around renewal, with a push to reposition the country as competitive, modern, and investment-ready. Recent investment momentum, alongside the government’s emphasis on the so-called “3Ds” - digitisation, decarbonisation and diversification - signals a clear ambition to reshape the economy for a changing global landscape. Yet beneath this optimism lies a more complex and uneasy reality. South Africa is not merely navigating a transition on the one hand and seeking to attract trade and investment on the other; it is confronting a polycrisis in disguise. While digitisation, decarbonisation and diversification are often framed as solutions, they can equally become a web of interconnected risks that, if poorly managed, may reinforce one another and undermine the very gains the country seeks to achieve. 3Ds and…

Each year, South Africans commemorate Freedom Day as a reminder of the country’s journey toward democracy, dignity, and the right to choose one’s path. The 2026 theme, “Freedom and the Rule of Law: Thirty Years of Democratic Citizenship,” invites deeper reflection. It shifts the conversation beyond political liberation to the systems that sustain it, and the role citizens play in shaping the country’s future. In this context, freedom extends beyond the right to vote. It includes the ability to participate meaningfully in the economy, to exercise agency, and to build sustainable livelihoods. This reframing is especially urgent in South Africa, where the official unemployment rate remains above 31%, and youth unemployment exceeds 46%, leaving millions excluded from formal work despite democratic rights. Within these conditions, entrepreneurship becomes more than an…

A TikTok video posted recently by South African content creator Michelle Sekwena has reignited urgent conversations across social media. Viewers noticed that her breast size appears to have returned close to its pre-surgery size, nearly a year after she underwent a breast reduction procedure. Across social media, South Africans, particularly women, are asking the same question: “Can breasts grow back after a reduction?” For many, Sekwena’s visible regrowth has turned a viral personal journey into a national health conversation about rare medical conditions, surgical outcomes, and the realities of living with gigantomastia. Sekwena, now 25, first captured public attention in 2023 when she began documenting the rapid and painful growth of her breasts, a change that transformed her body in a matter of months. According to a previous interview, she…

A GOOD non-fictional book is one that would be interesting, thought-provoking, and give the reader joy, enlightenment and illumination. In many instances, it would add to the reader's pursuit of wisdom and knowledge, and provide invaluable advice, guidance and assistance. I was recently blessed with two books, which I recommend to avid and casual readers. The first one is Fast Facts on False Teachings, by Ron Carlson and Ed Decker. The co-authors are renowned authorities on cults and have combined their extensive knowledge to provide quick and clear facts on major cults and false teachings. They cover issues such as atheism, Freemasonary, New Age, evolution, Satanism and Mormonism. They provide powerful insights that will help people ensnared by falsity and deception. The second book is The Top 100 Questions, by…

The embattled sugarcane industry in KwaZulu-Natal may soon receive a significant lifeline with the announcement of a proposed R17 billion bioethanol plant “earmarked” to be built in the province. A global agricultural company, UPL, has revealed plans to construct this facility, which could provide much-needed support to the thousands of sugarcane farmers whose livelihoods are under threat due to the financial difficulties faced by the sugar giant Tongaat Hulett. Tongaat Hulett is currently facing the threat of liquidation, raising concerns among local farmers. Earlier this month, during an investment conference held in Gauteng, various companies made pledges for investments in South Africa, with UPL’s commitment being a highlight of the event. In a statement from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, it was noted that the investment, amounting to…

South Africa’s livestock industry is sounding the alarm, warning that the government’s current “slow-motion” approach to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a recipe for failure that threatens food security and thousands of agricultural jobs. Industry experts and farmers are now calling for a “wartime” mobilisation to vaccinate 14 million cattle within a strict six-to-eight-week window, a feat they say is the only proven way to achieve herd immunity and crush the virus. They noted that during a briefing to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture on Tuesday, Department of Agriculture Deputy Director-General Dipepeneneng Serage admitted his dissatisfaction with the pace of the rollout. Despite the urgency, the committee learned that the government has procured 4 million doses and plans to procure another 7 million, but there is a distinct lack of detail…

Police in KwaZulu-Natal have issued a warning to protestors to remain within the bounds of the law, as marches calling for an end to illegal immigration continue across parts of the province. In the past week, the March and March movement has been holding clean-up campaigns in the Durban CBD but has clashed with foreign nationals. It has been reported that members of the movement had been demanding identification documents from foreign nationals and proof they were in the country legally. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said officers had monitored several protests in Durban and surrounding areas, noting growing concerns over incidents of intimidation and alleged criminal activity captured in videos circulating on social media. “While the right to protest is enshrined in the Constitution, it must not infringe…

World number one Jannik Sinner said Tuesday his principal aim as he prepares for the Madrid Open is to be in the "best possible shape" for Roland Garros next month as he seeks to complete a career Grand Slam. The 24-year-old won his first major title on clay earlier this month as he downed rival Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the Monte Carlo Masters final. Next he turns his attentions to the 1000-level event in Madrid as the clay-court season ramps up towards the only Grand Slam tournament Sinner has not yet won — Roland Garros, which will run from May 24 to June 7. "I never played very well here, so let's see how it goes this year," Sinner, who has never got past the quarter-final stage in…

Orlando Pirates continue to mirror the vision, philosophy and policy of the club, but their ambition to dominate across the board has left little to chance both on and off the pitch. They assembled a strong squad this season and made it count, winning a cup double – the MTN8 and Carling Knockout – while remaining in contention for the Betway Premiership title. However, despite the excitement around the new signings, only Sipho Mbule and Abdoulaye Mariko have previously won league titles at other clubs, bringing experience alongside veteran Deon Hotto. That lack of title-winning experience has recently been exposed, with Pirates dropping crucial points at home to Siwelele and away to Richards Bay respectively. Those slip-ups left visible frustration on the faces of the technical team and players, as…

There were no overt celebrations when the beleaguered Somalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan blew the final whistle at Loftus Versveld on Saturday afternoon. Besides captain Ronwen Williams’ fist pumping and embrace of left-back Divine Lunga, the celebrations from the rest of the Mamelodi Sundowns players were rather muted. For a team accustomed to winning, it was almost routine, with all the players tamely congratulating each along with coach Miguel Cardoso. It was not until chairman Tlhopie Motsepe came down from his VIP enclosure to join the players on the field did the celebrations get into some sort of a festive mood with the squad saluting the sold out crowd that came out to support the Masawandana. But this was no ordinary victory. Sundowns had kept four-times CAF Champions League winners…

Capitec’s annual financial results showcase its rapid growth into a highly contested and relatively new initiative by the bank: business banking. Business banking gained strong momentum as more entrepreneurs and small businesses responded to their value proposition built on low fees, strong service, and faster credit approvals, CEO Graham Lee said at the release of annual results for the year to February 28. Capitec first announced its plans to enter the business banking market in 2019. Since then, there has been a wave of new initiatives, such as Tymebank Business launched in 2023, Bank Zero's app-based business banking, and Lulalend expanding from SME lending into full-service digital banking. Other major banks—Standard Bank, FNB, Absa, and Nedbank—have also all enhanced their business banking offerings. Capitec’s results yesterday showed that businesses and…

South Africa’s new vehicle market has roared into 2026 with renewed momentum, surpassing a key milestone for the first time in a decade as improving economic conditions boost consumer and business confidence. Data reported to the Automotive Business Council (naamsa) shows that combined vehicle sales for January and February reached 103,918 units, marking a strong 9.8% increase from the 94,632 units recorded during the same period in 2025. The performance represents the first time since 2015 that cumulative sales have exceeded the 100,000 mark by the end of February. In March, aggregate domestic vehicle sales climbed to 58,060 units, marking a 17.3% increase compared to the same period last year. According to Lightstone Auto data analyst Andrew Hibbert, the early-year surge signals a significant recovery in the domestic automotive sector.…

Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille has emphasized the importance of tourism as a pillar of the South African economy. She spoke in a webinar with the eThekwini Mayor and KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) on Wednesday on the readiness for the 2026 Africa Travel Indaba taking place in Durban from 12-14 May. De Lille said that they want stronger continental collaboration and increased investment in the sector ahead of Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026. “His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa will open the trade show this year. Tourism is not merely a sector, but a powerful economic lever capable of delivering immediate, inclusive, and geographically distributed impact across the country.” De Lille said this webinar forms part of their ongoing efforts to keep stakeholders informed, aligned, and…

Many South Africans see entrepreneurship as a fast-track to economic freedom, however in reality, many local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) must operate against formidable odds. Fortunately, there are a range of entrepreneurship support initiatives available to level the playing field. These support initiatives come in various forms, ranging from targeted public-sector funding programmes to technology-driven private-sector fintech solutions. Below are just some of the initiatives that have the potential to play a crucial role in so many South African entrepreneurial success stories. n The Tourism Equity Fund (TEF) The Tourism Equity Fund (TEF) Tourism remains one of South Africa’s most labour-intensive sectors, yet access to capital has long been a barrier for many black-owned and emerging tourism businesses. The Tourism Equity Fund was created to address this gap by…

DHL Supply Chain is strengthening its transport-led logistics capabilities in South Africa following approval to acquire three companies from the Vital Group, a move aimed at enhancing distribution networks and supporting customer growth across the country’s diverse retail landscape. The deal, cleared without conditions by the Competition Tribunal earlier this month, includes Vital Distribution Solutions, Staffing Logistics and Vital Fleet. The businesses will continue operating as subsidiaries of DHL Supply Chain, maintaining their existing customer relationships and regional presence. DHL forms part of a global transport and logistics group offering a broad range of third-party services across multiple sectors. Its activities span international and domestic express delivery, import and export services, e-commerce solutions and specialised services such as on-demand delivery, hazardous materials handling and customs clearance. The target firms operate…

The Constitutional Court yesterday unanimously ruled that the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) does not have the power to issue binding directives. The Constitutional Court ruled that if the SAHRC’s recommendations are ignored, it, or affected parties, must approach a court for relief on the merits of the matter. The case arises from a finding by the SAHRC that land occupants on the farm De Doorn Hoek (owned by AgroData) should be given free access to borehole water. The Mpumalanga High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal earlier ruled in AgroData’s favour that the finding was not enforceable, but the SAHRC appealed the rulings. In August, the SCA upheld the 2022 decision of the Mpumalanga High Court, stating that the commission does not have the authority to issue…

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has warned that South Africa’s education system is failing to transition young people into work, leaving 3.4 million youth outside of employment, education or training. Speaking at the Inside Education Summit at Gordon Institute of Business Science, Manamela said the country is facing a structural failure rather than a simple unemployment problem. “Our crisis is not only unemployment. It is a crisis of pathways,” he said, adding that the system is not effectively moving young people “from learning into earning”. He described the education system as a “pipeline” that is leaking at multiple points, from early childhood development to post-school training and entry into the labour market. Manamela said the mismatch between training and economic demand is evident in the country’s artisan shortfall.…

Suspended police sergeant Fannie Nkosi has been denied bail in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court. The 42-year-old was arrested earlier this month after a raid on his Pretoria North home. It is the State’s case that he was found with state-owned ammunition and a hand grenade, six case dockets, R50 000 in cash and seven unsecured licensed firearms at his house. He was charged with defeating the ends of justice, theft, unlawful possession of explosives, and multiple counts of failing to safeguard firearms and ammunition. Handing down her judgment on bail yesterday, Magistrate Thandi Theledi said the court had weighed the accused’s constitutional rights, his personal circumstances, the presumption of innocence and the interests of justice. “The interests of justice do not permit the release of the applicant on bail.…

A distinguished jurist who served the people of South Africa with honour and integrity. This is how Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has described late KwaZulu-Natal judge Achmat Naeem Jappie who died yesterday. Judge Jappie, who was retired judge president of the KZN division, died in hospital after a short illness at the age of 70. He was also laid to rest yesterday. In a statement issued by the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ), Chief Justice Maya expressed deep sadness at his passing. Sharing a brief history, the statement said Judge Jappie was born in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape and shortly thereafter moved to Durban. It said he was appointed to the Bench in 1998 and went on to serve the people of South Africa with distinction for more…

A benefit of a rugby writing career as lengthy as mine — it is easier to measure in decades rather than years — is that you get to see it all. A few times. Let me explain. Watching the Sharks lose to the Ospreys in circumstances that were as much of their own making as they were by the Welshmen redefining the expression “by hook or by crook”, my memory went into search mode. Where had I seen a late tackle on a player after he had scored a try? Where had I seen a team suddenly — and dubiously — run out of props and have to “resort” to uncontested scrums? Too many times, and a few of them involved South African teams playing each other, so this is…

He just wants to be on the field — the position he plays in is secondary. For Damian Willemse, it doesn’t matter where the Stormers or Springboks deploy him; as long as he can play and contribute, the utility back is content. Willemse, who has effectively added a fourth role in the backline as a winger, continues to be praised for his versatility. The lingering question, though, is when he will return to one of his more familiar positions at fullback or inside centre for the Cape side. Ahead of a crucial top-of-the-table United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against the Glasgow Warriors in Cape Town on Saturday (1.45pm start), indications suggest Willemse will start at fullback. He is equally comfortable in the No 12 jersey or at flyhalf. Most recently,…

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral has backed current co-coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef to stay at the club beyond the current season, saying they have improved the team in recent months. Chiefs are third in the Betway Premiership standings and pushing for a top-three finish after missing out on domestic trophies, CAF honours, and falling behind in the title race. Given that Chiefs have been in form in recent months, winning five games and drawing their most recent clash in the last six, they seem set for an impressive finish to the season, improving on the last two seasons’ 10th- and ninth-place finishes. However, their future at the club is still uncertain – some feel they have done enough to earn full-time contracts, replacing former head coach…

Commission launches sweeping review of regulations that hinder growth of business activity The Competition Commission has launched a sweeping review of regulations that may be stifling competition and preventing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from entering or expanding in key markets, in a bid to reduce red tape and boost inclusive economic growth. The initiative, announced yesterday, forms part of broader national efforts to improve the ease of doing business and create a more competitive economic environment. It follows calls by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his 2026 State of the Nation Address to streamline regulatory processes and remove unnecessary administrative burdens that hinder business activity. Ramaphosa reaffirmed government’s intention to push ahead with the Business Licensing Bill, despite mounting opposition from business groups, civil society organisations, and small business owners…

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has set an ambitious target to facilitate more than 100,000 job opportunities in the new financial year, placing industrial expansion and investment at the centre of South Africa’s economic recovery strategy. Presenting the department’s Annual Performance Plan (APP) before Parliament’s portfolio committee on trade, industry and competition on Tuesday, Minister Parks Tau said the roadmap builds on the priorities of the 7th administration and seeks to translate policy into tangible economic outcomes. “This APP will outline our priorities for the coming financial year, including placing emphasis on our new industrial policy, our investment targets and our trade relations, emphasising implementation and moving from the foundation we built in the previous financial year,” Tau said. As South Africa seeks to rebuild its…

In a move set to transform the financial landscape for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa, payments provider Ozow has announced a strategic partnership with the SME financial services platform Lula. This collaboration aims to simplify and expand access to much-needed business funding for SMEs that are grappling with economic challenges in the current climate. The partnership introduces a co-branded Ozow-Lula digital interface, allowing eligible businesses within Ozow’s merchant base to apply for funding with ease. The process is designed to be efficient, as applications will be assessed and fulfilled by Lula, leveraging Ozow's extensive payments ecosystem to facilitate access. Rachel Cowan, Ozow's interim CEO, said that the partnership is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting merchants beyond traditional payment solutions. “Our focus has always been…

JSE and UK-listed wealth manager Quilter has reported record net inflows of £3 billion in its first quarter to March 31, largely offset by market movements due to geopolitical events around the quarter end. On the JSE, the share price shot up 5.4% to R42.20 after the release of the quarterly update, a price that was also 28% higher than the price it traded at the same time last year. Group assets under management and administration (AuM) also saw a meaningful uplift to £141,9bn at March 31, 2026, from £119,6bn at the same time last year, due to a recovery in markets in recent weeks from the end March level. “Quilter demonstrated continued strong momentum across its business with core net inflows of £3,1bn in the first quarter, an increase…

Eskom has indicated that it does not expect loadshedding through Winter and it has a positive outlook of energy stability through the period. Eskom said that it enters the 2026 winter season with a resilient power system, projecting a winter period of continued energy stability from April 1 to August 31, 2026. “This positive outlook follows the successful conclusion of the summer period, during which the national grid operated with ongoing sustained reliability. With the Generation Recovery Plan firmly embedded in day‑to‑day operations, Eskom has moved beyond short‑term recovery into a phase of stability and sustained energy security, ensuring that homes, businesses and industries remain powered through the peak winter months.” Eskom added that this stability is underscored by it maintaining a consistent energy supply of 98.9% in the last…

President Cyril Ramaphosa faces growing calls to extend the duration of the Madlanga Commission and expand its scope to probe the emergence of new relationships within criminal networks. The calls for the extension follow allegations made by suspended Mpumalanga Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Daphney Semakaleng Manamela, who claimed that her seniors protect corrupt officers and accept bribes. Ramaphosa has extended the work of the commission to August but crime experts say the extent of criminality and political interference requires the inquiry to sit for years instead of months. Retired Interpol Ambassador Andy Mashaile said the commission should be extended to thoroughly investigate deep-seated criminality and political interference within South Africa’s criminal justice system, saying Manamela’s allegations could be true. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said he would not comment on the…

Thousands of South Africans may have violated the rights of two children after widely sharing a viral video showing them in severe distress moments after their father was shot dead in a road rage incident in Emmarentia, Johannesburg. The footage, circulated extensively on social media, shows the man’s young daughter screaming and crying over her father’s body, while her younger brother, his hands covered in blood, tries desperately to revive him with CPR. William Bird, director of Media Monitoring Africa, said that the sharing of the video raises serious legal and ethical concerns. “Some of the videos being shared clearly violate the rights of the children." “The child is a witness to a serious crime and, for that reason alone, cannot be named or identified. In addition, the child is…

The eThekwini Municipality has hired a water loss control engineer to reduce non-revenue water (NRW), which has cost the city R4.9 billion in losses over three years. In the 2023/24 financial year, the municipality lost R2 billion and R2.9 billion in the 2024/25 financial year. The municipality stated that the approximately 50% water loss arose from ageing and deteriorating infrastructure, uncontrolled and unplanned rapid rural expansion, and illegal connections. Vishal Poona, an engineer and former director at Joat Group — a South African water management company – was introduced to the eThekwini Executive Committee (Exco) on Tuesday. He has been tasked with setting up a team to deal with NRW. At the Exco meeting, the municipality highlighted the ongoing challenge of demand outpacing available supply. This situation is compounded by…

Liam Rosenior has been sacked as Chelsea manager following a run of five successive Premier League defeats, the club announced yesterday. The 41-year-old had only been in charge for just over three months after being lured away from French side Strasbourg which is affiliated to Chelsea's American owners. Chelsea's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton on Tuesday proved the last straw. It is the first time Chelsea have lost five consecutive league games without scoring since 1912, a run which has left them seven points adrift of the Champions League places. "Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with Head Coach Liam Rosenior," read a club statement. "Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment midway through the season. "This has not been…

With Sede Dion still the Betway Premiership top scorer as everyone gather their last strengths for the last stretch, Lamontville Golden Arrows go into their next match against Siwelele FC as feared competitors. Arrows have worked their way into the Top 8 over the past few months and with teams like Durban City losing ground, Manqoba Mngqithi knows there’s blood in the water. Arrows are circling. A few weeks ago, Arrows were humiliated by Orlando Pirates, but the response has been emphatic. Two wins on the bounce back, including a clinical 2-1 victory over Orbit College, have reignited belief. Their win over Durban City before Orbit College was a much more dominant display on football, more especially, it affirmed the dynamics of power within the provincial football landscape. Junior Dion…