Tabla de contenidos para 2025-04-16 en Mercury

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has recently announced pivotal changes that are set to affect the fuel prices across the nation in the upcoming financial years. The regulator has sanctioned a fuel price increase proxy of 5.23 cents per litre (c/ℓ) for the 2025/26 financial year, which will be followed by a further increase of 3.80 c/ℓ in the 2026/27 financial year. This increase primarily addresses the costs associated with transporting fuel from Durban to Johannesburg. The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources will ultimately determine the implementation of these increases, which are expected to allow Transnet to achieve a substantial increase in allowable revenue. Forecasts indicate an 8.73% rise from R7.21 billion in the 2024/25 financial year to R7.84bn in 2025/26. Furthermore, allowable revenue is…

The looming strike of more than 20 000 workers at Transnet has raised concern of industry players about the potential impact it could have on the South African economy and the logistics sector. This comes as discontent is brewing among the members of the United National Transport Union (UNTU) after they declared a deadlock in talks for the 2025/2026 financial year on Monday, rejecting Transnet’s latest wage offer of 6%. In stark contrast, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) has accepted the wage offer, revealing a split within the workforce. UNTU said they found management’s approach to the conciliation process deeply regrettable, especially given the serious socio-economic consequences that industrial action may carry. The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration will issue a certificate of non-resolution, legally…

The stage was set for the highly anticipated Africa CEO Forum 2025 during a media briefing on Tuesday, as Amir Ben Yahmed, President of the Africa CEO Forum, unveiled the theme for this year’s conference. Scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from May 12 to 13, the event aims to gather an assembly of 2 000 CEOs, investors, and public sector leaders hailing from over 75 countries. “In a challenging global economic backdrop marked by rising protectionism, reduced development aid and high debt-serving costs, the Forum will tackle the prospect of a ‘New Deal’ to strengthen the relationship between governments and businesses in Africa,” Yahmed said. “It’s an agenda that reflects the urgent need for innovative approaches to development based on strong governance, incentive-based industrial policies, and reinforced…

The world's leading maker of electric vehicle batteries, Chinese firm CATL, posted a 32.9% jump in first quarter profit, even as demand for electric vehicles slows. The firm produces more than a third of all electric vehicle (EV) batteries sold worldwide, cooperating with major brands including Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen. Founded in 2011 in the eastern Chinese city of Ningde, Contemporary Amperex Technology, Limited (CATL) was initially propelled to success by rapid growth in the domestic market. Net profit in the first quarter was up 32.9% year-on-year to 13.96 billion yuan (R36bn), according to a statement CATL released on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. During the same period, CATL's sales rose by 6.2% year-on-year to 84.7 billion yuan, the filing showed. CATL has been aided by strong financial support from…

The Durban Business Confidence Index (DBCI) reported a notable decline in business confidence, falling from 60.74 in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 56.32 in the first quarter of 2025. This 7% quarter-on-quarter dip marked the second consecutive drop for the index, instigating renewed calls for proactive measures to bolster the local economy. Despite these figures, the overall sentiment among businesspeople remained buoyant, suggesting previous interventions to rehabilitate the city are having a positive impact. The DBCI, which is compiled by the Nzimande Macroeconomics Research Unit at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, serves as a barometer of the business climate, reflecting the sentiment of entrepreneurs and investors about their day-to-day operations. Although the latest figures indicated a decline, the index remained well above the neutral zone of 50 points. On a…

Trying to lose weight and looking for something easy to add to your routine? Then, chia seeds might be your new best friend. These tiny seeds are packed with the good stuff, like fibre, protein, and healthy fats, that can help you feel full, fight off cravings, and stay on track with your goals. They’re super simple to use and can be tossed into just about anything. Whether you’re blending up a smoothie or making a quick snack, chia seeds are an easy win for your weight loss journey. How chia seeds help with weight loss High in fibre for satiety: Chia seeds are incredibly high in soluble fibre. Just two tablespoons contain around 10g of fibre, which is about 35 to 40% of the recommended daily intake. Fibre…

OVER the past few weeks, there has been much debate and commentary on the formulas behind the recent paltry increase in civil service pensions. The 2.9% increase has rightly been rejected by pensioners, as it does not remotely keep pace with the rising cost of essential goods. One reason cited by the Government Employees’ Pension Fund (GEPF) for this wholly inadequate increase – yet largely overlooked in the public discourse – is that a higher increase is simply unaffordable. Pensioners need to recognise this reality. But why is it unaffordable? If the fund were managed strictly in line with its legal mandate, and investments were made by competent and reliable asset managers, there would be no shortfall. The law clearly states that investments must be made to sustain and grow…

The Men’s Health Clinic at Pinetown Clinic, an initiative originally launched as a pilot project has been hailed as a groundbreaking success, drawing thousands of men monthly and improving health outcomes in the community. The project was initiated by the National Department of Health in 2022. Due to the overwhelming demand, the project has been expanded to five other municipal clinics including Chesterville, Mpola, Lamontville, Mzamo and Savanna Park. Mziwamandla Mthembu, Senior Manager for Primary Healthcare in eThekwini Municipality, explained that the programme was developed to address the low turnout of men at primary healthcare facilities. “The numbers of men attending clinics compared to women were very low, and the department wanted to understand why. We started this project in 2022 at Pinetown as a pilot. Because of the growing…

Kylian Mbappe joined Real Madrid in search of Champions League glory, hoping to be on the right side of exactly the kind of magical night they need against Arsenal tonight if they are to progress to the semi-finals. The Gunners lead 3-0 after dismantling the holders in London last week in the quarter-final first leg, leaving Madrid craving the sort of dramatic comeback the 15-time winners are renowned for. Returning from a three-goal defeat would be a step further than anything Los Blancos have managed so far, but that is precisely why they tried to lure Mbappe to the club for years. The French superstar's explosive edge gives Madrid hope of achieving what appears to be borderline impossible. "Of course we can," said Mbappe on his way out of the…

The Sharks must stop Edinburgh by any means necessary to complete a clean sweep in their so-called “Biltong Series” against the South African sides. Over the last two weekends, the Scottish club, with their SA flavour, ended the campaigns of the Bulls and Lions in the EPCR Challenge Cup with wins at the Hive Stadium. They’ve won two of the three clashes against the SA franchises, and now the Durbanites stand between them and a 3-0 feat. They have made their home ground a fortress against the South Africans this season. It’s a different competition, the United Rugby Championship (URC) but Edinburgh will have the same objectives when they face a Springbok-laden Sharks on Friday evening (8.35pm kick-off) in the Scottish capital. How they’ve dealt with the Bulls, who…

MTN is the only publicly invested group in South Africa with a significant investment in Iran MTN chairman Mcebisi Jonas' appointment as the new Special Envoy to the US has been construed by some as possibly the worst move for South Africa, and his past comments of US President Donald Trump being a “racist, homophobe” and “rightwinger” is only half the problem. Jonas' appointment comes after former South Africa's Ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rassool, was recently expelled from the country after criticizing President Donald Trump in public. MTN is the only publicly invested group in South Africa with a significant investment in Iran, holding a 49% stake in the Irancell telecom operator, the second-largest mobile network operator in that country, which is 49% owned by MTN and 51% by…

US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement of sweeping new tariffs on imports from more than 180 countries will be remembered as a man-made economic tsunami. Many are already comparing it to President Herbert Hoover’s 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which slashed global trade by 66% in five years and deepened the Great Depression. Trump’s tariffs – most of which have been abruptly paused for 90 days – have rattled financial markets, prompting analysts to warn that the United States could enter a recession in 2025. The global implications can hardly be underestimated. As the world’s largest economy, the US has an outsize impact on other countries’ exports and growth. Adding to the uncertainty is Trump’s erratic approach to policymaking, which is nurturing doubts about the US dollar’s viability as a…

What is the South African Renewable Enery Masterplan? It is an industrial strategy that sets out how South Africa can set up a new manufacturing industry in renewable energy and battery storage value chains. The masterplan was developed by the government, some sections of organised labour, a non-profit organisation advocating for renewable energy, and representatives of the renewable energy industries. It sets out a framework to produce renewable technologies locally. These include solar photovoltaic panels, wind turbines and batteries. The masterplan has been drawn up so that it aligns with South Africa’s existing national target of adding 3–5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity each year to 2030. This is a scale that can support the development of local manufacturing hubs. (One gigawatt can supply electricity to about 700 000 average…

With rising global temperatures and associated impacts on countries and communities, numerous countries around the world have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, South Africa included. This is being done to limit temperature increases and reach net zero emissions by mid-century. If a transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient, green economy is to be effective and importantly just, countries will need to employ effective systems to track progress and retrogressions. In February this year, the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), World Resources Institute and the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency hosted a workshop on Tracking Just Transitions attended by monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) practitioners from around the world, particularly Africa, Central and South America and Asia. It was clear from the workshop that many developing countries around the world are grappling…

Some stories just won’t stay in the archives, and for good reason. Recently, a post about Chinese retail tycoon Yu Donglai’s groundbreaking workplace policy called “unhappy leave” has resurfaced on social media, sparking fresh conversations about work-life balance. Originally reported by the South China Morning Post, this policy allows employees to take up to 10 extra days off when they’re feeling emotionally drained or unhappy. As April is globally recognised as Stress Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to unpack why this policy, and others like it, are celebrated and how they pave the way for healthier work environments. What is “unhappy leave”? Donglai, the founder and chairman of Pang Dong Lai, introduced the concept of “unhappy leave” to acknowledge an often-overlooked reality: happiness and mental well-being directly impact productivity.…

The music industry has long been a notoriously male-dominated space, often sidelining the contributions and leadership of women. However, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) – Africa’s biggest and most legendary jazz event – is boldly challenging this stereotype by being powered exclusively by women. As it embarks on its 22nd year, the festival stands not merely as a musical event but as a movement and a powerful statement of women’s prowess within the industry. Under the dynamic leadership of Shaakirah Adams and her formidable team, the festival is not just maintaining its legacy but actively evolving it. This revolutionary all-female leadership is rewriting the rules in a space traditionally ruled by men, ushering in a new era that champions creativity and resilience. The CTIJF has consistently attracted incredible…

A protester at the Walter Sisulu University’s main campus in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, was shot dead and another was injured allegedly by a university employee yesterday. While it was initially reported that the person killed was a student; however, according to reports, the university clarified that the man was not a registered student. Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said the incident occurred yesterday morning. She said students had mobilised the previous evening to protest about the poor condition of their residence. “At about 7am on Tuesday, the students went to confront the residence manager, who lives on campus with his family, about the poor state of their residence,” said Gantana. It is alleged the residence manager then shot at the protesters and one died at the scene while…

Three Limpopo cyclists from the group Gauta BMX, who completed an extraordinary 1 700km cycling journey from their home province to Cape Town, have attained the nation's admiration with social media flooded with congratulatory messages and praise. The cyclists are Karabo Mokowo, 21, from Riba Cross in the Sekhukhune District, Gauta Mahlakwane, 22, from Ga-Mathabatha in the Capricorn District and Maxwell Ndou, 24, from the Vhembe District. The cyclists started on their mission with hopes of inspiring the youth and raising awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) and other social ills affecting South African communities. Throughout their journey they shared regular updates online, garnering support and collecting donations. After 14 days on the road, they arrived in the heart of Cape Town on Monday, entering the city through the Huguenot Tunnel…

The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League is nearing a month since the first ball of the season was bowled at Eden Gardens. Many South African players are yet to feature in the glitz and glam of this season, including the young fast bowlers Kwena Maphaka and Gerald Coetzee, and batters Matthew Breetzke and Donovan Ferreira. Former Proteas captains Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock, all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, and batters David Miller and Tristan Stubbs have all featured so far this season. Carrying the country's flag high in the tournament so far this season has been Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram, as we review their highlights. Aiden Markram Since arriving in his new team, the Lucknow Super Giants, Markram has been promoted up the order to open the…

The South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) has warned that the possibility for further rate cuts in emerging economies was now very limited as major central banks across the world were set to adopt a cautious approach on monetary policy amid heightened inflation risks. This comes as the US decision to impose hefty import tariffs on more than 75 countries shook the markets last week, plunging the global economy to a brink of a potential recession as fears of spiking inflation rose. Sarb Governor Lesetja Kganyago on Tueday said economic fault lines, stemming from policy shifts and heightened trade tensions, have emerged, adding to pre-existing geopolitical tensions. Kganyago said these shocks presented new risks to both growth and inflation, and have rendered the global economic outlook more difficult to predict. “Today…

South African businesses now face a crucial compliance challenge after the Department of Employment and Labour on Tuesday gazetted two sets of Employment Equity (EE) Regulations effective January 1, 2025. The Department of Employment and Labour said in a statement, "The publication of these EE Regulations represents a pivotal step toward advancing transformation and inclusivity in the South African labour market. Employers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new regulatory framework to ensure compliance and alignment with employment equity objectives." The regulations mandate designated employers to meet sector-specific equity targets by 2030, with hefty fines for non-compliance. Non-compliance carries penalties of up to R1.5 million or 2% of annual turnover. Over 200 employers have already faced Labour Court for prior violations. The published regulations include: 1. General Administrative Regulations:…

Britain's energy regulator is expected to confirm major reforms to grid connections to boost investment in clean energy and infrastructure projects on Tuesday, the government said. Under the existing system, "zombie" projects can hold up the queue for connections, leaving promising businesses waiting up to 15 years to be connected, it said. Zombie projects are speculative plans that may not be viable because they do not have for example land rights or financing but they still hold a place in the connection queue. The changes expected to be confirmed by Ofgem will see industries of the future, from data centres and AI to wind and solar projects, fast-tracked for connection. The new regime, drafted by the National Energy System Operator in partnership with the industry, could help unlock up to…

There’s a silver lining for South African real estate investors, despite the turbulence in the global markets. This was according to Ian Anderson, head of listed property and portfolio manager at Merchant West Investments and the compiler of the SA REIT Association’s monthly Chart Book, the local REIT sector is in significantly better shape today than it was five years ago. Anderson draws a stark contrast between the present and the sharp downturn the sector experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. “The current turmoil in global financial markets comes almost exactly five years after the last major drawdown for South Africa’s listed property sector, when the South African economy was shuttered at the start of the pandemic. Between March 2017 and March 2020, South African REITs, on average, lost more than…

As the DA pulls out all the stops to win Ward 110 in eThekwini, other parties are also working hard to wrestle the ward away from the party in a hotly contested by-election today. The DA has deployed its heavyweights in the province in the run-up to the by-election there, including the provincial leader, Francois Rodgers, Minister, and provincial chairperson, Dean Macpherson, and the Leader of the party, John Steenhuisen. The ANC stated that it once governed the ward and has put up a strong campaign in the by-elections, hoping that their efforts will translate into votes. The EFF leaders, on the other hand, said they are contesting the ward to maintain their presence in the eyes of the public as they work to rebuild the organisation. Ward 110, which…

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has highlighted the importance of mental development in the ongoing progress of young striker Wandile Duba, following the forward’s crucial contribution in the Nedbank Cup semi-final. Duba was on target as Chiefs came from behind to beat Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday, earning a place in the final and keeping alive hopes of ending a nine-year trophy drought. Teboho Mokoena had given Sundowns the lead before Duba responded with the equaliser, and Ashley du Preez netted a late winner to seal the victory. The win sets up a high-stakes Soweto Derby final against Orlando Pirates on May 10 at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. A week earlier, there will be another derby, this time in the League. It also reignites optimism among…

Kaizer Chiefs gave it their all for nearly 90 minutes of their Nedbank Cup semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria on Sunday evening. But with the score at 1-1 at a packed Loftus Versfeld, it was almost inevitable that the Brazilians would find a way to get the winner, whether it was in stoppage time, or getting through the penalty shoot-out. That is the Sundowns way. They are serial winners, kings of South African football, and well on their way to adding a second star on their jersey in the CAF Champions League, where they will face Al Ahly in the semi-final first leg in Pretoria on Saturday. In contrast, Chiefs – despite being the most popular club in South African football – are ridiculed on the social media streets…

Simone Inzaghi yesterday urged his Inter Milan team to end a San Siro hoodoo against Bayern Munich and reach the semi-finals of the Uefa Champions League. Inter lead Bayern 2-1 ahead of Wednesday's decisive second leg in Milan after becoming the first team to beat the German giants in Munich in Europe's elite club competition since 2021. But Bayern have won all three of their previous Champions League matches against Inter at the San Siro, and Inzaghi said that his team need to forget the aggregate score and focus on replicating last week's dogged and clinical display at the Allianz Arena. “There's a lot of pride with these boys and with the club for how the season is coming along,” Inzaghi said. “We can't think about the result (in the…