Table of contents for 2026-01-15 in Mercury

The global unemployment rate is expected to hold steady in 2026, the United Nations said Wednesday, but cautioned the labour market's seeming stability belies a dire shortage of decent jobs. The UN's International Labour Organization said the global economy and labour market appeared to have weathered recent economic shocks better than expected. But the ILO warned that efforts to improve global job quality had stagnated, leaving hundreds of millions of workers wallowing in poverty, even as trade uncertainty risked cutting into workers wages. The global unemployment rate was estimated at 4.9 percent last year and the year before, and is now projected to remain at a similar level until 2027, a report from the UN labour agency said. That amounts to 186 million people out of work this year, it…

Minister Steenhuisen says vaccination is part of comprehensive state strategy to eradicate FMD Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has confirmed that government is moving ahead with a long-term plan to vaccinate South Africa’s entire national cattle herd as part of a comprehensive strategy to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and restore the country’s FMD-free status. Steenhuisen delivered an update on the state of FMD during a briefing on Wednesday, acknowledging the severe impact recent outbreaks have had on farmers across the country. Already almost 2 million animals have been vaccinated since the importation of vaccines from Botswana began in 2025, and more than R72 million has been spent by government on these imported from Botswana. The minister emphasised that regaining FMD-free status was a monumental task that would not be achieved overnight.…

SA Canegrowers has renewed calls for the sugar tax to be scrapped, warning that a surge in imported sugar is displacing local production and placing the South African sugar industry under severe strain. Other agricultural organisations have echoed calls for the tax to be urgently reviewed, arguing that it is compounding the sector’s challenges rather than delivering measurable public health benefits. SA Canegrowers on Tuesday said the Health Promotion Levy, commonly known as the sugar tax, should be removed in light of sharply rising sugar imports, which are increasingly undermining domestic producers. The organisation warned that the sustainability of the industry — which supports more than one million livelihoods directly and indirectly across KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga — is at risk. “The local sugar industry supports more than one million livelihoods,…

Former acting SAPS national commissioner Khomotso Phahlane yesterday told the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about the circumstances of his removal from the position as well as his suspension. Giving evidence on the resumption of the public hearings after the December recess, Phahlane said he was in Pretoria in June 2017 when he received a call from the office of former Police Minister Fikile Mbalula. “I was asked to travel to Cape Town for a meeting with the minister,” he said. Phahlane also said he travelled to Cape Town and waited for more than three hours to meet Mbalula amid media reports involving an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate into him. The meeting, which was also attended by former deputy minister…

The countdown to the 2026 World Cup has taken a troubling turn, with a tidal wave of fans from all corners of the globe allegedly cancelling their attendance amid safety concerns linked to US immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump. Reports indicate that over 16 800 tickets have been cancelled thus far, and if the current trend continues, that number is likely to climb. Videos and accounts of confrontations involving the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have proliferated online, fuelling anxiety among prospective international attendees. The recent ICE incident, which killed 37-year-old mother of three Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis earlier this month, has sent shockwaves worldwide. What began as isolated incidents of cancellations has spiralled into a worldwide protest against travelling to the United States, leading FIFA to…

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has taken aim at the Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela, questioning the government’s commitment to absorbing all matriculants into post-school education. EFF Member of Parliament (MP) Sihle Lonzi raised concerns about the insufficiency of universities, TVET colleges, and other educational institutions to accommodate the thousands of learners who had recently passed their matric exams. During an oral question-and-answer session in Parliament, Lonzi expressed frustration at what he deemed a hollow celebration of matric results when the reality for many graduates is a lack of opportunities. “What is the point of that celebration we’re doing yesterday? What is the point of that act that the Minister of Basic Education was doing, celebrating, posting posters all over, if people are going to pass matric but they…

Los Angeles 2028 Olympics chiefs promised an “affordable and inclusive” Games as they prepared to open registration for a lottery to buy tickets. LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman said one million tickets to the Olympics and Paralympics would be priced at $28 (about R459), while a third of the roughly 14 million tickets due to go on sale would cost $100 or less. “From the beginning, we’ve been clear: access to these games, because these games belong to everyone,” Wasserman said. “These games have to be affordable and inclusive.” Wasserman was speaking in the shadow of the historic Los Angeles Coliseum on the eve of the first step towards tickets going on sale. From yesterday, at 7am local time, fans around the world wwere be able to register for the chance…

Any coach who takes the helm of a Durban-based side risks seeing their season being washed away by the coastal rain – a factor that has often heralded a manager’s demise. Lance Klusener, the current coach of Durban’s Super Giants and a local himself, would have known this better than anyone. Klusener has had to endure three abandoned matches this season, a factor that has played a significant role in the team’s dwindling playoff hopes following their narrow defeat to the Paarl Royals at Boland Park on Tuesday night. While Klusener acknowledged the impact of the weather, he refused to use it as a crutch. “I think the rain’s hurt us a little bit,” Klusener told reporters after the loss in Paarl. “Not to make excuses, but it’s three games…

Marumo Gallants have moved swiftly to reinforce their squad ahead of the second half of the season, announcing a trio of new signings as preparations intensify for the league’s resumption. The additions follow the high-profile departures of Daniel Msendami and Mpho Chabatsane, who both completed moves to Orlando Pirates this week. With the Betway Premiership set to restart in less than a week, Gallants have acted decisively to address the vacancies left by the duo, strengthening their attacking options ahead of a crucial clash against TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on January 21. Leading the new arrivals is Romaric Dognimin Ouattara. The 21-year-old Ivorian centre-forward joins from Algerian side Olympique Akbou and brings a formidable physical presence to the Gallants’ frontline. Standing at 1.90m tall, Ouattara is regarded as a…

Geoeconomic confrontation has emerged as the most pressing global risk for 2026, underscoring a world increasingly shaped by rivalry, fragmentation and economic weaponisation, according to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks Report 2026 released on Wednesday. The report, now in its 21st edition, warns that geopolitical tensions, rising economic volatility and accelerating technological change are converging to create an era of heightened uncertainty. Half of the more than 1 300 global leaders and experts surveyed expect the global outlook over the next two years to be turbulent or stormy, while only 1% anticipate a period of calm. Geoeconomic confrontation — defined by the use of trade restrictions, sanctions, industrial policy and economic leverage to advance national interests — climbed eight places to top the near-term risk rankings for 2026.…

China's towering annual trade surplus surpassed $1 trillion for the first time last month, data showed Monday, as a sharp drop in shipments to the United States was offset by surging exports to other major markets. Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump reached a tentative truce to their fierce trade war when they met in late October, agreeing a pause to painful measures that included lofty tit-for-tat tariffs. Exports have served as a key economic lifeline for China as trade and relations with the United States and others have fluctuated in recent years. That has helped temper a prolonged debt crisis in the country's vast property sector and sluggish domestic spending, which have weighed on growth and are among the most pressing issues facing Beijing. Exports climbed 5.9 percent year-on-year…

South Africa’s major property groups remain cautiously optimistic about growth prospects in the year ahead, citing interest rate cuts in 2025, subdued inflation and improving economic fundamentals as key drivers of renewed activity in the housing market. Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of Pam Golding Property Group, said a series of interest rate reductions, together with easing price pressures and significant fuel price cuts through 2025 and early 2026, had meaningfully improved household finances and bolstered activity across the national housing market. “Notably, there was a discernible strengthening in national sales activity both in terms of volume and, more particularly, value during the second half of last year," he said. While acknowledging the uncertainty inherent in forecasting, Golding said the outlook for 2026 appeared constructive. He expects the pace of…

Learners in KwaZulu-Natal schools could go without meals by the end of the month, as service providers have not been paid. The service providers for the school meals under the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) have warned of this pending crisis and have urged the KZN Department of Education to do the right thing. They said the food supplied to schools this week was either bought on credit from wholesalers or funded by the service providers' savings. There are concerns that some schools might not be able to provide meals, as the necessary supplies have not been delivered. Other essential items that have not been delivered to some schools include stationery and cleaning supplies. Thabang Mncwabe, spokesperson for the NSNP service providers, said although several service providers are owed payments…

Westville police have opened a case of murder and an inquest docket following a fatal shooting that claimed the lives of a man and a woman outside an office park on Tuesday. According to police, the incident unfolded when a man arrived at the office park intending to see a woman, although he was unsure whether she was on duty at the time. Security denied him entry and advised him to wait outside the premises. “A few moments later, the woman was reportedly dropped off by a vehicle, and the two had an argument outside the guard room. This led to the man drawing a firearm and shooting the woman,” said police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda. The man was declared dead at the scene, while the woman, who sustained critical…

The National Consumer Tribunal has ordered Rifle Range Car Sales, a dealership in Johannesburg, to refund a Mpumalanga man over R207,000 after finding that the dealership sold him a defective Mahindra SUV. The ruling follows an application by Jacobus Johannes Holl, who represented himself with assistance from his wife. Holl bought a used Mahindra XUV 500 seven-seater from Rifle Range Car Sales in May 2023 for just over R207,000. Prior to purchase, the dealership told him that the vehicle’s clutch required repair and assured him that the vehicle was in good condition and would not be financed “if it were a disaster”. Holl and his wife test-drove the car and noted cosmetic issues and clutch problems, which they were told would be repaired before delivery. Later, the dealership confirmed that…

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has admitted it was difficult informing players such as Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs that they would not be travelling to the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India. Many were surprised when Conrad announced South Africa’s squad without Stubbs and Rickelton – two talented players who have consistently been in and around the national setup across all three formats. However, the reality is that both players have endured a lean patch for an extended period, and Conrad felt he had to make the tough calls. Tony de Zorzi and Jason Smith have effectively replaced Stubbs and Rickelton in the batting order, and the coach insists there was a clear rationale behind the move. De Zorzi has demonstrated great temperament and skill against spin on…

Economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) strengthened in 2025 and is expected to pick up further over the next two years, supported by easing inflation, improving financial conditions and stronger investment and exports. This is according to the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects: Sub-Saharan Africa regional report released on Wednesday. The bank said growth in the region is estimated to have risen to 4.0% in 2025 from 3.7% in 2024. The improvement was driven in part by moderating inflation and higher-than-expected commodity prices, particularly for gold, other precious metals and coffee, which boosted fiscal revenues in several countries. However, the report notes that performance across the region remained uneven, with growth slowing among some industrial commodity exporters while strengthening in others. Divergent trends were evident among SSA’s three largest economies.…

Northam Platinum Holdings performed well in the six months to December 31, 2025 after platinum group metals 4E (PGMs) produced from own operations increased by 3.7%, a production report showed. The mining group's shares surged 5.63% to R404.06 in early trade on the JSE after the report was released on Wednesday morning - the price has increased markedly from only R110.75 a year ago. Chrome concentrate production increased by 14.8%, compared to the corresponding 6-month period ended December 31, 2024. "Our operations performed well. Zondereinde is benefitting from logistics decongestion from the ongoing shift of UG2 stoping from the western to the higher-yielding eastern portions of the mine, as well as an increase in mining productivity from focused Merensky stoping in the Western extension," group directors said in the report.…

The release of the National Senior Certificate results is often treated like a high-stakes sports final. At family gatherings and on our social media feeds, the “Bachelor’s Pass” is held up as the gold medal. We celebrate the university entrance as if they is the only marker of a bright future. However, for thousands of matriculants, the results may read “Diploma Pass” or “Higher Certificate Pass”. In a society that overvalues a degree, these results can sometimes feel like a disappointment. But it is time to shift that narrative. Your results are not a reflection of your potential; they are simply a map showing a different, often more practical, starting point. Debunking the degree myth There is a common misconception that without a Bachelor’s degree, your career options are limited…

The NFP’s national chairperson, Shevu Mkhabela, broke ranks with embattled party president Ivan Barnes and called for his removal yesterday. In an impromptu media briefing at the Edward Hotel in Durban, Mkhabela and the party’s provincial executive committee members threw their weight behind another party leader, Mbali Shinga, who is also the Social Development MEC in the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU). Mkhabela’s media address was preceded by dramatic scenes of a fistfight between Barnes and the party’s Uthukela district chairperson, Manqoba Dlamini, over the continuation of Shinga’s disciplinary hearing. Police had to be called to separate the two. The drama took place while Shinga’s disciplinary was underway, at the same hotel. Outside the venue, more than a hundred party members were singing songs in support of Shinga, with some…

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has alerted motorists to complete road closures on the N3 highway to facilitate blasting next week. The temporary rolling road closures are to allow for blasting next to the N3 Market Road Overpass Bridge as part of the ongoing construction between Gladys Manzi Road and New England Road Interchange. The temporary N3 full closure (both directions) from Ashburton Interchange to New England Interchange will take place as follows: Closure 1: Tuesday, 20 January 2026 from 15h00 to 15h30 Closure 2: Wednesday, 21 January 2026 from 15h00 to 15h30 Closure 3: Thursday, 22 January 2026 from 15h00 to 15h30 SANRAL said that no access will be allowed onto the N3 between Ashburton and New England Road Interchanges via the interchange ramps or…

When I watch the Bulls imploding in game after game this season, I have flashbacks to the Springboks’ Ellis Park nightmare against the Wallabies last year. In case your subconscious has blocked out that horror show, the Boks played sublime attacking rugby in the opening quarter to lead 22–0, but they ran themselves off their feet. In the second half, the Australians profited from the mistakes of the tiring Boks and ran in 38 unanswered points for a remarkable comeback victory. Ellis Park, of course, is where Johan Ackermann took the Lions to historic heights in Super Rugby. Ackermann and the brilliant attack coach Swys de Bruin had Warren Whiteley’s men playing exhilarating rugby, and three Super Rugby finals were the result – two under Ackermann before he left for…