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Sunday, June 8, 2025

Letter to the editor: Let us protect and restore our wetlands

This year, the World Wetlands Day was celebrated under the theme Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future highlighting the importance of wetlands for humanity and the future generations

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Let’s take precautions in the water

Recent alerts from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) remind us that relaxation in these refreshing bodies of water comes with responsibility, especially with the new moon spring tide peaking on December 31.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Safer roads start with attitude change

Innocent lives are often caught in the crossfire of bad decisions made by individuals who choose to drink and drive.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

The taxi industry should be held accountable

The economic disruptions caused by violent demonstrations and road blockages bring entire sectors to a standstill, harming businesses and everyday commuters who rely on this mode of transport.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Cabinet reshuffle has failed the accountability test

If Ramaphosa is truly committed to eradicating corruption, then why does he allow a Cabinet member embroiled in controversy to maintain her position?

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Delay of the Bela Act clauses misguided

President Ramaphosa’s hesitation over their implementation suggests a lack of commitment to fostering an integrated education system.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

A tale of two SA teams on the global stage

Since that tournament, they remain unbeaten in open play, showcasing their resilience and tactical evolution.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Matric exams progress: so far so good

Recent statements from Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier have brought to light that nine cases of candidates found with cellphones or crib notes in the examination venues.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Corporates crush townships economy

Twelve children across the nation have tragically lost their lives after ingesting food from local spaza shops, many of which are owned by foreign nationals.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Inquiry to probe food poisoning deaths critical

We cannot wait for more tragedies. Our children are suffering while government agencies fail to combat the crisis.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Beware of online fraudsters this festive season

The recent warnings from the Banking Ombudsman revealing a concerning increase in complaints about tap-and-go transactions involving lost or stolen cards should serve as a crucial wake-up call for all shoppers.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Overhauling the leadership at Sassa

Millions of rand, intended for the poorest citizens, are falling into the hands of criminals – both external and internal.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Food prices must reflect economic conditions

In the current economic landscape – with a stronger rand, decreasing petrol prices and the absence of load shedding – consumers should be experiencing relief at supermarket tills.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

A 24 hour economy is the answer to unemployment

With millions of South Africans struggling to find work, a 24-hour economy could open up numerous job opportunities across various sectors, from hospitality and retail to manufacturing and transport.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Tourism police unit will boost the industry

The alarming rise in robberies and even murders of foreign visitors in recent years has cast a sombre shadow over our tourism sector.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Call for churches to pay rates, but guard against blanket approach

Without churches, society would easily descend into chaos, so the importance of their role in society cannot be overlooked.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Extortion can be defeated if there is political will

The silver lining is the recent wave of arrests, a testament to the police’s new-found resolve.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Tourism a path to economic renewal in KZN

The reality is that the lion’s share of the country's tourism revenue still flows to Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Springboks a metaphor for what SA could become

Their World Cup victory in France was not a fluke but the product of years of hard work, discipline, and unity.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Launching civil claims against cop killers a great idea

For too long, the justice system has focused solely on criminal procedures, often neglecting the financial and emotional toll on victims’ families.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Time to penalise poor audit outcomes

The persistence of poor audit outcomes raises serious questions about the accountability of municipal managers and political office bearers.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

New model for medico-legal claims needed

Billions of rand that should have been directed towards improving health-care services are instead being funnelled into paying exorbitant claims, many of which are fraudulent.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

Police must be subjected to lifestyle audits

To effectively reduce crime in South Africa, we must first clean up the police service.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

NPA must act on blocked Zondo files

South Africans are justifiably outraged by the apparent lack of urgency in prosecuting high-profile politicians named in the commission’s findings.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published

A proud moment for SA at Olympics

For South Africa, a country that does not have the vast resources or the extensive sports infrastructure of wealthier nations, securing these medals is no small feat.

Mercury Opinion
Philani Makhanya|Published