Author: Gugu Lourie

Volvo Cars has officially pulled back the curtain on a new chapter in its storied legacy of adventure-ready vehicles. Alongside the global debut of the all-electric Volvo EX60, the company introduces the EX60 Cross Country — an SUV engineered not just for the road, but for the path less traveled. This model electrifies Volvo’s beloved Cross Country ethos, merging class-leading EV performance with the rugged versatility that defines the line. More Than a Trim: A Heritage Electrified First introduced in 1997, Volvo’s Cross Country models have always been a bold statement of freedom and exploration. They are vehicles designed to…

In a major development for South Africa’s automotive industry, Nissan and Chery SA have reached agreement on the acquisition of Nissan’s manufacturing assets in Rosslyn, South Africa. The deal secures the industrial site’s future and protects the livelihoods of the majority of its workforce. The Agreement in Detail Subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions, including regulatory approvals, Chery SA will purchase the land, buildings and associated assets of the Nissan facilities, including of its nearby stamping plant, in mid-2026. A cornerstone of the agreement is the protection of employment. The majority of associated Nissan employees will be offered employment…

Volvo Cars redefines the relationship between driver and machine with the launch of the new, fully electric EX60. This mid-size SUV, set for global reveal tomorrow is the first Volvo capable of natural, conversational interaction, establishing it as the brand’s most intelligent and technologically advanced car to date. At its core is a revolutionary integration: the EX60 debuts as the first Volvo with Gemini, Google’s advanced AI assistant. This system transforms the in-car experience by enabling true, multi-turn dialogue. Drivers manage complex tasks through natural conversation, free from the need to remember specific commands. “The new EX60 is full of human-centric…

The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) has turned a critical page with the announcement of its new Managing Director, Magatho Anthony Mello, commencing 1 April 2026. This appointment concludes an extensive executive search and ushers in a period of strategic stability for the Agency, which has operated under acting leadership for nearly two years. Mello’s mandate is clear and critical: to modernise the state’s digital backbone and secure it for the future. Bringing over two decades of high-stakes telecommunications and ICT leadership across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, Mello’s resume reads as a perfect plan for the task ahead. His…

Luminance, the global leader in Legal-Grade™ AI for the enterprise, today announced the appointment of Jonty Koekemoer as VP, to lead the company’s new regional hub in South Africa and supercharge expansion across the continent amid growing demand. Luminance has selected South Africa as a regional hub due to the country’s mature and sophisticated legal ecosystem, with leading law firms and corporate legal teams increasingly adopting AI to manage complex transactions, regulatory pressure and unlock new opportunities. The move follows heightened local interest, continued global growth, and recent investment to support Luminance’s international scaling. Over the past year, Luminance has…

In a landmark outcome for medical scheme accountability, advocacy firm MediCheck has secured a full reversal of Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s attempt to recover an estimated R130-170 million from 16,500 members for an administration error they did not cause. The decision, announced by Discovery late Sunday, follows a week of intense pressure and formal dispute action led by MediCheck on behalf of over 1,500 affected members. Members had faced sudden recovery demands—some exceeding R80,000—for what Discovery later acknowledged was its own claims processing failure. MediCheck, an independent firm that holds medical schemes to regulatory standards, intervened immediately upon the scheme’s…

The National Consumer Commission has issued a recall for 372 Volvo EX30 vehicles in South Africa due to a potential battery fault. The recall affects certain 2024-2026 EX30 models sold in Gauteng from December 29, 2025. According to Volvo, the high-voltage battery in these cars may, in rare cases, overheat when charged above a certain level, posing a potential fire risk. As an immediate precaution, owners of the affected vehicles should limit their maximum charge level to 70% until repaired. Volvo urges owners to contact their nearest authorised dealership to arrange a free inspection and repair. All corrective work for…

Listen up, Mzansi motorists. Every month, we watch with trepidation as the fuel price climbs higher. Now and again, the price comes down by a tiny bit. All the while, we feel the cost of fuel in our shrinking pockets. However, there is relief from the dread of filling up the tank: It’s Volvo’s new EX60 electric car. Simply park and charge it, and it’s good to go without depleting your pockets. The good news for motorists, who feel the pain of fuel hikes, is that Volvo Car South Africa is launching the new EX60 in  fortnight on 21 January.…

An AI-powered property solution is bridging the wealth gap for millions. E-DEED grants financial identity to the “unbanked” by valuing informal homes. A dormant asset class worth between R2 and R3 trillion has been sitting in South Africa’s townships and rural areas, largely invisible to the formal economy. Without title deeds, pay slips, or formal jobs, an estimated 90% of South Africans have cash-built homes, a massive store of wealth that remains locked away, stifling national GDP growth. Now, a high-tech solution has arrived on dusty streets. Entrepreneurs Lance Chalwin-Milton, GG Alcock, and Senzo Tsabedze have launched E-DEED, a property…

A first-of-its-kind partnership is launching to build a complete, township-owned supply chain. SPAZA Supply+, an initiative by KasiKonnect, has teamed up with Soweto-based green logistics startup ShoveBike for a pioneering pilot programme. “Local product distribution and logistics is the critical link for a wholly owned kasi supply chain,” says Janice Scheckter, CEO of KasiKonnect. “We have partnered with ShoveBike because, alongside their efficient green logistics, they bring deep local knowledge and established relationships with Soweto-based supermarkets and traders. They understand the terrain, the retailers, and the community in a way that outside logistics providers simply cannot. This partnership keeps value…