Author: Staff Writer

The retail price of the Limited Edition Golf GTI TCR has been announced. The Golf GTI TCR will be available for order from Volkswagen dealers in South Africa as of May 2020. The Golf GTI TCR is the final swansong of the Golf 7 range which has sold 40 128 units in South Africa since launch in 2013. Of the total Golf sales, 13 230 (33%) of those were the GTI derivative, which makes South Africa one of the top 10 markets worldwide for Golf GTI. The Golf GTI TCR is derived from the racing car of the same name;…

South Africa plans to open schools next week despite some parents calling for schools to remain closed because of serious concerns over the spread of the coronavirus. Hubert Mathanzima Mweli, the Director-General of the Department of Basic Education (DBE), told parliament on Wednesday that the department plans to reopen schools from 4 May. The outbreak of COVID-19 led to the early closure of schools during the first term. To curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the end of April. In a virtual presentation to parliament, Mathanzima…

Struggling clothing retailer Edcon is to file for a business rescue after losing R2bn in turnover during SA’s lockdown. The group said its board passed a resolution authorising it to file for business rescue in the next few days. Edcon, which owns the brands Jet and Edgars, said in a letter to suppliers that the R2 billion of lost sales during the COVID-19 crisis period which included the necessary “social distancing” measures, lockdown and extended lockdown, has consumed its remaining cash. The retailer added that it will resume operations and open Edgars and Jet stores in “business rescue” mode on…

South Africa’s prudent decision to institute a countrywide lockdown has circumvented an exponential explosion of cases of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic within the borders of the country, the Department of Health said on Tuesday. The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said while the lockdown will not spell the end of new infections, it has, however, significantly delayed the peak of the virus. This has bought the country precious time to beef up its response, and prepare health facilities for the management and treatment of those infected with COVID-19. As of Tuesday, 28 April, the country had 4 996 confirmed…

Although it’s recommended in King IV, succession planning is often neglected because it’s an uncomfortable subject. The COVID-19 crisis should act as a wake-up call for organisations to ensure not only that they have a plan to govern an orderly succession for key senior posts, but also an emergency back-up plan, says Parmi Natesan, CEO of the Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA). “The current crisis should remind governing bodies that in addition to key management positions like the CEO and CFO, succession planning should also cover key board positions, including the chair of the board and chairs of…

Communities in the Eastern Cape such as Mthatha will now have broadband access through Television White Spaces (TVWS). The country’s communication watchdog, ICASA, has assigned temporary radio frequency spectrum to assist in the provision of COVID-19 affordable and reliable data access to rural communities during this period of the pandemic. Using the temporary radio frequency spectrum, Morai Solutions plans to build access infrastructure using TVWS by Eastern Cape. Morai Solutions plans to start its TVWS rollout, starting with Mthatha and the surrounding rural communities of King Sabata Dalindyebo, the local municipality of the OR Tambo District Municipality. “We are planning…

As the face mask become the world’s most coveted commodity, Proudly South African (Proudly SA) has launched a dedicated marketplace portal for selling locally-made face masks. The face mask portal is hosted on the Proudly SA website. The concept of the portal arose from discussions with the SA Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU), the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and The Manufacturing Circle around steps that could be taken to align initiatives underway in the clothing and textile manufacturing industry with the needs of the public and businesses. “This initiative is an effort to support a sector…

Libra By Lemok, the first smartphone brand by a township-based company, was first launched in December 2019. Their launch model, the S8, was developed in partnership with a Chinese company, however, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Lebogang Mokubela (the entrepreneur behind the brand) was forced to review the business model. “When lockdown restrictions were first implemented and borders were closed, we were stuck. We could not get new stock into the country. We then had to evaluate the business and look at manufacturing the phones in South Africa.” Mokubela said. Although there were plans to eventually bring manufacturing into the…

TicketPro announced on Monday it has launched Covid-Zero, a platform for musicians, comedians and other artists to stream their acts online. All ticket sales will be donated to support these artists during the lockdown and fund community care packages. TicketPro is a subsidiary of JSE-listed Blue Label Telecoms, which owns 45% stake in cellphone group Cell C. Covid-Zero and the Trust Blu Foundation aim to provide communities around the country with care packages including masks, hand sanitiser, food vouchers and information on staying safe. The first 5000 Care Packages have already been donated by the Trust Blu Foundation. “Against the…

South Africans have for the first time since the advent of democracy marked Freedom Day under lockdown to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. The country commemorates 27 April 1994 as the historic occasion in 1994 when all citizens were allowed to cast their votes and usher in their first democratic elections. But with South Africans confined to their homes in a bid to curb COVID-19, President Cyril Ramaphosa, through a virtual broadcast, delivered the Freedom Day address under the 2020 Freedom Day theme – “Solidarity and triumph of the human spirit in challenging times”. The President’s address called…

Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Freedom Day celebrations will be marked using online platforms, says the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. “Freedom Day, as South Africans know it, is very different this year… The COVID-19… pandemic has changed things… [from] the norm,”  said the department ahead of Freedom Day on 27 April. The department reminded South Africans that under the current lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the virus, gatherings are prohibited. “The theme for this year’s Freedom Month celebrations is solidarity and the triumph of the human spirit in these challenging times. President Cyril Ramaphosa…

Police Minister Bheki Cele has urged religious leaders and congregants to stay at home as the country continues to observe the COVID-19 lockdown. The Minister’s comments follow a video clip that surfaced on Twitter depicting the arrest of 17 congregants, who had allegedly gathered for prayer in Pretoria West on Friday. The Ministry in a statement said the congregants were in direct violation of the COVID-19 Disaster Management Lockdown Regulations. Cele also condemned a video clip making rounds on social media of a man calling “all Muslims to engage in worship in the congregation”. According to the Ministry, the same…

As South African parents wait to hear what will become of this school year from Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga tomorrow, a major concern for most of them will be the fear of their children contracting the disease once back at school. The outbreak of COVID-19 led to the early closure of schools during the first term. To curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the end of April. “The data we have from China shows that this disease is quite mild in children, and actually very…

South Africans, who are suffering the aftermath of the national lockdown implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19, are gatvol. This is according to research done by Victory Research for City Press. To curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the end of April. However, on Thursday President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a five-level plan to ease lockdowns and a R500 billion stimulus package. The report by Victory Research revealed that while “strong” support for the lockdown was at 77% when the measure was initially announced on March…

Bank Zero, a start-up by mostly former First National Bank (FNB) staffers chaired by venture capitalist Michael Jordaan, is planning a mid-2020 controlled launch. The digital bank had initially planned to launch eight months ago. Today, Bank Zero – which is set to compete with fellow newcomers TymeBank and Discovery Bank – revealed to the Sunday Times that it is “really not focused on any competitor out there” but “rather the team is building a great mobile customer experience with a range of globally unique features.” “So, the focus is on customers, including businesses, not on competitors,” said Jordan. In…

A call has been made for South Africans to support locally made products as part of efforts to jump-start the economy in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. South Africa is preparing to move to level 4 of a nationwide lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 which has gripped the entire world. Speaking at a media briefing detailing how the country intends to move from the current level 5 lockdown which is expected to end at the end of April, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel made the call for citizens to buy locally. “When we as…

About 1.5 million more South Africans will from 1 May return to work as the government begins to lift a fraction of COVID-19 lockdown regulations. This comes as the government gradually eases the economy back into activity, as announced this week by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The regulations were introduced last month as the government sought to counter the spread in the country. About 3, 400 South Africans have contracted the virus, while about 70 have died. Trade, Industry and Commission Minister Ebrahim Patel presented the details contained in the Risk-Adjusted Strategy, which is out for public comment and consultation. During…

With the COVID-19 outbreak in South Africa projected to peak around August, Gauteng – the country’s epicentre with 1 252 cases to date – is leaving no stone unturned in its preparations to fight the scourge. On Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa paid a visit to the sites identified as COVID-19 facilities in Gauteng. These include the quarantine facility at the Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg Central Food Bank and Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital. The President expressed confidence in the province’s efforts to ramp up its hospital bed capacity, screening efforts and measures to mitigate the socio-economic blow of the virus on…

Over the next month, the state will shift its response to the COVID-19 pandemic by preserving the economy, developing immediate recovery plans and pivoting the economy in a position of growth. This was revealed by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni on Friday during a press briefing in which he outlined a R500 billion economic support package. The package was initially unveiled by President Cyril Ramaphosa during an address to the nation on Tuesday. In May, the government will focus on three phases. The first phase, which the state is currently in, aims to preserve the country’s economy. “It is designed to…

As of today, there are 318 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Africa, bringing the total number of cases to 3953. Today we regrettably report 10 new deaths. This brings the total to 75. The new deaths are from the following provinces: Western Cape: 6 KZN: 2 Gauteng: 1 Eastern Cape: 1  “We convey our condolences to the families and friends. Preventing COVID-19 from spreading is everybody’s job.” As of Thursday, the Western Cape surpassed Gauteng’s confirmed cases and now has the highest number of COVID-19 positive cases in the country. “A further analysis is being done as we…

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has issued a directive to all mining operations to ensure safe start-up procedures as the sector prepares to ramp up to 50% of capacity. “The directive was issued to ensure compliance with Section 5(1) of the Mine Health and Safety Act (Act No. 29 of 1996), as amended, which requires that every employer must as far as reasonably practicable, provide and maintain a safe working environment,” the department said. The start-up procedures must also address measures to be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as actions to provide a safe…

South Africa’s parliament returned to work last Thursday with lawmakers to hold virtual meetings in both the National Assembly (NA), the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and their committees. Presiding Officers have agreed to draft guidelines and rules on how virtual committee meetings and voting must be conducted. Virtual sittings of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces will deal with legislation and other matters needing approval or consideration from the Houses. On Wednesday, parliament published the rules for virtual meetings. The statement said these rules take into account procedures, precedents, practices and conventions developed by the House…

South Africa has 3 635 confirmed COVID-19 cases, the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, announced on Wednesday. This is an increase of 170 cases from the previous night. In a statement, Mkhize confirmed that seven more COVID-19 related deaths had been recorded, bringing the total number to 65. Five of the deaths occurred in the Western Cape, while two were recorded in KwaZulu-Natal. To date, South Africa has conducted 133 774 COVID-19 tests, with 6 868 of these done in the last 24 hours. The provincial breakdown of infections is as follows: Gauteng: 1 224 Western Cape: 1 079…

Only a unified and coordinated response offers Africa the best possible chance of containing the COVID-19 outbreak. To achieve this, the continent’s leading business people will have to be a catalytic proponent confronting what President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as African Union chairperson, has called one of Africa’s defining modern-day challenges. President Ramaphosa made the remark while addressing leading African businesspeople and various heads of state during a virtual meeting on Wednesday. “The continent’s private sector is well placed to assist in many of our most pressing challenges. Combining our resources, we can implement the screening, testing and contact…

The Joint Standing Committee on Defence has unanimously supported the employment of additional members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to assist government’s intervention in the fight against COVID-19. On Thursday, the committee considered a number of letters from President Cyril Ramaphosa on the employment of the SANDF. The President is compelled — in terms Section 201 (3) of the Constitution and Section 18 (2) of the Defence Act (No 42 of 2002) — to inform Parliament regarding the reasons, place, number of soldiers, cost involved, as well as the period of employment – to which Parliament must…