Author: Staff Writer

Volvo Car SA has claimed the title of South Africa’s favourite electric vehicle manufacturer. In 2024, it topped the charts for overall EV sales and the best-selling nameplate. Leading the charge was the Volvo EX30, the compact electric crossover that dominated the market. With 406 units sold during the year, it earned the title of South Africa’s best-selling battery-electric vehicle for 2024. The best-selling EX30 was recently announced as a finalist in the 2025 Car of the Year (COTY) competition sponsored by Old Mutual Insure. It is the only electric contender among 17 finalists. The EX30’s larger siblings, the XC40…

In a surprising declaration during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House, former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the United States should “take over” Gaza and assume control of the war-torn territory. Trump’s remarks, which effectively implied U.S. ownership of Gaza, drew immediate scrutiny, with critics warning that such a move would amount to an endorsement of the displacement of Palestinians. Expanding on his vision, Trump likened Gaza’s potential to that of a luxury coastal destination, calling it the “Riviera of the Middle East.” He also declined to rule out the possibility of deploying U.S. troops…

Since the first proposal was made in 2022, discussions about decreasing speed limits have repeatedly arisen as a means to reduce the high road fatality rate in South Africa. Would decreasing current speed limits by 10km/h reduced the 414 arrests for speeding made over the festive season or stopped one driver from clocking 245km/h? Unfortunately, this is highly unlikely. The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says this is not because a reduction of 10km/h will not reduce the severity of crashes but because of the nature of speedsters in South Africa. “If 120km/h speed limit provided little deterrence to the 245km/h driver, the…

Just past midnight on February 3, Elon Musk took to X to justify his sweeping overhaul of the federal government. Speaking over the chatter of his four-year-old son—also named X—Musk declared that the U.S. bureaucracy had become a rogue “fourth branch of government,” one he described as “arguably the most powerful.” Turning his attention to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Musk branded it a tool for funneling taxpayer money to “Marxists and criminals.” Despite its existence being mandated by Congress, he boasted of his plans to shut it down, claiming full support from President Donald Trump. Hours later,…

Billionaire Elon Musk is rapidly consolidating power over key sectors of the U.S. government, fueling alarm among Democrats and constitutional experts who warn of a looming crisis. In the two weeks since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Musk—who heads the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—has aggressively reshaped federal operations with little to no oversight from Congress. His rapid moves have halted the work of the country’s main foreign aid agency, flagged millions of federal employees as redundant, gained access to classified intelligence, and seized control of the system that manages trillions in government spending. Despite wielding unprecedented authority, Musk…

Paycorp, an international payments provider has acquired Pilot Software, a provider of cutting-edge point-of-sale software and hardware solutions for the restaurant and hospitality industry. This strategic move strengthens Paycorp’s market presence and enhances its product offering, enabling businesses to benefit from a diverse range of payment solutions.  Wayne Abramson of Paycorp, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Pilot Software to the Paycorp family. Their expertise in point-of-sale technology, combined with our deep-rooted presence in global payments, creates an exciting synergy. “By combining forces, we will offer restaurant and hospitality businesses seamless, efficient, and value-driven solutions that simplify operations and enhance customer experience. “This acquisition reaffirms…

A coalition of civil society organisations has strongly criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump over his unsubstantiated claims about South Africa. Trump alleged, without evidence, that the South African government is seizing land and mistreating certain groups of people. He further threatened to withdraw future U.S. funding to the country. Among the organisations condemning his remarks are the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, the Desmond Tutu Foundation, and Defend Our Democracy. They described Trump’s statements as “absurd and dangerous.” His comments prompted a swift response from the South African government and led to a significant drop in the value of the rand.

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Tuesday that it will impose counter-tariffs on various U.S. products while also launching a trade-related investigation into Google. The new measures include a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-displacement vehicles. “The U.S.’s unilateral tariff hikes seriously violate World Trade Organization rules,” the ministry stated. “Rather than resolving its own issues, these actions disrupt normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the U.S.” The tariffs come in response to the 10% levy ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump on…

Eskom Board today announced that Leslie Mkhabela has been appointed as the Lead Independent Director, effective 31 January 2025.  Mkhabela joined the Eskom Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director on 01 October 2022, when the new board was appointed by the late Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan. “In our quest to strengthen governance and leave behind an organisation with structures that have the necessary robust checks and balances, the Board deemed it necessary to appoint Mr Mkhabela as a Lead Independent Director. We are happy that Mr Leslie Mkhabela has accepted this important role which he will occupy for the…

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) wishes to announce that to date it has received 2,664 279 applications for tax directives for withdrawals from the Savings Withdrawal Benefit of the two-pot system. Of the total number of applications, 2 403 379 tax directives were approved for funds to be released. The remainder were declined for a variety of reasons, including incorrect Identity Numbers, incorrect tax numbers, amongst others. A total gross lumpsum of R 43.42 billion has been paid out to date. In line with SARS’ intent for taxpayers to use digital channels, SARS is happy to announce that the simulated…

From surging cargo volumes to sophisticated sorting tech, here’s how logistics providers are gearing up to tackle the busiest times of the year. Peak seasons in logistics bring intense activity for retailers, with delivery volumes surging significantly. As e-commerce continues to gain popularity with consumers, these busy periods demand innovative solutions to ensure smooth operations and on-time deliveries. Growth and trends Recent industry data highlights the scale of peak season activity, with logistics providers reporting significant increases in cargo volumes during periods of heightened demand. City Logistics, for example, transported 8% more cargo between September and November 2024 compared to the…

Property technology – or PropTech – is not new to South Africa, with the majority of real estate companies by now having adopted technology or software in some guise since it was first introduced in the 1990s. The post-pandemic landscape has not been without challenges for the real estate sector with high interest rates, loadshedding, escalating municipal costs and failing public infrastructure being the most prevalent issues it has had to deal with. PropTech has emerged as a critical tool for property developers and landlords as they look to enhance operational efficiency and profitability. A surge in demand for advanced…

The Volvo EX30 has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious South African Car of the Year competition sponsored by Old Mutual Insure. The all-electric crossover, which is enjoying substantial global sales success, is one of 17 finalists and the only fully electric vehicle vying for the crown in 2025. The announcement comes after the latest round of voting by the SACOTY jury. “We’re delighted to see the EX30 is a finalist in the South African Car of the Year competition sponsored by Old Mutual Insure,” commented Felipe Yagi, Head of Marketing & Communications at Volvo Car South Africa. “Having racked…

Volvo’s flagship luxury SUV, the all-electric EX90, will join the local lineup in the first half of 2025. Engineered to be the safest Volvo ever, the EX90 introduces the marque’s invisible safety shield. This innovative system combines advanced sensing technology, including cameras, radars, and LiDAR, to protect the vehicle’s occupants and other road users. These components are seamlessly integrated with the EX90’s cutting-edge vehicle computers, powered by Volvo’s proprietary software and NVIDIA DRIVE technology. The EX90 is built on Volvo’s advanced SPA2 platform and joins the brand’s growing lineup of battery-electric vehicles, which includes the EX30, C40 Recharge, and XC40…

Tarsus Distribution has joined forces with Darktrace, a global leader in AI for cybersecurity, to bring enhanced cybersecurity solutions to Africa. This partnership will leverage the existing capabilities of both companies, making Darktrace’s innovative Self-Learning AI technology more accessible to Africa’s enterprises. The collaboration will empower Tarsus’s reseller network across Africa to combat the growing cybersecurity threats effectively, offering network security, email security, and OT (operational technology) protection. Andrew Potgieter, Business Unit Manager for Security and Software at Tarsus Distribution, commented, “Darktrace has consistently demonstrated its leadership in the AI security space. “The synergy between Darktrace’s ActiveAI Security Platform and…

Stellenbosch, South Africa, has been named the country’s surprising up-and-coming technology powerhouse boasting the highest number of tech jobs per capita. With an average of 36 tech-related jobs per 100,000 people, it has surpassed major cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town as a leading destination for tech talent.  Midrand followed closely with an average of 30 tech-related jobs per 100,000 people while Johannesburg ranked third with 24 vacancies per 100,000 people.  Quickbooks analysed 16,000 job listings on Indeed to reveal the regions with the highest concentration of technology-related job opportunities in South Africa. The report also highlighted the average salaries…

JUWI Renewable Energies today announced plans to begin construction on three major private solar projects in 2025. Representing investments of over R6 billion and totaling 340 megawatts (MW) of capacity. The projects will make a major contribution to South Africa’s clean energy transition while serving key players in the mining, data centre, and energy sectors, including Glencore, Teraco, Sasol, and Air Liquide. Together, the projects will generate over 1 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean energy annually, enough to power 200,000 South African households, and offset nearly 1 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year. These projects will also create over…

In a bold expansion of its offering, The Rand Show, South Africa’s most iconic consumer event, is set to introduce a tech-driven Caravan and Boating Exhibition in 2025. Taking place from 17–21 April at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, this thrilling new activation will showcase the future of outdoor living, travel, and exploration through cutting-edge technology and innovation. A Next-Gen Outdoor Experience The Caravan and Boating Exhibition will be a game-changer for adventurers, families, and tech enthusiasts alike. Featuring the latest advancements in recreational vehicles and marine tech, visitors will get an exclusive look at how technology is reshaping the…

As part of its recent Q3 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, TikTok has reinforced its commitment to a secure platform for South African users by continuously enhancing safety protocols and moderating content responsibly. This is evidenced in its proactive efforts to remove content that violates its Community Guidelines. In the third quarter, TikTok removed as many as 928,334 videos in South Africa from the platform for guideline violations. Impressively, 83.6% of these videos were removed within 24 hours. With over a billion people using TikTok globally, and millions of pieces of content posted every day, TikTok continues to invest in technologies…

Planning, insuring, and investing just got simpler and more rewarding with the launch of glu, a new division by the Professional Provident Society (PPS). Set to go live on 30 January 2025, glu is designed to bring the benefits of mutuality and profit-sharing to a broader audience across South Africa, redefining financial security and well-being. As a division of PPS, which primarily serves graduate professionals, glu expands access to the unique mutuality model. Unlike traditional listed companies that distribute profits to shareholders, PPS and glu share their profits with members, creating a financial ecosystem where success is collective. This innovative approach…

Eskom’s relentless execution of the Generation Recovery Plan has achieved a monumental milestone: 303 consecutive days without loadshedding since 26 March 2024. This Sunday, 26 January, marks 10 full months of uninterrupted power supply, a testament to the utility’s progress in its turnaround strategy. In addition to this remarkable achievement, Eskom has saved R16.40 billion in diesel costs year-to-date, a staggering 62.4% reduction compared to the R26.27 billion spent during the same period last year. These savings underscore Eskom’s commitment to financial prudence and operational efficiency. Summer outlook remains positive Last August, Eskom forecasted a loadshedding-free summer from 1 September 2024 to 31 March 2025, citing structural improvements…

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is set to launch four new Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), including C4IR South Africa, which will be hosted at the University of Pretoria (UP). The Forum announced the signing of agreements for the four new Centres on 23 January 2025. C4IR South Africa, which will be formally known as the South African Centre for Industry and Technology, will be run in collaboration with leading South African academic institutions and will advance the nation’s readiness for the future of global value chains and energy transition. The Centre will focus on the twin challenges…

Huawei is today proud to announce that a South African Seeds for the Future team will head to the global finals of the Huawei Tech4Good competition after an impressive showing at the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional finals held in China late last year. Cultivating the next generation of digitally skilled leaders is imperative to Huawei’s mission to strengthen digital ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its Seeds for the Future programme, exemplifies this commitment to building digitally connected societies. The winning project at the regional finals – called e-Kasi Care – uses the power of virtual medical consultations to help close the healthcare…

McDonald’s South Africa is helping customers beat the January blues with wallet-friendly menu options and an exciting new addition to its breakfast offering. Understanding the financial pinch that often comes with the start of a new year, McDonald’s is rolling out affordable value meals and sharing options designed to suit every budget. “McDonald’s SA menu features plenty of affordable choices, including fan favourites from as little as R10 on our McSaver menu and from R29,90 on our Nazo Meals, said Daniel Padiachy, Chief Marketing Officer at McDonald’s South Africa. “We ‘re also have exclusive in-app deals giving customers more ways…

Global technology brand HONOR has announced the upcoming launch of the eagerly awaited HONOR X9c, the latest addition to its acclaimed X Series line-up. Introducing the next generation of the durable and powerful HONOR X Series, the HONOR X9c arrives with exciting enhancements to user experience, blending exceptional durability with comprehensive protection, long-lasting battery life and AI photography capabilities, and advanced AI experience – all encased in a sleek and stunning design. To highlight the device’s durability, HONOR will put the HONOR X9c through a series of tests during the brand’s upcoming launch event. This elevated experience aims to offer users a unique opportunity…