Author: Staff Writer

FNB and WesBank have approved payment breaks on more than 500 000 credit agreements for nearly 150 000 individual and business customers since 1 April 2020. The relief includes payment breaks and/or credit insurance assistance in excess of R4.3 billion to help customers whose finances have been affected by COVID-19. “Our approach is to offer qualifying customers a payment break by paying installments on their behalf for a period of three months. As a result, we have structured our assistance at prime interest rates to alleviate the financial burden and give customers the flexibility to repay the facility over flexible terms,” FNB…

As South Africa’s economy slowly starts regaining traction during level 4 of the lockdown, MTN has started reopening its network of 410 stores nationwide, subject to strict measures being put in place to enhance the safety of customers and staff. Around eighty percent of MTN’s stores began trading on May 1, with all stores across the network open for trading yesterday. Limited trading hours, a strictly controlled shift system, 2 metre social distancing barrier markings, and regular health-checks are among the key proactive measures MTN has put in place. “Our focus is on continuing to give customers all the support…

Teraco on Wednesday formally confirmed the construction of Teraco Cape Town 2 (CT2), a new 30MW data centre facility. This follows the company’s recent 60MW expansion announcement of its Johannesburg data centre campus in Isando and makes the Cape Town facility the second-largest on the continent. Jan Hnizdo, CEO, Teraco, says that the company is standing by its 2019 commitment to support the South African Government’s investment drive and with this build will be investing billions of rands in South Africa’s digital infrastructure:. “We are truly proud that we can keep investing in the region and make good on our…

De Beers Marine SA has stepped in to help the nation’s battle against COVID-19 by 3D printing parts of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed for frontline health workers. The initiative was driven by Mechanical Engineer, Gustav van der Merwe and the Research and Development team, who saw an opportunity to assist health workers in the Western Cape, especially those at Tygerberg Hospital which treats the highest number of COVID-19 patients, but also has a shortage of face shields. Western Cape Province currently has been deemed as a hotspot with one of the highest caseloads of confirmed COVID-19 patients in…

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has urged taxpayers to remain compliant and make use of its online services as the country battles an ailing economy compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. “If there was ever a time where delivering on our mandate matters, it is now. During this time, it remains extremely important for all taxpayers to remain compliant,” said SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter. This, Kieswetter said, means taxpayers must register when they are legally required to; submit tax and customs declarations, returns, and relevant submissions when it is required and make the necessary payments when they become due unless…

As the country has lifted the lid on some of the economic activity and people are starting to move around, South Africa must brace itself for the increase of COVID-19 infections. This was the key message delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa during a visit to KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday to assess the province’s COVID-19 response. The President was engaging with the provincial government and stakeholders on the province’s response strategies and progress being made to flatten the curve of the Coronavirus pandemic. He said Level 5 lockdown had done a great deal to put the brakes on the wave of infections…

To assist the local and provincial governments in providing much-needed care to COVID-19 patients in Nelson Mandela Bay, Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has made its Port Elizabeth plant available as a temporary medical facility. The plant in Neave (Korsten, Port Elizabeth), which is currently not in use, will be converted and used as an overflow medical facility. Once fully operational, the facility could accommodate up to 4 000 beds for patients diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus. This would also include high-acuity patients who require oxygenation. The planned conversion of the 66 000m² building is the result of a collaboration…

South Africa’s National Department of Health (NDoH) has launched a COVID-19 digital self-assessment tool called HealthCheck. The tool will allow for early detection, mapping and management of COVID-19 cases using USSD and the official COVID-19 WhatsApp Service (COVID-19 CONNECT). The tool comes at a crucial moment in the South African government’s COVID-19 response – when certain aspects of the country’s lockdown are being relaxed and more responsibility is being placed on individuals to ensure their own health when engaging in outdoor activity and other areas of public life. Members of the public will be able to use HealthCheck to self-assess…

The financial well-being of a whopping 65% of vehicle-buying consumers in South Africa has been negatively impacted by the nationwide lockdown. Many (30% to be precise) are under pressure to replace their vehicle within the next four weeks. This is compelling evidence in favour of allowing all vehicle dealerships – both independent and franchised – to trade under Level Four of lockdown restrictions. This is according to George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader, who points out that, as consumers lose their jobs and/or receive salary cuts, they are demonstrating an urgent need to free up cash or reduce monthly household costs.…

In light of the COVID-19 epidemic, Volkswagen South Africa has made the decision to extend new vehicle warranties. “As the passenger-car market leader in South Africa, we want to release some of the burden that COVID-19 has placed on Volkswagen customers. As a result of this pandemic, Volkswagen dealerships were closed during the 5-week lockdown meaning that for many of our customers, it was impossible to make claims under their warranties in good time, that is why we are offering this free-of-charge benefit to our customers,” says Mike Glendinning, Sales and Marketing Director for Volkswagen Group South Africa. In the…