Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-07 i Mercury

Vodacom said the matter was settled by the parties out of court, but did not disclose the rand amount of the agreement Vodacom has revised its earnings forecast downwards by around 17%, due to a “one-off event”, hours after it reported that a settlement had been reached in the Please Call Me court action. Vodacom said the matter was settled by the parties out of court; the parties were glad that finality had been reached, and Vodacom did not disclose the rand amount of the settlement agreement, even though Business Report did question the telecom operator in this regard. As part of the settlement, the group said a notice was sent to the Supreme Court of Appeal, withdrawing Vodacom's appeal. Additionally, a notice was sent to the High Court to…

An abandoned mine. A global superpower desperate for supply. And South Africa quietly holding the solution. This isn’t fiction — it’s happening right now in Steenkampskraal, a forgotten town in the Western Cape. For six decades the site gathered dust. Anglo American walked away in 1963, convinced it was exhausted. They were wrong — by about R50 billion. Today, Steenkampskraal’s rare-earth deposits could reshape global supply chains, challenge China’s dominance, and position South Africa as a critical player in the electric-vehicle, renewable-energy and defence industries. The Rare-Earth Revolution The world has entered a new resource war — not for oil or gold, but for elements most people can’t pronounce: neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium. These minerals are the invisible engine of modern life. Every EV motor, wind turbine and military…

South Africans are seeing slight relief at the pumps this month after the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced decreases in petrol and diesel prices, though experts say the cuts remain modest amid broader cost pressures in the economy. Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe confirmed that both grades of petrol dropped by 51 cents per litre, while both grades of diesel declined by 21 cents per litre at the start of November. According to the Road Freight Association (RFA), the lower diesel prices will offer some financial reprieve to transporters. RFA CEO Gavin Kelly said that as of 5 November, the cost of 500ppm diesel fell by 21 cents per litre and 50ppm diesel by 19 cents, while 93 and 95 octane petrol fell by 39…

Today’s investment landscape is increasingly complex for South African investors, amid heightened market volatility and political uncertainty. Offshore investing remains a critically relevant strategy for preserving and growing wealth while managing risk. Diversifying beyond South African borders is not just a luxury; it’s a necessary consideration for prudent portfolio management. Why consider offshore exposure? From currency fluctuations to policy shifts, the South African market has historically faced a range of economic and political challenges that directly impact local asset performance. Offshore investing offers several key advantages to navigate this unpredictability: ● Diversification of risk: Offshore assets allow investors to reduce the concentration risk embedded in their domestic portfolios. By spreading capital across global markets, sectors, and currencies, investors are less vulnerable to country-specific downturns. ● Access to growth opportunities: Many…

Just Share, a shareholder activism group, says it recommends that investors vote against Sasol’s “say on climate” shareholder resolution at the fuels-from coal and chemicals group’s November 14 annual general meeting, but Sasol has staunchly defended its emissions roadmap. Just share said Thursday that there remain “multiple significant questions” about the feasibility and robustness of Sasol’s “optimised Emission Reduction Roadmap" (ERR) that it released at its Capital Markets Day in May this year - the ERR will achieve the same 30%-by-2030 emission reduction targets to which it committed in 2021, at a reduced cost. Just Share said most of Sasol’s emissions were from the Secunda Operation’s coal-to-liquid process and “offsetting” emissions did not prevent harm from burning fossil fuels. Broadly, Sasol intended to raise production as well as “offset” increased…

THE eThekwini Municipality is set to construct new multi-billion rand wastewater treatment works in the Umdloti and Umkomaas areas, demonstrating its commitment to addressing the city’s sewage infrastructure challenges. This project will be constructed in terms of a public-private partnership. Russell Curtis of Invest Durban spoke recently about the investment, telling business people and delegates attending the KwaZulu-Natal Investment Conference that a private investor is set to provide close to R2.4 billion for the wastewater works project in Durban. The conference attracted a significant number of pledges for investment, with numerous individual investment commitments coming to Durban and the KwaDukuza municipalities. The investment has been welcomed by opposition parties, who stated that such infrastructure is key to improving sanitation in the city. City spokesperson Gugu Sisilana provided details of the…

The corruption case against South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence boss Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo and six senior officers has been postponed to February 13, 2026. The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court granted the postponement yesterday as the State said it was finalising outstanding disclosures. Khumalo and two co-accused, have also sought to amend their bail conditions so they can return to work while awaiting trial. Khumalo and his co-accused were arrested in June on fraud and corruption charges linked to the alleged irregular appointment of civilian Dineo Mokwele to a senior post within Crime Intelligence. The State claims Mokwele’s vetting and appointment bypassed security and recruitment procedures, implicating top management within the division. Each accused was released on bail ranging between R10 000 and R20 000, with one of the…

Eskom’s reliance on costly diesel generation has drastically reduced, marking one of the clearest signs yet that the power utility’s turnaround strategy is gaining traction. The state-owned entity said its diesel expenditure dropped sharply from R33.4 billion in the 2024 financial year to R17 billion in 2025. The current year’s spending stands at just R6.1 billion, below the R8 billion budget. “This demonstrates Eskom’s strategic shift away from diesel reliance, driven by stronger 24/7 baseload generation,” the utility said on Wednesday. Eskom has also drastically reduced how often it runs its Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs), which are designed to burn diesel only during peak demand or emergencies. The year-to-date OCGT load factor sits at 5.84%, showing that these turbines “are being used selectively and efficiently, as intended”. The power utility…

Andrea Johnson, Head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), strongly defended her office’s decision to arrest Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, head of Crime Intelligence, and six other senior police officials on corruption and fraud charges. Speaking before the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee yesterday Johnson emphasised the investigation’s legitimacy and thoroughness, as well as the subsequent arrests. The committee is probing allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference within South Africa’s justice system, following explosive claims made in July by KwaZulu-Natal Police Chief Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi said IDAC was involved in interfering with Crime Intelligence operations, particularly surrounding the arrest of General Khumalo earlier this year. Johnson addressed these claims, clarifying the process leading to Khumalo’s arrest and rebutting allegations of undue interference or dramatic tactics.…

STRATEGIES used by a non-government organisation (NGO) to educate children are showing positive results for school readiness. Thanda, an NGO based in KwaZulu-Natal, said focused investment in early childhood development can strengthen foundational learning and set children up for long-term success. The organisation spoke recently on the performance of the children in their Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme regarding readiness for school. It found that their teaching methods have a high success rate in getting children ready for school. A sample of about 58 children in their programme recorded a success rate of about 95%. The assessment is done through the Early Learning Outcomes Measure (ELOM), an independent assessment tool developed and managed by the Centre for Early Childhood Development (CECD) in South Africa. This tool is designed to evaluate…

I first saw the electric Volkswagen ID Buzz at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2019 and was immediately enamoured by it. I think it was partly because I’m a little older and grew up with Kombis, and also because my aunt and her husband had an older split-window two-tone camper-van set-up that they travelled the country with, and I thought they were the coolest people ever. The ID Buzz is not available in South Africa yet, and following a pilot test scheme with DHL Express in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, selected media have been given an opportunity to drive it. In Europe, they’re available in a variety of people movers and specifications with some very retro colour schemes, but the ID Buzz Cargo we had on test was vanilla…

FIFA has created a new annual award called the Fifa Peace Prize to be awarded for the first time during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, world soccer's governing body said Wednesday. “Football stands for peace, and on behalf of the entire global football community, the Fifa Peace Prize - Football Unites the World will recognize the enormous efforts of those individuals who unite people, bringing hope for future generations," Fifapresident Gianni Infantino said in a statement. The announcement came before Infantino appeared at the America Business Forum in Miami, where US President Donald Trump and Argentine World Cup champion Lionel Messi were also speakers. The recipient of the inaugural award was not revealed, but there was immediate speculation that it could go to Trump, an Infantino ally who…

Every great leader is forged in big moments — and Siya Kolisi has had plenty in the Springbok jersey. From a dream debut in Mbombela to two World Cup triumphs and unforgettable battles against the top rugby nations in the world. The Bok captain’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary as he approaches his 100th Test cap on Saturday against France at the Stade de France in Paris. Ahead of the duel, we take a look at five crucial Test matches the skipper has played in and how it has guided him to his century. Test debut vs Scotland (15 June 2013, Mbombela) Kolisi’s Springbok journey began in dramatic fashion. Coming off the bench just five minutes into the game after an early injury to Arno Botha, he delivered…

LAMONTVILLE Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi has warned his players against complacency as the KwaZulu-Natal outfit prepares to battle unpredictability in the form of Marumo Gallants in the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout Cup. On Sunday, Abafana Besthende will welcome Bahlabane Ba Ntwa to the King Zwelithini Stadium in a 3pm kick-off, hoping to turn off-field uplift into onfield success against a side they faced seven days ago. Arrows thumped their Bloemfontein-based side in a league encounter in Umlazi and will now look to recreate that night in search of a place in the final. “It’s a good thing what is happening with the club to catch the interest of people on the social media space,” Mngqithi said. “I can hear, feel and see the attention.” The Arrows mentor admitted…

Lesaka Technologies’ consumer business delivered a standout performance in its first quarter with a 90% increase in segment adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) to R150 million, although the group reported a small loss. The Nasdaq and JSE listed technology group, which provides financial services and digital solutions to underserved communities and merchants across Southern Africa, said year-on-year, group net revenue increased by 45% and adjusted EBITDA was up 61%. Adjusted earnings per share increased by 97%, reflecting organic growth and the accretive effect of acquisitions. “These results mark a strong start to our financial year, demonstrating consistent and resilient growth momentum,” Lesaka CEO Lincoln Mall said. Lesaka serves over 90 000 micro merchants and more than 30 000 small-to-medium-sized businesses; the majority of these businesses are…

Conceptual clarity adopted in its founding principles and a strong mandate to drive sustainable industrialisation has largely defined the history of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Although shortages of manufactured goods, caused by disruption to trade between Europe and South Africa following the first and second world wars were key catalysts for the rapid industrialisation of the local economy, the core objective to industrialise South Africa still underpins the corporation's foundational mandate, alongside its commitment to job creation. Established in 1940 through an Act of Parliament, the IDC turned 85 years old, in October, last month. For context, this institution has contributed significantly to shaping South Africa’s manufacturing and industrial base over the past eight and half decades. The corporation helped birth the likes of Ouma Rusks, Da Gama textiles,…

The South African Revenue Services’ (Sars) provisional sequestration of Roy Muleya, sole director of a company with a tax liability of about R155 million, underscores the serious consequences of tax non-compliance, as confirmed by the North Gauteng High Court on 29 October 2025. This most recent notch in Sars’ belt clearly evidences the revenue authority’s far-reaching powers and zero tolerance for non-compliance. To commemorate this win, Sars commissioner Edward Kieswetter commented: “Where taxpayers opt to wilfully disregard their obligations by acting outside the remit of the law, Sars will make it hard and costly. Sars will continue to act lawfully and decisively against those who deliberately seek to evade or neglect their tax responsibilities. The message we want to communicate is that no matter how long it takes, Sars will…

Tesla shareholders will determine on Thursday the fate of a massive pay package meant to retain Elon Musk long enough to achieve technological breakthroughs he vows will change the world. Musk - who has boasted that Tesla's engineering prowess in artificial intelligence, autonomy and robotics will leave rival tech giants in the dust - stands to garner as much as $1 trillion in an unprecedented package tied to performance benchmarks. Tesla Chair Robin Denholm has appeared on CNBC and other broadcasts in recent weeks to sell the plan in a sign of the board's continued enthusiastic backing for Musk, despite criticism that the billionaire's embrace of far-right political figures has weighed on sales. "Without Elon, Tesla could lose significant value, as our company may no longer be valued for what…

Assmang has announced it will place its Beeshoek Iron Ore Mine near Postmasburg in the Northern Cape under care and maintenance at the end of November, following the completion of a Section 189 consultation process in terms of the Labour Relations Act. The plaing of the mine under care and maintenance, as well as the retrenchment of workers, comes despite the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) having expressed strong opposition and its readiness to engage in consultations to explore alternatives. The decision, which comes after extensive consultations facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and involving representative trade unions, will result in the retrenchment of all affected employees, numbering approximately 622 permanent workers, effective 30 November 2025. Assmang, a joint venture between African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and…

MOTORISTS should not expect amnesty for past infringements when the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Amendment Act and demerit system are rolled out in 69 municipalities across the country from next month. The Road Traffic Infringement Authority (RTIA), which manages South Africa's road safety and administers Aarto, has indicated that the phased rollout of the amended legislation will begin on December 1, 2025 and continue until September 1, 2026. According to the RTIA, on April 1 next year Aarto's third phase will be implemented in 144 municipalities and the fourth phase will see the introduction of the points demerit system and rehabilitation programme six months later on September 1. During phase one, issuing authorities were expected to finalise refresher training for law enforcement officers and back-office staff on…

The murder case against 31-year-old Tiffany Nicole Meek, accused of killing her son Jayden-Lee, has been transferred to the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg. Meek made another appearance at the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court this week, where her case was postponed until November 20 for a pre-trial hearing. Meek's legal representative, Noven Naidoo, also informed the court that his client will now be using Legal Aid for the rest of her case. According to her lawyer, Meek can no longer afford to pay for her legal fees due to her prolonged incarceration. “I have been instructed by the accused that she can no longer afford my services, and she wishes to apply for Legal Aid in the matter,” Naidoo stated. Furthermore, Meek's attorney related her ordeal, adding that her current situation…

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has rejected claims that 7 500 state-issued firearms from the South African Police Service (SAPS) have been lost to criminal syndicates, following a parliamentary question from MK Party Member of Parliament Wesley Douglas. Douglas had asked whether Cachalia had ordered a national audit into SAPS corruption that led to the alleged loss of the firearms, and if not, why not. He also wanted to know whether the Acting Minister would commit to delivering a full report by December 2025, and if so, what the terms of reference of the audit were, when the results would be released, and what consequences management would apply to senior officers implicated. In his written reply, Cachalia said the SAPS “disputes the number of firearms lost, as indicated by the…

Former security boss Ferrel Govender has told the Durban Magistrate’s Court that he is kept in inhumane conditions at prison and this has resulted in his health deteriorating. Ferrel, 40, is currently applying for bail on new facts. He and his brother, Darren Govender, stand accused of the murder of businessman Shailen Singh. Singh was shot dead at Meridian Drive in broad daylight on December 29, 2024, for allegedly having an affair with Ferrel’s girlfriend. Fourteen spent cartridges were found at the scene. Darren is out on R200 000 bail. Ferrel’s attempts to gain freedom have been unsuccessful, even at the Supreme Court of Appeal. The State is oppposing his bail. His affidavit, which was read out by his counsel, Advocate Michael Hellens SC includes, among other things, the statement…

Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leader Jacob Zuma is under scrutiny following his public fallout with his deputy Dr John Hlophe. On Wednesday night, the MKP suspended Hlophe for removing the party’s parliament chief whip Colleen Makhubele. Hlophe had, according to the MKP, unilaterally removed Makhubele without consultation with the party or Zuma and replaced her with Des van Rooyen. Zuma, who was out of the country when Makhubele was removed, then reversed Hlophe’s decision and issued him with a precautionary suspension. On Wednesday it was reported that Makhubele had been removed after she allegedly attempted to secure an MK service provider contract worth more than R180 000 a month for a company in which her husband is a director. It was also claimed that she failed a parliamentary vetting process…

If you’ve ever seen or flown a drone, you know they look like a flimsy piece of flying equipment as they’re incredibly light and fragile. Now, with the launch of a Chinese flying car, it’s like looking at an oversized drone that’s meant to fly humans as the comparison is unavoidable. Earlier this month in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, the public were given their first glimpses of a flying car made by Chinese manufacturer Xpeng Aeroht. It was the first instance of a manned flying car demonstration to the public worldwide. It hardly instilled confidence in my opinion, and I certainly feel like I’d be risking my life if I attempted to use one. Without sugar-coating it, it looks like a death trap. The vehicle, which is classified…

World lives with African death without feeling implicated by it SUDAN is not a crisis – it is a revelation. It is the mirror no one wants to look into, showing us what the world becomes when power sheds its old costumes and violence finds new investors. From Khartoum’s charred skyline to the mass graves of El Fasher, Sudan is where the empire updates its software and humanity glitches. To call this merely a “civil war” is to participate in misrecognition. Sudan is the front line of a new imperial order: not built on flags, missions, or manifest destiny, but on ports, drones, logistics platforms, and gold smuggling routes. If the twentieth-century empire arrived with gunboats and civilising myths, the twenty-first arrives through private equity, military-logistics corridors, and humanitarian press…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has his work cut out for him as he faces a tricky selection task when he announces his final 23-member squad for the Afcon finals in Morocco next month. Bafana have been on an upward trajectory in recent months, having qualified for both the upcoming continental showpiece and the 2026 Fifa World Cup with impressive top finishes in their respective groups. As such, Broos is fully aware that if it weren’t for the players’ effort and performances, Bafana wouldn’t be on the rise or counted among the favourites for Afcon. To maintain that momentum and reward his players’ hard work, Broos is expected to stick with the core of his regular squad for the tournament in North Africa. He also knows that he must prepare…

France flyhalf Romain Ntamack says that even though he did not play in the World Cup quarter-final against the Springboks, all French players were tainted by the agonising defeat. When the sides last met at the Stade de France, the Boks won 29-28 in a nightmare end to the host nation’s dream of winning the Webb Ellis Cup on French soil. Not long before the 2023 tournament, Ntamack suffered a serious knee injury. He had been favoured to be the starting flyhalf, but the No 10 jersey went to Mattieu Jalibert, who is likely to be on the bench on Saturday behind Ntamack. “I wasn’t part of that World Cup quarter-final squad, but the trauma affected more than just the 23 players on the team sheet,” he told RugbyRama. “Since…

Despite the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) facing governance and performance challenges, the country’s banks - especially Standard Bank - have been engaging in multiple significant business deals and collaborations with the state-owned asset management entity over the years, allegedly continuing to exploit the situation for their own gain. United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader General Bantu Holomisa recently raised concerns about commercial banks. He accused them of structuring self-serving deals with the PIC that leave the pension fund, and ultimately public servants, to shoulder significant risk. Holomisa, in a formal letter addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Chairperson of the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), Songezo Zibi, sounded the alarm over what he described as deeply troubling irregularities within the PIC. He cautioned that the scale and nature…

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has said that South Africa’s subtropical fruit sector remains a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural economy and a critical driver of export growth, particularly as the government pursues new market opportunities in Asia and beyond. Speaking at the Subtropical Marketing Symposium this week, Steenhuisen said that when he assumed office last year, he pledged to ensure that South Africa’s agriculture would compete “not just on volume, but on value.” “Nowhere is this more relevant than in the subtropical sector. Our avocado industry produces around 155 000 tons a year, and nearly half of that is exported as fresh fruit," he said. "Of the fresh exports, 75% go to the European Union and Russia, 22% to the United Kingdom, and a smaller but growing 3% to…

Sappi’s share price surged over 9% on the JSE on Thursday after it forecasted an improvement in its 2026 financial year, following a loss for 2025. The woodfibre product manufacturer for global markets will focus on debt and strengthening its balance sheet through targeted cost savings, and operational efficiency improvements, CEO Steve Binnie said. The share price traded 9.47% higher at R25.20 on Thursday morning - the price has ticked downward steadily this year from R54.10. The group, which manufactures on three continents and sells products in over 150 countries, reported headline earnings per share sliding to a US 19 cents loss for the year to September 30, 2025, compared with the one US cent profit the year before. “We’re all in the same boat. Our peers in South Africa,…

Despite appeals for unity and reconciliation in the Zulu royal family, the protracted throne battle is far from over and has now reached the Constitutional Court. Prince Simakade Zulu, the half-brother of King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, is opposed to the recognition of Misuzulu as the legitimate Amazulu king and has filed papers in the highest court challenging the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA) recent ruling. Last month, the SCA overruled the Pretoria High Court's 2023 judgment that had set aside Misuzulu's recognition as monarch by President Cyril Ramaphosa. After the ruling, Misuzulu called an imbizo and invited all the royal family members to sit down and talk peace, however, Simakade argues that the SCA order is flawed. In his judgment, Deputy President of the SCA Judge Dumisani Zondi said the allegations…

In a landmark ruling, the Northern Cape High Court in Kimberley issued a judgment that allows rhino horn harvested from registered captive breeding operations to be exported under specific permits for conservation purposes. Wicus Diedericks, who operates a private rhino conservancy, turned to court after he wanted to export some horns of living rhinos to fund ongoing conservancy efforts, which run into about R20 million annually. The government, however, refused to issue him the relevant permits. Diedericks describes his conservancy as breeding rhinos to help ensure the survival of the species and play a part in the prevention of its extinction. His property spans 33,000 hectares, but its location is not mentioned due to the dangers of rhino poaching. Diedericks told the court that he has operated this rhino conservancy…

Standard Bank is set to rollout Home Affairs services across 20 additional branches in early 2026. In a statement yesterday, the bank said it had acquired the necessary devices and infrastructure required to expand Home Affairs services to more branches. The initiative builds on Standard Bank’s collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), which has already enabled thousands of clients to apply for and collect Smart IDs and passports at selected branches. Head of Client Experience for Personal and Private Banking at Standard Bank, Marius Le Roux, said infrastructure secured for the new branches shows how serious the two stakeholders are about making this service accessible to more South Africans. Le Roux explained that two pilot branches are already in the testing phase. He added that the branches have…

Former Bosasa chief operations officer Angelo Agrizzi has entered into a plea agreement with the State, admitting to charges of corruption and money-laundering linked to the company’s controversial contracts with the Department of Correctional Services. Agrizzi appeared virtually before the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria yesterday due to his ongoing health problems. The court accepted a plea and sentencing agreement that brings an end to the long-running case. Agrizzi received a 10-year sentence for each count of corruption and an additional 10 years for money-laundering — but the sentences were wholly suspended for five years, effectively sparing him from serving time behind bars. The court heard that Agrizzi’s deteriorating health was a key factor in the decision to suspend the sentence. He has suffered several medical complications since his arrest…

The Randburg Magistrate’s Court has dismissed the Section 174 discharge application brought by eight former bodyguards of Deputy President Paul Mashatile. The SAPS VIP protection officers had sought to have their assault charges dropped. However, Magistrate Abdul Khan dismissed their Section 174 discharge application relating to the assault charges, with the trial set to resume from March 23 to 27, 2026. Khan ruled that only one charge – attempting to defeat the administration of justice – would be discharged, while emphasising that all the other charges would proceed, including pointing a firearm, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, malicious property damage, and reckless and negligent driving. The eight officers, who are currently out on R10 000 bail each, will have to wait until March to put up their…

Tokyo is a city that evokes endless fascination. It’s vibrant and energetic, cutting-edge modern, yet traditional and everything works with the greatest of efficiency. Its cars are another source of intrigue, showcased in spectacular fashion every second year by the Japan Mobility Show, which IOL attended this year as a guest of Suzuki Auto South Africa. The brand once again demonstrated its ability to produce compact cars that are relevant and accessible to the greater populace. But this year, there was a focus on cleaner power sources that go beyond the battery-powered format, which is inaccessible for many. These comprised everything from a Fuel-Flex Suzuki that runs on a mixture of ethanol to the methane gas-powered Victorus, a battery-powered Vision eSky Kei car and even hydrogen-powered motorcycles. The Suzuki Victorus…

Stellantis has unveiled the Alfa Romeo Junior locally, transforming the much-loved marque of days gone by into an electric compact SUV. First called the Alfa Romeo Milano, the company was forced to change the name after a dispute with the Italian Government. Despite not owning shares in the company, they argued that it is illegal to use Milano on a product that is not manufactured in Italy. Alfa Romeo’s headquarters are based in Turin, Italy, but the car is manufactured in Poland. Only in Italy. The Junior is available in two different trims, the Elettrica and the Veloce. “The arrival of the Alfa Romeo Junior marks a historic moment for our brand in South Africa,” says Janus Janse van Rensburg, the brand head at Alfa Romeo South Africa. “For the…

THE vast majority of South Africans are not extremists, racists, xenophobes or cultural separatists. They are not Coloured or Zulu or Afrikaner nationalists, nor Black or White supremacists. They understand that extreme poverty is unsustainable, and that the government should have done far better over the past 30 years to build a fairer, more united nation. But they don’t want White people stripped of assets and marched into the sea. Nor do they want Black people to continue suffering the indignities imposed under colonialism and apartheid. What they need is a renewed belief that the society described in our Constitution, rooted in equality, justice and shared purpose, embodied by Mandela, remains possible. That there will come a time when all South Africans have a place at the table and are…

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was unequivocal in giving his opinion about what separates great Springboks such as Siya Kolisi from the fly-by-nights that play one or two Tests. Both coach and captain will celebrate significant milestones against France in Paris on Saturday night. Erasmus takes charge of his 50th Bok Test, having won 36 of the 49, while Kolisi becomes the ninth Bok centurion. “You get the player who is playing for himself as a Bok and then you get the player who is playing for his country. That is why you see guys with plenty of potential play two or three Tests and fade. They don’t get it that it is about the team and South Africa, not about the individual. “You have to serve the team,” Erasmus continued…

Bafana Bafana will head into the Afcon finals in Morocco next month as one of the favourites - not the whipping boys of the past - and coach Hugo Broos says they are ready to live up to that tag. Bafana arrived at the last continental showpiece, which was held in Ivory Coast, merely regarded as participants. But they rewrote the script as they earned a podium finish - third place - for the first time in more than two decades. They have since built on that foundation over the past few months. They qualified for the upcoming continental showpiece without a loss, finishing top of their group. Bafana restored the nation’s pride by qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup after finishing top of their group, shrugging off competition…