SolarButterfly continues its journey across South Africa

The world’s largest solar-powered vehicle, the SolarButterfly, has travelled from Stellenbosch, in the Western Cape, to Wolmaransstad, in the North West, and onwards as it continues its global... 

EV charging stations now take credit cards, in a process that required some interesting tech

Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in South Africa are set to become more user-friendly as they will allow customers to pay with major credit cards. This comes as EFT Corporation has... 

Capetonians reach R55m earnings mark in Cash for Power programme

Cape Town businesses and households have broken through the R55-million earnings mark since the start of the city’s Cash for Power programme in 2022/23, until January 31 this year. Cape Town is the... 

Engine certification issues resolved, exports back to normal – Toyota SA

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) says the engine certification issues that affected its new-vehicle export business last year have been resolved. “Export streams are continuing as before,” says a... 

Cartrack launches wireless tag that can operate in low, no cellular reception areas

Cartrack has launched a wireless tag for the tracking of physical assets used in commercial operations. The company, a Karooooo subsidiary, says the Cartrack-Tag provides enhanced visibility in... 

Eight takeaways from an in-flux 2024 new-vehicle market

It may have been 60 years ago, but Bob Dylan’s 1964 hit perhaps best describes conditions in last year’s automotive market – The Times They Are A-Changin’ 2024 was the year in which the dominance... 

Cape Town adopts treated effluent irrigation, offers industry low price to take up supply

The City of Cape Town is commissioning treated effluent irrigation connections at a number of city recreation and parks facilities in a move it says will likely save between 2.5-million and... 

Coal, uranium regarded as critical minerals in South Africa – Mantashe

South Africa’s definition of critical minerals is not limited to minerals used in the green economy and includes coal and uranium, says Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe.... 

Copper demand, prices likely to boom, despite uncertain macroeconomics

When looking ahead to 2050, the global economy is probably going to need about 80% to 90% more copper than what is being produced today – which adds up to between 50-million and 60-million tons a... 

Eight takeaways from an in-flux 2024 new-vehicle market

It may have been 60 years ago, but Bob Dylan’s 1964 hit perhaps best describes conditions in last year’s automotive market – The Times They Are A-Changin’ 2024 was the year in which the dominance... 

Cartrack launches wireless tag that can operate in low, no cellular reception areas

Cartrack has launched a wireless tag for the tracking of physical assets used in commercial operations. The company, a Karooooo subsidiary, says the Cartrack-Tag provides enhanced visibility in... 

Volvo Car SA conducting ‘strategic review’ of its dealer network

Volvo Car South Africa (VCSA) says it is conducting a strategic review of its dealer network. “As the licensor of the Volvo brand, VCSA has been actively consulting with its independent licensed... 

Cape Town calls for Budget to increase affordable housing funding to cities

The City of Cape Town says it is “eagerly awaiting” Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s announcement that the Budget, set to be delivered on Wednesday, will increase funding for cities to deliver... 

Budget Speech must include incentives to boost shift to EVs – Charge

It is crucial that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana introduce the long-promised financial incentives in his Budget speech that will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), as well as... 

CSIR develops satellite tool to sound alert on red tides

Abalone farmers along the South African coastline now have access to an online tool, developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), that allows them to track marine algal... 

Türkiye exit, SA vehicle production slump to hit Metair earnings

Manufacturer, distributor and retailer of automotive components, Metair, says its exit from the Turkish market and a slump in local vehicle production will have a significant impact on its 2024... 

Naamsa revises 2024 vehicle exports up by 82 500 units following verification

Naamsa | The Automotive Business Council has issued a significant correction to South Africa’s 2024 new-vehicle export data “following a comprehensive data verification exercise” which showed that... 

Developing a new mine in SA ‘simply not competitive or attractive’, says Minerals Council CEO

When considering the development of new mines and the flurry of exploration in Africa and around the world, the South African mining sector is “simply not competitive or attractive”, says Minerals... 

Govt should not bully miners into beneficiation, IDC must step up – Swanepoel

Beneficiation is not the responsibility of mining companies, says Manganese Metal Company (MMC) executive chairperson Bernard Swanepoel. “Speaking as the last standing manganese beneficiation... 

BMW SA reintroduces third shift, says there is growing local interest in PHEV model

BMW Group South Africa (BMW SA) says the new BMW X3 has “strongly resonated” with local customers since its introduction in October last year, with all available stock sold, or on order. The X3 is... 

African Association of Automotive Manufacturers appoints new CEO

The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) has appointed Victoria Backhaus-Jerling as its new CEO, effective March 1. Backhaus-Jerling succeeds Dave Coffey, who is retiring, having... 

Tyre industry concerned about possible AGOA expulsion

South Africa’s tyre, equipment and parts industry says it is concerned about possible tariff jumps, lost contracts and supply chain disruptions, should South Africa’s duty-free access to the US... 

SA is fourth most popular digital nomad destination, shows new study

A newly released study by Nebeus ranks South Africa as the fourth most popular global digital nomad destination, with remote workers able to maximise their savings while benefiting from a high... 

Metros’ job growth lacklustre; Gauteng shedding manufacturing jobs – report

South Africa’s eight metros – Cape Town, Tshwane, Johannesburg, Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay, Ekurhuleni, Mangaung and eThekwini – have seen a lacklustre employment trajectory over the last... 

South Africa’s GoMetro expands to Malaysia

South African mobility management platform GoMetro continues its international expansion, this time to Malaysia. Malaysia-based telematics service provider Active Telematics has teamed up with... 

Cape Town adopts treated effluent irrigation; offers industry low price to take up supply

The City of Cape Town is commissioning treated effluent irrigation connections at a number of city recreation and parks facilities in a move it says will likely save between 2.5-million and... 

Energy debate likely to shift from availability to affordability – Cape Town mayor

With power utility Eskom breaching 300 days without loadshedding, the national energy debate is likely to shift from availability to affordability, says Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.... 

2025 Car of the Year finalists announced

The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) has announced the 17 finalists in the Car of the Year (COTY) competition. They are, in alphabetical order: 

UAE group, GoMetro partner on EV fleet

Admiral Mobility UAE and South African mobility management platform provider GoMetro have formed a joint venture (JV) to help commercial fleet operators transition to electric fleets in the United... 

Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront hopes to break ground on R20bn project later this year

The V&A Waterfront hopes to break ground later this year on a proposed R20-billion development to be rolled out in phases over the next 15 to 20 years. The new development and its funding have... 

Coal, uranium both critical minerals in SA – Mantashe

South Africa’s definition of critical minerals is not limited to those minerals used in the green economy and includes coal and uranium, says Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede... 

Megamillion says it will form JV to set up SA battery plant

South African energy company Megamillion says it will form a joint venture (JV) with China’s Dr Henry Mao to launch the Giga-Africa 1 battery plant in Africa. Megamillion says Mao, an... 

Developing a new mine in SA ‘simply not competitive or attractive’– Minerals Council CEO

When considering the development of new mines and the flurry of exploration in Africa and around the world, the South African mining sector is “simply not competitive or attractive”, says Minerals... 

Govt should not bully miners into beneficiation; IDC must step up – Swanepoel

Beneficiation is not the responsibility of mining companies, says Manganese Metal Company (MMC) executive chairperson Bernard Swanepoel. “Speaking as the last standing manganese beneficiation... 

Formal mining industry fatalities at record low; TB, silicosis also declining

Mining fatalities in South Africa’s formal mining industry totalled 42 people last year, down from 55 people in 2023, 49 people in 2022, and 74 people in 2021. Speaking at a media briefing at the... 

Copper demand, prices likely to boom, despite uncertain macroeconomics

When looking ahead to 2050, the global economy is probably going to need about 80% to 90% more copper than what is being produced today – which adds up to between 50-million and 60-million tons a... 

South African-made Hilux bakkies take top two spots at Dakar 2025

It was a big start to the year for Toyota as its locally designed and built Hilux racing bakkies secured first and second place at Dakar 2025. Yazeed Al Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk – team Overdrive... 

Port of Maputo sees 1% dip in volumes in 2024

Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) handled a total volume of 30.9-million tons last year – 1% less than in 2023. MPDC’s direct operations moved 14.2-million tons, an increase of 14% from the... 

Norway new-car market now 89% electric

Just short of 89% of the new cars sold in Norway last year were battery electric vehicles (BEVs), according to statistics released by the Norwegian Road Federation. In 2023, the BEV share reached... 

PPC, Sinoma sign MoA for R3bn low-carbon replacement plant

Cement group PPC has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with cement equipment and engineering company Sinoma Overseas Development Company for the construction of a new R3-billion low-carbon...