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GOOD Speech by Roscoe Palm, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor 4 December 2025 Note to Editor: This speech was delivered during the Cape Town Council Meeting Speaker, this silt storm in a colonial pond is instructive. It shows us, once again, how the public purse is being used to underwrite white colonial private endeavour. […]
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United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio yesterday issued a sharply worded statement warning that America’s patience with South Africa and the country’s open defiance of the US has reached breaking point. Rubio’s statement makes it clear that America’s judgement of South Africa is no longer mere diplomatic sparring – it is the condemnation […]
The post Rubio exposes ANC and Ramaphosa’s arrogance and warns against South Africa’s self-destructive politics appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
South Africa’s automotive market shifted into top gear in the third quarter of 2025, posting its strongest sales performance in more than a decade as greater macro-economic stability, easing interest rates and a firmer rand supported renewed consumer demand. According to TransUnion’s Q3 2025 Mobility Insights Report, total new-passenger-vehicle sales reached 111 697 units, 23.4% higher year-on-year (YoY), while new vehicle inflation dropped to a record low of 1.5% (since tracking began in 2008), creating one of the most competitive pricing environments in recent memory.
“Affordability and choice are redefining South Africa’s automotive landscape,” says Lee Naik, CEO TransUnion Africa. “Consumers are seeking greater value and flexibility and manufacturers that meet this demand through innovation and pricing discipline are winning the race for growth.”
Affordability Drives Record Growth and Market Realignment
Although established OEMs returned to positive growth in Q2 and Q3 2025, the market’s transformation is being led by Chinese manufacturers expanding nearly nine times faster than the overall market, with YoY growth of 89% in Q2 and 88% in Q3.
Their combined share has quadrupled since 2021 to more than 15%, powered by competitively priced, feature-rich SUVs and sedans that appeal to cost-conscious yet tech-savvy buyers. Top-performing value brands YoY included JAC (67% volume increase), GWM (54%), Mahindra (42%) and Chery (35%), while BMW (27%) proved that premium marques can still thrive by combining desirability with strong product pipelines.
“This isn’t a short-term surge, it’s a structural reset,” adds Naik. “The success of value-driven models shows how affordability, technology and trust are now the true levers of brand growth in South Africa.”
Younger and High-Income Buyers Sustain Demand
Despite surging sales, TransUnion’s recent Consumer Pulse Survey shows a modest easing in purchase intent, with the share of respondents likely to buy a vehicle in the next three months declining from 19% in Q2 to 17% in Q3. The report suggests that current sales momentum is being driven primarily by pent-up demand, dealer incentives and fleet renewals, rather than broad-based consumer confidence.
Purchase behaviour also remains sharply segmented across both age and income groups. Younger consumers continue to lead intent, with 21% of Gen Z and 19% of Millennials planning to buy a vehicle in the next three months, compared to 13% of Gen X and 8% of Baby Boomers. From an income perspective, high-income households earning R200 000 or more per month show the strongest intent at 34%, while middle- and lower-income consumers remain significantly more cautious in their purchasing outlook.
Electrification: A Tale of Price and Generation
Internal-combustion vehicles (ICE) remain the single largest category in consumer purchase intent, accounting for 42% of consumer preference, while interest in hybrid (39%) and plug-in hybrid (24%) models is steadily increasing. The shift toward electrification is most pronounced among Gen Z consumers, with 55% favouring hybrids and 32% considering battery-electric vehicles (BEVs).
This generational shift toward greener technology is evident among high-income buyers, with 75% considering plug-in hybrids, driven primarily by their perceived affordability. In contrast, preference for ICE vehicles remains largely affordability-based among lower-income segments. Higher budgets within affluent households enable greater consideration of hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEV), reinforcing an emerging “electrification divide.” This dynamic presents a significant opportunity for OEMs and financiers to tailor product offerings and financing strategies to meet the distinct needs of different age and income segments.
Connected Cars: Data Becomes the New Engine
Q3’s Mobility Insights Report special feature, The Connected Road, explores how connected-car technology is transforming mobility. Connectivity is now standard in most post-2015 vehicles, enabling real-time navigation, predictive maintenance, remote access, and advanced safety systems. Yet global data warns of “connectivity fatigue”: Over three quarters (76%) of drivers internationally don’t subscribe to connected services, mainly due to cost.
Naik says: “South Africa has a chance to leapfrog global missteps by focusing on value-adding applications, safer driving, cheaper insurance and smarter maintenance rather than gimmicks.”
Exports Rebound and Dealer Confidence Climbs
Passenger-vehicle unit exports rose 4.1% YoY after a steep Q2 contraction, driven by a 63.7% September surge that lifted shipments to a six-year high. Meanwhile, the RMB/BER Motor Traders Confidence Index advanced to 54, marking its second net-positive reading of 2025 and notably placing it above the neutral 50-point mark, which signals growing dealer optimism amid sustained sales momentum and improving export conditions.
Balancing Value and Transformation
The convergence of affordability, segmentation, electrification, and connectivity signals a pivotal shift in the automotive industry. “The future belongs to brands and financiers that master both the value-driven present and the connected, electrified future,” concludes Naik. “Data-led insight will be the bridge that connects today’s strategies with tomorrow’s innovation
Read the full TransUnion South Africa Q3 2025 Mobility Insights Report here.
TransUnion’s latest Mobility Insights Report shows South Africa’s automotive market building momentum in 2025, supported by a favourable interest rate environment, record-low new-vehicle inflation, and liquidity from the two-pot pension reform. While recovery is underway, the outlook remains fragile, with affordability constraints and export headwinds threatening longer-term growth.
Supportive Shifts, But Growth Remains Fragile
The South African Reserve Bank has cut interest rates five times since September 2024 and inflation has returned to the lower end of the 3-6% band1, providing households with some relief. Consumer confidence has improved among middle- and higher-income groups, although low-income consumers continue to face pressure from food and electricity costs2.
“These macro shifts provide short-term support to the vehicle market, but momentum is likely to taper in 2026 without further reforms,” said Lee Naik, CEO of TransUnion Africa.
Affordability And Value Drive a Surge
Passenger car sales broke through the 35,000-unit ceiling for the first time in years, with July and August 2025 marking the strongest volumes since 2014. According to Naamsa, new passenger car sales grew 22.5% year-over-year (YoY) in Q2, fuelled by lower borrowing costs, aggressive OEM incentives and the entry of new value-focused brands.
Chinese automakers continued their rapid growth, expanding market share from 3.1% in 2022 to nearly 15% in Q2 2025. Their affordable, tech-rich SUVs and expanding dealer networks are reshaping competition, forcing legacy OEMs to rethink pricing, features, and model cycles. Toyota retained overall leadership, with Suzuki securing second place for the second consecutive quarter.
“Improved affordability, aggressive incentives and growing demand for value brands, alongside modest support from two-pot withdrawals, helped sustain momentum through 2025. However, as interest rates remain elevated and credit conditions tighten, and the two-pot effect normalises, growth is expected to moderate in 2026, with export risks and rand volatility adding uncertainty,” said Naik.
Diverging Trends: New vs. Used Vehicle Demand
NaTIS data shows new registrations rising 20% YoY in Q2 2025, led by Northern Cape, Free State and Northwest. In contrast, used registrations declined by 1.4%, reflecting pressure in that segment.
Across all vehicle sales, the Used-to-New Vehicle Registration Ratio rose to 3.2 in Q2, up from 2.5 in Q1, indicating a quarter-on-quarter increase in the relative share of used vehicle registrations. However, this remains below the 3.8 ratio seen through much of 2024, suggesting that new vehicles have regained some ground YoY. While used vehicles continue to dominate overall registrations, the market has shifted slightly back toward new vehicles compared to last year. This nuanced divergence presents opportunities for OEMs and dealer networks, while independent used dealers continue to face headwinds.
Exports Slump Amid Global Shocks
While domestic momentum improves, passenger vehicle exports fell 24.6% in Q2 2025 due to softer global demand and new US tariffs of up to 30%. Premium models, heavily reliant on the US and European markets, are under pressure, raising concerns for production, jobs, and investment.
Two-pot Withdrawals: Targeted Liquidity with Visible Impact
The September 2024 two-pot retirement reform injected liquidity into households, with evidence from the Bureau of Market Research suggesting a direct impact on mobility demand3, particularly in the used car market. While withdrawals were generally insufficient to fund deposits for new vehicles, they provided meaningful support to affordability-driven used vehicle purchases.
The reform is offering short-term relief rather than long-term wealth extraction, with withdrawals largely used for deposits, consumption, or debt repayment. Generational differences are evident: Millennials (aged 29 to 44) and younger Gen X (aged 18 to 28) are the most active claimants, while Baby Boomers withdraw minimally. Repeat withdrawals are becoming more common, suggesting both ongoing financial strain and the emergence of a recurring source of liquidity for entry-level and mid-market segments4.
“Two-pot withdrawals were not the only factor lifting sales,” noted Naik. “But the timing, scale and claimant profile suggest they acted as a meaningful catalyst for incremental used-car purchases.”
What Industry Players Should Do Next
Looking ahead, TransUnion advises that OEMs, dealers and lenders recalibrate strategies to balance domestic opportunities with external risks. Industry participants should align campaigns with liquidity cycles, planning promotions and stock availability around expected two-pot withdrawal windows.
Affordability must remain the priority, with a sharpened focus on value brands, certified pre-owned vehicles, and models that deliver a strong total cost of ownership. Financing solutions should also evolve, offering deposit support, trade-in boosters, and more flexible terms, while carefully monitoring repayment behaviour to manage post-purchase risk.
At the same time, leveraging data-driven insights, integrating credit and registration analytics to identify liquidity-sensitive buyers, preapprove customers, and track repayment performance, will be critical for sustaining growth in an uncertain environment.
“South Africa’s auto market is regaining momentum, but it’s a fragile recovery,” said Naik. “Those who time offers to policy-driven liquidity, sharpen affordability, and manage risk proactively will be best placed to capture growth.”
Read the full TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights Report here.
ENDS
Notes to Editors: The Q2 2025 release is the second edition of the TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights Report, formerly known as the Vehicle Pricing Index. The rebranded report now captures broader consumer, financing, and insurance insights across the mobility ecosystem.
Sources:
1 South African Reserve Bank (SARB)
2 TransUnion-South-Africa-CCI-Report-H2-2025-V9.pdf
3 Two-pot-claims-and-credit-data-FINAL.pdf
4 FAnews: Majority of two-pot withdrawals in the new tax year are repeat withdrawals; Moneyweb: Two-pot withdrawal: repeat claims surge; and Moneyweb, Two-pot payouts surge to R57B, with 4m withdrawals to date.
The solution to housing affordability is to increase supply by building more housing
Governments across the world must look at alcohol and its related harms through the eyes of women and children who are mostly affected.
The Red Sea region has become a showcase of the new alliances shaping global power and influence.
TransUnion, a global information and insights company, has unveiled a bold new chapter in its South Africa-focused Be the Reason Things Change campaign with the launch of a powerful AI-driven brand film. This emotionally resonant digital piece continues the campaign’s mission to make financial inclusion a lived reality for more South Africans by reimagining how technology can be used to tell human stories of inclusion, visibility and empowerment.
Developed with creative agency One Over One and production partner Run Jump Fly, the film fuses artificial intelligence with authentic storytelling to capture the experiences of everyday South Africans navigating the financial system. It serves as both a creative innovation and a powerful social statement – demonstrating how data, when used responsibly, can shine a light on those who are often unseen.
“The AI film is more than a creative milestone; it’s a deeply human story told through the lens of technology. Using AI-generated visuals, the film brings to life the emotional realities behind financial data – the hope of opportunity, the weight of exclusion, and the power of visibility,” said Amy Beck, CMO of TransUnion Africa. “Rooted in empathy and powered by innovation, the film embodies our belief that technology should serve people, not the other way around. It invites viewers to look past the numbers and be part of a movement changing the way we see each other”.
Turning Data into Impact
The AI film builds on the success of TransUnion’s Be the Reason Things Change movement, which has inspired South Africans to act – making the invisible visible and driving meaningful impact across the country.
In just one month, the campaign achieved:
These results go beyond metrics – they represent real lives changed through knowledge, opportunity and empowerment. One of the five recipients of the R20,000 education fund prize, Roggers Mamaila, shared how the campaign has made a lasting impact on his family’s future: “This contribution towards my family’s education means more than words can express. It’s a tangible step toward a better future – one my family will carry with pride for years to come. It’s proof that when people are seen, real change becomes possible.”
AI with a Purpose
In an age where artificial intelligence often feels distant or impersonal, TransUnion’s new film reframes the narrative – showing how innovation, when guided by empathy, can accelerate financial inclusion and create lasting change.
Unlike many AI-driven creative pieces that use artificial intelligence in fragments – generating snippets, visuals, or voiceovers – this film is a fully integrated, end-to-end AI production. From concept to execution, every aspect of the film was shaped using AI tools, making it a first-of-its kind on the African continent. What sets this film apart is not just its use of technology, but its authenticity and purpose. The film draws its narrative from real lives and lived experiences, transforming data into emotion, and statistics into stories that matter.
Every frame is a reflection of the campaign’s core belief: that visibility leads to change. This isn’t just an experiment in technology – it’s a movement in storytelling. The piece invites viewers to rethink what’s possible when technology and trust work together – to see every data point as a story, every statistic as a person, and every innovation as a chance to drive inclusion.
The campaign continues to challenge traditional notions of creditworthiness by advocating for alternative data and inclusive scoring models that better reflect the realities of underserved communities.
Watch the AI brand film and learn more at: https://www.transunion.co.za/bethereason
The Mosepele Foundation Development Forum has accused Mothers2Mothers South Africa of withholding funds but the latter says it has no choice
Swiss investigative outlet claims Nestlé is misrepresenting sugar content
Among the most significant by-products of the country’s successful hosting of the G20 Leaders’ Summit was that it put the disinformation being pedalled by supremacists about “horrible things” being done to White South Africans to bed.
The post SUCCESSFUL G20 CLEANS UP AFRIKANER VICTMISATION DIRT appeared first on For Good.
According to the newly released TransUnion® (NYSE: TRU) H2 2025 Update to the Top Fraud Trends Report, the rate of suspected digital fraud[1] was the highest in the consumer lifecycle at account login for South Africa with 2.6% of those types of transaction attempts when the consumer was in the country being suspected of digital fraud in the first half (H1) of 2025. This aligns with a global trend of fraud shifting to account takeover attempts which typically occur at login. Globally, 4.3% of account login transactions in H1 2025 were suspected of digital fraud.
The report, which draws on proprietary data from TransUnion’s global intelligence network from billions of transactions from over 40,000 websites and apps and a consumer survey across 18 countries, reveals that fraud is growing.
“South Africa stands at a critical juncture in its digital evolution where opportunity and vulnerability intersect. As the nation embraces rapid digital transformation, the surge in online activity has inadvertently opened new doors for fraudsters, whose tactics are growing more sophisticated by the day. This convergence of accelerated digital adoption, economic strain and criminal innovation has created a complex risk landscape,” said Amritha Reddy, senior director of fraud product management TransUnion Africa.
According to analysis of TransUnion’s customers in its global intelligence network, digital account takeover volume worldwide grew 21% year-over-year (YoY) from H1 2024 to H1 2025, signalling a rapid escalation. The volume of digital account takeovers surged 141% from H1 2021 to H1 2025, underscoring persistent rise of this fraud type over time and reflecting the increasing sophistication of fraudsters who exploit stolen credentials and bypass authentication systems.
"As account takeover fraud surges, businesses can no longer afford solely reactive defences,” said Reddy. “The growing sophistication of fraudsters demands a proactive investment in layered security and identity intelligence. In today’s threat landscape, protecting customer accounts is not just a priority, it’s a business imperative."
Highest Rate of Suspected Digital Fraud in Video Gaming
Among industries analysed globally, the video gaming sector recorded the highest percentage of suspected digital fraud attempts in the first half of 2025, reaching 13.5%. This represents a significant 28% rate increase compared to the same period in 2024, underscoring the growing vulnerability of this sector to fraudulent activity.
For transactions where the consumer was in South Africa, the rate of suspected digital fraud attempts from February to May 2025 was the highest in video gaming at 7.7%. The greatest increase in the volume of digital transactions suspected to be fraudulent over that time was in the insurance industry, with a 154% uptick.
Chart 2: Suspected Digital Fraud Attempts in South Africa, by Sector
| Industry |
Suspected digital fraud attempt rate H1 2025 |
Change in volume of suspected digital fraud attempts from H1 2024 to H1 2025 |
| Video gaming |
7.7% |
-1% |
| Insurance |
6.7% |
+154% |
| Communities (web properties like online forums and dating sites) |
3.2% |
-45% |
| Financial services |
3.0% |
-49% |
| Logistics |
2.1% |
-99% |
| Retail |
1.1% |
-57% |
| Telecommunications |
0.7% |
-96% |
Source: TransUnion global intelligence network
“As the risk from consumer scams threatens identity integrity, organisations should rely on a mixture of data, risk signals, technology and tools to prevent fraud,” said Reddy. “The Report highlights that business leaders rank[2] identity verification, device reputation and behavioural biometrics as the leading three fraud prevention technologies.
“Businesses and financial institutions should also invest in sustained education and awareness campaigns to mitigate against schemes like account takeovers. Preventing fraud must by necessity be a multi-pronged strategy, if businesses and consumers are to stay ahead of fraudsters whose strategies continue to evolve too,” she said. “By harnessing advanced technologies, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and prioritising consumer trust, South Africa can chart a path toward a secure and inclusive digital future.”
Consumer-Reported Exposure to Fraud Grows Amid Gaps in Awareness and Prevention
Globally, consumers continue to face a wide range of scams, with tactics often tailored to regional behaviours and vulnerabilities. TransUnion’s survey found that 48% of consumers surveyed globally reported being targeted by email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud from February to May 2025, with 59% of South Africans saying the same thing. Globally, 52% were unaware that they were targeted, as were 42% of South Africans, indicating potential fraud under-recognition and a gap in fraud awareness.
Consumers in five of the six African countries surveyed reported money or gift card scams as the most experienced fraud type. In South Africa money or gift card scams was the most common fraud type – reported by 33% of those who said they were targeted with email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud from February to May 2025. Among those South Africans who said they were targeted, the next most frequently reported scams were phishing (31%), smishing (30%), and vishing (29%), with these three designed to deceive individuals into giving up their valuable personal or financial information.
South Africa Saw the Greatest Percentage of Respondents in Africa Indicating They Fell Victim to Fraud from February to May 2025
| Country | Targeted and fell victim | Targeted but didn’t fall victim | Not targeted | Most reported fraud scheme |
| South Africa | 13% | 46% | 42% | Money/gift card |
| Kenya | 10% | 71% | 19% | Vishing |
| Zambia | 9% | 76% | 15% | Money/gift card |
| Rwanda | 9% | 49% | 42% | Money/gift card |
| Namibia | 8% | 57% | 35% | Money/gift card |
| Botswana | 6% | 68% | 26% | Money/gift card |
Source: TransUnion consumer survey
“As scammers continue to evolve their tactics to enrich themselves, it’s more important than ever for consumers to regularly review their credit reports to ensure all listed information is accurate,” said Reddy.”
TransUnion came to its conclusions about digital fraud and data breaches based on intelligence from its array of TransUnion fraud prevention solutions. To learn more about how TransUnion fraud prevention solutions can help businesses avoid fraud and prevent fraud losses, click here.
Specific country and regional data in the report includes South Africa, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zambia. Download the TransUnion H2 2025 Update to the Top Fraud Trends Report for more information and insights about the global fraud trends.
[1] Suspected digital fraud attempts reflect those which TransUnion customers determined met one of the following conditions: 1) denial in real time due to fraudulent indicators, 2) denial in real time for corporate policy violations, 3) fraudulent upon customer investigation, or 4) a corporate policy violation upon customer investigation.
[2] As found by TransUnion’s online business survey conducted from 29 May to 6 June 2025 in partnership with third-party research provider, Dynata. Findings were included in TransUnion’s H2 2025 Update to the Top Fraud Trends Report
The G20 2025 declaration issued in Johannesburg will be just empty words unless the endorsements are turned into action.
There is a great institutional need for strong inequality analysis. That’s why the world needs to establish an International Panel on Inequality.
Africa accounts for half of all stillbirths globally. Stronger data systems will drive smarter strategies and save lives.
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The post G20 WOMEN’S SHUTDOWN: GENDER INEQUALITY DRIVES GBV appeared first on For Good.
They projected a series of illustrations, demanding urgent action on the global debt crisis and climate accountability
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The post G20: PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR SA TO ANNOUNCE IMPLEMENTATION OF WEALTH TAX appeared first on For Good.
Short-term letting through various platforms, including Airbnb, locks up 70% of residential units in the central city
South Africa has still not ratified the Marrakesh Treaty it adopted in 2013
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Given its strength and capabilities, the extremist group JNIM poses an existential threat to Nigeria.
Statement by Brett Herron,
GOOD Secretary-General & Member of the Western Cape Parliament. Note to editor: This is a speech delivered in reply to Premier Alan Winde’s statement to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament on the Ombudsman’s Report on Policing in the Western Cape.
The post POLICE, CITY, AND PROVINCE MUST JOINTLY ACCOUNT FOR INACTION ON CAPE GUN VIOLENCE appeared first on For Good.