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It is hard to be optimistic when one is adrift in a small boat in a sea of crime. There is some good news for South Africa, though, there does not seem to be any new leaks in this small boat. The harsh reality of the South African crime crisis is that the country’s rape […]
The post Crime: Cautiously optimistic about slight improvement appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
RAJSHAHI: Rakibul Hasan starred with both bat and ball to ensure there was no come-from-behind series win for South Africa Emerging...
GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,GOOD Secretary-General 18 May 2025 Indigent Capetonians will be asked to cough up nearly 10% extra on their monthly bills from the City of Cape Town, detailed assessment of the budget by the GOOD Party has revealed. The deadline for public comments on the budget has passed without residents being fully […]
The post CAPE TOWN BUDGET DECEIT: RESIDENTS MUST PRESSURE THEIR COUNCILLORS TO BOYCOTT VOTE SITTING appeared first on For Good.
Rating agency maintains SA’s debt rating
Government has noted rating agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) decision to affirm South Africa’s long-term foreign and local currency debt ratings at ‘BB-’ and ‘BB’, respectively, and maintain the positive outlook.
S&P said the ratings on South Africa benefit from the country's sizable and sophisticated financial system that provides a deep funding base for the government.
The country also has relatively strong institutions, with good checks and balances, particularly its central bank.
However, S&P said the ratings are constrained by relatively low Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita and low GDP growth rates, as well as sizable fiscal deficits and high government debt.
According to S&P, despite the re-tabling of the Budget and the likely removal of VAT, fiscal consolidation is planned to continue throughout the forecast period, and fiscal financing benefits from access to deep domestic markets and an actively traded currency.
“Government’s growth strategy will continue to focus on maintaining macroeconomic stability to reduce living costs and grow investment, executing reforms to promote a more dynamic economy, building state capability in core functions and supporting growth-enhancing public infrastructure investment.
“The fiscal strategy continues to strike a balance between stabilising the public finances, reducing risks in the fiscal framework, encouraging economic growth and supporting low income and vulnerable households,” National Treasury said. - SAnews.gov.za
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Sun, 05/18/2025 - 10:26
Slaughter may await rescued animals if farm’s buyer obtains eviction order
GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,GOOD Secretary-General & Member of the Western Cape Parliament 16 May 2025 A presentation by Prasa to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament Standing Committee on Mobility today exposed the City of Cape Town’s alleged “plan” to take over management of the Metrorail system as theatrical bluster. The grandiose-sounding “Service Level Plan” […]
The post CITY OF CAPE TOWN’S “PLAN” TO MANAGE METRORAIL STUCK AT THE STATION appeared first on For Good.
Cross Switch (https://Cross-Switch.com/), a provider of class-leading payment solutions, has strengthened its African presence by officially launching services in Kenya and partnering with licensed local payment provider Pesawise.
This collaboration makes the most of Pesawise's solid regulatory standing and trusted reputation, allowing Cross Switch to establish it's footprint and, together with Pesawise, immediately deliver robust payment solutions to businesses, merchants, and charitable organizations throughout Kenya.
Cross Switch brings to the partnership a highly scalable global payments infrastructure, allowing merchants simple and frictionless acceptance across multiple payment channels, including Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, mobile money and bank platforms.
Through Cross Switch's unified platform, businesses can now take advantage of simplified payment processing, significantly reduced costs, and faster transaction settlements.
The Cross Switch solution is tailored to support businesses of every shape and size, driving financial inclusion while at the same time empowering social impact organisations.
Numerous merchants across multiple sectors, including hospitality, e-commerce and delivery services and crypto (in approved markets) are already using Cross Switch's innovative solutions on the African Continent and across Latin America. The confidence the Kenyan market has already shown in Cross Switch has already shown immediate effect in Kenya with the with Pesawise partnership.
Cross Switch has a powerful track record of success, and it relies on Pesawise, a nimble locally licensed payment provider with a young and dynamic management team, to contribute meaningfully to Cross Switch's growth ambitions and customer-focused philosophy.
Cross Switch's CEO, Tim Davis, remarked “During the establishment phase of this partnership it is refreshing to see a shared common set of values with Pesawise, to provide our customers with best-in-class service levels and straightforward solutions. And a common mission to democratize technology and drive social impact across Africa. With their exceptional team and proven ability to provide relevant value-added services, we believe Pesawise will excel in the fast-moving fintech space.”
Pesawise, a fully regulated and authorised Payment Service Provider, is in good standing with the Central Bank of Kenya, ensuring rigorous compliance and secure handling of merchant funds in trusted Tier-1 banks.
Jamal Khan, Pesawise's CEO said, “We're thrilled to take this next step in our journey with Cross Switch as our technology partner. Their deep knowledge and robust technology solutions will enable us to provide innovative solutions tailored to the needs of emerging markets. Together, we aim to strengthen the digital payments ecosystem in Kenya. We've already secured key wins together—including supporting merchants like Glovo Kenya—through a combination of Cross Switch's expertise and our dedicated local team.”
As it has done in all markets, Cross Switch is committed to delivering advanced payment solutions backed by exceptional fraud prevention, risk management, and efficient reconciliation capabilities, further strengthening its value proposition in an evolving financial landscape.
Businesses interested in simplifying their payment processes are invited to connect directly at https://apo-opa.co/43usg4F to discover how Cross Switch's tailored solutions can drive their growth and operational efficiency.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Cross Switch.
Contact:
South Africa: (+27) 21 205 5818
Luxembourg: (+352) 2088 1454
https://apo-opa.co/43usg4F
About Cross Switch:
Cross Switch is a payments technology company founded in 2022, operating across emerging markets, with active operations in South Africa, Morocco, Ivory Coast and across Latin America. It provides flexible, secure and scalable solutions that support both local and cross-border transactions, helping merchants, fintechs and non-profits expand their reach and streamline their operations. Cross Switch is committed to driving financial inclusion and growth through collaboration, robust infrastructure, high service levels and a strong focus on emerging market needs.
About Pesawise:
Pesawise is a licensed payment service provider headquartered in Kenya. Pesawise offers robust, API and Platform-driven solutions for local collections, payouts, and virtual accounts. Trusted by leading enterprises and SMEs (such as Kuehne + Nagel and SeamlessHR), Pesawise is dedicated to reducing transaction costs, easing reconciliation challenges, and enhancing transparency for merchants, individuals, and digital ecosystems. Through deep market expertise, reliable infrastructure, Pesawise is shaping the future of digital commerce across Kenya.
COX’S BAZAR: Head coach Dinesha Devnarain and top-order batter Faye Tunnicliffe have reflected on the SA Emerging Women’s successful One-Day campaign...
The Botswanan town of Lobatse, some 70 km south of Gaborone, has been transformed into a vibrant manufacturing centre. Across sprawling factory floors, hundreds of skilled hands meticulously assemble intricate wiring harnesses - components that will eventually power Volkswagen and Nissan vehicles across Africa and beyond.
In the automotive industry, wire harnesses are an intricate arrangement of wires, connectors, and components. They serve as vehicles' central nervous systems, enabling the transmission of electrical signals and power throughout the automobile.
This is Delta Automotive Technologies, where strategic financing from the African Development Bank has catalysed a manufacturing renaissance that extends far beyond the factory wallsThe company makes wiring harnesses primarily for Volkswagen and Nissan.. For decades, Botswana's economic history was written in diamonds. Today, a new chapter is unfolding as the African Development Bank's $80 million credit line to the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) for businesses in the country fuels Delta Automotive's transformation into a manufacturing powerhouse.
"This funding hasn't just built infrastructure - it's built opportunity," says Darryn Hattingh, Delta's Director of Manufacturing. "We've built a world-class operation that competes globally while creating opportunity locally. The support enables us to industrialise not just today's production lines, but tomorrow's innovations. It will support us to industrialise future businesses obtained through Volkswagen.”
The firm, which is based in Botswana, makes wiring harnesses for Volkswagen's Polo Vivo and Polo 270, and Nissan's H60 brands.
It currently makes 120 vehicle harness sets for Volkswagen South Africa per day. By 2027, it hopes to create 340 vehicle sets for Volkswagen and 111 for Nissan in South Africa.
Women powering an industrial revolution
As one walks through Delta's expansive manufacturing facility, one fact is immediately apparent: in a traditionally male-dominated industry, women's expertise is driving this operation forward. An impressive 75% of Delta's workforce is female, shattering glass ceilings with every wire harness assembled.
For Clara Kaekane, a product and process engineer at Delta, the significance goes beyond personal achievement: "Every component we make is a challenge to outdated assumptions about gender and engineering work. I'm not just building car parts - I'm building a new perception of what is possible for women in manufacturing across Africa.”
Kaekane feels empowered to work at the management level in the automotive industry, which is normally male-dominated.
“This is a great opportunity for our country and company,” she says.
Connecting communities to global value chains
The hum of activity at Delta's plant represents more than manufacturing - it is the sound of Botswana's integration into sophisticated global supply networks. Currently producing 120 vehicle wiring harnesses daily, with plans to nearly triple output by 2027, Delta is an example of how African manufacturers can excel in precision-demanding global industries.
"What is happening here is the physical manifestation of our High 5 development priorities, particularly ‘Industrialize Africa' and ‘Integrate Africa'. It also provides skills to the people of Africa," said the African Development Bank's Deputy Director General for Southern Africa, Moono Mupotola. "Each wire harness connects not just vehicle components, but Botswana's workforce to global value chains, rural communities to industrial opportunities, and traditional economies to a diversified future."
Scaling impact: From hundreds to thousands
The numbers tell a compelling story: There are 327 employees today, expected to grow to 1,000 within four years. Behind those numbers are families supported, skills developed, and communities transformed. With 95% of the workforce Botswana nationals, the company has become a major driver of local economic empowerment.
"We're seeing multiple development dividends from this single investment," says Benedicta Abosi of BDC. "Delta's growth is generating export earnings, creating quality jobs, developing technical skills and, perhaps most importantly, demonstrating what's possible when development finance meets entrepreneurial vision."
She explained that five years ago, the Botswana Development Corporation supported multiple businesses, including Delta Automotive Technologies, through a $80 million line of credit facility from the African Development Bank.
A blueprint for African industrial transformation, Delta's success offers a replicable model for industrial development across the continent. By strategically supporting companies integrated into global supply chains, development finance can simultaneously address unemployment, gender inequality, economic diversification, and regional integration.
As workers at Delta Automotive Technologies continue to assemble the components that will power vehicles across the region; they're also creating a template for how African development finance can catalyse inclusive industrial transformation.
“This has definitely been a good investment for the African Development Bank, and this is how we see development financing working in Africa, Mupotola added.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
More images:
https://apo-opa.co/42JGePY
https://apo-opa.co/3GL0NTB
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
COLOMBO: Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi values the lessons of defeat while looking at the bigger picture as the Proteas Women...
COLOMBO: Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt is upbeat about her side’s chances ahead of their opening match of the One-Day International...
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, has expressed his sadness at the untimely passing of South Africa's Ambassador to the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, His Excellency Zolani Mtshotshisa.
Ambassador Mtshotshisa passed away in a hospital in South Africa.
Minister Lamola said Ambassador Mtshotshisa was devoted to the maintenance of good political, diplomatic, economic and people-to-people ties between South Africa and Côte d'Ivoire.
“Amb Mtshotshisa worked tirelessly to promote South Africa's engagements with Côte d'Ivoire, including facilitating the November 2023 re-launch of SAA's Johannesburg to Abidjan route,” said Minister Lamola.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
GOOD Statement by Kaden Arguile,GOOD National Youth Chairperson 15 April 2025 The GOOD Party condemns the tragic incident at Walter Sisulu University’s Mthatha campus that has resulted in the loss of a student’s life. No dispute at an institution of higher learning should ever escalate to the point of violence, let alone the loss of […]
The post WALTER SISULU UNIVERSITY: A PLACE FOR EDUCATION, NOT VIOLENCE appeared first on For Good.
People helping do so out of goodwill and with the best intentions
Civic organisation says this is a “sell-out”
GOOD Statement by Brett Herron ,GOOD Secretary-General 14 April 2025 The GOOD Party welcomes today’s long-awaited momentum in the quest to hold apartheid-era criminals accountable. The reopening of two high profile inquests, and the decision by the High Court that former policemen must be prosecuted for crimes against humanity, are critical steps to address criminal […]
The post ACCOUNTABILITY FOR APARTHEID CRIMES: SMALL BUT IMPORTANT STEPS AGAINST CRIMINAL IMPUNITY appeared first on For Good.
GOOD Statement by Brett Herron ,GOOD Secretary-General 14 April 2025 The appointment of a new Special Envoy to the United States, following the expulsion of former Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, was always going to be a significant decision. As GOOD, we welcome President Ramaphosa’s appointment of former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas, a choice that reflects […]
The post GOOD WELCOMES JONAS APPOINTMENT, INTEGRITY MEETS DIPLOMACY appeared first on For Good.
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) has today named the Proteas Women squad for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) Tri-Series against...
GOOD Statement by Kaden Arguile,GOOD National Youth Chairperson 10 April 2025 Tomorrow, GOOD will proudly join Women for Change at the Union Buildings in Tshwane to hand over a petition calling for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to be declared a National State of Disaster. This petition, initiated by Women for Change, has amassed nearly 150,000 signatures, […]
The post DECLARE A DISASTER: END GBV NOW appeared first on For Good.
GOOD Statement by Sarah Mabotsa,GOOD City of Tshwane Councillor and MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning 10 April 2025 GOOD is proud to be part of the drive to accelerate economic growth in South Africa’s capital city. In today’s Tshwane State of the City Address, Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya reaffirmed the metro’s commitment […]
The post CITY OF TSHWANE’S ECONOMIC GROWTH PLAN: REVIVING THE CAPITAL appeared first on For Good.
GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,GOOD Secretary-General 10 April 2025 Yesterday evening, the GOOD Party engaged in a constructive dialogue with the African National Congress in Johannesburg regarding the current budget impasse. We believe the ANC is acting in good faith and is genuinely committed to finding alternative sources of revenue to avoid the proposed 0.5% […]
The post CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE ON BUDGET ALTERNATIVES AND GNU INTEGRITY appeared first on For Good.
GOOD Statement by Chantelle Kyd,GOOD George Councillor and MMC for Planning and Development 09 April 2025 The GOOD Party welcomes the release of the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) report on the George Building Collapse by Human Settlements Minister, Thembi Simelane. In May 2024, the Multi-story Building Collapse claimed 34 lives and left many […]
The post GEORGE BUILDING COLLAPSE: LESSONS NEED TO BE LEARNT appeared first on For Good.
GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,GOOD Secretary-General 09 April 2025 Members of Parliament representing parties in South Africa’s Government of National Unity have undertaken a secret visit to Israel. The South African MPs evidently received a warmer reception than their counterparts in the UK governing party, who were forced to abandon a fact-finding mission when they […]
The post DA AND PA PARLIAMENTARIANS’ SECRET FROLIC TO ISRAEL appeared first on For Good.
GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,GOOD Secretary-General & Member of the Western Cape Parliament 09 April 2025 Despite R79.6 million allocated and a promise of 559 homes, the Diazville Housing Project in Saldanha Bay remains yet another unfinished chapter in the Western Cape’s housing backlog. In response to written questions submitted by GOOD, the WC Infrastructure […]
The post DIAZVILLE HOUSING PROJECT: MILLIONS LATER, STILL NOWHERE TO CALL HOME appeared first on For Good.