MyZA
News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff
The DA-controlled Western Cape Legislature’s Conduct Committee has predictably followed a dubious quasi-legal process to shut down the questions I raised about a DA MP’s decision to pack a gun for party work in townships.
The post GOOD PARTY WILL ASK SPEAKER OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO RULE ON GUN-TOTING MEMBERS appeared first on For Good.
Gary Trappler must pay R7,500 in damages
‘Prophetpreneurship’ is a strategic blend of prophecy, charisma and business.
For months, the Denis Hurley Centre has been alerting officials to complaints about the security company
Musa Mbundwini, a welder dismissed by Transnet for dishonesty and fraud, has spent eight years defaming the company
“If you don’t pay the cooldrink money, your things are not going to get done”
Treating the White Army as synonymous with South Sudan’s opposition serves a political purpose.
The decision by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to order Israel’s chargé d’affaires to leave the country within 72 hours is further proof of the ANC’s unilateral and detrimental conduct, which is not serving South Africa’s best interests. The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is stunned by the decision to declare Mr […]
The post DIRCO’s expulsion of Israeli diplomat yet another unilateral step harming South Africa’s interests appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and the #PayTheGrants campaign want the Supreme Court of Appeal to dismiss government’s appeal
The rules make it almost impossible to run an informal business legally
Living Hope organisation calls for donations of essential items to help victims
Trains on the Vereeniging line stopped running during the covid lockdown
Celebrity stories show that prayer plays a central role in how celebrities and Ghanaians cope with mental illness.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is pleased that its awareness campaign has contributed to motivating the City of Cape Town, SANRAL and the police to address the severe wave of violent crime, attacks and robberies on the roads around Cape Town International Airport – particularly the N1, N2 and R300. The party particularly welcomes […]
The post Freedom Front Plus welcomes steps against violence on roads around Cape Town Airport and recent arrests of suspects appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Visits matter because they offer what digital technologies cannot: presence.
Younger South Africans who have the money to travel locally are keen on learning culturally relevant and creative skills while on holiday.
Health Professions Council to decide by end of January on inquiry into Tlaleng Mofokeng
Nigerian pop stars are often accused of singing about love and money and ignoring social issues. Falz isn’t one of them.
Internet shutdown affects millions of Africans more and more often and are most prominent during elections or protests.
Museveni’s iron grip on the Ugandan military makes it difficult to imagine a peaceful transfer of power.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) welcomes the City of Cape Town’s plan to erect a security wall along the N2 as a means to ensure motorists’ safety. It is, however, regrettable that so much time, and lives, was lost before decisive action was taken. It has been a problem for years, and the Freedom […]
The post Security wall along N2 in Cape Town welcomed, but visible policing also required appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
The latest TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights Report (formerly the Vehicle Pricing Index) for Q1 2025 highlights a strong rebound in the country’s automotive market. This recovery has been driven by improved consumer sentiment, declining interest rates, access to retirement savings through two-pot withdrawals, and rising real wages. According to naamsa data, new passenger vehicle sales continued their upward trajectory in the first quarter, with monthly volumes averaging over 34,000 units, the highest levels seen since Q3 2015.
Affordability remains a key driver of vehicle purchasing and financing decisions. Creative financing options, longer ownership cycles, and the growing availability of value-oriented models are significantly reshaping consumer behaviour, particularly among younger and first-time buyers. The Q1 2025 TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights report highlights that several emerging brands offering competitively priced vehicles have recorded strong year-over-year growth, contributing to the overall surge in new vehicle sales.
“South African consumers are returning to the vehicle market with a clear focus on value and flexibility,” says Lee Naik, CEO TransUnion Africa. “We’re seeing a continued shift away from traditional premium segments in favour of more accessible alternatives that meet evolving needs and budgets.”
Insurance Trends Reveal Shifting Landscape and Rising Risk
The Q1 2025 report introduces new data on insurance-linked vehicle asset finance (VAF). As of early 2025, only 39% of insured vehicle owners had financed vehicles, down from 44% in 2020. This signals a rise in alternative financing or lapses in insurance post-purchase, especially concerning as TransUnion’s 2024 Insurance Survey found that 25% of vehicle users had driven uninsured in the past six months.
This trend has implications for lenders, who face greater asset risk in the event of write-offs without insurance recovery, and for insurers, whose portfolios may now carry increased exposure. To mitigate these risks, strategies such as bundled insurance, usage-based coverage and low-cost flexible insurance models are growing in relevance.
Used Vehicle Momentum Slows as New Sales Lead Recovery
While used vehicles have dominated financing trends in recent years, Q1 2025 marked a notable shift back toward new vehicle purchases, driven by easing interest rates, improved entry-level model availability, and aggressive manufacturer incentives. Notably, the influx of competitively priced Chinese models has attracted budget-conscious buyers away from the used market, fuelling fresh growth in new vehicle registrations.
“Consumers are holding onto their cars for an average of six to eight years, compared to the previous five years, a trend that reflects affordability constraints and a more cautious approach to ownership,” says Naik.
Affordability and Flexibility Drive Change
The report reveals that shifting consumer preferences are reshaping the competitive landscape, with some established manufacturers experiencing year-over-year sales declines while more affordable and value-driven entrants continue to gain market share.
“The definition of value is changing,” says Naik. “It’s no longer just about the price tag, it’s about financing flexibility, long-term ownership costs, and trust in the product. That’s what’s driving consumer decisions today.”
Social Media's Growing Influence on South African Car Buyers
Generation Z’s1 rising influence, with a 27.9% year-on-year increase in vehicle finance volumes, highlights why social media has become essential for automotive brands aiming to attract younger buyers. As South Africans spend over 3.5 hours daily on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, 76% of users now turn to social media for product research, pushing automotive brands toward digital-first strategies with influencer campaigns, short-form videos, and interactive content, yet South Africa’s low social media ad spend signals a major untapped growth opportunity for marketers.
Social platforms are reshaping how South African consumers research, engage with, and purchase vehicles, particularly among Gen Z and Millennials1 who expect personalised, digital-first experiences. To stay competitive, brands are adopting influencer collaborations, platform-specific strategies, AI-enabled targeting, and immersive tools like augmented reality and virtual reality. Social commerce is gaining ground as buyers look for seamless, in-app journeys from browsing to booking.
Economic Outlook: Growth with Caution
The broader economic outlook for South Africa in 2025 remains cautiously optimistic, with GDP expected to grow by 1.4%, driven primarily by household consumption. While industrial output remains under pressure, consumer-driven sectors, particularly retail and vehicle sales, continue to show resilience. Vehicle export activity rose modestly by 0.4% year-over-year in Q1 2025, signalling a gradual recovery following the sharp decline in the previous quarter.
“The strong recovery in new vehicle sales is a positive sign,” says Naik. “But sustaining this growth will require policy certainty, infrastructure investment, and structural reforms. Without these, the economy remains vulnerable.”
“The South African automotive sector is adapting to new consumer behaviours and market forces. The insurance gap, affordability options, credit access and rising Gen Z1 participation will shape the road ahead. Collaboration across industry players is vital for long-term growth,” concludes Naik.
Read the full TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights Report here.
1 Generation X (Gen X): Born 1965–1980; Millennials (Gen Y): Born 1981–1996; Gen Z (Generation Z) Born 1997–2012
ENDS
Conflict between baboons and humans won’t change unless human behaviour changes.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has established, through a parliamentary question to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, that an air force major dismissed in 2018 for serious hate speech was reinstated less than a year later. Mayor M. V. (Vincent) Mohlala, who was stationed at the SA Army Signal Formation […]
The post Minister confirms air force officer dismissed for hate speech in 2018 was reinstated a year later appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.