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Government’s Failure Leaves Sa’s Automotive Industry in Crisis and Erodes Investor Confidence

Location: News

The future of Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) – and with it more than 4 000 jobs and tens of thousands of positions throughout the automotive value chain – hangs in the balance due to government’s ongoing failure to take decisive action by making essential policy adjustments for the automotive industry. Volkswagen has unequivocally stated that […]

The post Government’s failure leaves SA’s automotive industry in crisis and erodes investor confidence appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.

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Giants of Africa Festival 2025

Location: News
Giants of Africa

Giants of Africa (https://GiantsOfAfrica.org/), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering African youth through basketball, alongside its founder Masai Ujiri, Vice-Chairman and President of the Toronto Raptors, has announced Giants of Africa Festival 2025. Returning to the vibrant city of Kigali, Rwanda from July 26-August 2, the event will bring together 320 young athletes from 20 African nations, and more than 20,000 spectators for a week of community, culture, basketball, education, and entertainment. The festival will unite communities, spark potential, and drive transformative change across the continent.

“Like these kids, I grew up on the continent,” says Ujiri. “As Africans, we know the landscape of what the kids go through. We know they dream just like we did and it really inspires me because, those kids have so much more talent and intelligence, they have ways to communicate now that we didn't. This festival is about showing them there is a path. We want them to never stop dreaming.”

Giants of Africa Festival 2025 will begin with an exhilarating Opening Show, as the athletes unite in an inspiring parade to kick off the weeklong celebration. South African international DJ sensation Uncle Waffles, MTV Video Music Award-winning choreographer Sherrie Silver, and Rwandan singer and songwriter, Kevin Kade will bring electrifying performances as Ujiri and special guests welcome all to the festivities. The awe-inspiring event will mark the beginning of life-changing journeys for Africa's leaders of tomorrow.

Taking place across Kigali Sports City's BK Arena, Amahoro National Stadium, Petit Stade, and Paralympic Gymnasium, the festival will showcase the full potential of Africa's sports and entertainment ecosystem, highlighting its social and economic value for the next generation and the continent at large. Giants of Africa Festival 2025 will also serve as the grand opening of Zaria Court. Founded by Ujiri, the new mixed-use sports, entertainment, and cultural district includes an 80-room hotel, sports bar, basketball court, event space, retail outlets, gym, five-a-side football pitch, and outdoor public areas.

The festival will conclude with a spectacular Closing Concert featuring performances from Nigerian Afrobeats artist Kizz Daniel and award-winning Nigerian singer/songwriter Timaya. Celebrity guests in attendance throughout the week will include Chris Tucker, Candace Parker, Robin Roberts, Chiney Ogwumike, Didier Drogba, Michael Blackson, Boris Kodjoe and more. Additional performers for both the Opening Show and Closing Concert will be announced in the coming weeks.

Since 2003, Giants of Africa has empowered youth through basketball, hosting camps and building courts across 20 African countries. The foundation not only teaches game fundamentals but connects young people with inspirational mentors who show how determination, leadership, and integrity can transform dreams into reality. Also central to their mission is basketball's unique power to transcend barriers and unite diverse communities. The Giants of Africa Festival is a culmination of this vision, featuring a weeklong youth basketball camp and tournament that brings together young men and women from 20 nations. Youth campers will represent Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Benin, Gabon, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, D.R. Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, Morocco, Botswana, and South Africa. Giants of Africa and NBA/WNBA coaches and personnel will lead training sessions, with assistance from local coaches from the participating countries. A round-robin tournament will determine which countries and players will compete in the festival's championship and all-star games.

This year, Giants of Africa will also present its inaugural Threads of Africa Fashion Show, celebrating culture, fashion, and design from across Africa. The show will spotlight the work of three talented fashion designers, each from a different region of the continent. Cameroon's Hortense Mbea (Afropian: https://apo-opa.co/4d97Od4), Niger's Alia Baré (Alia: https://apo-opa.co/3GMuRyk), and Rwanda and South Africa's Nyambo (Masa Mara: https://apo-opa.co/4377tTx) will each present their new collections, and come together for a moderated discussion.

Additionally, festival highlights include the International Youth Day Forum, presented in partnership with the Imbuto Foundation, Ministry of Youth and Arts and ALX, bringing together over 2,000 Rwandan youth and festival campers to hear from esteemed leaders. The Women's Community Outreach Program will take place in Rwanda and across all 20 represented countries, offering leadership and education sessions in local communities to empower women and girls with knowledge, resources, and inspiration.

Giants of Africa Festival 2025 follows the inaugural Giants of Africa Festival (https://apo-opa.co/42RZZFe) which took place in Kigali in 2023 in celebration of the non-profit's 20th anniversary. The event united over 250 youth basketball players from 16 African nations, drew in over 14,000 spectators, and saw an estimated $1.5M invested into Kigali's local economy. The festival culminated in a closing concert featuring performances from Afrobeats icon Davido, Queen of Afrobeats Tiwa Savage, Rwanda's own Bruce Melodie, and South African superstar Tyla. It was a beacon of unity, inspiration, and transformation that ignited the continent. Building upon their bold ambitions, Masai Ujiri and Giants of Africa are poised to make an even more powerful statement in 2025.

Tickets for Giants of Africa Festival 2025's Opening Show and Closing Concert will go on sale beginning Thursday, May 8 at 3:00PM Central Africa Time. To learn more about the festival, its other initiatives and to purchase tickets or VIP and corporate packages, please visit www.GOAFestival.org or email info@giantsofafrica.org.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Giants of Africa.

For the festival launch video and still images: 
https://apo-opa.co/430fZUd

For more information, please contact:
Tamara Kamaka - Giants of Africa
tamara@giantsofafrica.org

Emmanuel Ainamani - SRC Agency
emmanuel@srcagency.com

Social Media:
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4d7L5Og
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/44t3xik
X: https://apo-opa.co/4dbdpj9
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4k6P14f

About Masai Ujiri and Giants of Africa:
Masai Ujiri, an award-winning and barrier-breaking NBA executive, is the founder of Giants of Africa. Started in 2003, Giants of Africa draws upon Ujiri's unique basketball journey to achieve its goal of uplifting African youth with programs focused on empowerment and leadership. As the first African general manager in North American professional sports who was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2013, Ujiri's ascent to the top of the basketball world began in his native Nigeria and took him around the world as a player, scout and executive, culminating in 2019 when he served as the architect of a Toronto Raptors team that became the first franchise outside the United States to be crowned NBA champions. Ultimately, he believes his work with Giants of Africa will prove to be the most meaningful and rewarding of his life.

https://GiantsOfAfrica.org/

Partners:
Giants of Africa Festival 2025 would like to express its gratitude to all sponsors and partners who have contributed to making this event possible:

● The Lake Family's All One Fund

● RwandAir

● ALX Africa

● Kensington

● Sport Court International, LLC

● BK Arena

● DHL Express Canada

● Imbuto Foundation

● Ministry of Sports

● Visit Rwanda

● Volkswagen Move

● Zaria Court

● Bralirwa PLC

● Toronto Raptors

● Marriott

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Wiring Africa’s Industrial Future

Location: Business
African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

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

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African Development Bank Group (AfDB)
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Wild Cars and Superstars Set for Modified Saloon Car King of the Hill Challenge

Location: Sport

Volkswagen Motorsport is upping the ante once again by bringing seven-time World Rallycross champion Johan Kristoffersson to compete at 15th Simola Hillclimb in 2023 title-winning all-electric WRX Polo RX1e Five-time Modified Saloon Car winner and current record-holder Franco Scribante will resume ongoing battle of the Nissan R35 GT-Rs with Reghard Roets Formidable line-up of other […]

Read moreWild Cars and Superstars Set for Modified Saloon Car King of the Hill Challenge

Mighty Single-Seater King of the Hill Battle on the Cards for 15th Simola Hillclimb

Location: Sport

Long-standing rivals Andre Bezuidenhout and Robert Wolk will be going head-to-head in equal machinery this year – both driving Gould GR55B hillclimb racing cars Three exciting new Investchem MSA4 single-seater race cars set to compete this year, along with Formula Ford and Formula VW entries Rui Campos expected to be a strong contender for podium […]

Read moreMighty Single-Seater King of the Hill Battle on the Cards for 15th Simola Hillclimb

Simola Hillclimb Launches New Logo, Branding and Merchandise for 15th Edition in 2025

Location: Sport

New Simola Hillclimb logo pays homage to the event’s history in a contemporary way, emphasizing a love for speed, good competition and heritage Exciting range of merchandise being created with the new logo designs, including T-shirts and caps, which will be sold at the event 15th edition of SA’s premier motoring and motorsport lifestyle event […]

Read moreSimola Hillclimb Launches New Logo, Branding and Merchandise for 15th Edition in 2025

Kariega Factory Pilots E-tractors

Location: Business

Kariega/Kigali –Volkswagen Group Africa has announced the start of operations of its multifunctional facility to pilot modern farming with e-tractors in Africa. The facility is in Gashora, Rwanda, about 60km from the capital, Kigali. The GenFarm Project is a holistic ecosystem of e-powered mechanised farming service for rural areas in Africa that is reliable, sustainable …

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New vehicles to help fight crime in eThekwini

Location: News

New vehicles to help fight crime in eThekwini

To bolster ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure increased police visibility, the eThekwini Metro Police in KwaZulu-Natal has procured an additional 146 vehicles to be added to their fleet.

The procurement of new vehicles comes after the city announced plans to roll out the Smart Policing System, which seeks to fast track crime reports.

eThekwini Metro Police spokesperson, Colonel Boysie Zungu, said the fleet includes 50 Volkswagen (VW) Golf GTIs, 29 Ford Rangers, 30 Isuzu bakkies, and 37 VW Polos.

Zungu commended the council for approving the procurement and for sharing the Metro Police’s vision of ensuring a safe city for residents, businesses and visitors.

“Further crime prevention initiatives will be implemented and will be announced in due course as the city prepares to welcome thousands of holidaymakers during the festive season,” Zungu said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

GabiK
Thu, 10/17/2024 - 09:40

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Unique Top of the Hill Race

Location: Sport

Volkswagen Motorsport gave a spectacular performance at this weekend’s Zwartkops Top of the Hill Challenge in Pretoria. Jonathan Mogotsi excelled in the Hillclimb with his SupaPolo, while Judd Bertholdt and Brendon Staniforth emerged victorious in the Volkswagen Rookie Cup class. “Volkswagen Motorsport shined at the inaugural Zwartkops Top of the Hill Challenge on Saturday,” Mike …

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Choosing the Right Brand-Specific Warranty for Your Vehicle

Location: MyPR

When it comes to brand-specific warranties, drivers of popular makes such as Toyota, BMW, and VW can benefit from plans tailored to their vehicles. These warranties provide coverage for common issues associated with specific models, ensuring that repairs are handled efficiently and effectively. For Toyota owners, a Toyota extended warranty offers coverage beyond the manufacturer’s …

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New T-Cross Set to Redefine the Compact SUV Market – Pricing

Location: Business

The T-Cross is the smallest member of Volkswagen’s all-important “T” family of SUVs and the best-selling SUV for the brand in South Africa. Sharing its MQB A0 platform with the sixth-generation Polo hatchback, T-Cross has also been the best selling imported model for Volkswagen in South Africa with over 36 000 units sold. The new …

Read moreNew T-Cross Set to Redefine the Compact SUV Market – Pricing

Refreshed Polo Vivo

Location: Business

Since its market introduction in 2010, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo has been South Africa’s top selling passenger model with over 425 000 units sold across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Volkswagen has refreshed the Polo Vivo with the new front-end design, new infotainment, new seat trim design and enhanced safety features to continue its success …

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Young Joshua Moore revs up South Africa’s racing circuit

Location: MyPR

Imagine being under 122cm tall, stepping up from karting into mainstream circuit racing, and becoming one of the youngest drivers in South Africa at the Volkswagen Rookie Cup, all before your 14th birthday. This is exactly what Gqeberha-born karting champion Joshua Moore has achieved, and he’s just getting started… Just exactly when the driving bug …

Read moreYoung Joshua Moore revs up South Africa’s racing circuit

How South Africa’s vehicle retail landscape is adapting to change

Location: MyPR

South Africa’s choice of motor vehicle segment and body shape is changing – perhaps permanently – and, as a struggling market adapts to new realities, brand favourites face challenges too. South Africa’s motor retail industry landscape over the past 15 years has been affected by slow economic growth, poor infrastructure, political uncertainty and a series …

Read moreHow South Africa’s vehicle retail landscape is adapting to change

Driven to win – Chloe Stuart’s journey from a battery-operated car to the DOE Formula Vee

Location: MyPR

There appears to be no age barrier when it comes to the love of racing because at 18 months old, well before she could speak, Chloe Stuart was drifting in the battery-operated car her parents bought her. At age 7, she moved onto quad biking and vocalised her dream of wanting to race. Her dad, …

Read moreDriven to win – Chloe Stuart’s journey from a battery-operated car to the DOE Formula Vee

Unmatched Quality and Variety: Lou Appel’s Auto Spares and Their Comprehensive Engine Collection

Location: MyPR

Lou Appel’s Auto Spares is not just a name; it’s a promise of quality, reliability, and exceptional service in the automotive industry. Known for their vast inventory of high-quality engines, they cater to various car brands, ensuring that every customer finds the perfect match for their vehicle. Let’s dive deeper into some of the popular …

Read moreUnmatched Quality and Variety: Lou Appel’s Auto Spares and Their Comprehensive Engine Collection

South Africa remains an “attractive investment destination” – President Ramaphosa

Location: News

South Africa remains an "attractive investment destination" - President Ramaphosa

In his weekly newsletter, President Cyril Ramaphosa says the growth of South Africa’s automotive sector is a demonstration of “the potential of South Africa as an investment destination”.

The President said 2023 was a milestone year for South Africa’s automotive sector with the sixth millionth South African built vehicle exported with new vehicle exports reaching nearly 400 000.

“These figures are significant for a number of reasons. They show that our auto sector continues to grow despite a gloomy global economic outlook and disruptions to the flow of goods between countries.

“The growth of the automotive sector also demonstrates the potential of South Africa as an investment destination. It is a good example of how committed investors, supported by government policies and programmes, can achieve good returns for their shareholders while contributing significantly to the South African economy,” President Ramaphosa said.

The President pointed out that world leading vehicle manufacturers and other companies continue to pour more investment into South Africa.

“By way of example, Volkswagen last month announced a R4 billion investment to expand its Kariega plant in the Eastern Cape in preparation for the production of a new vehicle model expected to roll off the assembly line in 2027. This investment is expected to secure the livelihoods of approximately 3500 workers and support an additional estimated 50 000 indirect jobs and opportunities.

“South Africa’s value as an investment destination extends across many other industries, as local and international companies continue to either expand their investments or undertake new investments.

“Investment is important because, among other things, it creates employment, supports the growth of emerging suppliers, generates revenue for the country, and, in doing so, supports our efforts to reduce poverty and inequality,” he said.

According to the President, a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has found that net foreign direct investment (FDI) into South Africa has been consistently positive since the global financial crisis of 2007 to 2009 – meaning more investment has come into the country than out.

“Last year, FDI inflows amounted to R96.5 billion, equivalent to 1.4 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This supports a trend where foreign direct investment has, on average, been far greater over the last five years than over the previous decade.

“The PwC report notes that South Africa has attractive fundamentals, such as world-class financial services and communications industries, deep capital markets, abundant natural resources and a transparent legal system. Furthermore, South Africa is ‘a strategic geographical location for entry into the rest of sub-Saharan Africa’,” he said.

Addressing challenges

President Ramaphosa highlighted that although there is a “broadly positive attitude towards South Africa among investors”, more work needs to be done to ensure that the FDI as a percentage of GDP is heightened.

“That is why we continue to work to implement our policies and align regulatory and other obstacles, so that we can attract higher levels of investment. Through the auction of broadband spectrum and progress in digital migration, for example, we have greatly expanded opportunities in telecommunications.

“We have significantly reduced waiting times for water use licences and other authorisations that are so important for getting major investment projects off the ground. We are working to get rid of other forms of red tape that impede and slow down investment,” the President said.

He also acknowledged that South Africa’s electricity problems remain a “major challenge to our people and the economy at large” and issues at ports and rail are being addressed.

“Through our Energy Action Plan, we have made much progress in dealing with the country’s electricity crisis. We have seen an improvement in the performance of Eskom’s power stations and substantial investment in new generation capacity. This has contributed to a sustained decrease in the severity of load shedding.

“The work we are doing with business, labour and other social partners in improving the efficiency of our ports and rail infrastructure is also starting to bear fruit. Further progress in these areas will increase the country’s competitiveness and attractiveness as an investment destination,” the President said.

The President assured that government will continue in its path towards economic recovery.

“We will continue to build on the gains that we have made towards creating an enabling business and investment climate that promotes economic growth and creates jobs.

“It is only through attracting higher levels of investment, both foreign and domestic, that a swift, sustainable economic recovery can be assured,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB
Tue, 05/07/2024 - 10:27

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Two new King of the Hill champions and new record set at 2024 Simola Hillclimb

Location: Sport

Robert Wolk earns first King of the Hill title in Single Seater, Sports Car and Sports Prototypes category with Infinity Indycar V8-powered Pillbeam MP58 Dawie Joubert powers his way to first Modified Saloon Car victory in Ferrari-powered Lotus Exige after intense battle and lots of drama amongst top contenders JP van der Walt secures fourth […]

Read moreTwo new King of the Hill champions and new record set at 2024 Simola Hillclimb