President Cyril Ramaphosa.

- France is publicly supporting South Africa’s inclusion in the G20, despite the US planning to exclude the country in 2026.

- This gesture follows reports that the US pressured France to withdraw an invitation to President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the G7 summit.

- The US State Department denies intervening to exclude South Africa, while France claims its choice to invite Kenya to the G7 was based on other factors.

READ MORE

- The ANC’s 10th Eastern Cape provincial conference has been officially postponed.

- Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula cited a High Court order and the need for organisational discipline as reasons for the postponement.

- The ANC will argue an appeal against the interdict and face a contempt of court case.

READ MORE

From left: Jaco Wessel Kemp, Louis Coetzee, and Gert van der Westhuizen have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Dumisani Phakathi on a chicken farm in Brits.

- Jaco Kemp, Louis Coetzee, and Gert van der Westhuizen received life sentences for the 2023 murder of Dumisani Phakathi.

- The three men beat Phakathi to death after confronting him while he was collecting water on a chicken farm.

- Kemp and Coetzee were arrested after police discovered Phakathi’s body in the back of their bakkie.

READ MORE

The SA Agulhas, South Africa's legendary polar ship, has been sold for scrap.

- South Africa’s polar research and supply vessel, SA Agulhas, which served the South African National Antarctic Programme for over three decades, has been sold for scrap.

- The vessel, known as the “Red Taxi,” was auctioned in Durban after its owners faced financial difficulties and was purchased for $1.02 million to be scrapped in Southeast Asia.

- Beyond its routine missions, the SA Agulhas participated in rescue operations and transported explorers, later serving as a training vessel for the South African Maritime Safety Authority.

READ MORE

April’s expected record fuel price increases will take a heavy toll from SA consumers, and the broader economy.

- Fuel prices in South Africa are expected to increase significantly on Wednesday, 1 April, with petrol rising by R5.53 to R6.03 per litre and diesel by R10.34 to R10.48 per litre due to international factors and levy increases.

- The increases are attributed to the US-Israel attacks on Iran, rand depreciation, and annual increases in fuel levies and taxes, with paraffin prices set to almost double.

- Motorists are urged to fill up before the increase, as some fuel stations are already limiting sales, and the increases coincide with school holidays and the Easter weekend, prompting calls to cut fuel levies.

READ MORE

Chery Tiggo Cross.

- Chinese car brands have significantly increased their market share in South Africa, aiming for over 15% this year compared to only 3% five years ago.

- The South African new-car market may be too small to support the growing number of Chinese brands and models, leading to concentration and cannibalisation risks, especially for those priced above R600 000.

- While current Chinese cars are much better than the cheap bakkies that flooded the market in the late 2000s, many of the newer brands and sub-brands are at risk of failing due to limited buyer power and the need for high sales volumes to offset low margins.

READ MORE

Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.

- Panama coach Thomas Christiansen believes Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is well-informed about Mexico ahead of their World Cup opener.

- Christiansen says Panama chose to play South Africa to prepare for their World Cup match against Ghana, highlighting similarities between the two nations.

- Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams warns of Panama’s clinical efficiency, emphasising the need for concentration during their upcoming friendly match.

READ MORE