logo
Will rare Volkswagen Citi Golf find new home for a cool R1m?

Will rare Volkswagen Citi Golf find new home for a cool R1m?

The Citizen18-07-2025
A VW Citi Golf Mk1 Limited Edition, with 29km on the clock, took bidding at an auction in Bryanston last week to R550 000.
The Citizen reports this lofty number that many enthusiasts thought would see the iconic car go to a new owner. But the reserve price was not met, and rumour has it that this number was almost double that at a staggering R1m.
The original owner would have paid R113 500 for the car off the dealer's floor in November 2009. According to a South African inflation calculator, R100 in 2009 is worth R216.76 in 2025. And this translates into a price of only R246 022 today. But we all know that nothing over the past 16 years has gone up by the rate of inflation.
Low mileage key
Rather take a basic return on a R100 000 investment at a local bank, using a rate of 9%. Then the value of this VW Citi Golf Mk1 Limited Edition rises to a more realistic R450 000.
Maybe the price offered at R550 000 is not a bad one, but the real value with a car like this is that it's number three of the last 1 000 Citi Golfs ever produced. And when you add in the fact that it is like new with only delivery mileage on the clock, R1-million might just be the magic number. Time will tell.
The introduction of the VW Citi Mk1 in 2009 was a send-off and the closing of the final chapter of the best-ever selling hatchback in South African motoring history at the time. Citi had provided South African motorists with a fun, unique, affordable driving package for 25 years. It had defied all marketing norms and theories of how long a lifecycle of model in a brand can continue.
Volkswagen of South Africa introduced the Golf 1 in 1978. And the Citi Golf made its first appearance on South African roads in 1984. The Citi was a more affordable alternative to bigger more expensive 'Jumbo' Golf IIs that hit our roads in the same year.
Various Citi Golf editions
The VW Citi Golf stayed fresh over the years by the ongoing introduction of special and limited-edition models such as the Designa, CTI, Deco, Sonic, Wolf, Bafana Bafana, R Line, Xcite, Billabong and GTS.
The Citi Golf Mk1 features the 74kW 1.6-litre fuel injected engine and not the iconic 1.8-litre powertrain from the legendary GTi and CTi. It also came fitted with 15-inch, gunmetal painted alloy wheels; polished exhaust tailpipe, dark taillights, double headlights and chrome highlight around grille.
The interior has sport seats with partial leather, leather steering wheel, the original golf ball gear knob, floor mats with Mk1 logo and red stitching detail throughout. And the car was only available in two colours; Black and Shadow Blue metallic.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sweden opens new honorary consulate in Cape Town
Sweden opens new honorary consulate in Cape Town

The South African

time3 hours ago

  • The South African

Sweden opens new honorary consulate in Cape Town

The Embassy of Sweden has officially opened a new consulate in Cape Town, expanding its diplomatic footprint across the Western and Eastern Cape. The move underscores Sweden's longstanding commitment to South Africa and aims to enhance cooperation in trade, innovation, education, and social development. The consulate hopes to bring consular and developmental services closer to local communities while strengthening bilateral ties rooted in shared values and historical solidarity – dating back to Sweden's support for the anti-apartheid movement. Entrepreneur and social innovator Carl Fredrik Sammeli, founder of Bitprop, has been appointed honorary consul. Bitprop helps township homeowners develop rental units on their properties, supporting inclusive economic growth through micro-development. Sammeli, who has close ties to both Sweden and South Africa, said: 'South Africa and Sweden are both home to me and my family. I aim to connect communities, businesses and ideas.' In Langa, township resident Nonkosi Klaas used Bitprop's model to build backyard rental units, securing a steady income stream – an example of the type of community-level impact the consulate hopes to amplify. The consulate will: Provide consular services for Swedish citizens in the region Support South African businesses exploring trade and investment links with Sweden Facilitate academic exchanges, innovation hubs, and educational collaborations Host outreach and cultural events promoting gender equality and climate action Sweden's Ambassador to South Africa described the opening as a reaffirmation of the two nations' 'mutual vision for justice, sustainability, and inclusive prosperity.' The consulate is expected to serve as both a practical support base and a symbolic extension of Sweden's enduring solidarity with South Africa. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Crypto Revolution: From scepticism to strategic adoption
Crypto Revolution: From scepticism to strategic adoption

IOL News

time5 hours ago

  • IOL News

Crypto Revolution: From scepticism to strategic adoption

Sebaga Manyeula is a recognised Key Opinion Leader in Africa's fintech and digital assets space. Image: Supplied THE South African crypto landscape is shifting, slowly but undeniably. While institutional and regulatory frameworks inch forward, what remains most fascinating is the response of the average consumer, particularly those who, just a few years ago, viewed crypto with caution, suspicion, or outright dismissal. From my engagement with clients and retail participants across various income brackets and investment levels, a clear distinction has emerged: those who positioned themselves early — even modestly — into well-selected crypto instruments are enjoying measurable gains, increased financial literacy, and in many cases, the freedom to navigate new economic realities. They did not wait for the chaos to clear. They took the risk and reaped the benefit. By contrast, many who delayed engagement now find themselves playing catch-up in a market that has matured beyond 'what is Bitcoin?' conversations. Their hesitancy was justified — often shaped by misinformation, regulatory ambiguity, or past financial traumas — but it has, in some cases, cost them opportunity. Despite this divide, we are now seeing a faster adoption curve emerging. Consumers are no longer just curious — they are strategically positioning themselves, asking better questions, and seeking regulated access points. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Key drivers of this growth include: Load shedding's economic pressure, prompting alternative income exploration; Younger tech-savvy generations bringing crypto into family financial discussions; Cross-border remittances and inflation hedging via stablecoins; And importantly, the rise of regulated platforms that offer a sense of safety and compliance. Looking ahead, South Africa's crypto ecosystem will evolve in these ways: Mainstream integration: Crypto will become a standard offering in fintech apps, payment solutions, and even traditional banking portfolios, especially once clear FSCA-backed product structures are widely accepted. Crypto will become a standard offering in fintech apps, payment solutions, and even traditional banking portfolios, especially once clear FSCA-backed product structures are widely accepted. Increased regulatory trust: As frameworks mature (notably CASP licensing and cross-border tax alignment), more traditional investors will cautiously step into the space. As frameworks mature (notably CASP licensing and cross-border tax alignment), more traditional investors will cautiously step into the space. Tokenisation of real assets: Property, commodities, and even social impact projects will be tokenised, attracting investors who want tangible returns and community engagement. Property, commodities, and even social impact projects will be tokenised, attracting investors who want tangible returns and community engagement. Retail vs chaotic: Existing clients who embrace structured platforms and education will thrive. Those who continue to engage in pump-and-dump groups, unlicensed schemes, or speculative meme coins will face inevitable losses, reinforcing the divide between disciplined adopters and chaotic chasers. My encouragement is this: the crypto wave is not a passing trend. It's a transformation of how we view value, move money, and build wealth. As someone who's had the privilege of walking alongside both the sceptical and the bold, I can confidently say that the joy belongs to those who leaned in early, cautiously, yes, but purposefully. Now, as South Africans, we must graduate from fear-driven scepticism to informed participation. Crypto is no longer the fringe. It is fast becoming the foundation. * Sebaga Manyeula is a recognised Key Opinion Leader in Africa's fintech and digital assets space. A passionate advocate for financial inclusion, she is also the founding patron of the Give to Live Foundation, which supports abused women and children across Africa. ** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, IOL, or Independent Media. Get the real story on the go: Follow the Sunday Independent on WhatsApp.

Bonsmara bull sold for R4m at auction in KZN
Bonsmara bull sold for R4m at auction in KZN

The Citizen

time5 hours ago

  • The Citizen

Bonsmara bull sold for R4m at auction in KZN

The R4m sale of Lot 8 – LAR21-045, a prized Bonsmara bull – was the highlight of the highly anticipated Up George Bonsmaras 27th Production Sale, held in KwaZulu-Natal in early July. Record-chasing bull fetches R4m The bull was snapped up by Bertus and Fouché Blignaut of the Sebadja Bonsmaras stud in Limpopo, marking one of the highest prices ever paid for a Bonsmara bull in South Africa. Coincidentally, this sale falls just short of the record price paid for a South African Bonsmara bull at R4,4m, set in July 2023. That animal – LAR19-373 – was also sold by Up George Bonsmaras to Sebadja Bonsmaras, and was likewise offered as Lot 8. 'This exceptional bull [LAR21-045] is a proven herd sire, a grandson of LAR14-173 (Maestro), and comes from an outstanding dam line,' the Blignauts told Farmer's Weekly. 'A special thank you to the Up George Bonsmaras for this incredible opportunity. We can't wait to see the remarkable impact he will have on Sebadja's herd.' Strong demand across the board The sale, conducted in person and online via Swiftvee, saw spirited bidding and exceptional prices across the board, according to Brandon Leer, auctioneer at AAM Livestock Agents and Auctioneers, who hosted the sale. Another standout bull, Lot 10, was sold for R2,6 million to Pieter Hoogenboezem and family of Blouberg Bonsmara Stud in Limpopo. The top-priced female on the day, Lot 93 – a stud in-calf cow with a calf at foot – was bought by Eloff Muller of Tambaraine Bonsmaras in Mossel Bay for R170 000. All 78 bulls and 59 females presented at the sale were sold. Bulls were sold for an average price of R224 487, stud cows with calves at foot for R90 385, stud in-calf females for R54 318, and commercial in-calf females for R28 292. According to Leer, even the poultry lots impressed, with seven lots of chickens (each comprising three hens and a rooster) averaging R5,786 each. He added that while such astronomical prices as those paid for the bulls often grabbed headlines, the Up George sale was also a crucial event for commercial farmers. 'It must be noted that more than half the bulls on offer are sold to commercial farmers looking to improve their herd genetics. In fact, 53% of bulls sold averaged R66,341, reflecting the brand's consistent appeal across both stud and commercial buyers,' Leer explained. Up George owners Derek, Tutu, and Robert Ralfe expressed appreciation for the buyers: 'We are humbled by the values placed on our cattle and grateful to everyone who participated, both at the sale and online.' Insuring South Africa's livestock elite Due to their immense value, bulls like Lot 8 are insured for millions of rands, Kuda insurance consultant Levine Pillay said. 'High-value livestock are typically covered under specialised agricultural insurance policies, which provide protection against theft, injury, death, or infertility. 'High-value livestock insurance policies usually include predetermined values for the insured animals, which are set either according to current market value or a specifically agreed-upon amount between the insurer and the policyholder,' he explained. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store