Latest news with #R270
The South African
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The South African
Local fashion designer looks to launch SA's first car brand
Skinny Sbu, who is best known for his fashionable sock line has made a move into the automative industry. Sbu has been working on a locally created and manufactured car brand since 2022. South Africa's century-old automotive sector is at the precipice of a definitive change. South Africa has enjoyed decades of production and assembly of globally created brands, but the country has never launched a commercially viable brand of its own. This is what Sbu hopes to address with his SSS car brand. In the commercial sense, no, but there are a few niche automotive brands from the country. For instance, Birkin Cars, known for producing Lotus-styled sports cars and has been doing so since the 1980s. There is also Bailey Cars, a brand the specialises in hand-built replicas usually for international markets. Finally, we also have Advanced Automotive Design (ADD) a boutique manufacturer who focus on futuristic looking concept cars. Sbu may very well have found himself an open lane with his SSS Cars. The Forbes 30-Under-30 honouree, made more than a few ripples in the fashion industry from very early on in his career with the launch of Skinny Sbu Socks. Sibusiso Ngwenya, or Sbu September as he has become affectionately known, saw his premium fashion brand earn international acclaim when he was featured on CNN. His socks were also included in a Grammy Awards gift bag in 2022. His socks have also found space on the shelves of large clothing franchises like The Foschini Group as well as Superbalist. News of his plans to launch SSS Cars garnered him praise from the highest office in the land, with President Cyril Ramaphosa commending his intentions. Sbu's automotive startup, SSS Cars, is looking to define what African luxury looks like on the roads. Since its inception in 2022, his company has quietly gone about creating its first lineup of premium vehicles. These are designed with a younger global demographic in mind, with a focus on style rather than legacy. The young visionary would like nothing more than for his cars to be as culturally impactful as his line of socks has been. SSS Cars is raising funding with a hefty amount needed to see this vision come to fruition. His dream is likely to cost upwards of R270 million, but this move should help put South Africa on the map as an automotive creator and not solely a renowned assembler. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
01-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Transforming lives: the impact of the new library at Ethelbert Centre
Sibaya Community Trust Trustee, Sorisha Naidoo; Former Judge President of SA and Trustee, Vuka Tshabalala; Chairperson of Ethelbert Child and Youth Care Centre, Kathryn Buchanan; and Founder and Chairman of Sibaya Community Trust, Vivian Reddy Image: Supplied A new chapter has begun for the children at the Ethelbert Child and Youth Care Centre, after a state-of-the-art library was designed to inspire and uplift. The ceremony, held on Friday, saw Vivian Reddy, the Founder and Chairman of the Sibaya Community Trust, introduce the library as a vital resource that goes beyond mere infrastructure. He said it served as a beacon of opportunity for the vulnerable children in its care. Reddy said the project was not just about bricks, shelves, and books. It was about opportunity, and it was about giving a child the power to dream bigger, to learn more, and to grow into the greatness that lies within them. He said the trust had now invested more than R270 million in projects that transform lives – from building schools and early childhood centres, to supporting health clinics, safe houses, and skills development programmes across KwaZulu-Natal. 'Our focus has been on reaching those who are often unseen and unheard, children without families, women facing abuse, communities without access to basic resources. We have partnered with countless organisations, just like Ethelbert, who dedicate their lives to serving others." Reddy said the library would serve not only as a place of learning but as a sanctuary. "It is a space where imagination can flourish, where knowledge becomes empowerment, and where every child can believe that their circumstances do not define their future." He commended the caregivers and staff of the centre, saying they were heroes for giving the children love, structure, and belonging, and that the Sibaya Community Trust was simply here to strengthen the foundation upon which Ethelbert's beautiful work rested. Reddy reaffirmed the commitment that the Sibaya Community Trust would continue to walk alongside communities in need, building not only infrastructure, but futures filled with hope, dignity, and opportunity. Kathryn Buchanan, the chairperson of the centre, said the launch marked the realisation of a dream they have long held: the dream of building a space that supported and uplifted the education of the children in their care. She said that for 118 years, the centre had been a place of safety for vulnerable children. 'We believe that education, especially the ability to read, is not just a skill but a foundation for healing, growth, and empowerment.' Buchanan shared the story of a young girl who went to Ethelbert at the age of 9 with no prior schooling. Through the support of her teachers and the remedial programmes, she progressed from Grade 1 directly to Grade 3 within a year. 'Today, she is thriving, a testament to what is possible when a child is given the right support." The Sibaya Community Trust's mission is to uplift vulnerable communities, restore dignity, and spark hope. THE POST
Eyewitness News
24-06-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Tackling rising cost of electricity a top priority, says Electricity Minister Ramokgopa
JOHANNESBURG - Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said that tackling the ever-rising cost of electricity remains one of his top priorities. Although Eskom has made progress in reducing load shedding, the cost of electricity has continued to climb each year. Ramokgopa previously disclosed that power prices had ballooned by 180% over the past decade. Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Tuesday, the minister admitted that escalating tariffs were unfair to consumers. "Electricity is very expensive, so poor households have to make choices between a loaf of bread or buying prepaid units. We are getting to a situation where industries that have got electricity as a dominant input cost are becoming increasingly uncompetitive." ALSO READ: COJ wants to increase electricity surcharge to R270 a month
The South African
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Viola Davis crowned highest-grossing black actress in Hollywood
Viola Davis has just rewritten the Hollywood record books. Her films have now grossed over $15 billion worldwide, which is a jaw-dropping R270 billion. This makes her the highest-grossing Black film actress in history. Viola Davis's journey began far from the glitz of Hollywood, as she was born in South Carolina and raised in poverty. She once said, 'The only thing that separates women of colour from anyone else is opportunity', according to Time Magazine . Her filmography is a greatest hits collection. Viola Davis brings to life fierce government official Amanda Waller in the Suicide Squad franchise and heartfelt maid Aibileen in The Help . Suicide Squad alone pulled in over R13.4 billion worldwide. The Woman King , where she led a cast of African warriors, resonated deeply with African audiences and grossed more than R9.7 billion globally. The actress also made history as the first Black actress to achieve the 'Triple Crown of Acting'—winning an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony. She's also one of the rare few to land the EGOT, adding a Grammy to her trophy cabinet. 'I became an artist, and thank God I did, because we are the only ones who can tell our stories,' she once said. Her influence stretches beyond the silver screen, as Viola Davis uses her platform to champion diversity and representation. She's spoken out about the need for authentic Black stories in Hollywood. 'What I want to be known for is being an artist who does not shy away from the truth'. Viola Davis's rise feels personal; her roles in films like The Woman King connect directly to African history and culture. She's proof that talent, when given a stage, can inspire millions. 'I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me,' Davis has said, echoing the spirit of ubuntu that resonates here. As the world celebrates her R270 billion milestone, Viola Davis remains humble. 'Success is not about the destination; it's about the journey,' she reminds us. 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.
TimesLIVE
18-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Joburg rates will rise in July
The City of Johannesburg has taken a decision to cushion its residents from high rate increases by not matching the tariff hikes by Eskom and Rand Water for the 2025/26 financial year. Instead of matching the proposed increase of 12.74% from Eskom, the city will limit its electricity increase to 12.5%. The electricity surcharge will remain at R270 and will only be charged once a month, and not every time a consumer loads electricity. However, residents will be paying more from July 1 for refuse removal, property rates and water. According to mayoral committee member responsible for finance Margaret Arnolds, the city has had to do a tough balancing act, juggling between prioritising the provision of basic services and ensuring that the most impoverished communities were protected. 'Tariffs are the lifeblood of local government finances. They make it possible for the city to clean our streets, electrify informal settlements, maintain infrastructure and expand all services. We also recognise that every rand charged must be justifiable, we don't want to take the money and not clarify what we have done with it,' she said. Arnolds said her administration has to be fair and responsive to the economic realities faced by residents and business. 'The work we do in setting these tariffs is not done in isolation. It is done within the framework of the government of local unity, a multiparty coalition committed to placing the people of Johannesburg above party politics.' Group CFO Tebogo Moraka said residents should not be worried about steep increases, revealing that discussions are being held at a national level. 'As metros, we are distributors of energy and water, so we get our tariff increases from the generators. We also need to play our part and ensure that the systems we are using are efficient. If there is efficiency, there could be savings that we can pass on back to the residents.'
