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Daily Maverick
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Maverick
Why South Africa's EV ambitions are still stuck in low gear
Naamsa is rolling out a nationwide electric vehicle network but South Africa's road to electric vehicle adoption is still filled with red lights. Electric car sales topped 17 million worldwide in 2024, rising by more than 25% according to the International Energy Agency, but South Africa remains a slow starter in terms of this global trend. The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) thinks it's time to stop stalling. It's now laying the groundwork for a national network of EV charging stations, starting with 120 publicly accessible EV chargers along major transport routes. Forecourts on the frontline By geography and legacy alone, forecourts are perfectly positioned to capitalise on an EV transition, said Shivani Singh, chief projects officer at Naamsa. They've got the traffic, the location, the permits and the land. Yet South Africa has fewer than 400 publicly accessible EV charging stations. Compare that to the 4,800 licensed petrol stations across the country, and the gap between what's happening and what's possible makes itself clear. So, what's holding them back? 'There's a lot of things that face our retailers at the moment,' said Timothy Oliver, fuel specialist at Connect Group South Africa. Among the challenges are limited capital for the diversification of profit centres and limitations imposed by location and oil companies. The days of surviving on a single filling station are numbered, which complicates management. 'We are seeing that the average retailer won't just sit with one site, they'll probably own between five and 10 sites,' Oliver said. Naamsa plugs in This is where Naamsa's latest rollout could change things. The automotive industry body has begun work on a national network of 120 EV charging points, strategically positioned along key routes in the country, Singh said. The rollout will include both ACDC fast chargers, publicly accessible and available for use. It signals a commitment to usable public infrastructure for EVs to replace the broken plugs and barely functional charging stations currently scattered along South Africa's roads. Traditional hybrid EVs achieved the highest sales in 2023. Plug-in hybrid EV sales continued to grow and battery EV sales experienced rapid growth in 2023. (Source: Green Cape, Graph: Kara le Roux) The EV economy South Africa has the mineral wealth required for the EV supply chain but lacks the infrastructure to process or capitalise on it, according to Singh. 'Our EV market is in extremely early stages,' she said. 'We're starting to see the use of electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers for delivery purposes in the rest of Africa, but there's no EV passenger car assembly happening.' Essential for the manufacturing of EV batteries are cobalt, manganese and lithium. Africa holds more than half of the world's reserve for these minerals, said Yael Shafrir, associate director at Webber Wentzel. 'South Africa's Section 12V tax incentive, signed into law in December 2024, offers a 150% deduction for local manufacturers of EV parts, effective 1 March 2026. It's a signal: industrial policy and trade are finally talking to each other.' Leiandra da Silva, an economist at Nedbank, said South Africa's imports are growing at a faster rate than our exports at the moment, and growth in our key trade partners is not looking great either. Most EV charging hardware is imported from China, Singh said, making spare parts unavailable and repairs difficult. Naamsa's charging infrastructure rollout presents an opportunity for localisation. As a part of this project, the association is trying to partner existing charging service providers with local businesses. 'Together they can install the infrastructure, maintain it, but also start to produce components that go into it,' Singh said. It's a pragmatic move that aligns with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition's automotive master plan and also offers an entry point for South African businesses to participate in the EV economy. How does this affect you? If all goes to plan, small businesses might get a piece of the EV pie through infrastructure and parts manufacturing. Fleet vehicles on fixed routes are best placed to make the EV switch early. Naamsa's rollout promises fewer broken plugs and more reliable charging infrastructure. Your local petrol station might get some charging hubs soon – if the owner can afford the upgrade. Who can afford the future? For all the infrastructure plans and policy ambitions, the fact remains that most South Africans can't afford an EV. 'These fully battery electric vehicles are still sitting at over R900,000 per unit,' Singh said. 'Our chief economist tells us that for quarter one 2025, 74% of new cars that were sold were under R500,000 in value. So South Africans have an affordability challenge.' Another common concern among potential EV buyers is the fear of getting stranded, even though most EVs offer a range of more than 200km a day, Singh said. More pressing is the resale value. With so few EVs changing hands locally, buyers don't know what their cars will be worth in five years, she added. Where wheels keep turning If motorists aren't totally onboard, Singh said there's an opportunity for the logistics and transport sector to carry the torch. 'We think the bus and truck segment is very well suited to making this transition to battery electric vehicles, primarily because they run fixed routes and these vehicles live in a depot a lot of their life,' Singh said. Most depots already have backup power and fleet operators benefit from industrial electricity tariffs, she added. DM
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Right clique here: Rise of India's modern, luxury private clubs
A sundowner at any of the heritage clubs in India can be rather predictable. Liveried servers, mid-tasting cocktails, old ditties (English, of course) and walls adorned with hunting trophies. Old members ensconced in furniture that carries the stories of sitters, imbibing Patialas that question the existence of peg measures, talking about the club, golf, real estate and the kids. It's a small world, maybe a little too small. In a world where your network is your net worth, the old clubs are falling short. It surely does for Shivani Singh, a consultant in broadcasting media. The 50-year-old marathoner has been a member of Gurgaon-based Quorum for three years. She calls it an extension of her living room: 'It's tailored to how I operate. Fitness and remote working are a large part of my life,' she says. The gentlemen's clubs are a colonial legacy, but outside the walls of these anachronistic oases, India is changing. This is what made Vivek Narain start Quorum in Gurgaon in 2018 and add two more clubs since—in Mumbai and Hyderabad. Narain says, 'India is on the move. It is going through a similar demographic, social and economic transformation that happened in the US in the 1960s. By definition, there's a need for places of belonging for people who are the new movers and shakers.' Narain, founder of the modern luxury private club in India, who has probably created the category here, says, 'The old establishment clubs, while prestigious, were created three generations ago. It's arguable that there's a whole new crop of relevance in society today.' Club operators and hospitality giants have noticed it. A 2024 study by Axon Developers and Skye Hospitality found that there are more than 25 private clubs operational in India. The market size of private, members-only clubs is projected to reach Rs 941 crore by 2027, from Rs 576 crore in 2024. Capgemini's World Wealth Report 2024 said high net-worth individuals (HNIs) in India increased by about 12% year-on-year in 2023. Live Events THIRD SPACE In 2018, international club chain Soho House opened its first house in Asia in Mumbai. Started in 1995 in London by Nick Jones, Soho targets the 'creatives'. Members say the stodgy club dressing rules are dissed here. Dheer Momaya, a 33-year-old film producer and founding member of Soho Mumbai , says he has made extensive use of its screening rooms—not only in Mumbai but also at the Soho Houses in New York and Los Angeles. He says, 'While the crowd at the Willingdon Sports Club in Mumbai [where he's a member] are mainly industrialists, doctors and lawyers, at Soho you meet people from the film industry or around creative arts. The conversations are more focused.' Agrees Shikha Jain, 30, another producer. She joined Soho through its discounted, Under-27 membership in 2019. She used it as a day office, dating spot and a networking space. This year, the only reason she's having second thoughts about her membership is that 'post marriage, my life has changed, but not the space'. Workwise, however, it has helped her meet directors and producers. 'I would meet them outside and bump into them at Soho. The recall is fresher,' she says. For members, these new clubs fit their onthe-go lifestyle. These have co-working spaces, studios for meetings, state-of-the-art gyms, yoga rooms, cigar lounges and speakeasies. The 11-storey Soho House in Juhu has a 32seat screening room as well. Mumbai was a natural first home for Soho House's Asia debut and it plans to open two new Houses—in Mehrauli, Delhi, and South Mumbai. It has Cities Without Houses memberships—for people in cities without Soho Houses—in Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa, Jaipur, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Kelly Wardingham, regional director, Asia, Soho House, says, 'One of the biggest gaps in India's creative landscape is access— to mentorship, collaboration, or the right room to share ideas. Yet there's a hunger to build, collaborate and be seen.' This need for practical frameworks and meaningful community shapes their programming like the Business Lounge series where they talk about how to price your work or set up a company. Narain says the idea is to build a 'third space' away from home and work. 'Our business pillars are community, high-quality hospitality—not the subsidised variety, because you get what you pay for—wellness and wellbeing with a sharp focus on culture as a means to bring it all together,' he says. Across the three Quorums, they have 85 events in a month. Most of these lifestyle lairs are located in central business districts or near airports, for quick access for their prime clientele—business professionals and expatriates. Real estate developer Embassy Group's BLVD Club in Bengaluru is located minutes from the Kempegowda International Airport. Siddharth Mankani, MD, Embassy Leisure & Entertainment, says Bengaluru was an obvious pick because of its expanding HNI base and cosmopolitan nature: 'In an increasingly digital and hyper-connected world, these spaces are experiencing a resurgence as they offer authenticity, intimacy and exclusivity.' He says millennials and Gen X, especially affluent urban professionals, are the key drivers. A 2023 report in Forbes US claimed that millennials are responsible for the slow death of country clubs in US in favour of social clubs. Mankani says, 'Post-pandemic, people are valuing quality over quantity—smaller gatherings, exclusive events and health-conscious environments.' GUILDS FOR GLOBAL INDIAN The spaces are design-forward in a way that feels familiar to the global Indian. Designed by Singapore-based Andy Fisher, BLVD's biophilic space is spartan and modern. Cement, rock and wood are set off by the greens of carefully picked trees and shrubs. The idea is to be the go-to space for the residents of Embassy Boulevard and others in the catchment of luxury and semi-luxury apartments. The food is fine-dining level, the bar is plush, the cutlery is from Robert Welch. It makes the old clubs feel like poor country cousins. Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality (ABNAH) launched the 30,000 sq ft Jolie's in Worli in 2021. They are rolling out for members perks at all ABNAH restaurants (Hakkasan, Yauatcha, etc) and a concierge and benefits programme. Udai Pinnali, CEO of ABNAH, says the new clubs are a response to a cultural craving, 'Today's time-starved individuals are looking for more than scattered experiences—they seek a single space that caters to all their cultural needs.' Like Quorum and Soho, Jolie's too spends considerable thought in programming. Pinnali says, 'We've recognised a growing need among women for meaningful female friendships.' They have launched Frida, a women-only membership programme, to address this. Wardingham says, 'People no longer want to just be part of something prestigious but something meaningful. Our members want spaces that are as fluid as their lives.' They also offer their well-travelled clientele something extra—access to clubs around the world. If Soho has a network of 42 houses worldwide, Jolie's has 200+ affiliations, including 1880 in Singapore and St James in Paris. Quorum is networked with 250 spaces like Battery in San Francisco and The Groucho Club in London. Even hospitality giants like St Regis, Four Seasons, Oberoi and Taj are interested. Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts, says luxury, members-only clubs are expanding the vocabulary of hospitality, 'There's a growing appetite for places that blend intimacy with intention—where a guest feels like a participant in something meaningful, not just a visitor. This signals a very interesting direction for the next chapter of hospitality. We've been working quietly on a concept that speaks to this new rhythm of luxury.' Nitesh Gandhi, GM, Four Seasons Mumbai, that recently relaunched its members-only club Modernist, says these clubs are a response to the changing needs of today's luxury consumer, 'We are seeing a new kind of social capital emerge, where being part of an inspired, forward-thinking community carries more weight than traditional status symbols.' Gandhi says that the key opportunity lies in deepening guest loyalty. Narain has noticed the movement in the category, but that does not worry him. 'This is not their (hotel's) core business. They are just extending and leveraging their good locations by creating some sort of a loyalty programme.' The true urban lifestyle clubs, he notes, are a different ballgame. HOW TO MAKE AN ENTRY But who's invited? Membership criteria for most clubs are rather undefined. While Jolie's is by-invite, BLVD keeps it open. Quorum seeks 'interesting' people who can add to their community and Soho House is intended for individuals connected to creative industries. The entry may not be blocked by an iron gate but there's a velvet rope. The price tag, with a joining fee of ?2-7 lakh and annual fees of ?1-3 lakh, is definitely the first level. Quorum doesn't conduct an interview but Narain does mention that most people have a fairly well-documented digital presence. The trend is moving beyond the big cities. Real-estate developer Isprava launched its members-only club Solene in Goa this year. Catering to Isprava homeowners and outsiders, it has notched around 100 members in two months. Dhimaan Shah, co-CEO, says opening a members-only private club was a natural progression for their business of luxury homes and homestays. 'Earlier we had a sense of community within family and the neighbourhood which is now lost. People are seeking that lost social connection with or bar nights.' Shah is planning more Solenes, the next one probably in Alibaug. Santosh Desai, CEO & MD of Future Brands and social commentator, says there's a space for these clubs to grow. 'People who become successful want to believe that their blood turns blue. They yearn for recognition and validation that comes with belonging to old-style clubs.' Desai says the pay-for-play model is transactional, but the cultural flavour is tough to replace: 'The idea of creating community based on common interests and rarefied experiences is a fairly marketable one. While there will always be place for marquee names, whether all ventures will get accommodated is not clear. Oversupply will take away from exclusivity.' But for now, social clubs are working for members. Banker-turned-children's books writer Esha Gupta, 38, has been a member of Quorum since 2021. Although she is a member of neighbourhood clubs like Panchshila and Safdarjung in Delhi, she only uses Quorum: 'The traditional clubs are not catching up nor have they figured out the pulse of the current generation. The modern clubs understand that our social needs go beyond partying.' The doors are open to the new hubs of privilege.
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First Post
12-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
From damage to aircraft to denying capturing Indian pilot: Is Pakistan accepting defeat to India?
Pakistan has admitted 'slight' damage to its aircraft from Indian strikes and said that no Indian pilot was in its custody. This comes after the Indian military spoke of downing a 'few planes'. India's attacks also caused damage to a runway at the Rahim Yar Khan airbase in Pakistan's Punjab, rendering it non-operational for a week read more Air Marshal AK Bharti, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Vice Admiral AN Pramod and Major General SS Sharda attend a press briefing at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, India, May 11, 2025. Reuters The fragile truce between India and Pakistan is holding. No hostilities were reported last night (May 12) along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB), the Indian Army said today. After four days of military clashes, India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire on Saturday (May 10). However, within hours, Islamabad violated the understanding between the two nations. While the United States has tried to take credit for the ceasefire, India has maintained that there was no third-party involvement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As military tensions ebb, Pakistan has begun admitting the setbacks caused by Indian strikes. Here's how. No Indian pilot captured by Pakistan Pakistan has accepted that no Indian pilot was in its custody amid the military tensions last week. Addressing a press conference along with officials of the air force and navy on Sunday, Pakistan Army spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that Pakistan did not have any Indian pilot in custody, saying such reports were based on 'fake social media reports'. His dismissal came after several pro-Pakistan social media handles claimed that an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot, Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, was captured by Pakistan. This claim was debunked by PIB Fact Check on Saturday, which termed it 'fake'. Indian Female Air Force pilot has NOT been captured🚨 Pro-Pakistan social media handles claim that an Indian Female Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, has been captured in Pakistan.#PIBFactCheck ❌ This claim is FAKE!#IndiaFightsPropaganda@MIB_India… — PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 10, 2025 The IAF also confirmed yesterday that all its pilots involved in 'Operation Sindoor' were safe. During a press briefing, Air Marshal AK Bharti said, 'We are in a combat scenario and losses are part of combat. However, we have achieved all our objectives, and all our pilots are back home.' Pakistan admits damage to its aircraft In its briefing on Sunday on 'Operation Bunyanum Marsoos', Pakistan's counter mission to India's military strikes, the country's military admitted that at least one of its aircraft suffered 'minor damage' during skirmishes with India. Lt Gen Chaudhry said that 'only one aircraft' of Pakistan suffered 'slight' damage during Indian missile strikes, without providing further details. On Sunday evening, India said it downed a few Pakistani fighter jets. 'Their planes were prevented from entering inside our border. We have downed a few planes. Definitely, there are losses on their side which we have inflicted," Air Marshal AK Bharti said in a press briefing on Operation Sindoor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PAF pilot 'killed' A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilot died during the recent military escalation with India. Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf, along with four other PAF personnel, were killed at Bholari airbase in Sindh when India hit Pakistan's military targets early Saturday, as per a Times of India (TOI) report. The base houses Pakistan's F-16 and JF-17 fighter jets, crucial for its southern air operations. Pakistani media Dawn reported that 31 'people' died after India's May 7 strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. However, India has said over 100 terrorists were killed during its attack on nine terror camps, including the headquarters of Masood Azhar's terrorist outfit in Bahawalpur, in Pakistan and PoK. 'Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters at Bahawalpur (Pakistan) was hit the hardest, most potent weapon was used. Jaish-e-Mohammed was created by ISI [Pakistan's spy agency]. It was an important message by India,' sources told ANI. Rahim Yar Khan airbase became unoperational The Indian Armed Forces carried out 'precision attacks' on several of Pakistan's military targets early Saturday after Islamabad launched attacks at 26 locations along the IB and the LoC. India targeted six Pakistani airbases, including Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Chunian. Hours after the strikes, US President Donald Trump took to social media to announce a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. This was later confirmed by both countries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After India's action, the sole runway at the Rahim Yar Khan airbase in Pakistan's Punjab was declared non-operational for a week, Indian Express reported, citing a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) Saturday evening. As per the notice, the runway has been shut due to work in progress from 4 pm Pakistan time (4:30 pm IST) on May 10 till 4:59 am Pakistan time (5:29 IST) on May 18. The NOTAM said the runway will not be available for flight operations. In a briefing on Operation Sindoor on Sunday, the Indian Air Force shared satellite imagery to confirm the damage to the runway at the Rahim Yar Khan airbase by Indian strikes. As per TOI, the missile has left a huge crater on a portion of the runway. Pakistani officials have also reportedly confirmed damage to transport aircraft at Nur Khan and technical facilities at Chunian air bases. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Time of India
Meet Shivani Singh, The Woman Rafale Pilot Pakistan Claimed Captured, Now Debunked By IAF
Amid swirling misinformation, India has firmly debunked Pakistan's false claim that IAF's trailblazing Rafale pilot, Shivani Singh, was captured during Operation Sindoor. The Indian Air Force clarified all pilots are safe—putting rumours to rest. Shivani, India's first woman Rafale pilot, stands as a symbol of courage, grit, and national pride. From Varanasi to the cockpit of a Rafale, her journey is a testament to dreams defying gravity. A warzone veteran and international representative, she flies with purpose and power. More than a pilot, she is India's daughter—flying higher than lies, fear, and limits. She's not captured. She's rewriting history.#shivanisingh #shivangisingh #iaf #indianairforce #rafalepilot #operationSindoor #pakistanpropaganda #indiapakistanconflict #womeninuniform #goldenarrows #mig21 #rafale #pibfactcheck #fakeclaim #defencenews #ladakh #lac #varanasi #ncc #bhugraduate #fighterpilot #republicday #exerciseorion #indianwomenpower #airforceacademy #nationalpride #pilotlife #toibharat
Economic Times
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Shivani Singh, IAF's Rafale pilot, captured by Pakistan? Here's the truth
The Indian government has refuted viral social media claims that an Indian Air Force female pilot, Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, was captured by Pakistan. The Press Information Bureau's Fact Check unit confirmed the reports as fake, urging the public to avoid spreading misinformation. This denial follows increased tensions and a rise in misleading information shared online. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads No pilot has been captured Indian Pilot Ejected Over PoK? PIB fact checks Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads False news amid rising tensions Fact check teams stay alert Ministry issues advisory for online safety A viral claim on social media saying that an Indian Air Force female pilot has been captured by Pakistan is false, the Indian government has confirmed. The Press Information Bureau's (PIB) Fact Check unit on Saturday said the reports are fake and urged the public not to fall for social media posts claimed that Squadron Leader Shivani Singh , a female officer in the Indian Air Force, was taken into custody by Pakistani authorities. These posts were shared widely by several pro-Pakistan handles and the PIB Fact Check unit responded, saying, 'Pro-Pakistan social media handles claim that an Indian Female Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Shivani Singh , has been captured in Pakistan. This claim is FAKE!'PIB Fact check also said that the claim of Indian pilot ejecting over PoK is also Pilot Ejected Over PoK? Here's the Truth! Posts on social media claim that an Indian pilot ejected from a fighter jet over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).The false claim comes days after tensions between India and Pakistan increased following Indian air strikes on terror camps across the border. Since then, several social media accounts have shared misleading or fake information attempting to create is the second major claim debunked by the PIB in recent days. Earlier, the unit denied another viral post that said Pakistan had destroyed India's S-400 air defence system. That claim was also labelled fake by the Read : india pak ceasefire News Live Updates The PIB's Fact Check unit has urged people to be cautious while reading or sharing information online. They asked users to rely on official sources and not spread unverified content that could cause Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) also issued a broader alert about the spread of misinformation. It asked citizens to stay vigilant and not forward posts without confirming their authenticity.'Always follow cybersecurity precautions. Don't fall for fake news or panic-inducing messages,' MeitY said in its is no truth to the claim that Squadron Leader Shivani Singh has been captured. The Indian government has confirmed that the information circulating online is false. Readers are advised to stay alert and not believe or spread such fake messages.
