South Africa just opened a brand-NEW vehicle factory
Situated in the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone in KwaZulu-Natal, the new vehicle factory belongs to Indian giant, Mahindra South Africa. And the brand says the new facility marks a major step in the brand's 30-year journey in South Africa. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in Durban this week. Image: Mahindra South Africa
Designed and built to Mahindra's rigorous global standards, the vehicle factory represents a significant scale-up in both capacity expansion and quality control systems. 'As demand for our locally assembled Pik Up bakkie continues to rise, we needed a facility with the scale, flexibility, and technology to meet future growth,' said Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.
The Durban-based facility has the capacity to assemble over 1 000 Pik Up single- and double-cab bakkies per month. Moreover, the vehicle factory also offers the flexibility to accommodate new models Mahindra may wish to introduce in the coming years. Better still, Mahindra has been working with local suppliers to identify opportunities for greater part localisation and job creation. Mayor Cyril Xaba spoke at the opening ceremony. Image: Mahindra South Africa
'South Africa is a cornerstone market in Mahindra's international growth strategy. A new vehicle factory here strengthens our regional manufacturing capabilities in Africa. This investment underscores our confidence in South Africa as a manufacturing base globally. And it reflects our commitment to creating jobs and supporting South African customers,' concluded Rajesh.
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
25 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Brad Binder gets ‘super, super clean' for Austrian GP
MotoGP action returns after a month-long summer break. It's four years since Brad Binder's last MotoGP victory and he returns to the scene of that triumph this weekend hoping to rekindle a spark of glory. MotoGP is back from its month-long northern summer break for the Austrian GP at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, with a number of riders determined to reset and turn around their disappointing seasons – not least Binder but also reigning world champ Jorge Martin and former champs Pecco Bagnaia and Fabio Quatararo. The South African is having his worst spell since joining the premier motorbike racing class five years ago, with his KTM team declaring themselves dissatisfied with his showings. Binder currently lies in 12th position on the title log. For Sunday's race, he is joint 10th on the betting board at 41.00. The odds setters might have been a little influenced by a recent interview in which Binder said he was adopting a new mindset to deal with his difficulty in adapting to KTM's 2025 bike. His 'naturally aggressive' style of riding, with ultra-late braking, is at odds with the bike, which demands a smoother approach. Teammate Pedro Acosta and the secondary KTM team's Maverick Vinales have adapted better – though all have struggled. Binder said: '… you have to ride super, super clean. And that's what they [Acosta and Vinales] are doing better than I am. So that's what I need to work on.' Tweaks to the bike's set-up would no longer take up all his time and energy. Acosta is 18.90 for a win in Austria and Vinales the same as Binder at 41.00. Ducati rider and multiple former champion Marc Marquez is 1.40 to win his ninth GP of the season. His rivals have apparently given up the title chase, so backing them is to expect him to have engine trouble or to crash. Bagnaia is a 6.00 chance and Alex Marquez at 7.95. These Betway odds are correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
IOL News
25 minutes ago
- IOL News
Vivian Reddy: a self-made entrepreneur's journey without a degree
Businessman Vivian Reddy is a Co-Developer of Oceans Umhlanga Mixed-Use Development Image: Supplied IN A WORLD where degrees often seem like the only way to success, Vivian Reddy, a Durban-born businessman and the founder of the Edison Power Group, rose to success with pure determination. Without any formal educational background, the now 72-year-old carved his own path to achievement. His story challenges conventional definitions of success and proves that the absence of a degree does not mean the absence of potential. 'I did not have a university degree when I started. My education to this day is only a diploma in electrical contracting management. Most of my education came from the real world, from mentors, from trial and error, and from hard lessons," said Vivian. 'While I always respected formal education and encouraged others to pursue it, I knew that my path would be carved through grit, experience, and self-education. In many ways, that taught me resilience and resourcefulness early on.' Reddy said he knew who he was meant to be from an early age - a man with purpose. 'From a young age, I was drawn to the idea of creating something of my own, of being in control of my destiny. Bringing in the Box Scouts organisation shaped my thoughts. 'The defining moment came when I saw the socio-economic challenges in our comm unities and realised that entrepreneurship could be a powerful tool for both personal growth and upliftment of others. I wanted to build a business that not only created value, but created opportunity.' 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 ✕ He said his background influenced his approach to business. 'I come from humble beginnings. I understood what it meant to go without, and that gave me both drive and empathy. It influenced me to be a businessperson who values people whether staff, clients, or community. It also instilled in me a hunger to rise above limitations, and a responsibility to help others do the same.' His first entrepreneurial venture was an electrical contracting business. 'I started it with virtually nothing but R500 and a beat up bakkie - no inheritance, no wealthy backers, just belief and hard work. It was not easy, but I secured small contracts, delivered with excellence, and gradually built trust. It taught me that reliability and integrity are the most valuable currencies in business. 'Today, Edison Power is one of the largest electrical businesses in Africa. In business, failure is a tough but necessary teacher. I once lost a major contract due to underestimating cash flow pressures. It nearly broke me. But it taught me the importance of financial discipline, strategic foresight, and surrounding yourself with capable people. Every setback carries a seed of wisdom if you're willing to look for it.' Reddy said when choosing an unconventional career, setbacks were bound to happen. 'Setbacks are part of the journey. I have learned to treat rejection not as defeat, but as redirection. One mistake I made early on was trying to do everything myself. I learned that empowering a good team is not just smart, it is essential. Today, I thrive on collaboration and trust in the strength of those around me. What is important is to never give up. 'A prime example is my R5 billion Oceans Development. Despite several setbacks, like two contractors being liquidated and contractual delays due to the Covid-19 uprising, I still overcame all that to create the largest new mixed used development in South Africa.' He said when you choose a path to walk, you should always see it through. 'There were moments when the challenges felt overwhelming. But what kept me going was a sense of purpose. I wasn't just building a business for myself; I was building hope for others. Knowing that people were depending on me gave me the strength to push forward. What's important in life is to persevere and never ever give up.' Reddy said he owed his success to being disciplined, grateful, and focused, which everyone who was choosing a path less walked, should remember. 'I start each day early, with time for reflection and planning. I also make a conscious effort to stay connected to people because relationships are the foundation of lasting success. I believe in showing up, being present, and delivering consistently. 'Start with purpose, stay humble, and be relentless in your pursuit. Don't fear failure. It is part of the journey. Build something that adds value, stay true to your word, and never forget to uplift others as you rise. Success is sweeter when it's shared.' He hopes his legacy reflects that business can be a force for good. 'That it is possible to achieve great success while creating opportunity, empowering communities, and giving back. I want to be remembered not just as a businessman, but as someone who made a meaningful difference. When it's time for me to leave this earth, I want to leave with a good conscience knowing I did my best to make South Africa a better place,' said Reddy. THE POST
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
US tariffs: SA sugarcane growers plead with Tau to help them
In addition to the US tariffs, sugarcane growers are concerned about cheap imports entering South Africa. Amid a punishing tariff increase on South Africa imposed by US President Donald Trump, sugarcane growers have asked Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau to act hastily to put into use regulations to enable the trading of local sugar without violating competition laws. Industry hit by US tariffs and foreign sugar The local industry has pinned its hopes on the exemption from anti-competition practice as a way to help them survive as they start feeling the pinch of Trump's 30% tariff hike on South African goods. The US move has exacerbated the plight of the local growers, who had been grappling with cheap imports flooding the local market. The minister published draft regulations in May that allow consultations on the procurement of more than 90% local sugar between growers, millers, retailers and food and beverage manufacturers, without the talks or agreements breaching provisions of the Competition Act. The growers at the time welcomed the minister's move, but now that the tariffs have become a reality, they want Tau to speed up the regulations to save the industry. ALSO READ: Mashatile warns of serious consequences if SA can't secure trade deal with US On Thursday, they appealed to Tau to urgently finalise the regulations. They believe government support would go a long way towards saving them from having to close shop or cut jobs. US tariffs When effected, the regulations would ease their plight as they suffer profit losses due to low volumes of exports to the US that are expected to worsen with time. The US does not grow enough of its own cane sugar and relies on imports to supplement its domestic demand. Up until earlier this year, the US controlled its sugar imports through a quota system, which meant South African sugar did not negatively impact US growers. But now the new US tariffs have made South African sugar less competitive in a crucial export market. ALSO READ: US tariffs: SA sends new proposal but no changes to laws SA Canegrowers chairperson, Higgins Mdluli, said the industryhas since asked Tau to fast-track the industry consultation process, which is yet to be scheduled, months after the public comment period on the draft exemptions closed. 'The sugar industry needs the limited exemption from competition regulations in order to have industry-wide discussions without fear of falling foul of the Competition Act. Such discussions include working towards commitments from local commercial users of sugar and retailers to use and stock mainly locally produced sugar. 'We have written to Minister Tau and urged him to act with urgency. The livelihoods of sugarcane growers depend on it,' Mdluli said. Cheap imports into SA According to Mdluli the domestic action is also critical to safeguard the industry from cheap sugar imports from countries that heavily subsidise their own sugar industries. He said the cheaper sugar does not benefit consumers, but allows importers to make higher profit margins. 'The South African sugar industry is a national asset. We support local jobs and farming, yet our market is being flooded by cheap, subsidised imports. This displaces local sugar, jeopardising countless jobs and the stability of the rural economies of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal,' Mdluli said. SA Canegrowers also urged the government to prioritise its negotiations with the US to finalise a mutually beneficial trade deal, which would include a tariff exemption for sugar or a return to the previous US quota mechanism. READ NEXT: 'It's just gone' – Trump's tariffs cost SA company R750m overnight
