logo
Here's the good petrol and bad diesel price news for August

Here's the good petrol and bad diesel price news for August

The latest petrol and diesel price projections show that there's going to be mixed news at the pumps early next month.
While the petrol price is set to drop, the diesel price will hit South Africa's motorists harder in the pocket should market conditions remain the same for the next week.
Below, the latest projections as received by The South African website from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), effective Friday, 25 July. FUEL PRICE CHANGE Petrol 93 decrease of 34 cents Petrol 95 decrease of 30 cents Diesel 0.05% increase of 65 cents Diesel 0.005% increase of 63 cents Illuminating Paraffin increase of 29 cents
If the market conditions were to remain consistent for the remainder of the month – an unlikely scenario with the rand/dollar exchange rate fluctuating and the oil price ever changing – a decrease of 34 cents is expected for petrol 93 octane motorists and a decrease of 30 cents for 95 users.
Meanwhile, diesel motorists would see something between a 63 and 65 cents per litre increase.
Finally, illuminating paraffin is expected to rise by 29 cents in price. FUEL PRICE IN SOUTH AFRICA IMPACTED BY TWO MAIN FACTORS:
1. The international price of petroleum products, driven mainly by oil prices
2. The rand/dollar exchange rate used in the purchase of these products
Oil price
At the time of publishing the brent crude oil price is $68.71 a barrel.
Exchange rate
At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R17.83/$.
The final overall price changes for both petrol and diesel will be confirmed early next month with the new prices taking effect at midnight on Tuesday, 5 August 2025.
Go easy on the accelerator until then, Mzansi. INLAND July Petrol 93 R21.79 Petrol 95 R21.87 Diesel 0.05% R19.35 Diesel 0.005% R19.41 Illuminating Paraffin R13.16 COASTAL July Petrol 93 R21.00 Petrol 95 R21.04 Diesel 0.05% R18.52 Diesel 0.005% R18.65 Illuminating Paraffin R12.14
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.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Chinese scholarships awarded to South African students
Chinese scholarships awarded to South African students

IOL News

timean hour ago

  • IOL News

Chinese scholarships awarded to South African students

The Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, and the Chinese Embassy hosted a send-off ceremony for South African students who have been awarded Chinese government scholarships for 2025. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers The Chinese Embassy in Pretoria hosted a send-off ceremony on Tuesday to celebrate South African students who received 2025 Chinese government scholarships, highlighting the importance of educational cooperation and cultural exchange. The Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, congratulated the students on being awarded scholarships sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). A total of 11 South African students received the Chinese government scholarship, while eight students were awarded the Academic Education Programmes scholarship. The students were admitted to top-tier Chinese universities, pursuing degree programmes in fields essential to South Africa's national development, such as cybersecurity, engineering management, biological sciences, and healthcare. Wu encouraged them to immerse themselves in China's rich culture, witness its breathtaking landscapes, and experience the country's modern civilisation, including high-speed rail, digital payments, smart cities, and cutting-edge technologies. "Your experience will prove that choosing to study in China is the right decision," he said. He expressed appreciation to China's partners, including the Department of Higher Education and Training and the Department of Basic Education. "Educational cooperation is an integral part of the China-South Africa All-round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era," Wu said. He said the Chinese government scholarship served as a vital source of momentum for people-to-people exchanges, supporting South African youth in broadening their horizons, enhancing their capacities, and realising their dreams. Thandazo Sithole, one of the scholarship recipients, expressed her excitement about starting her studies abroad. She said she had always dreamed of doing something special, particularly in innovation and technology, and saw this scholarship as an opportunity to pursue her aspirations. Sithole described the scholarship as more than just an academic opportunity, but a chance for access, representation, and rewriting the narrative for African youth. On behalf of her fellow recipients, she said: "We are not just going to China as students, we are going as ambassadors of our country. This is an opportunity to immerse ourselves in a new culture, learn cutting-edge skills, and gain new ideas that can help shape a better world." Sandisa Maqubela, deputy director at the Department of Higher Education and Training's National Skills Fund, said the partnership between the department and China began in 2012 with an agreement to send 10 students to China and Sweden. While she acknowledged the department's value for its strategic partnership with China, she also noted that the current intake of students for 2025 was relatively small. "As the National Skills Fund, we also like to increase the number to the numbers that we previously had. I think pre-Covid we had more than 50 students who were based in China. Our commitment is that we really want to increase the number of young South Africans who are keen to become part of the global economy," she said.

WhatsApp is curbing scam networks by banning millions of malicious accounts
WhatsApp is curbing scam networks by banning millions of malicious accounts

The Star

timean hour ago

  • The Star

WhatsApp is curbing scam networks by banning millions of malicious accounts

Masabata Mkwananzi | Published 1 hour ago WhatsApp has ramped up its global efforts to combat criminal scam networks, removing millions of malicious accounts and launching enhanced in-app safety tools to safeguard users from fraud and deception. The tech giant revealed that over the past six months, it proactively identified and banned more than 6.8 million accounts tied to criminal scam syndicates. These swift actions halted scammers before they could roll out their fraudulent schemes, safeguarding millions of users from potential harm. In 2023, former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela fell victim to a WhatsApp scam. On June 7, she revealed on X (formerly known as Twitter) that both she and a friend lost thousands of rand after a scammer took over the WhatsApp account of a mutual friend to trick them. 'He was pretending to be that friend. It was only when the scammer became so greedy and brazen that my son and I figured out the scam and warned other friends. WhatsApp ID theft or hacking is real,' she tweeted. WhatsApp highlighted that scammers usually work from criminal scam centres running various schemes simultaneously, such as fraudulent cryptocurrency investments and pyramid schemes. They often ask for upfront payments to guarantee returns, which serves as a major warning sign. These scams start on platforms like dating apps or through texts, then shift to social media, messaging apps like WhatsApp, and finally to payment or crypto platforms. 'This multi-platform approach is designed to evade detection by individual services, making comprehensive disruption more challenging.' Kojo Boakye, Meta's Vice President of Public Policy for Africa, the Middle East, and Türkiye, highlighted that combating scams is an ongoing challenge. He stated that they are continuously improving their security measures to stay one step ahead of malicious actors. "This is part of our unwavering commitment to protect our users, not just by banning malicious accounts, but by empowering individuals with the tools and knowledge they need to recognise and avoid these sophisticated threats. We believe that a safer messaging environment is built through a combination of robust technology, proactive detection, and user education," he said. The company also highlighted a recent example of cross-industry teamwork, where WhatsApp, Meta, and OpenAI worked together to dismantle a scam ring based in Cambodia. The group exploited ChatGPT to craft initial messages that guided victims to WhatsApp, before swiftly shifting them to Telegram. There, victims were instructed to like videos on TikTok and were ultimately pressured into depositing funds into cryptocurrency accounts. In light of emerging threats, WhatsApp is introducing new anti-scam tools alongside its efforts to dismantle scam operations. These features are specifically designed to defend users against common scam techniques: Group Messaging: A new safety overview will now appear when a user is added to an unfamiliar group by someone not in their contacts. This overview provides key group information and safety tips, allowing users to exit the group without viewing the chat. Notifications from such groups will be silenced until the user explicitly chooses to engage. Individual Messaging: WhatsApp is testing new approaches to caution users before they engage with unknown contacts. This includes providing additional context about the sender when initiating a chat with someone not in their contacts, enabling users to make informed decisions. Furthermore, WhatsApp encourages users to adopt a 'Pause, Question, Verify' approach when faced with suspicious messages. The strategy includes taking a moment to assess the sender's identity, questioning the legitimacy of the request, and verifying the information through alternate communication channels. Late last year, in 2024, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) issued a warning to the public about fraudulent WhatsApp messages circulating across the country. The Department of Social Development entity cautioned people to be vigilant against fake messages containing Sassa OTP codes sent through WhatsApp. Sassa clarified that it does not send OTP codes for the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant via WhatsApp, and they urged anyone receiving such messages to be wary, as these are likely scams.

US tariff an existential threat for a third of metals and engineering sector
US tariff an existential threat for a third of metals and engineering sector

The Citizen

time2 hours ago

  • The Citizen

US tariff an existential threat for a third of metals and engineering sector

The effect of the US tariff on South African goods could cause many job losses in the metals and engineering sector and cause companies to close. The US tariff imposed on goods from South Africa exported to the United States poses an existential threat for some companies in the metals and engineering sector, according to a survey among SEIFSA member companies that showed 33.3% of companies in this sector are affected. The US announced a 30% import tariff on South African exports that will come into effect on Friday. This development prompted widespread concern in the South African metals and engineering sector, which relies on the US for approximately 8% of its total output. The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA) then conducted a snap survey across its membership base to assess the likely implications. SEIFSA received 126 responses from member companies and used it to compile an initial report on the impact of US tariffs on the metals and engineering sector. This report combines the quantitative as well as the qualitative feedback received and identifies the direct and indirect effects on companies, the market alternatives considered and notable initial perspectives emerging from the sector. ALSO READ: Act now to absorb impact of Trump tariffs on SA vehicle manufacturing sector – BLSA US tariffs in the metals and engineering sector According to the report, the self-reported exposure to the US tariffs can be categorised like this: Directly affected (revenue/job losses): 33.3% Indirectly affected (supply chain/economy): 23.8% Exploring alternative markets: 15.9% Uncertain about impact: 14.3% Unaffected: 12.7% Tafadzwa Chibanguza, CEO designate of SEIFSA, says these figures show that while not every respondent is directly exposed to the tariff, the majority anticipate either direct or cascading economic consequences which demonstrates the interconnectedness of the metals and engineering ecosystem. According to the survey, 71.1% of the respondents operate in the downstream value chain, while 13.3% operate in other value chains, 9.4% in the midstream (fabrication, processing and casting) and 6.3% upstream in metal production. Only 34.9% of the respondents export directly to the US, while 11.6% export indirectly through a value chain and 53.5% do not export to the US at all. Among those that do export to the US, 72.4% said up to 25% of their total sales are to the US, while 18.4% said it is the case for 26% to 50% of their exports, 51%-75% for 3.5% of the respondents and 76% to 100% for 5.8% of the respondents who export to the US. When the respondents were asked if they have long-term contracts with US-based customers that could be affected, 27.3% said yes, while 64.8% said no and 7.8% were not sure. Asked about their company's anticipated response or outcome as a result of the tariffs, these were their answers: What worries companies about US tariffs The respondents also gave these open-ended responses A significant number of respondents reported that the new tariffs would have severe and immediate consequences for their businesses. Many companies anticipate a dramatic drop in sales, with some stating that the US accounts for up to 20% of their turnover. The expected revenue declines are estimated at 10–20%. Several respondents indicated that if the tariffs persist, they would be forced to reduce their workforce or even close operations. In addition, some companies had to reconsider or halt planned investments. One notable case involved the redirection of equipment and production intended for the United States to another subsidiary, leading to the effective shutdown of a new South African facility. Manufacturers also expressed concerns about production uncertainty, especially where their product offerings are specifically tailored to US market demand. While some companies acknowledged the existence of alternative markets, most noted that these are limited and already under pressure. Asian suppliers, particularly from China, are aggressively pricing into African markets, making it difficult to shift exports regionally. Furthermore, protectionist policies in other countries have made export diversification even more challenging. Several companies reported a trade diversion effect, where redirected global supply chains have led to increased competition from lower-priced imports in key third markets, eroding South African competitiveness. Even companies not directly exporting to the US are bracing for spillover effects. Suppliers to exporters are anticipating reduced orders, while increased global steel prices and constrained access to key materials are expected to raise input costs. Respondents also flagged broader macroeconomic concerns, including rising inflation, decreased gross domestic product and worsening unemployment. There is a general sense of uncertainty, with companies citing delayed orders, client hesitation and investor risk aversion as immediate consequences. ALSO READ: 'It's just gone' – Trump's tariffs cost SA company R750m overnight US tariff responses from the metals and engineering sector These notable observations emerged from the responses: While some companies reported being unaffected, others described the tariffs as an existential threat, underscoring the uneven exposure within the sector. There were multiple calls for government intervention through export diversification incentives, financial support and stronger trade diplomacy. Some respondents criticised broader industrial policy frameworks, arguing that structural issues, such as high labour costs and electricity tariffs already undermined competitiveness before the tariffs were imposed. Lastly, one respondent highlighted the adverse impact on emerging green technology, noting that its unique energy-efficient product, which showed great promise, is now facing reduced demand due to the tariff-related uncertainty. Chibanguza says these responses show that the 30% US tariff is expected to have a significant and multidimensional impact on the South African metals and engineering sector. 'While not all companies are directly affected, the broader ecosystem, including suppliers, customers and competitors, face serious disruption.' ALSO READ: Concern about SA steel industry: Trump's tariffs and ArcelorMittal closure looming

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