
Vodacom hikes prices for calls and data: Here's how much you'll now pay
These increases primarily affect out-of-bundle voice and data rates across both contract and prepaid plans. Voice rates : Increase by 2 cents per minute
: Increase by Data rates: Increase by 2 cents per megabyte (MB) Plan Voice (Old → New) Data (Old → New) Power Pack R1.65 → R1.67/min R0.29 → R0.31/MB Power Bonus R1.65 → R1.67/min R0.49 → R0.51/MB NXT LVL R1.65 → R1.67/min R0.49 → R0.51/MB Zetnet R1.65 → R1.67/min R0.49 → R0.51/MB Dash Mobile R1.65 → R1.67/min R0.49 → R0.51/MB Khosi Bonus R1.65 → R1.67/min R0.49 → R0.51/MB Prepaid LTE R2.09 → R2.11/min R0.29 → R0.31/MB Prepaid 79c R0.79 → R0.81/min R0.49 → R0.51/MB
Vodacom cited economic pressures such as inflation and rising operational costs as the reason for the adjustments.
The company stated that it aims to maintain service quality while balancing affordability. Prepaid users are expected to feel the most impact, especially those who rely on out-of-bundle services.
are expected to feel the most impact, especially those who rely on out-of-bundle services. Customers are encouraged to monitor their usage and consider bundles or promotions to avoid higher charges.
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.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
SARS wants a slice of your offshore retirement savings
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) and National Treasury have published draft legislation aimed at changing tax rules for foreign retirement funds. Image: IOL/Ron Ai The South African Revenue Service (SARS) and National Treasury have published draft legislation aimed at changing tax rules for foreign retirement funds. According to Tax Consulting SA, if passed, the amendment would repeal the existing exemption, which has been in effect since March 1, 2017, and is expected to take effect from March 1, 2026. This change would allow SARS to tax retirement lump sums, pensions, and annuities received from foreign sources by South African tax residents. Currently, South Africans don't pay tax on foreign retirement funds to avoid being taxed twice. However, Treasury has insisted this rule allows some retirement money to slip through untaxed, costing the government revenue. The proposed amendment would repeal the existing exemption in section 10(1)(gC)(ii) of the Income Tax Act, effectively bringing foreign retirement benefits into South Africa. 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 ✕ Treasury has previously said that "the exemption may result in double non-taxation, particularly where the foreign jurisdiction does not tax the retirement income due to domestic law or tax treaty limitations." "In these cases, neither South Africa nor the foreign jurisdiction imposes tax on the retirement benefit. This undermines South Africa's residence-based system of taxation and leads to revenue forgone to the fiscus." Treasury has also previously warned that by maintaining the exemption, South Africa sometimes loses its exclusive right to tax foreign retirement benefits under double taxation agreements. Tax Consulting South Africa has also urged South African expatriates and foreigners relocating to South Africa to seek advice from qualified tax professionals experienced in cross-border taxation. "As retirement planning is a key principle of personal financial planning, South African expatriates and foreigners relocating to South Africa should consult qualified tax professionals experienced in cross-border taxation. "With the legislative cycle progressing, it will also be a make-or-break for taxpayers to stay up to date on any changes that will affect their foreign retirement income and plan accordingly on a more urgent basis than they may have liked." The deadline to submit comments on the proposed amendments is September 12, 2025. Comments must be sent to: National Treasury's tax policy depository at 2025AnnexCProp@ SARS at 2025legislationcomments@ IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel


The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Here's the good petrol and great diesel price forecast for September 2025
South African motorists may soon experience welcome relief at the pumps, with the latest indicators pointing to notable fuel price decreases in September. According to the latest fuel price projections, both petrol and diesel prices are expected to drop -provided current market trends hold steady over the next two weeks. The strengthening of the rand against the US dollar, coupled with a decline in Brent crude oil prices, has created a favourable pricing outlook heading into the new month. This combination – a stronger currency and lower international oil costs – is the key to fuel price reductions in South Africa, where local prices are heavily influenced by global markets and exchange rates. If these trends persist, motorists could pay less for both 93 and 95 octane petrol, while diesel drivers may benefit even more from potentially bigger cuts in wholesale prices. The exact figures will only be confirmed by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy at month-end. Below, the latest projections as received by The South African website from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), effective Tuesday, 19 August. FUEL PRICE CHANGE Petrol 93 decrease of 16 cents Petrol 95 decrease of 9 cents Diesel 0.05% decrease of 48 cents Diesel 0.005% decrease of 50 cents Illuminating Paraffin decrease of 36 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 16 cents is expected for petrol 93 octane motorists and a decrease of nine cents for 95 users. Meanwhile, diesel motorists would see something between a 48 and 50 cents per litre decrease. Finally, illuminating paraffin is expected to drop by 36 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 $66.52 a barrel. Exchange rate At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R17.70/$. 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, 2 September 2025. Go easy on the accelerator until then, Mzansi. INLAND August Petrol 93 R21.51 Petrol 95 R21.59 Diesel 0.05% R20.00 Diesel 0.005% R20.04 Illuminating Paraffin R13.47 COASTAL August Petrol 93 R20.72 Petrol 95 R20.76 Diesel 0.05% R19.17 Diesel 0.005% R19.28 Illuminating Paraffin R12.46 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.


The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Checkers rolls out South Africa's first-ever 'smart trolley': Here's how it works
Retail innovation in South Africa has taken a significant leap forward with Checkers unveiling the country's first smart shopping trolley, known as the Xpress Trolley, in a pilot launch that promises to reshape the in-store shopping experience. The Shoprite Group, through its innovation division ShopriteX, is leading the charge with this new technology aimed at delivering a frictionless, queue-free, and personalised shopping journey. The Xpress Trolley enables customers to: Scan and bag items as they shop as they shop Track a live running total of their purchases of their purchases Pay directly from the trolley , skipping checkout queues entirely , skipping checkout queues entirely Access product info and in-store navigation via an interactive touchscreen via an interactive touchscreen Receive personalised promotions based on their Xtra Savings profile 'This pilot allows us to reimagine the in-store journey using technology for a more frictionless shopping experience,' said Neil Schreuder, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at the Shoprite Group. Initial testing began with Home Office employees in Brackenfell, and the pilot has now expanded to: Checkers Hyper Brackenfell (10 trolleys) (10 trolleys) Checkers Constantia (10 trolleys) Shoppers need only scan their Xtra Savings card, use the bags provided, and scan each item before placing it into the trolley. At the end, customers pay via their bank card linked to their Sixty60 profile, print a till slip, and exit through a dedicated lane. The Xpress Trolley is not just a novelty. It aligns with global retail trends toward seamless omnichannel shopping and puts real-time control in the hands of customers. Key benefits include: No queues or re-bagging at tills at tills Faster, more accurate in-store picking for Sixty60 delivery staff for Sixty60 delivery staff Improved budgeting and transparency for shoppers 'The Xpress Trolley enhances convenience, improves speed, and keeps customers in control from the moment they enter the store to the moment they leave,' added Schreuder. While smart trolley tech has appeared internationally, this is the first of its kind in South Africa. Learnings from the pilot will inform future rollouts as the Shoprite Group continues its push to become the country's most profitable and seamless omnichannel retailer. If successful, South African shoppers could soon see smart trolleys becoming a standard part of their shopping experience. 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.