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Daily Maverick
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Maverick
The long wait — Can Johannesburg's broken traffic lights be fixed before the G20?
Daily Maverick returns six months later to assess traffic signal failures – and the citizen power behind a growing fix-it movement. In January, Daily Maverick started our Johannesburg Traffic Light Project, the first community-driven investigation of traffic lights and congestion in the city. Six months later, we returned to see if things are worse or better: it's still chronically deficient, but improvements are showing the value of citizen engagement. Information from the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) shows that Johannesburg residents lose 55 hours a year to congestion – the city ranks 31st globally in terms of hours lost due to traffic delays. Traffic light functionality is key to moving people and goods efficiently in cities. Dead traffic lights are a symbol of Johannesburg's urban decline. There are 2,264 signalised sites (or intersections) in Johannesburg, run by the city, province, and national spheres of government. Until now, the three spheres of the state haven't worked together seamlessly, which has added to networked confusion and blame games. That is being fixed (see more below). We go back – a long drive to traffic freedom. In June, we returned to the same routes as in January and expanded our loop to cover the 60 intersections identified by the government, which give people the biggest headaches and slow down the city's powerhouse. We also revisited the 231 intersections noted by you, our audience. In June, we drove for days, trying to gauge the progress. Our drive-around took us along major roadways, including Main Reef Road, up Malibongwe Drive to Diepsloot, down to Swartkoppies Road in the South, on to Modderfontein Road in and around Greenstone Mall and up Hendrik Potgieter Road. The Johannesburg Roads Agency and the Gauteng government have identified 60 intersections that impede traffic and hinder growth. They have partnered to try to improve things. We used a JRA progress report sent to Daily Maverick as a baseline document and found that of 59 intersections highlighted, 28 were working and 31 were not. (The JRA gave us a list of 59.) The intersections that were not working included crossroads that had been converted to stop signs, while there was evidence of previous traffic lights that had been removed. The JRA's head of mobility, Sipho Nhlapo, said one intersection had been vandalised 14 times until the city decided to replace it with stop signs; this has subsequently become a pattern. We also re-tracked the 231 intersections highlighted by our audience, some of which included the top 60 prominent intersections now subject to special attention. This paints a more dismal picture, where we found 73 working traffic lights (four or more per intersection) versus 163 non-working lights along major high-traffic roads. Without the metro police, JMPD, the Outsurance points-people and increasingly the homeless people who man the roads, there would be more chaos. But we also noted that these street angels work only during rush hours. In our first iteration of the Traffic Light Project, a social post on X received 190,000 impressions and 3,466 engagements. Johannesburg residents helped map (see graphic above) the breakdown to expose its extent. This first social investigation experiment revealed the extent to which the major intersections across the city, its vital commuter and economic nerve centres, are down, causing frustration to drivers, commuters and economic actors. In the second iteration, Daily Maverick conducted an inspection by driving to build on its social media reporting. The traffic crawl — how does SA stack up? At a briefing this week, Nhlapo said that each December, their team waits, like matriculants, for the results of the TomTom Traffic Index. Dead robots impact on travel times, productivity, and harm the economy. Johannesburg contributes 16% to the country's GDP. TomTom's report measures traffic congestion in cities worldwide. It ranks hundreds of cities based on the amount of time drivers lose due to traffic. The TomTom Traffic Index measures congestion as a percentage increase in travel time compared to free-flowing traffic over a 10km distance. Here are the world's most congested cities – you will see that Joburg is at number 167. TomTom Traffic Index top 10 Most Congested Cities: 1. Mexico City – Mexico (52%) 2. Bangkok – Thailand (50%) 3. Davao City – Philippines (49%) 4. Kumamoto – Japan (49%) 5. Bucharest – Romania (48%) 167. Johannesburg – South Africa (32%) The city also uses the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecards to measure and understand congestion. Johannesburg has a congestion level of 32%, meaning journey times are 32% longer than those in free-flowing traffic. The average travel time over 10km in Johannesburg is 18 minutes and 38 seconds, a 10-second increase from the previous year. In South Africa, Johannesburg ranks 5th among the listed cities for average travel time per 10km and congestion level, behind Cape Town (1), where travel times are lengthening. During the morning rush hour in Johannesburg, the average time to travel 10km is 21 minutes and 13 seconds, with an average speed of 28.3km/h and a congestion level of 49%. During evening rush hour in Johannesburg, the average time to travel 10km is 21 minutes and 59 seconds, with an average speed of 27.3km/h and a congestion level of 54%, according to the briefing by the JRA and the Gauteng government. How much time do we lose in traffic? INRIX is a comprehensive look at traffic congestion around the world, measuring it in terms of hours lost per year. Here are the Top 10 and an indication of where Johannesburg fits in. Istanbul – 105 hours New York City – 102 hours Chicago – 102 hours London – 101 hours Mexico City – 97 hours Paris – 97 hours Cape Town – 94 hours Jakarta – 89 hours Los Angeles – 88 hours Brisbane – 84 hours Johannesburg – 55 hours What's the fix-it plan? The upcoming G20 Summit at Nasrec in November has put a bomb under city and provincial leaders because traffic light outages are such a prominent and visible sign of decline. There is a dedicated transport G20 plan with a whole team working on it to ensure that the routes for heads of state and their entourages don't encounter potholes or traffic light outages. The city and provincial officials stated at this week's briefing that African hosts always roll out the red carpet and that the entire city will see improvements. JRA has a R2.5-billion capital budget this year to improve the road network, and Nhlapo was bouncing with ideas at the briefing this week. Here is what you can expect or hold the city to for the rest of the year and in the short term, according to city officials – we will return just ahead of the G20 with another look. A modernised traffic light system Johannesburg's infrastructure is dated: most of the key systems, including power and water, as well as traffic lights, have not been modernised for a rapidly urbanising country. Better traffic flow through more modern traffic lights Joburg has 759 'semi-actuated' control intersections, which means that only side roads are equipped with sensors or detectors. In contrast, the main road has a fixed green light unless a vehicle is detected on a minor intersecting side road. There will be more of these. It has 25 'fully-actuated' signalised intersections, and more will be introduced. These are important because signals respond to real-time traffic conditions and enhance traffic flow. There will be more of these. AI-powered signals: Full-vehicle actuated signals using Traficam AI have recently been implemented at two intersections: Winnie Mandela/Sandton Drive and Comaro/Bellairs. Maintenance by driving around or using remote control A proactive maintenance plan is in place to visit every signalised site (intersection) monthly. Remote Infrastructure Monitoring on a dashboard that allows instant fault detection in the signal infrastructure. Syntell, a tech company, manages a third of Johannesburg's traffic lights. Adopt a traffic light. Businesses have adopted 110 sites, and 50 companies have concluded service-level agreements with the JRA to ensure the intersections near their offices work. They provide back-up power for traffic lights, as power outages are one of the three key reasons that traffic lights go down. Underground safety chambers These protective chambers are being implemented to prevent theft and vandalism of signal infrastructure. Vandalism, such as targeting copper or deliberately sabotaging traffic lights, is one of the most significant factors contributing to non-functional traffic lights. The underground chambers will be placed at eight intersections that are regularly vandalised. Controller cabinet brackets Controller brackets are being used to support and secure signal infrastructure against theft and vandalism. Reduced copper content cables The use of cables with reduced copper content and thinner thickness is an initiative to prevent theft. Thieves destroy traffic lights to access the copper wiring. By using aluminium instead, the city hopes to achieve diminished returns. Alarms and cameras Using controller boxes, intersections will have alarms that trigger signals. There will be more cameras at key intersections and CCTV monitoring. Daily Maverick highlights the following roads that came up for citizen monitoring in our first report in January. Columbine Avenue – all intersections working Main Reef Road – all intersections working Allandale Road between Gautrain Depot and M39 – only two out of 10 lights working Winnie Mandela and Republic Road – not working Jan Smuts Avenue – all intersections working Rivonia Road – all intersections working Sunninghill area – many lights not working Ontdekkers Road – multiple intersections not working Chris Hani Road in Soweto between Maponya Mall and Bara Hospital – most lights not working Eloff Extension down into Turfontein and Rossettenville – most lights not working. DM This investigation was produced with the support of the SA | AJP, an initiative of the Henry Nxumalo Foundation funded by the European Union. This article does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. Research by Shahdia Johnson and Zane Carim.
Daily Maverick
4 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Samsung SA digs in heels over foldables for premium market despite global slowdown
Samsung Mobile SA updated its pricing and model availability for its new folding phones as it moves to extract value from the premium market. Samsung declined to respond to questions about the recent price increases on the Galaxy Fold 7 and Flip 7 or the disappearance of the 256GB Fold 7 variant from its South African online store. That silence is telling, especially in a market where smartphone sales are slowing and consumers are squeezed. 'Fold users typically remain the most loyal… they upgrade more, and they upgrade faster,' Samsung Mobile SA's VP for Mobile Justin Hume told Daily Maverick at the local launch. 'The base is growing every year.' Samsung is banking, once again, on deep-pocketed loyalists, an expanding ecosystem and some health tech to keep its margins intact. Foldable flatline Globally, foldable smartphones are hitting turbulence. In the first quarter of this year, foldables made up just 1.5% of total smartphone sales in Europe, with year-on-year growth of only 4%, according to Counterpoint Research. That's a sharp slowdown from previous years, and some analysts are calling it a warning sign. 'Most consumers are still not sure what a foldable phone is for,' said Counterpoint's Jan Stryjak. 'And many still have concerns about durability and longevity.' Despite this, Samsung continues to dominate the category, but that lead is shrinking. In 2024, global foldable shipments rose 12% to 17.2 million units, yet Samsung's market share fell from 54% to 45%. And 2025 isn't looking much better, with 'no further growth' forecast. Hume acknowledges these headwinds, but argues that in South Africa's premium segment, what he calls the 'R1,000 market and above' (in terms of monthly contract spend), consumer spending is still resilient. 'That market is either corporate-driven, business owners and the like, and there's this imperviousness to some of the economic conditions.' Samsung's best-selling device in the country? The S25 Ultra, outperforming even the entry-level Galaxy S25. Flipping the market For those not willing to drop over R40,000 on a Galaxy Fold 7, Samsung has released the Flip 7 FE, a more affordable version of its clamshell foldable, aimed at making foldables more accessible. At least in theory. Priced at R22,800 (another mysterious price increase for the 256GB version, but the 128GB is curiously absent), it uses in-house silicon and borrows design cues from the Flip 6 to deliver a slimmed-down, but still premium experience. 'We can now land this product at R799 [on contract] for that customer,' Hume said, referring to users on older Flip 4 contracts. 'Yes, it's not as highly specced. But compared to somebody who's only seen the Flip 3 or 4, it's night and day.' The Flip 7 FE is a potential upgrade path for users in that pricing bracket, but its pricing still places it in the high-end category and that the narrow gap between the FE and full-spec Flip 7 may limit its appeal as a more affordable alternative. A data privacy play Samsung isn't just betting on specs. A key part of the Fold 7's value proposition is its integration of KEEP (Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection), which enables on-device encrypted storage that doesn't send sensitive user data to the cloud. 'Your smart toilet could become the point of vulnerability,' Hume quipped, highlighting Samsung's concern with AI-driven data access. 'We manage all that environment from your handset.' This is part of a broader push to challenge Apple's dominance in the privacy conversation. But convincing users that Samsung's approach is trustworthy, especially when it's 'free', is a work in progress. That free references Samsung South Africa's partnership with Aura to launch Samsung SOS+, a free 12-month emergency response service for owners of the Galaxy A56, A36, and A26 smartphones. Hume recounts a general reluctance in the target market to make use of the service. 'The market that hasn't been exposed to that is still trying to work out what exactly that means for them,' said Hume. 'It's good, but it's too good to be true.' It's all still a proof of concept, but Samsung is in a unique position to leverage its Knox platform to provide secure device tracking once users hit the panic button. Taking the fight to the wrist While Samsung leads the pack in wearables bundled with phone purchases with an estimated 80% share of network-based smartwatch sales in South Africa, the brand still struggles in standalone retail sales. 'In pure retail, we know it's an issue,' Hume admitted. 'Our competitors definitely do an incredible job.' Globally, the wearables market isn't growing as fast as it used to. In 2024, it grew just 5.4%, with projections dropping to 4.1% in 2025. Smartwatch sales declined by 4.5% in 2024 and are expected to recover only modestly this year. The big winners? Hearables, which grew by nearly 9% and remain the largest wearables category worldwide. Even so, Samsung is leaning into health as its killer wearable feature. The Galaxy Watch 8 features new sensors to measure vascular load and antioxidant levels. The Watch 8 Classic model also marks the return of the rotating bezel, and Samsung hopes to win over users by giving them full control over their health data. 'The empowerment sits with you,' Hume said. 'You control access. Not the third party.' But with all the sudden price increases and general market decline, the local market will show whether the now flat folding smartphones hit the right note. DM
Daily Maverick
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
DA to support Appropriation Bill ‘in the national interest' after Nkabane axed
DA leader John Steenhuisen has announced the party will support the passing of the Appropriation Bill now that Nobuhle Nkabane is out of Cabinet. The DA has confirmed it will support the passing of the Appropriation Bill in the National Assembly on Wednesday, 22 July, now that Nobuhle Nkabane has been fired as higher education minister. Following a party caucus meeting on Tuesday, DA leader John Steenhuisen said the party would vote for the Bill 'in the national interest'. 'The Democratic Alliance will support the 2024/25 Appropriation Bill following the president's decision to dismiss Minister Nkabane after sustained DA pressure. This decision is the crucial first step in holding compromised ministers accountable,' said Steenhuisen. The Appropriation Bill, a key part of the national Budget that allocates departmental spending, will be considered and then debated on Wednesday. Every department's vote must be passed for the Bill to pass. DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp told Daily Maverick on Tuesday morning that the party's support for the budget vote of the Department of Higher Education was solidified after Nkabane's firing. 'The Democratic Alliance will now support the budget vote on higher education because she is not there anymore,' he said. However, he said the DA's caucus would decide whether to support the Department of Human Settlements budget: 'We will discuss this and we will then decide on a way forward with regards to which other budgets we will support. 'So, I think the only one in question [that] still remains is Human Settlements, and that I can't give you an answer on. Our caucus will decide on that.' The DA has decided to move forward with the Appropriation Bill while continuing to push Ramaphosa to act against ministers implicated in wrongdoing. 'We now welcome the president's decision to act against [Nkabane]. But this must be the beginning, not the end. There are still individuals in the executive facing serious allegations. If the president is serious about restoring public trust, he must act decisively and consistently, not only when under pressure,' said Steenhuisen. ANC parliamentary chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli was not immediately available for comment on Tuesday. DA's ultimatum After President Cyril Ramaphosa fired the DA's deputy minister of trade and industry, Andrew Whitfield, in June, the party said it would not support the Higher Education and Human Settlements budget votes while Ramaphosa retained ministers Nkabane and Thembi Simelane. The party opposed Nkabane's vote due to the scandal around the Seta board appointments, which had included individuals aligned to the ANC. For Simelane, it was down to her involvement in the ongoing VBS scandal. Daily Maverick and News24 reported that she received a R575,600 'loan' from VBS fixer Gundo Wealth Solutions. Following Nkabane's axing, on Monday the DA's Karabo Khakhau said the party's position on the issue was unchanged. The 'only way' the DA could support the budget votes was if Nkabane and Simelane were removed, said Khakhau. 'Not always easy as the GNU' Build One South Africa (Bosa) leader and chairperson of Parliament's Appropriations Committee, Mmusi Maimane, has been critical of the DA's stance on the Appropriation Bill, claiming it was playing politics with crucial government services. If the National Assembly fails to pass the Appropriation Bill, the Public Finance Management Act allows departments to spend up to 45% of the previous year's allocation in the first four months. Those four months will be up at the end of July. Thereafter, they can spend 10% of the allocation a month, capped at the previous year's total and limited to previously approved services. On Tuesday, Aucamp said Maimane did not understand the dynamics of the Government of National Unity (GNU) since his party was outside of the GNU. 'He does not understand the dynamics that we have got to deal with in the GNU. We have always managed to get to where we need to be, even if it was the fiscal framework that the Democratic Alliance went to court with,' said Aucamp. 'It's very easy to stand on the sidelines and give criticism if you are not on the field,' said Aucamp. He added: 'As the GNU, it's not always easy, but we do get where we want to be and hopefully we will be able to sort out all the issues with regards to all the different budgets and go forward from there. So yeah, it's easy for Mr Maimane to give criticism.' The DA spokesperson said the party's approach was 'yielding results'. 'If it was not for the pressure that the Democratic Alliance has been applying, we would still have sat with Nkabane.' DM
The South African
17 hours ago
- Business
- The South African
Striking FlySafair pilots are among 'top 1% earners' in South Africa
As striking FlySafair pilots continue to down tools, the low-cost airline has hit back publicly. Yesterday – Monday 21 July 2025 – saw 12% of scheduled flights cancelled due to the striking FlySafair pilots. This figure was, by all accounts, higher than anticipated, because of last-minute withdrawal of several available pilots. These striking FlySafair pilots had previously confirmed participation in scheduled flights for the week, says the airline. Nevertheless, the airline released a public statement on Monday, saying it regrets any disruption caused, reports Daily Maverick . Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair, Kirby Gordon, also took the opportunity to give some context to its dealings with striking FlySafair pilots. The union, Solidarity, currently represents nearly 90% of the striking FlySafair pilots. As such, it is demanding a 10.5% increase in base salary. However, the airline explains that the full package – including flight pay, bonuses and other benefits – would represent a cost-to-company increase of 20%. It's too early to tell how long striking FlySafair pilots are prepared to down tools for. Image: File Moreover, the low-cost airline revealed that FlySafair captains currently earn between R1.8 million and R2.3 million annually. This already puts them in the top 1% of earners in South Africa. Furthermore, this puts them ahead of some Executive Committee members at the airline itself. As such, FlySafair believes its current counteroffer of 5.7% increase on the base salary is 'fair and responsible.' When fully costed, the offer equates to an 11% increase, cost to company. And it says Solidarity's demands are not only economically unsustainable, but they risk undermining the affordability of low-cost air travel in South Africa. Solidarity says FlySafair pilot workload is a concern. Meanwhile, the airline argues its captains average 63 hours of flight time per month. While the regulatory maximum is 100 hours per month, according to the SA Civil Aviation Authority. Therefore, it maintains its pilot utilisation is efficient, compliant, and in line with global standards. FlySafair issued a seven-day lockout, a standard labour relations mechanism, after Solidarity escalated a one-day strike to two weeks. 'Any affected customers are encouraged to consult the Travel Updates on And airport teams remain on standby to assist with rebookings, refunds, and alternative arrangements,' concludes Kirby. 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.
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Ground control to FlySafair: we have a problem
Long queues, missed appointments, and almost two dozen cancelled flights marked day one of FlySafair's pilot strike, as more than 200 pilots downed their controls in a labour showdown with the airline. However, by the end of the day, the airline had agreed - under pressure - to participate in the mediation process as requested by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). At OR Tambo International Airport, stranded passengers and grounded pilots found themselves on the same side of the runway as fallout collateral damage in the escalating dispute. Turbulence at the top 'They said there weren't any cancellations but I only found out my flight was cancelled this morning,' said Masego, a frustrated traveler who was due to fly to Cape Town. She was one of many travellers queuing at the FlySafair terminals who had been issued vouchers for their missed flights. Masego didn't want to share her full name for fear that FlySafair would decline her request for a refund rather than a flight voucher. The standoff is not just about the two primary tabled issues — pay and rostering — but also a representation of pilots asserting themselves in what they deem an increasingly airline-dominant space post the Covid-19 pandemic. 'This isn't just about the money,' said one FlySafair pilot to Daily Maverick on condition of anonymity. 'We're professionals, not just numbers on a roster.' How much is a pilot worth? Of FlySafair's roughly 300 pilots, about two-thirds are represented by trade union Solidarity and rejected a proposed 5.7% wage increase, instead demanding what Solidarity describes as a 'market-related' adjustment closer to 10.5%. According to data from Payscale and Glassdoor, commercial pilots earn anywhere between R300,000 to well over R1-million — and FlySafair itself has noted that its pilots earn up to R2.3-million per annum. While this appears to be lucrative, a pilot interviewed by Daily Maverick stated that the higher end of salaries was usually reserved for very senior captains, such as a pilot with 20 years' experience, with the median being closer to the R300,000 mark. The second sticking point is the way rosters are structured. According to a pilot, rosters are released on the 24th of each month, typically with five days on, two days off. But last-minute changes mean that even on scheduled off days, pilots struggle to plan their lives. 'It's not like you're knocking off work at 4pm on a Friday,' said one pilot. 'You might get home from that last shift at midnight, and then on Monday your first flight is at 5am.' 'We don't have complete access to the rosters, but the pilots are saying 'I'm tired,'' said Helgard Cronjé , deputy general secretary at Solidarity. 'You can't put a price on missing your kid's rugby match.' FlySafair maintains otherwise. 'Fatigue is not a concern,' said chief marketing officer Kirby Gordon in a previous written response to Daily Maverick. The same reply also stated that 'there are no concerns for flights being disrupted as a result of this industrial action'. This did not turn out to be the case, as at least 26 flights were cancelled on Monday morning, 21 July 2025. Pilots stress that fatigue isn't just a lifestyle issue — it's a safety concern. According to a pilot, many are now flying 90 to 95 hours per month, near the legal maximum. 'That's not sustainable in the long run. People think 90 hours (per month) is nothing because it's less than a nine-to-five job,' said one pilot. 'But they don't realise that flying is mentally and physically demanding. You're in high-stress environments, constantly alert, and that takes a toll.' And it's a toll many no longer want to pay. Pilots estimate 80 colleagues have left the company in the past year, with many heading overseas. FlySafair bowed to pressure after about 90% of pilots affiliated with labour group, Solidarity, declared their willingness to strike. 'FlySafair underestimated how disruptive the lock-out (would) be. It is costing them too much and the passengers are paying the price,' said Cronjé, adding that the airline had indicated it would only be willing to start the negotiation process by Wednesday. 'As a result, thousands more passengers will be affected before FlySafair comes to the table,' she said. Airline dominance Following the Covid-19 pandemic, pilots were furloughed en masse. As aviation resumed, airlines dominated the hiring terms. Pilots say they are now pushing back. Solidarity claims FlySafair refused to provide financial data to justify the wage freeze. 'When we asked for the financials to back this up, they refused,' said Cronjé. 'We believe the company is profitable enough to meet our demands, or at least to come to the table with a better offer.' FlySafair confirmed to Daily Maverick that no such financial disclosures were made, stating that this was not standard practice. 'Salaries are typically determined by market dynamics,' said the company. 'Our pilots are not equity stakeholders — they have not invested capital or assumed financial risk.' Dr Joachim Vermooten, transport economist and former airline executive, told Daily Maverick that low-cost airlines derived profit from high aircraft utilisation and passenger density. He cited European examples as proof that low-cost carriers could be highly profitable. FlySafair, for its part, claims that its current offer, while described as a 5.7% raise, actually constitutes an 11.29% cost-to-company increase. 'This is a generous offer, particularly in a low-inflation environment where many major corporations, including banks, are offering increases closer to 4%,' the airline said. What this means for you If you have booked flights with FlySafair, you should check the updates page before you make plans or even show up at the airport — particularly for flights from Tuesday, 22 July up to and including Monday, 28 July. While FlySafair says contingency crews are in place, delays and cancellations remain likely, and it's likely to be a bumpy journey ahead until the dispute is reconciled. If your flight is affected, you have three choices: Rebook your trip by selecting a different flight on the same route, or pick entirely new flights for a future journey. Cancel your booking and receive a FlySafair voucher for the full value of your original flight. This credit will be loaded to your FlySafair wallet and is valid for 12 months. If you'd prefer a full cash refund instead, you're also welcome to cash out your voucher at any time. The CCMA has been approached to mediate the matter, which might result in a faster resolution.
