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The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Soil of Africa leads charge against youth unemployment
An organisation focused on addressing socio-economic issues within local communities is proud to confirm that the fight against unemployment continues. This follows after over 200 young people from Mamelodi recently participated in interview sessions with seven prominent companies in South Africa. Bongani Ramontja from Soil of Africa said the youths participated in interview sessions with the companies as part of a business and sales training learnership programme. The programme, which was started a couple of months ago, has the aim of giving youth skills and knowledge to start their businesses or access job opportunities with the aim of fighting unemployment amongst the youth. 'This initiative forms part of our ongoing commitment to equipping young South Africans with the practical skills and workplace experience needed to thrive in today's competitive economy,' said Ramontja. 'The learnership focuses on developing core business competencies and sales expertise, providing candidates with a solid foundation for sustainable employment and career growth. 'We are confident that every one of these talented candidates will be successfully placed, marking a significant milestone in our mission to tackle youth unemployment head-on. We practise what we preach.' The organisation remains steadfast in its dedication to empowering the next generation and building pathways to meaningful, long-term employment. 'Together with our partners, we continue to invest in the future of South Africa, one opportunity at a time.' The interviews were held at Shomishanang Primary School in Mamelodi East and, the programme will then go to other areas like Mabopane, Soshanguve and Ga-Rankuwa. Soil of Africa regional convener Joseph Maake said the organisation partnered with stakeholders to offer skills development training to unemployed youth in and around Tshwane. Maake said the programme is aimed at fighting poverty and unemployment among the youth in and around Tshwane. 'The youth were enrolled in our six-month skills development learnership initiative called Business Management and Sales Learnership.' 'The learnership programme changes their lives and helps them start their businesses, or use the certificates to access job opportunities,' said Maake. He said the youth participated in theory training and then put it into practice, and every month they get a stipend of R2 000. 'The programme has been going on for a couple of months. 'The first intake was in Mamelodi East, and then we moved to Hammanskraal with a target of enrolling 200 unemployed youth into this initiative.' The participants were taken to different businesses to practise what they had learned and to get first-hand experience on how to run businesses. ALSO READ: Community patrollers tackle early morning crime in Mamelodi Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Joburg motorists brace for tougher month as fuel prices rise
Motorists across Johannesburg woke up to steeper fuel prices on Wednesday, with the department of mineral and petroleum resources confirming a sharp increase in petrol and diesel costs driven by international oil prices and tensions in the Middle East. Many petrol stations were quieter than usual on Wednesday morning, with most motorists coming in having no idea of the petrol price hike. Some drivers who had heard about the increase on Tuesday had filled up before the increase, while others were caught off guard, with many expressing frustration and concern about how the price rise will affect their already tight monthly budgets. Phumzile Chambers, one of the motorists caught off guard, did not know about the price hike until Wednesday morning, though she said you 'should expect anything in South Africa'. 'I was supposed to put in a full tank, now I'm only putting R700. That's already R100 more than last month. But I refuse to leave my car at home. I'll put R200 a day if I have to, but tell [President Cyril] Ramaphosa we are striking,' Chambers told TimesLIVE. Enos Maake, filling up his car at an Astron Energy garage in Johannesburg, said the fuel hike reflects bigger issues with government. Maake said things will only worsen as the petrol hike filters into food costs. 'We were told GNU would make things better, but it's the same story. The poor are going to feel it the most,' Maake said. People might have to ditch their cars and take taxis as fuel prices are high, he added. 'I spend a lot on petrol because I drive a lot, so this month will be worse, that's why I might get a bicycle [or motorbike]. I'll be tired when I get home, less traffic anyway.' Inside a taxi, Xoliswa Mabala said she has parked her car at home to save costs. Mabala said the petrol hike will crush South Africans. 'We will have to park our cars and use taxis now. But then taxi prices will also go up. People relying on R350 grants won't cope,' she said. Taxi drivers in Johannesburg, who fill up their tanks daily, have also balked at the hike. 'It will be as if we are working for nothing,' taxi driver Sibonise Sithole said. Sithole also did not know about the hike, adding he puts in R500 worth of fuel every day and usually keeps his tank full. Uber driver Ndivhuwo Mulaudzi has the same concern as minibus taxi drivers and other motorists. Mulaudzi told TimesLIVE that the price increase will make his life even harder as he is not making a profit as it is. 'Petrol is up and Uber prices are down. There's no profit. We can't sit at home doing nothing, so we just keep working,' said Mulaudzi. Taheera Hamit luckily filled up her car earlier this week. 'There is nothing you can do to prepare. One day it's R22, the next it's R23. This will affect my budget massively as a car owner. You just have to squeeze it in. No more nice things, no more chocolates, the luxuries are gone,' Hamit told TimesLIVE during her lunch break. The DMRE announced this week that the fuel price hike was based on global and local market conditions, particularly rising Brent Crude oil prices, which jumped from $63.95 to $69.36 a barrel during the review period. Tensions in the Middle East, especially between Iran and Israel, have increased fears of supply disruptions. The international price of petroleum products followed the same upward trend, pushing the basic price of petrol up by as much as 52c per litre. Though the rand appreciated slightly against the US dollar during the period, this wasn't enough to offset the rise. From Wednesday, the fuel price adjustments are: Petrol 93: up by 55c/ l Petrol 95: up by 52c/ l Diesel 0.05%: up by 82c/ l Diesel 0.005%: up by 84c/ l Illuminating paraffin: up by 67c/ l The maximum retail price of liquefied petroleum gas is down by 57c per kg countrywide, except in the Western Cape, where it increased by R1.90/kg due to import costs through Saldanha Bay. With the cost of living already on the rise, many Joburg residents said they will be forced to make tough decisions this month, whether that means cutting luxuries, changing transport methods, or simply walking to work.
TimesLIVE
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Joburg's motorists brace for a tougher month as fuel prices rise
Motorists across Johannesburg woke up to steeper fuel prices on Wednesday, with the department of mineral and petroleum resources confirming a sharp increase in petrol and diesel costs driven by international oil prices and tensions in the Middle East. Many petrol stations were quieter than usual on Wednesday morning, with most motorists coming in having no idea of the petrol price hike. Some drivers who had heard about the increase on Tuesday had filled up before the increase, while others were caught off guard, with many expressing frustration and concern about how the price rise will affect their already tight monthly budgets. Phumzile Chambers, one of the motorists caught off guard, did not know about the price hike until Wednesday morning, though she said you 'should expect anything in South Africa'. 'I was supposed to put in a full tank, now I'm only putting R700. That's already R100 more than last month. But I refuse to leave my car at home. I'll put R200 a day if I have to, but tell [President Cyril] Ramaphosa we are striking,' Chambers told TimesLIVE. Enos Maake, filling up his car at an Astron Energy garage in Johannesburg, said the fuel hike reflects bigger issues with government. Maake said things will only worsen as the petrol hike filters into food costs. 'We were told GNU would make things better, but it's the same story. 'The poor are going to feel it the most,' Maake said. Maake added people might have to ditch their cars and take taxis as fuel prices are high. 'I spend a lot on petrol because I drive a lot, so this month will be worse, that's why I might get a bicycle [or motorbike]. I'll be tired when I get home, less traffic anyway,' he said. Xoliswa Mabala finds taking a taxi cheaper and has parked her car to save up on money as using her own car is expensive. Image: Kabelo Mokoena Inside a taxi, Xoliswa Mabala said she has parked her car at home to save costs. Mabala said the petrol hike will crush South Africans. 'We will have to park our cars and use taxis now. But then taxi prices will also go up. People relying on R350 grants won't cope.' Taxi drivers in Johannesburg, who fill up their tanks daily, have also balked at the hike. 'It will be as if we are working for nothing,' taxi driver, Sibonise Sithole said. Sithole also did not know about the hike, adding he puts in R500 worth of fuel every day and usually keeps his tank full. Uber driver Ndivhuwo Mulaudzi has the same concern as minibus taxi drivers and other motorists. Mulaudzi told TimesLIVE that the price increase will make his life even harder as he is not making a profit as it is. 'Petrol is up and Uber prices are down. There's no profit. We can't sit at home doing nothing, so we just keep working,' said Mulaudzi. Taheera Hamit luckily filled up her car earlier this week. 'There is nothing you can do to prepare. One day it's R22, the next it's R23. This will affect my budget massively as a car owner. You just have to squeeze it in. No more nice things, no more chocolates, the luxuries are gone,' Hamittold TimesLIVE during her lunch break. I The DMRE announced this week that the fuel price hike was based on global and local market conditions, particularly rising Brent Crude oil prices, which jumped from $63.95 to $69.36 a barrel during the review period. Tensions in the Middle East, especially between Iran and Israel, have increased fears of supply disruptions. The international price of petroleum products followed the same upward trend, pushing the basic price of petrol up by as much as 52c per litre. Though the rand appreciated slightly against the US dollar during the period, this wasn't enough to offset the rise. Effective July 2, the fuel price adjustments are as follows: Petrol 93: up by 55c/litre Petrol 95: up by 52c/litre Diesel 0.05%: up by 82c/litre Diesel 0.005%: up by 84c/litre Illuminating paraffin: up by 67c/litre The maximum retail price of liquefied petroleum gas is down by 57c per kg countrywide, except in the Western Cape, where it increased by R1.90/kg due to import costs through Saldanha Bay. With the cost of living already on the rise, many Joburg residents said they will be forced to make tough decisions this month, whether that means cutting luxuries, changing transport methods, or simply walking to work.
The Citizen
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Motorists warned to brace for hefty petrol price hike from midnight
Geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran are the key driver. South African motorists have been dealt a blow and will have to fork out more for petrol and diesel at the pumps this week. Petrol and diesel prices are expected to increase from midnight on Tuesday. Petrol and diesel prices The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced that the price of 93-octane petrol will increase by 55 cents per litre, while 95-octane petrol will increase by 52 cents per litre. The price of diesel with 0.05% sulphur increases by 82 cents per litre, and 0.005% sulphur goes up by 84 cents per litre. Meanwhile, illuminating paraffin will cost 65 cents more per litre, while the price of LP gas decreases by 57 cents per kg country-wide, except in the Western Cape, where it'll increase by R1.90 per kilogram ALSO READ: F1 in SA will be 'catalyst' for uplifting motorsport, McKenzie says How much will fuel cost you? When the fuel price adjustment kicks in, a litre of 93 unleaded petrol will cost R21.95 per litre, while 95 unleaded will be R22.03 The wholesale price of 0.05% diesel will decrease to R19.50 per litre, and 0.005% will cost R19.57 Reasons for the increase DMRE spokesperson Robert Maake stated that several factors, including international petroleum product prices and the rand-US dollar exchange rate, contributed to the decrease in petrol and diesel prices. Brent Crude Oil price Maake said the average Brent Crude Oil price increased from 63.95 US Dollars (USD) to 69.36 USD during the period under review. 'The main contributing factor is the recent geopolitical tension in the Middle East, between Israel and Iran, which raised fears of potential crude oil supply disruptions.' ALSO READ: New Subaru Forester coming to South Africa Rand/US dollar exchange Maake said the Rand appreciated on average against the US Dollar (USD) (from 18.11 to 17.84 Rand per USD) during the period under review compared to the previous one. 'This led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol by more than 15.00 c/l, diesel and illuminating paraffin by over 16.00 cents per litre'. Slate levy Maake said the cumulative slate amounted to a positive balance of R5.213 billion for petrol and diesel of at the end of May 2025. 'In line with the provisions of the Self-Adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, the slate levy remains unchanged at zero cents per litre in the price structures of petrol and diesel with effect from the 2nd of July 2025'. Supply cost recovery Maake said there is also an implementation of a supply cost recovery on the maximum refinery gate price (MRGP) for LPGas imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape province. 'The Minister has approved a 14% increase in Supply Cost Recovery on the MRGP of LPGas that is imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay (Western Cape) as an interim measure, for a period of twenty-four (24) months,' Maake said ALSO READ: Cape Town F1 Grand Prix proposal aims to build on World Cup legacy
The Citizen
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Petrol and diesel prices drop from Wednesday, 4 June, but levy
This is how much it will cost you at the pumps While South African motorists will pay less for petrol and diesel at the pumps from next week, petrol costs will still be affected by the fuel levy. The slight petrol price decrease from Wednesday, 4 June 2025, will be a relief for cash-strapped motorists. Petrol and diesel prices The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced that the prices of both 93-octane and 95-octane petrol will decrease by five cents per litre. The price of both grades of diesel with (0.05% sulphur) and (0.005% sulphur) goes down by 36.9 cents per litre. Meanwhile, illuminating paraffin will cost 56 cents less per litre, while the price of LP gas decreases by 89 cents per kg. ALSO READ: Fuel levy hike to go ahead as EFF fails in court How much will fuel cost you? When the fuel price adjustment kicks in, a litre of 93 unleaded petrol will cost R21.40 per litre, while 95 unleaded will be R21.51 The wholesale price of 0.05% diesel will decrease to R18.68 per litre, and 0.005% will cost R18.73 Reasons for petrol decrease DMRE spokesperson Robert Maake said several factors, including the international petroleum product prices and the rand/US dollar exchange rate, contributed to the decrease in petrol and diesel prices. Brent Crude oil price Maake said the average Brent Crude oil price decreased from 66.40 US Dollars (USD) to 63.95 USD during the period under review. 'The main contributing factors are the continued global trade uncertainty, lower global crude oil demand outlook, as well as the OPEC+ announcement of planned production increase in June 2025 and possibly in July 2025'. Rand/US dollar exchange Maake said the Rand appreciated on average, against the US Dollar (from 18.84 to 18.11 Rand per USD) during the period under review when compared to the previous one. 'This led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and Illuminating Paraffin by over 39.00 cents per litre'. Fuel levy The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, in his Budget Vote Speech on the 21st of May 2025, announced that the Fuel Levy will increase by 16.00 c/l on petrol and 15.00 c/l on diesel, respectively, with effect from the 4th of June 2025. 'Therefore, the Fuel Levy in the price structures of petrol and diesel will increase to R4.15 per litre and R4.02 per litre, respectively. 'The Road Accident Fund levy remains unchanged at R2.18 per litre on the price structures of petrol and diesel,' Maake said. Slate levy Maake said the cumulative slate amounted to a positive balance of R4.486 billion for petrol and diesel at the end of April 2025. 'In line with the provisions of the Self-Adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, a slate levy remains unchanged at zero cents per litre in the price structures of petrol and diesel with effect from the 4th of June 2025,' Maake said. ALSO READ: Cape Town F1 Grand Prix proposal aims to build on World Cup legacy
