Latest news with #R200
IOL News
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
Driving impressions: why the Suzuki Swift deserves its crown as the top hatchback
The Suzuki Swift is fitted with Suzuki's new 1.2-litre three cylinder engine that delivers 60kW and 112NM of torque. Image: Supplied Currently sitting in second place on the vehicle sales charts, it's not for nothing that Suzuki has been hitting the lights out with their refreshingly cheerful portfolio. Chief among those is the Swift that's dominating the passenger car market. Popular among first-time buyers It also helps that the brand is selling their cars in the price and categories that South African consumers are spending their money on, starting in the sub R200 000 region, with the most expensive evening out under R550 000. The B-segment hatchback Swift has also proven popular with first-time buyers, and I know of quite a few people who have bought one for their children going on to study further after school. We spent some time in the flagship 1.2 GLX, priced at R271 900, and it's easy to understand why they are proving so popular and walked away with the 2025 'Best Budget Car' title in the Consumer Awards. Engine Replacing the previous four-cylinder engine, the Swift is now fitted with Suzuki's new 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol mill that delivers 60kW and 112NM of torque. The test unit was fitted with a five-speed manual transmission, although there is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) available as well. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The Suzuki Swift is grippy and light on its feet with quick and direct steering. Image: Supplied Exterior It's a good-looking little car as well, with the oval radiator grille with a black finish and muscular bumper dominating the front. The blacked-out A/B pillars provide a 'floating roof' element, while the rear, with integrated hatch spoiler and 3D LED tail light clusters, has become a common sight on our roads. Fitted with 15-inch diamond-cut alloys, our test unit was a Grey Metallic, but I would opt for the blue or red, which provides a better view of the car's profile and also underscores its fun factor. Interior Inside there's a good old-fashioned analogue instrument cluster with a central colour LCD display allowing you to see consumption (instantaneous and average), range and several other helpful information. The seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible and is also linked to the rearview camera. The rear seats provide a 60:40 split, while boot space is said to be 265 litres and 580 litres with the rear seats folded. Inside there's a good old fashioned analogue instrument cluster with a central colour LCD display. Image: Supplied Driving I found the manually adjustable black fabric seats to be comfortable and had no issues over longer distances, while they also provided decent support in tight and fast corners. The little three-pot motor proved to be rev-happy and responsive, albeit with some engine thrum in the cabin when pushed hard, but at the national speed limit or pottering around in the suburbs, it's hardly audible. Weighing in at less than a ton, the Suzuki Swift is grippy and light on its feet with quick and direct steering, making it easy to steer on the open road or in shopping mall parking bays. I do think, though, that loaded with four people and luggage, there's likely to be a lot of gear changing. Fortunately, the clutch is light and gear changes are slick and easy. With short bits of enthusiastic driving combined with regular runs, consumption stood at 5.1l/100km, not too far off the claimed 4.4l/100km. Safety Seeing as the Swift is likely to be many people's first car, safety is paramount, and it doesn't disappoint with six airbags (front, side and curtain), ABS brakes with EBD, Brake Assist Function, Electronic Stability Programme and rear ISOFIX anchors. After a few days, there's nothing not to like about the Suzuki Swift. It doesn't pretend to be something that it isn't. It's good looking, extremely easy to drive, has everything you need in terms of practicality and specification and with a reputation of reliability and frugalness, it deserves to be a top seller. It comes with a two-year/30,000km service plan and five-year/200,000km promotional warranty.
Eyewitness News
13 hours ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Morero says hefty funds to repair Lilian Ngoyi Street will also be used to upgrade corridor
JOHANNESBURG - Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has defended the hefty cost of repairing Lilian Ngoyi Street in the CBD, explaining that the funds will also be used to upgrade the entire corridor. The busy street was severely damaged by an underground gas explosion two years ago, and the metro has pledged to complete the repairs by the end of August. Nearly R200 million has been set aside for the project, raising questions about the high cost of restoring just a portion of the two-kilometre stretch. Morero has clarified that the budget covers more than just road repairs. 'We took a view to refurbish the entire Lilian Ngoyi so that we achieve what we call the complete street programme to ensure that we can extend the pavements, bring in trees and street furniture so that the entire street is complete. That is why the costs might have gone as high as R194 million.' Morero has assured residents that repairs will be completed by the specified deadline. 'We've done a whole new program. Instead of addressing where the explosion happened, we are addressing the whole street. We are completing the repairs by the end of August, and we are on track. On the 1st of September, I will be there to reopen the road.'
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
ActionSA's Trollip: Deputy ministers are redundant doormen and doorwomen for their ministers
CAPE TOWN - ActionSA said the country could save more than R1 billion of taxpayers per annum if President Cyril Ramaphosa could get rid of all deputy ministers in his Cabinet. The party has announced a Constitutional Amendment Bill to change the size and structure of the Cabinet. Among other things, the party wants all 43 deputy minister posts scrapped. This follows the president's decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave for alleged interference in police investigations. President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting minister, despite there being two deputy ministers in the portfolio. ActionSA MP Athol Trollip said this makes their case. "There's absolutely no executive authority that a deputy minister has, so I'm saying they're redundant doormen and doorwomen for their ministers. In fact, all we've seen in this new GNU government is that deputy ministers spend most of their time travelling abroad and have spent nearly R200 million between them on travelling abroad. If they had so much to do at home in their departments, they wouldn't be overseas so much."
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Residents pin hopes on Free Basic Electricity as energy costs increase
Alexandra residents are grappling with the rising electricity costs, and many are turning to City Power's Free Basic Electricity (FBE) programme for relief. Over the weekend, City Power rolled out community activations at Tsutsumani and Alex Mall, following their recent activation at Itlhokomeleng Home for the Aged and Disabled. These drew scores of Alex residents desperate for relief from the financial strain of keeping the lights on. The FBE programme provides 50kWh of free electricity monthly to qualifying low-income households, enough to cover basics like lighting, phone charging, or a small kettle. With City Power's recent announcement of a 12.41% tariff hike for 2025/26, the programme is seen as a much-needed buffer by Alex pensioners struggling to make ends meet. Also read: City Power drives free basic electricity registration in Alexandra on Mandela Day Alex pensioner, Dudu Molatja, was among those at the Itlhokomeleng activation, and like most of the Alex residents on the edge of living in abject poverty, she expressed concerns about the cost of electricity. 'Electricity is expensive, and we are pensioners. When I buy R200 worth of electricity, it still does not last long. I'm hoping FBE will make our units last longer, for at least a month.' Molatja and other residents, including Caroline Seemela, who relies on a R2 000 pension grant, said they spend nearly 25% of it on electricity to stretch it through the month. 'That leaves me with [about] R1 500, and then I have to pay R300 for funeral cover, buy food, and toiletries. It's not enough. So, registering for FBE gives me hope that it will ease the burden,' Molatja shared. Also read: City Power announces interim solution for Mahauzana's electricity woes Seemela described how the rising tariffs have forced her to buy electricity at least four times a month. 'Before the increases, R100 would last for some time, depending on how we use electricity. But now, it can hardly last us a week. This free electricity [FBE] will help a lot.' Both Molatja and Seemela see FBE as an important step to free up funds for other essentials. 'If FBE can save us even a little, it will be better, and we will be happier. That is why we are here, running to register.' As the July 31 deadline for registrations approaches, City Power encourages eligible households to register. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Parkview's community made Nicarela's Potjiekos competition successful
Nicarela's annual Potjiekos competition returned to George Hay Park in Parkview on July 27. Last year's event raised over R200 000, directly funding support homes for women and children, university bursaries for youth who would otherwise be left behind and emergency food relief. Locals showed up in droves with their families to the competition, while children enjoyed face paintings, swings and the jumping castle. This beloved fundraiser was more than a cook-off with 40 teams serving everything from lamb to vegan options, a family-friendly setup, and prizes for best potjie and best decorated stall. It was the perfect weekend outing with a purpose. All proceeds will go directly to Nicarela's work in: Supporting care homes for abused women and children. Providing educational bursaries for deserving students. Running food security programmes in under-resourced areas. Nicarela is a volunteer-driven organisation committed to making a positive impact in the community. The charity focuses on making education accessible, supporting orphanages, providing food for those in need, and helping families in crisis. Through major fundraising events like the Potjiekos competition and Parkview Christmas Market, Nicarela delivers financial assistance and personal care to those facing challenging circumstances. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
