Latest news with #R440
IOL News
05-08-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
What do women want in a car? These are the brands and vehicle types that females prefer in SA
Research shows a higher percentage of women are financing cars. Image: Newspress Toyota has overtaken Volkswagen as the most popular vehicle brand for female new vehicle buyers in South Africa, and Suzuki is fast gaining favour. A recent analysis by Lightstone highlighted the five top-selling vehicle brands among women over the last 10 years. Toyota took the top position in 2023 after placing second in 2019, 2021, and 2022, and third between 2016 and 2018. Ford topped the list in 2017, but has since fallen to fourth place, while Suzuki is now in third position, having only entered the top five in 2022. Nissan currently places fifth among female buyers in South Africa. In the overall new vehicle market, men included, Suzuki now holds second place, behind Toyota but with a narrow lead over Volkswagen. The types of vehicles women are buying: 2015 to 2025. Image: Lightstone The Lightstone analysis also shows what vehicle types females prefer, and this is very much in line with the overall market as SUVs and crossovers take top spot with a share of over 50%. These high riders overtook hatchbacks as the most popular body type in 2021, with the latter now having a share of less than 30%. Sedans have also seen a steady decline over the past decade, overtaken even by double cab bakkies in the early 2020s. Double cabs still have a share of less than 10% among female buyers, however, as do compact bakkies and MPVs. Value also plays a key role in purchasing decisions, WesBank's marketing head Lebo Gaoaketse told Hot FM. 'Women, in particular, are looking for value: vehicles that fit their lifestyles, budgets, and expectations for safety and quality.' Furthermore, research carried by WeBuyCars shows that while men are more interested in power and prestige when buying a car, females tend to prioritise affordability and safety. "Women are more likely to choose hatchbacks and SUVs than men, which may indicate that they value practicality, space and safety when choosing a vehicle type," said Rikus Blomerus, chief marketing officer at WeBuyCars. More women are buying cars But regardless of brand and vehicle type preferences, a positive development is that a greater percentage of females are buying vehicles. An analysis of financing trends shows that females now account for 39% of financed car purchases, up from 32% a decade ago. Female buyers have also shown a strong preference for linked interest rate finance options, at 80% in 2025. The average price of a car financed by a woman in 2024 was R440,000, according to Lightstone, up from R250,000 a decade earlier. 'Women in South Africa are catching up to men in financed car purchases and already lead in homeownership, shifts which reflect their growing socio-economic independence,' Lightstone said. IOL Motoring
The Citizen
15-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
SAAF needs R414 million to refurbish Ramaphosa's presidential jet
The interior update will not occur in this contracting period due to a lack of funds. An airplane carrying President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport, ahead of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation yesterday. Picture: AFP Parliament continues to hear troubling reports about the impact of the South African National Defence Force's (SANDF) budget constraints, with the latest report affecting President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy, Paul Mashatile. The Joint Standing Committee on Defence received an update from Armscor on the status of the South African Air Force (SAAF) and South African Navy maintenance and acquisition contracts on Friday, and the outlook appears grim. Selekane Folo from Armscor informed the committee that there is a R7.7 billion shortfall to fund support contracts for the SAAF over a three-year period, amounting to a R2.56 billion shortfall per year. ALSO READ: Defence budget cuts 'impact Reserve Force capability' 'The lack of funding has been ongoing for a long period of time, and it has its consequences,' said Selekane. These include reduced fleet availability, with only the bare minimum of maintenance being done; essential upgrades are postponed; higher maintenance costs are incurred due to supporting obsolete subsystems; and a large recovery cost is required to catch up on maintenance. Maintenance of Ramaphosa's jet This has also affected the VVIP fleet, which has been unable to undergo maintenance due to a lack of funds. The contract for the maintenance and support of Ramaphosa's Boeing 737 Aircraft, contracted to Jet Aviation AG in Switzerland (the design authority for the aircraft's interior), costs R440 million and was placed from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026. The contract for local support for maintenance, contracted to Dentec, costs R60 million and was placed on 1 December 2024 and ends 30 June 2026. ALSO READ: Over 2 700 'old' SANDF personnel released, but new recruits will depend on funding 'What we need as a requirement to maintain the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) is about R500 million, and currently, we are sitting with a shortfall of R414.9 million,' Selekane told the committee. 'There is an upcoming four-year maintenance that happens for about three months, but we can confirm as Armscor that the Air Force and we are trying to source funds to make sure that the check is well-funded. 'The major four-year maintenance is due in October 2025. This requires good planning and a scope of work from SAAF at least six months in advance. The scope of work is still to be finalised.' SAAF: No interior maintenance The interior update will also not occur in this contracting period due to a lack of funds. 'The BBJ is not fully funded as there are insufficient funds to conduct various refurbishments and upgrades in the aircraft, e.g Cabin refurbishment. Funds are only utilised for the C-Check and normal day-to-day maintenance.' The Falcon fleet used by the deputy resident has not been spared either. The contract for the maintenance and support of the Falcon fleet, as well as its associated ground support and test equipment, is with Execujet MRO Services and was in effect from 1 March 2023, to 28 February 2026. The value of the contract is R252.4 million, but the SAAF needs R142.1 million to maintain the fleet. READ NEXT: SANDF budget constraints: Not enough soldiers at the border, reserves getting older
Eyewitness News
07-06-2025
- Health
- Eyewitness News
Gauteng DSD: No jobs in HIV and AIDS programme will be lost despite R108m budget shortfall
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng's Department of Social Development is facing a R108 million shortfall in its HIV and AIDS programme budget, but officials insist no jobs will be lost. Treasury has slashed funding to R332 million in 2025, down from R440 million, forcing the department to restructure operations while trying to protect services for vulnerable groups. The commitment? To keep social workers, community carers and child and youth care workers employed and to continue funding non-profits supporting those affected by HIV. The department said all psycho-social services — including those offered to orphans, vulnerable children and HIV-positive households — will continue uninterrupted. Those who deliver them — including auxiliary social workers and registered community carers — will remain on payroll. Food relief, however, will now be handled centrally through distribution centres run by the sustainable livelihoods unit as part of a move to streamline resources. The department argues this shift will still prioritise households with no income and is part of a longer-term strategy to capacitate communities instead of relying on ongoing aid. And while incentive grant funding for work opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) has dropped dramatically since 2023, social development says job numbers have been maintained, thanks to reallocation from its main budget.
