There’s a particular kind of anxiety that settles in when you’re sitting across from a car dealership sales rep, paperwork fanned out on the desk, pen hovering. You’ve wanted this car. You’ve probably dreamed about it. And suddenly the numbers on the page don’t quite add up the way you’d hoped.

It’s a scene that plays out in showrooms across South Africa every single day. But it doesn’t have to go that way. With the right preparation and a clear head, you can walk into that negotiation knowing exactly where you stand. WesBank, which has spent more than five decades helping South Africans finance their vehicles, is offering consumers a practical roadmap for getting the best deal. Let’s jump into it.

Do the homework before you even leave the house

Research isn’t just useful it’s the foundation everything else is built on. What’s the market price for the model you want? What are the current interest rates (interest rates are also subject to your credit profile)? What financing options exist beyond the one the dealer will push first?

These aren’t questions to answer once you’re at the table. They’re questions to answer at home, quietly, before the sales pressure kicks in.

Know your real number not just the monthly repayment

Dealerships are very good at making a car feel affordable by zooming in on the monthly repayment figure. But that’s rarely the full picture. You’ve got insurance. Maintenance. Fuel. Licensing. The total cost of ownership is what should guide your decision, not a single monthly figure stripped of context.

WesBank’s online repayment calculator is a useful tool here. Plug in different scenarios and get a realistic sense of what you’re committing to. No surprises six months down the line.

Shop around. Seriously.

The first financing offer you receive is rarely the best one. Interest rates, loan terms, deposit requirements, balloon payments all vary, and small differences can mean paying thousands more over the life of a loan. Compare offers from multiple lenders before you commit. It takes a bit of time, but it’s worth it.

Pre-approval gives you the upper hand

There’s a subtle but real shift in power when you walk into a dealership with finance already lined up. By pre-applying for a vehicle loan, you’ll receive a letter of commitment and an estimated loan amount from WesBank, which is a powerful way to signal to the seller that you’re a serious buyer. More importantly, it means you already know your terms. You’re not at the mercy of whatever rate they decide to quote you on the day.

Negotiating from a position of knowledge is always more comfortable than negotiating blind.

Get the price right first. Then talk finance.

This one trips up a lot of buyers. The car’s selling price and the financing terms are two separate conversations. Settle on the price first, a fair price, ideally one you’ve benchmarked against your research and only then move into discussing how you’ll pay for it. Conflating the two makes it easier for a seller to obscure where concessions are being made. Whether you’re buying a new or used vehicle, the principle holds.

Walking Away Is a Negotiating Tool, Not a Failure

When a deal doesn’t feel right, the best move you can make is to leave. It sounds simple, but it’s much harder in practice once you’ve spent a weekend test-driving and have become emotionally attached to the idea of driving that specific car home. However, the willingness to walk away is the most powerful card in your hand, and dealers know it.

It is important to remember that other cars and other deals will always come along. The right purchase should never require you to compromise your long-term financial stability.

Lebogang Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank, emphasizes that the institution’s goal is to act as a supportive partner throughout this journey. He explains that WesBank focuses on a “customer-centric approach” to ensure buyers have the “know-how to make smart financial decisions”. According to Gaoaketse, it’s about more than just a loan; it’s about providing the “expert advice, resources, and personalised solutions” needed to enjoy every step of owning a vehicle.

In a shifting economy where interest rates and the cost of living have impacted millions of families, walking into a dealership unprepared isn’t just inconvenient, it can be genuinely expensive. The good news is that these strategies are not complicated; they simply require discipline and patience that starts well before you ever set foot on a showroom floor.

If you are currently in the market for a vehicle, taking ten minutes to explore an online calculator or a pre-approval tool can save you thousands over the life of your loan. Ultimately, the best vehicle deal isn’t always the one with the lowest monthly repayment; it’s the one that still makes financial sense long after the excitement of delivery day fades.

From football from some of Europe’s biggest cup competitions and African basketball, the weekend of 22 to 24 May promises wall-to-wall action featuring elite clubs, title-deciding fixtures and some of the sport world’s most anticipated match-ups this year.

Europe’s biggest soccer women’s clubs collide in Oslo

One of the standout fixtures of the weekend will see Barcelona take on Lyon in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final on Saturday 23 May at 18:00 (CAT) from the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Norway. The final marks the first time the prestigious event will be hosted in Norway and forms part of ESPN Africa’s continued commitment to bringing world-class international sport to audiences across the continent. ESPN holds exclusive rights to the competition across sub-Saharan Africa.

The race to the English Premier League

Football fans can also look forward to the EFL Championship Play-Off Final from Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday 23 May, with kickoff at 16:30. Widely referred to as the “richest game in football”, the fixture determines which club could secure promotion to the English Premier League alongside the top two teams from the regular season.

Hull City and Middlesbrough are in the highly contested race for a coveted place in the Premiership, and will battle it out under the famous Wembley arch.

German giants battle for cup glory

The football action continues on Sunday 24 May at 20:00 with the DFB-Pokal Final from Berlin’s Olympiastadion, where Bayern Munich will face reigning champions VfB Stuttgart in Germany’s premiere domestic cup competition. Stuttgart lifted the trophy in 2025 after defeating Arminia Bielefeld 4-2 in the final and will now attempt to defend their title against one of Europe’s most formidable football clubs.

Africa’s best basketball giants head to Kigali

Basketball fans are also in for a major treat as the Basketball Africa League Finals tip off in Kigali, Rwanda from 22 to 31 May. Taking place at the BK Arena, the BAL Finals bring together the continent’s top men’s basketball clubs as they compete for African glory and a place at the 2026 FIBA Intercontinental Cup.

Kyle de Klerk, Director of Sports at The Walt Disney Company Africa, said the upcoming weekend reflects ESPN Africa’s commitment to delivering the most exciting sport to audiences across the continent. “This is an incredible weekend for sport fans and we are delighted to be bringing all of this action to viewers across Africa. From massive football finals and promotion battles to the biggest club basketball competition on the continent, the quality and variety of sport on offer across ESPN and ESPN2 that weekend is exceptional. We can’t wait to see these teams in action and to share every big moment with fans watching from home.”

Now entering its eighth edition in South Africa, the Summit will once again be presented in collaboration with headline sponsor Old Mutual, alongside metaverse partner UBU. Following the success of the 2025 Summit, which attracted more than 2 000 attendees, from over 600 of local and global leading companies, and widespread acclaim from delegates, the 2026 Summit aims to push the conversation even further, exploring how rapidly advancing technologies are reshaping industries, societies and human potential itself.

With two immersive stages, an interactive expo, workshops and networking experiences, the Summit will once again create a space where business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and innovators can engage with the ideas shaping the future.

The 2026 programme will unpack the accelerating impact of artificial intelligence, 3D printing, digital identity, quantum computing, crypto economies, human optimisation and Africa’s evolving technology infrastructure. From the rise of AI factories and agentic AI to the future of emotional intelligence in machines, this year’s line-up reflects the breadth of disruption already transforming the world around us.

Celiwe Ross of Old Mutual says this Summit allows for the advocacy of human-centred AI adoption, where technology enhances rather than replaces human capability.“Innovation is often spoken about in terms of technology, but its real impact is felt through people. The question for business is not only what new tools we adopt, but how we equip people to grow, respond, and lead in an environment that is constantly changing. For Old Mutual, future readiness is about building the confidence, capability, and culture needed to move forward responsibly,” Ross said.

The Summit’s metaverse experience will also return in partnership with UBU, offering attendees across the continent access to immersive digital experiences, interactive sessions, workshops and networking opportunities within Africa’s growing virtual ecosystem.

“Every year, the pace of technological change becomes harder to ignore,” said Shayne Mann, co-CEO of Singularity South Africa. “What makes this Summit exciting is not only the calibre of the conversations, but the people in the room. It is where Africa’s business, technology and creative leaders come together to engage with what is coming next and, more importantly, what role the continent can play in shaping it.”

“The conversations around AI, digital infrastructure and exponential technologies have shifted dramatically over the past year,” added Mic Mann, co-CEO of Singularity South Africa. “There is now far greater urgency around how these technologies are implemented, governed and scaled responsibly. This Summit is designed to give delegates direct access to the people building the future, while creating meaningful discussions around prosperity, opportunity and innovation in an African context.”

The industry is moving toward autonomous AI agents capable of independent decision-making, planning, and execution. For Africa, a continent characterised by a young demographic and a history of bypassing legacy technologies, this transition presents a distinct opportunity to leapfrog traditional economic structures once again.

To understand the implications for African businesses and consumers, it is necessary to contrast the current state of AI with what is currently being engineered in global tech hubs:

Generative AI (The Prompt Era) operates on a linear input-output model. A human user provides a specific prompt (e.g., “Write an email” or “Analyze this spreadsheet”), and the AI generates a static response based on its training data. The system remains passive until the next instruction.

Meanwhile, the Agentic AI (The Objective Era) operates on goal-oriented autonomy. Instead of executing isolated tasks, a user assigns a broad objective—such as optimising customer onboarding, resolving complex regulatory compliance bottlenecks, or detecting sophisticated fraud patterns. The AI agent then independently determines the necessary steps, accesses required software tools, prioritises sub-tasks, and self-corrects if its initial approach encounters an error, all with minimal human intervention.

Historically, major technological transitions have widened the divide between the Global North and South. The nations and conglomerates that build foundational infrastructure – such as massive data centres, specialised silicon chips, and large language models – accumulate disproportionate economic power.

Late adopters often default to being downstream consumers of technologies designed with Western or Asian contexts in mind.

Idesoh notes there is a distinct risk that AI could mimic this extractive pattern if African institutions remain passive. However, Africa’s digital history suggests the continent rarely follows a linear development path.

Africa’s modern technology ecosystem was forged by turning institutional gaps into structural advantages. The rapid expansion of mobile money and fintech over the past decade occurred precisely because large segments of the population were excluded from traditional brick-and-mortar banking. Because the legacy infrastructure did not exist, there was no resistance to adopting completely new, mobile-first financial habits.

This same environment, combined with accelerating smartphone penetration and the world’s youngest population, positions Africa uniquely for Agentic AI. Because many administrative, financial, and logistical systems across the continent are still being built or digitised, autonomous AI agents can be integrated directly into the foundational layer of these new systems, rather than trying to retroactively fit them into centuries-old legacy software architectures.

For Agentic AI to become a driver of domestic growth rather than an economic drain, the focus must shift toward solving localised, practical challenges. Idesoh highlights several critical areas where autonomous agents can be deployed immediately to deliver measurable value:

1. Financial Inclusion: Developing autonomous credit-scoring agents that look beyond traditional bank statements to assess informal economic activity, enabling small businesses to access capital.
2. Fraud Prevention: Deploying real-time agents that adapt dynamically to evolving localized cyber threats and mobile money scams, protecting vulnerable consumers.
3. Cross-Sector Coordination: Building secure, trusted frameworks where banks, telecommunications operators, and regulators use interconnected AI agents to streamline identity verification and cross-border trade.

Ultimately, the success of the agentic era in Africa will depend on digital sovereignty. The continent must transition from being a consumer of global software to a developer of local applications. By investing early in localised data sets, practical governance frameworks, and technical education, African enterprises can ensure that autonomous systems are engineered to expand human and economic possibility across the continent.

This move comes at a critical time for the South African logistics sector, where fuel prices have seen extreme surges – increasing by approximately 68% in just over a month following the record hikes in April and May 2026. By fixing the rate, Fastway aims to eliminate the “monthly surprise” on invoices, allowing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to forecast their delivery costs with total certainty.

Usually, in the South African courier market, it is standard practice to apply a variable fuel surcharge that fluctuates based on the monthly petrol price. These surcharges currently range from roughly 18% to as high as 52.68% at some major providers.

The logistics provider’s strategy is specifically tailored to home-based businesses and e-commerce retailers who may not have the financial infrastructure to manage complex, shifting surcharge tables.

According to Fastway’s Financial Director, Damian Velayadum, fuel accounts for between 20% and 40% of total operating costs. He notes that for a small business, the unpredictability of a fluctuating surcharge is often more damaging than the increase itself. The fixed 5% rate allows these businesses to set their own product pricing and shipping fees with the confidence that their margins won’t be eroded by a sudden mid-month fuel price spike.

To ensure the model remains transparent, the company has confirmed that if fuel prices return to pre-April levels, the rates will be adjusted downwards accordingly.

This pricing strategy is now active across Fastway’s national network.

By pairing an approximately 66.8-megapixel fully-stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor with a new BIONZ XR2 processing engine, Sony has effectively transformed its studio and landscape specialist into a high-speed action machine capable of blackout-free continuous shooting at up to 30 frames per second.

The core advancement of the Alpha 7R VI is its sensor readout speed, which is roughly 5.6 times faster than its predecessor. This massive increase in data throughput enables the camera to perform up to 60 autofocus and auto-exposure calculations per second. To manage this speed, the integrated AI processing unit utilises Real-time Recognition AF+ featuring skeletal-based human pose estimation. This allows the system to accurately track athletes, wildlife, and rapidly moving subjects even when they are temporarily obscured or facing away from the lens.

Handheld shooting sees a notable upgrade too with a revised 5-axis optical image stabilisation system that delivers up to 8.5 stops of correction at the centre and 7.0 stops at the periphery. For composition, the camera features a 9.44-million-dot OLED viewfinder that matches the DCI-P3 colour gamut and supports 10-bit HDR, offering three times the maximum brightness of conventional models for easier operation in direct sunlight.

Physical usability has also been updated with a newly designed, deeper handgrip and illuminated rear buttons to aid low-light and astrophotography workflows. Additionally, the camera body includes dual USB Type-C ports to allow simultaneous data transfer and power delivery, alongside integrated support for Sony’s Camera Authenticity Solution to verify metadata and combat AI-generated image falsification.

On the video front, the Alpha 7R VI records 8K video at 30p via 8.2K oversampling for up to 120 minutes without thermal shutdown. It also supports full-frame 4K recording at 60p and 120p without a sensor crop. The camera introduces a Dual Gain Shooting mode to maximize dynamic range and minimize shadow noise during high-contrast scenes.

In tandem with the camera launch, Sony introduced the XLR-A4 XLR adaptor, which mounts via the Multi Interface Shoe to enable 4-channel digital audio capture. The adaptor features dual analog-to-digital converters and supports 96kHz 32-bit float internal recording. This audio format records a wide dynamic range that prevents clipping at the input stage, eliminating the need for precise gain adjustments on location.

To power these high-bandwidth components, Sony has transitioned to a new high-capacity NP-SA100 battery (2670 mAh), which provides roughly 1.3 times the capacity of the older Z-series batteries.

This allows the camera to achieve a CIPA rating of up to 710 images when using the LCD monitor. Because of the new battery dimensions and physical alignment, the camera requires a new ecosystem of accessories, including the VG-C6 Vertical Glow Grip and the BC-SAD1 dual battery charger.

The Sony Alpha 7R VI and the XLR-A4 adaptor are scheduled to arrive in South Africa in mid-July 2026, with a recommended retail price starting at R99,999.00.

The primary engineering challenge in building for electric trucks lies in balancing structural durability with weight. Serco utilised specialised lightweight construction techniques to ensure that the added weight of the truck bodies does not significantly detract from the vehicle’s usable payload or its operating range.

By maximising efficiency through materials and design, these builds help fleet operators mitigate “range anxiety” while maintaining the heavy-duty performance required for local logistics and specialized transport operations.

SANY Trucks currently offers one of South Africa’s most comprehensive lineups of electric heavy-duty trucks. According to Avinash Singh, Director of Sales and Marketing for EVs at SANY Trucks, Serco was selected following a rigorous evaluation process to ensure the body quality matched the high-tech nature of the chassis.

The local EV truck market is currently seeing a surge in interest as charging infrastructure improves and fleet owners begin to recognize the total cost of ownership (TCO) benefits associated with electric drivetrains compared to traditional diesel equivalents.

The completed vehicles are equipped with a suite of modern accessories designed to improve day-to-day operational efficiency. These include LED interior strip lighting for better visibility during loading and rear doors fitted with Delta locking handles for enhanced security and ergonomics.

Serco’s EV-focused catalog also features fast-opening curtain mechanisms for tautliners and eco-friendly internal wear strips for van bodies. These components are selected to reduce physical effort for operators and extend the life of the vehicle body while lowering its overall environmental impact.

To support the adoption of these new technologies, Serco has emphasized its national after-sales network, with dedicated facilities in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, and Gqeberha. This infrastructure is intended to reduce downtime for fleet operators transitioning to electric mobility, providing consistent support throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle. .

The solution effectively eliminates the need for traditional point-of-sale (POS) hardware, dongles, or separate card machines, allowing businesses to transact using technology they already own.

The service utilizes the Near Field Communication (NFC) chip within the iPhone to securely read contactless payment methods. To process a sale, a merchant simply enters the amount into the iStore Pay app and prompts the customer to tap their contactless card, iPhone, Apple Watch, or other digital wallet against the back of the merchant’s device.

This system requires an iPhone XS or later running iOS 18 or later. It accepts all contactless Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards, along with Apple Pay and other major digital wallets. Security is built on Apple’s Secure Element technology, ensuring that card numbers and transaction data are encrypted and never stored on the device or Apple’s servers.

iStore Pay introduces a “pay-as-you-transact” model, positioning itself as a flexible alternative to traditional merchant services that often carry high monthly rentals. The transaction fees start from 2.5% per sale, and there is no hardware cost since the system utilises the user’s existing iPhone.

There are no standard monthly fees, though a R20 monthly charge applies only if turnover falls below R2,000 per month starting in August 2026. Elsewhere, payouts carry a flat fee of R2.99, although iStore is offering free daily payouts as a launch promotion until 31 July 2026.

The solution is managed through a standalone app that serves as a central hub for business operations. Beyond just accepting payments, the app allows entrepreneurs to monitor sales history and transaction records instantly through real-time tracking. It also provides tools to manage funds, allowing merchants to view pending payouts and process refunds directly from the interface.

Furthermore, the app provides business insights and data visualisations to help owners understand their sales performance and identify scaling opportunities.

To truly put a car through its paces, you can’t just drive it around a leafy suburb for a week. You need to live with it, push it, and take it on an adventure. That’s exactly what we did, covering significant mileage across provinces to see if Volvo’s new flagship truly makes sense for the South African context. All with one purpose in mind; to find South Africa’s fastest charging station.

My time with the ES90 reaffirmed why Volvo currently leads the conversation in modern luxury. Electrified at that. It began the moment I saw it in the metal, resting in its striking Mulberry Red paint. If the deep, wine-hued red is too bold for your taste, Volvo offers a sophisticated spectrum including Aurora Silver, Crystal White (with a stunning pearlescent effect), Onyx Black, Vapour Grey, Denim Blue, or the earthier Sand Dune.

All colours work great on the Volvo ES90.

It doesn’t shout for attention; it commands it through sheer restraint. The exterior is a five-meter-long titanic of grace, featuring a body-coloured shield in place of a traditional grille to optimise aerodynamics.

The stars of the show are the HD Pixel LED headlights, retaining the “Thor’s Hammer” signature but with 20 000 pixel modules that wink at you upon approach. Our test unit stood tall on massive 21-inch 5-spoke Aero alloys, where glossy black inserts contrast perfectly against the red bodywork.

But the real emotional connection hit when I pulled the flush door handle and stepped inside. There’s that unmistakable “new Volvo” scent – a mix of high-end sustainable materials and fresh tech. Catching that first whiff of the interior and feeling the cool, tactile surfaces reminded me that luxury is best applied by perfect execution of a simple idea. Nothing flashy or loud here.

Back to the point. The cabin is less of a car interior and more of a rolling Zen studio. At least in my world. The level of craftsmanship is immediately evident in the wood finishes. Here you get the contemporary natural Birch wood inlays that feel incredible to the touch.

The driver is treated to a 9-inch instrumental display behind the steering wheel, supplemented by a massive 13.2-inch Head-Up Display. One would think the instrumental display is too small for its intended purposes, but that is not the case. It fits the vehicle perfectly and displays all the necessary information the driver needs.

You even get the option to change its layout to suit your needs and information you prefer. As part of the most recent updates to Volvo’s UI, you can have your navigation (regardless on whether its via Waze, Apple Maps or Google Maps) projected on this very same instrumental display. The Heads-Up Display is able to project the directions too.

For the audiophiles, the 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity system is a masterpiece, featuring speakers built directly into the headrests to create an immersive 1610-watt soundstage. It even features an Abbey Road mode to help you setup the sound to your preference and musical taste.

Look up, and you’ll find the electrochromatic panoramic roof. In a departure from tradition, there is no physical blind; instead, a simple tap on the screen tints the glass electronically to keep the sun away. When it comes to practicality, the fastback design allows for a massive boot opening with 446 litres of space, while the 27-litre “frunk” up front is the perfect home for your charging cables or anything else you don’t have space for in your boot.

I jokingly share with Gift, our media manager, on a regular that one could get away with hiding things you don’t want people to see in there.

Rear passengers aren’t treated as an afterthought. Step through the power-release, soft-close doors and you’ll find a genuine sanctuary. The rear seats feature an electric recline function, and while the battery placement means under-thigh support is slightly less than a traditional petrol sedan, the clever seat contouring means you honestly don’t feel it once you’re settled in. It’s more plush and comfortable than ever.

The centrepiece back here is the Rear Lounge Armrest. Finished in gorgeous natural wood, it features cupholders that lift out with a damped, premium action and a dedicated spot for your phone. It’s the perfect environment for a chauffeured run through Sandton or a quick airport drop-off.

On the road, the first thing you notice – or rather, the first thing you don’t – is noise. It is deathly quiet. Between the laminated glass and extensive insulation, it feels like you’re driving a Swedish S-Class. As much as I hate comparisons, this is the best way to put it.

Our Ultra trim features adaptive air suspension, which provides a twofold experience. It has that classic flagship “waft,” gliding over rolling speed humps like a cloud. However, on those jittery, corrugated surfaces we often see here in SA, the 21-inch wheels do let a hint of vibration through, keeping the ride “honest” without ever feeling harsh. It’s not a Volvo issue, but more about the state of our roads.

The rear-wheel-drive setup delivers 245 kW, propelling the ES90 to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds. The power delivery is rather polite. A surge of torque rather than a kick. My favourite touch? The accelerator pedal gives you a subtle haptic “nudge” to let you know you’re hitting the speed limit, rather than annoying you with constant beeps. The Chinese need to take notes.

When it comes to charging, the 800V architecture is the real hero here. In a country where range anxiety is the first exhaustive topic at every dinner table, the ES90’s 755 km (WLTP) claim is a game-changer. In our real-world testing while cruising at 120 km/h we found a realistic range of over 600 km is easily achievable. Stopping at a Zero Carbon Charge station like the one in Wolmaransstad, we went from 10% to 80% in about 22 minutes. That’s barely enough time to grab a coffee and a snack before you’re ready for another 500+ km.

The ES90 enters a ring with established heavy hitters, but the contrast is unmistakable. The BMW i5 eDrive40 remains the athlete of the group, offering sharper handling but trailing the Volvo significantly on range.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ is a tech-fest that leans heavily into screens, yet its “pebble-like” design can feel polarising against the Volvo’s classic, strong lines. Even the Audi Q8 e-tron 55, with its legendary build quality, struggles to match the Volvo’s sheer distance and accessible starting price. Against these, the ES90 stands as the champion of comfort and range confidence. It’s up to Volvo now to position and market this product properly.

The 2026 Volvo ES90 is the ultimate quiet achiever. It proves that luxury in the electric age doesn’t have to be about aggressive styling or gimmicky tech. It’s a sophisticated, long-range cruiser perfectly suited for those who want to travel in total silence. If you want a car that makes the world slow down while you’re moving fast, this Mulberry Red sanctuary is the one to beat.

At a starting price of R1,590,000 for the Core, and R1,795,000 for this Ultra, Volvo has found a sweet spot. Volvo is including a GridCars wallbox, installation, and two years of free public charging with each purchase.

Configure and purchase yours here.

The headline feature of the A6k is its 6500mAh battery, one of the largest capacities currently available in the mid-range segment. This battery is engineered to support “continuous use,” allowing users to navigate long calls, streaming, and gaming throughout the day without the need for a power bank.

Under the hood, the A6k is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 Mobile Platform. This is paired with 4GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. While 4GB of RAM handles the multitasking, the 256GB of storage is a standout feature at this price point, providing ample space for high-resolution photos, apps, and documents.

Further, the device features a large 6.75-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This high refresh rate ensures fluid scrolling and responsive touch interactions. The screen is also optimised for outdoor visibility.

Despite the large battery, the A6k maintains a slim profile and is available in two finishes: Crystal Violet and Crystal Blue.

For everyday photography, the A6k boasts a 50MP main camera and a 5MP front-facing sensor. The camera system is designed for straightforward “point-and-shoot” captures.

The device runs on ColorOS 15, which is OPPO’s latest software layer based on Android. ColorOS 15 focuses on long-term responsiveness with AI-driven background management to ensure that the phone remains smooth even as the storage fills up and more apps are installed over time

The crunch of a slowing economy is hitting South African doorsteps hard. When household budgets are stretched to the breaking point, it’s easy to panic and make a choice that feels like a quick fix, like skipping a car payment to cover another bill. But that one missed payment can set off a chain reaction that ends with a tow truck in your driveway.

For most of us, a car isn’t just a way to get from A to B; it’s a lifeline to work, a way to get the kids to school, and a hard-earned badge of independence. The good news? The bank actually wants you to keep your keys.

“We understand the true value of a vehicle and how it can represent so much more than a mode of transport to so many people, it is a symbol of their success and a means to mobility freedom to come and go as you please. As such, having one’s car repossessed is a traumatic experience,” says Lebogang Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank.

The Power of Picking Up the Phone

If you’re struggling to make ends meet, the worst thing you can do is go quiet. While it’s tempting to hide, honesty is your best defense. Finance houses view repossession as the absolute last resort, it’s a lose-lose situation for everyone involved.

According to Gaoaketse, the door is always open for a conversation. “Customers who can’t meet their vehicle repayment obligations due to financial challenges are encouraged to contact the bank as soon as possible to discuss potential alternative payment arrangements. Defaults on payments will always result in a consultation between the bank and the customer,” he explains.

Restructuring your debt or finding a new payment plan is often the first step in keeping your car right where it belongs.

Protecting Your Financial Future

It’s not just about the car; it’s about your reputation. Missing payments leaves a mark on your credit score that can haunt you for years, making it much harder to get a house or even a cell phone contract later on.

To stay in the clear, WesBank suggests a few practical moves:

• Prioritize the essentials: If money is tight, pay for your roof, your lights, and your transport first.
• Automate your life: Set up debit orders so you don’t accidentally forget a payment date.
• Look at refinancing: You might be able to lower your monthly installments or find a better interest rate to give your budget some breathing room.
• Consider a ‘downgrade’: If the math just doesn’t work anymore, selling the car yourself or switching to a more affordable model is a much better outcome than a forced repossession.

The Last Resort

Repossession only happens when every other bridge has been burned. The goal is to find a solution long before the legal teams get involved.

As Gaoaketse concludes: “It is important for customers to understand that creditors will only repossess a vehicle as a last resort if no other payment arrangement can be made. We always investigate and discuss all options available to our customers so they can make the repayments. It really is in everyone’s favour, at the end of the day, to keep the car in the customer’s garage, rather than on our auction floor”.

Starting from R549 000, the new derivative arrives just as the A1 enters its final production phase, ensuring the model remains a highly competitive entry point into the Audi brand.

Buyers can now choose from three distinct trim levels:

• Advanced (R530,900): The foundation of the range. It focuses on digital essentials, featuring the Audi virtual cockpit, smartphone interface, Audi sound system, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
• S line (R549,000): The new mid-tier hero. It adds a dynamic edge with sport seats, full LED headlights with “rear lights Plus,” an auto-dimming mirror, and a unique 17-inch wheel design exclusive to this trim.
• Black Edition (R593,390): The range-topper. This trim emphasizes a “stealth” aesthetic with the Black Styling Package Plus, alongside added convenience features like park assist.

According to Markus Schuster, Head of Audi South Africa, the introduction of the S line is a direct response to local market demand for high-specification compact cars at a more accessible price point.

Every model in the range – including the new S line – is sold with a 5-year/100,000 km Audi Freeway Plan. This comprehensive service and maintenance plan is standard, covering all routine servicing and wear-and-tear items, which significantly reduces the total cost of ownership for the first five years.