Daily Friend (dailyfriend.co.za) March 1, 2026 It’s too early to draw a conclusion. But alarm bells are ringing. Martina Biene, CEO at Volkswagen in the Eastern Cape, says VW’s Kariega plant’s future is on the line. “2026,” she says, “will be a make-or-break year for Volkswagen in South Africa.”  She wants lower taxes, reduced subsidies for partially assembled Chinese vehicles, incentives to produce electric vehicles, … Continue reading The Threat to South Africa’s Biggest Industry

The Daily Friend February 22, 2026 Harare, Zimbabwe: Arriving at Harare’s renovated, ultra-modern airport, I paid for my tourist visa and stepped outside. There was a line of taxis, and I approached one of several men standing and talking next to their vehicles.  “How much to central Harare?” I asked. We agreed on $25 (the US dollar is the currency used in Zim). I gave … Continue reading Welcome to Zimbabwe

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