https://trustoria.co.za/article.php?slug=government-greenlights-major-tax-boost-to-safeguard-south-africas-auto-manufacturing-jobs

The History of Cars in South Africa The story of automobiles in South Africa began in 1896 with the import of the first car, a Benz Velo, which was demonstrated in Pretoria in 1897 to President Paul Kruger. Early Years and Establishment: 1896–1897: The first car, a Benz Velo, is imported and showcased in Pretoria. 1923: Ford opens the first assembly plant in Port Elizabeth, followed by General Motors in 1926. 1951: Volkswagen begins producing the Beetle at its Uitenhage facility. 1957: South Africa introduces its first locally designed and manufactured cars, the Protea and GSM Dart. Expansion and Local Manufacturing: Mid-1960s: International brands, including Toyota and Mercedes-Benz, establish factories in South Africa. 1968: BMW opens a plant in Rosslyn. 1973: Mercedes-Benz inaugurates an engine plant in East London—the first outside Germany. 1985: Ford merges with Sigma Motors (producing Mazda) to form Samcor. 1988: Ford temporarily withdraws from the country due to political and economic factors, but Samcor continues producing Ford and Mazda models. Modern Era and Government Support: 1994: Ford returns by acquiring a stake in Samcor. 1995: The Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP) is launched to stimulate local manufacturing and exports. 2000: Ford becomes the majority shareholder of Samcor, renaming it Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. Present: South Africa’s automotive sector remains a key economic contributor, with models like the Ford Ranger and Everest produced for both local and international markets.

History of Electricity in SA 💥 Early Electrification (Late 1800s) Kimberley: The first town in South Africa to have electric streetlights, installed in 1882. Johannesburg: The discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand in 1886 spurred rapid urban and industrial growth. The city installed its first gas engine-powered lighting plant in 1889 and introduced its first electricity reticulation system in 1891. Municipal expansion: Other cities soon followed, with many establishing their own municipal power stations and supply systems during the 1890s and early 1900s. 💥 The Establishment of Eskom and the National Grid (Early 1900s–1970s) Consolidation of power: Before Eskom’s creation, electricity supply was fragmented among numerous municipalities and private companies. Eskom’s creation: In 1923, the government founded the Electricity Supply Commission (ESCOM) to coordinate electricity generation and distribution nationwide — marking the start of a centralized power system. Growth around coal: South Africa’s vast coal reserves became the foundation of its electricity supply. Large power stations were constructed near coal mines, particularly in the Highveld region. National grid development: By the 1960s, Eskom had completed South Africa’s first national power network, linking major coal-fired plants in the northeast to urban and industrial centers across the country. 💥 Diversification and Expansion (1970s–Present) Diversifying energy sources: To meet growing national demand, Eskom built the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, which began operating in 1984. Hydroelectric and pumped storage: Hydroelectric projects were developed along the Orange River, and a pumped-storage scheme was established in the Drakensberg Mountains to balance supply and demand. Universal access: From the 1990s onward, major electrification drives aimed to extend electricity access to previously unserved communities. Renewable energy: In recent decades, South Africa has shifted toward cleaner energy sources, notably through the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), promoting the growth of solar and wind power generation.

"Cows don't give milk" A father used to tell his kids when they were little: “When each of you turns twelve, I’ll share the secret of life.” One day, when the oldest finally turned twelve, he nervously asked his dad, “So what’s the secret?” His father leaned in and said, “I’ll tell you, but you can’t share it with your brothers yet. Ready? Here it is: Cows don’t give milk.” “What do you mean?” the boy asked, confused. “You heard me. A cow doesn’t just give you milk—you have to earn it. You have to get up at 4 a.m., walk through the barnyard, step in manure, tie the cow’s tail, secure her legs, sit on the stool, put the bucket underneath… and do the work yourself. That’s the secret: cows don’t give milk. You either milk her—or you go without.” The father paused and continued: “See, there’s a whole generation that thinks cows give milk. That things just come to them automatically, for free. Their mindset is, I want, I ask, I get. They’re used to getting whatever they want the easy way. But that’s not how life works. Life isn’t about wishing, asking, and receiving. It’s about effort. What you get in life comes directly from the work you put in. Happiness is the result of effort. And when you skip the effort, all you’re left with is disappointment.” So he told his kids: “Remember this secret from a young age, so you don’t grow up thinking the government, your parents, or your smile is going to hand you everything you need. Life doesn’t work that way. Never forget: cows don’t give milk. To get it—you’ve got to do the work.”

THE DEAD HORSE THEORY: FACING REALITY WITH WISDOM THE SATIRICAL METAPHOR The “Dead Horse Theory” is a satirical metaphor that reveals how people, institutions, and even nations deal with obvious problems as if they were unsolvable mysteries. Instead of confronting the truth, they create elaborate justifications, endless strategies, and costly distractions—yet the core issue remains the same: the horse is dead. THE SIMPLE IDEA If you realize you’re riding a dead horse, the smartest decision you can ever make is simple: get off immediately. But in reality, many refuse to accept the obvious and end up making bizarre and wasteful choices. THE STRANGE BEHAVIORS PEOPLE ADOPT Instead of accepting the truth, people often: 1️⃣ Buy a new saddle, hoping it makes the horse useful again. 2️⃣ Feed the horse as if it were alive, wasting resources. 3️⃣ Change the rider, pretending the problem is leadership. 4️⃣ Fire the caretaker, blaming the wrong person. 5️⃣ Hold endless meetings on how to increase the speed of the dead horse. 6️⃣ Form committees and task forces to “analyze” the problem. 7️⃣ Spend months studying the horse, only to conclude what was already obvious: the horse is dead. 8️⃣ Compare their horse with other dead horses to justify failure. 9️⃣ Request training for the horse, as if skill could bring life back. 🔟 Allocate budgets for the training course—wasting even more. THE HEIGHT OF DENIAL In the end, denial reaches absurd levels. Instead of acknowledging reality, people redefine the meaning of “dead” just to convince themselves that the horse is still alive. This mindset blinds them from progress and traps them in cycles of illusion. THE LESSON FOR LIFE AND LEADERSHIP How many individuals, companies, and governments fall into this trap? Instead of facing the bitter truth, they live in comforting illusions. The result? Time, money, and effort are wasted on what cannot produce life. True wisdom lies in recognizing when something no longer works, whether it’s a failing system, a toxic relationship, a broken method, or a fruitless investment. Clinging to what is dead will only keep you stuck. THE PRINCIPLE OF ACCEPTANCE Admitting the problem is not weakness; it is the first step toward real solutions. Only when you accept reality can you redirect your energy toward fresh opportunities, new strategies, and living solutions. Refusing to let go of a dead horse only guarantees stagnation, frustration, and wasted potential. FINAL WORD The Dead Horse Theory is more than a satire—it is a mirror. It asks: What dead horses are you still riding in life? Is it a habit that no longer serves you? A career path with no future? A strategy that produces no results? A relationship that drains you? Wisdom calls us to stop pouring life into what is already gone. Courage calls us to dismount and move on. For only then can we channel our resources, strength, and vision toward what is truly alive and fruitful. Remember: If the horse is dead, no amount of feeding, training, or committees will change that. Get off, and choose life over illusion.

If you ever want to learn the art of being Patience, then you just need to take a trip down to your local Government Department. It seems they have perfected the art of driving people up the walls and in the end leaving you with no real end results.

I still laugh when I see the level of knowledge in our appointed government officials. #government #SA

Did we expect anything else? No wonder the world laughs at us and think our political system and government is a joke If the Speaker of Parliament is from the same Party that runs the Government of the country, then why would you think that the same said Speaker would go against her own party that pays her Salary. So of course that same said Speaker will block other Parties on motions against her own said party. #politics #FunnySA

Have you seen this? Only 6 out of 330 units still working. If they can not even keep their own basic fleet with the unlimited funds access in order, no wonder every other tender in South Africa is in the way it is. Not even to mention the state of our defenses then. In the end who will foot the bill to get them repaired and maintained or most likely pay for an entire new fleet? - Us as the tax payers at an inflated rate as someone needs to make a profit again when they attend to it. #Government #taxpayers

It is so sad that when you read the news these days. From top officials or appointed people who you hear stole money and nothing done about it The high crime rate People suffering and more strain from government placed on people who already barely survive to make it even worse for these majority of the people whilst they top group live life in luxury and have more than they could ever spend. Where are the days when you could open the paper and read about the positive things happening. Where you could see some hope around you and a path towards an equal benefit for all. Such a sad state of matters these days #news