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Great Wall Motors (GWM) has confirmed that the Tank 500 will be next model after the P500 to receive its eagerly awaited new 3.0 litre turbodiesel engine within the coming weeks. Not six but four In a single teaser image last week, the Baoding-based brand announced that the big displacement oil-burner had been approved for the P500, though it didn’t announce an official date of launch. Originally rumoured to be a six-cylinder unit, the 3.0 litre was officially revealed as a four-cylinder in May, with outputs of 170kW/620Nm. Down 14kW but up 20Nm on the 3.0 litre Lion turbodiesel V6 powering the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok, the unit will be paired to a nine-speed automatic gearbox and develop 35kW/140Nm more than GWM’s own 2.4 litre turbodiesel. Call it ‘3.0T’ Having announced the new engine for the P500 on its Facebook page, a similar approval was made for the Tank 500, this time with the caption “A new level of power and capability awaits”. Further teased with the script, “Prepare to Ascend”, the diesel, as with the nomenclature for the 2.4, is expected to be called 3.0T – a badge which outside South Africa, references the 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6 petrol that delivers 265kW/500Nm. While offered with the 2.4T in Thailand since May last year, the 3.0T will not only be a first-time diesel option for the Tank 500 in South Africa, but also Australia, where sales are expected to soon start. The diesel’s arrival will see it produce less power and torque than the self-charging HEV, whose combination of the 2.0 litre turbo-petrol, electric motor and battery pack outputs 255kW/648Nm. Price drop expected Supposed to have debuted locally in 2027, the 3.0T is anticipated to lower the Tank 500’s starting price, which at present, amounts to R1 228 950 for the sole Ultra Luxury variants South Africa has had since its market arrival two years ago. As such, expect more details of Tank 500 3.0T to soon emerge, along with those of the P500 3.0T.

Tapiwa Samanga, chief executive of the Production Technologies Association of South Africa (PtSA), is on a mission to build a new generation of skilled employees who can position South Africa’s manufacturing industry on the global stage. PtSA, a membership-based organisation representing the Tool, Die, Mould and Special Machining (TDM) sector, has long championed industrial competitiveness. Under Samanga’s leadership, it is sharpening that mission: shaping policy with government, benchmarking against international standards and driving skills development through global networks such as the International Special Tooling and Machining Association (Istma), where he serves as Istma Africa chair. Born in Eastern Zimbabwe’s Honde Valley, Samanga’s formative years were steeped in rural resilience and the turbulence of the liberation war. Those early experiences – herding cattle, dodging bullets, and learning survival instincts – forged the independence and risk-taking spirit that now drives his vision for Africa’s industrial development. For him, manufacturing is not just an economic imperative but a calling: the pathway to jobs, innovation and sustainable growth across the continent. “Looking back, I see that the basic skills I use in life and in business I acquired as a young boy herding cattle and dodging bullets long before I set foot in a classroom,” he says. “I am a child of war. When I first came to know what was around me, it was during the Zimbabwe liberation war.” Honde Valley borders Mozambique and “was one of the key fronts during our war of liberation”, he says. He attended primary school in Manga and high school at St Augustine’s Secondary School – an Anglican institution which was the first secondary school open to blacks in colonial Rhodesia. The school produced many of Zimbabwe’s freedom fighters and liberation leaders. Samanga holds an engineering honours degree from the University of Zimbabwe. He also has a master’s in business leadership from the Unisa School of Business Leadership and a master’s of law (mining law and policy) from Dundee University in Scotland. He is now pursuing his PhD. Before he became fully educated, he spent some of his time underground as a rock drill operator, dump truck operator, blaster and other related tasks. He spent most of his days in Zimbabwe, Zambia and, now, South Africa. But the African country that fascinated him more was Uganda “as it has hard-working people, it is multiethnic, multifaith and is also an enterprising nation”. “I used to think Zimbabweans were highly educated until I went to Uganda. Smart folks there. Remember, it is the home of the legendary Makerere University,” he says. “They are quickly developing their TDM capability and now make electric vehicles at Kiira Motors in Jinja. “If they can sort out their transition politics from long-serving leader Yoweri Museveni to a new crop of accountable leaders, it is a country that is destined to fly.” He says his transition point to industrial development was in 2009, when he joined the South African department of trade, industry and competition (DTI) as director: capital equipment and allied services. “So began my journey in industrial policy and development. It is a space where everything comes together,” he says. Back to his current job, under his leadership, PtSA has established a vital partnership with institutions of the same calibre based abroad, which assist South African-based tooling professionals with further training. He regards tooling as the “mother industry” of manufacturing, producing every product, from automotive parts to mining equipment. He has urged young people, especially females, to take careers in tooling as there are many opportunities. A large part of his focus goes into building a pipeline of artisans this industry depends on. He says their TDM-powered apprentice programme, run in partnership with DTI under the Intsimbi Future Production Technologies Initiative, shows that a properly resourced, competency-based apprenticeship, with real workplace exposure, not just classroom time, delivers a 98% employment rate. “That’s the model we need more of and it needs continued public-private investment to expand,” he says. “Second, we have to benchmark ourselves against the best in the world – not just against our own past performance.” When he is not working, he says he likes to enjoy a well-roasted meal with sadza. He does not drink alcohol and prefers red Grapetiser, which he fell in love with after he came to South Africa in December 1994. He worships at the Bread of Life Church International, Midrand Assembly. His late father was a driver before he became chief of the Manga tribe from 1981 to 2003. His mother, who is still alive and in her mid-90s, became a full-time housewife, farmer and the family’s primary caregiver. “Both our parents were steadfast on us getting a good education. There was nothing as scary as going home at the end of term with a bad school report,” he recalls. He has nine siblings who are supportive of his career.

The 21-year-old has already arrived in Johannesburg, where he is expected to undergo his Kaizer Chiefs medical test before signing a long-term contract at Naturena. The move represents a major statement of intent from Amakhosi. They have tracked Phili for more than a year as they continue strengthening their squad ahead of the Betway Premiership season. Barring any late complications, the exciting winger is set to become Amakhosi’s latest addition before the transfer window closes. LANGELIHLE PHILI SET FOR NATURENA The transfer will see Phili become the sixth player to swap Stellenbosch for Kaizer Chiefs. It is a continuing growing transfer relationship between the two clubs. He follows in the footsteps of Phathutshedzo Nange, who joined Kaizer Chiefs in 2021. Before that it was Ashley Du Preez and Zitha Kwinika in 2022. Midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa followed in 2023, while defender Thabo Moloisane became the latest player to make the switch in 2026. Reports suggest Kaizer Chiefs have agreed to a multi-million rand deal. It also includes a cash payment as well as two experienced players heading in the opposite direction. Former Stellenbosch star Ashley Du Preez is expected to complete a permanent return to his former club. The deal will include central defender Given Msimango to the Cape. The proposed package highlights just how highly Kaizer Chiefs rate the talented winger. KAIZER CHIEFS INVEST IN THE FUTURE There were already strong indications that Phili’s departure was imminent after Stellenbosch head coach Gavin Hunt omitted the winger from the club’s recent matchday squad while negotiations entered their final stages. The youngster enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season after finishing as Stellenbosch’s leading goalscorer and collecting four individual club awards. His pace, direct attacking style and eye for goal quickly established him as one of the brightest young talents in the Betway Premiership. Should the remaining paperwork be completed without delay, Kaizer Chiefs are expected to officially unveil Phili in the coming hours. His arrival would hand Fernando da Cruz another exciting attacking option as Amakhosi continue reshaping their squad with the ambition of challenging for silverware this season. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS MOVE? Share your thoughts by clicking on the red comments block below.

There is so much for South African rugby fans to look forward to this weekend, as the All Blacks’ tour to South Africa kicks off with the first match of the trip against the Stormers this Friday, while the Springboks then tackle Argentina in a one-off Test on Saturday. There is no doubt that the battle between the All Blacks and Stormers should be an entertaining affair, with both teams expected to enforce an ambitious, attacking approach for this festival match. The opening tour game this Friday will kick off in Cape Town at 19:00. It will be interesting to see what sort of side the All Blacks select, with coach Dave Rennie only likely to start a few first-choice players. A 44-man New Zealand has travelled to South Africa, although Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett and Leicester Fainga’anuku were unavailable due to injury. Stormers and All Blacks set to kick of exciting tour Before facing the Springboks, the All Blacks will tackle three of South Africa’s provincial sides, while the clash against the Lions will be a midweek match to take place after the opening Test. Friday, 7 August: Stormers vs New Zealand, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town – 19:00 Tuesday, 11 August: Sharks vs New Zealand, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – 19:00 Saturday, 15 August: Bulls vs New Zealand, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 19:00 Tuesday, 25 August: Lions vs New Zealand, Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 19:00 New Zealand squad Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bell, Ethan De Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Siale Lauaki, Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Lord, Sam Darry, Fabian Holland, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson, Anton Segner, Ardie Savea (c), Wallace Sititi, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa.Backs: Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston, Ruben Love, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Emoni Narawa. The Test fixtures are: Saturday, 22 August: First Test, Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 17:05 Saturday, 29 August: Second Test, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town – 17:05 Saturday, 5 September: Third Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg – 17:05 Saturday, 12 September: Fourth Test, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, United States – TBC The final Test will make history as the first Springbok-All Blacks encounter to be played in the United States.

Investors have been waiting to see whether South Africa would actually follow through on real energy sector reform.

Nedbank has appointed Nikos Angelopoulos, formerly MTN Group's CIO, to the same role at the bank.