Technology

With the new V-Class only offered in flagship V300d guise, Mercedes-Benz was left with a gap in its line-up for a more accessible family van. Enter the Vito Select, writes The Citizen’s Jaco van der Merwe.

For many farmers, conservation has long felt like a trade-off, as more land for wildlife often means less land for crops or grazing. But new research from the University of Pretoria shows agriculture and conservation can coexist.

Sustained by tourists’ strong foreign currencies, South Africa’s game lodge industry offers opportunities, such as converting standard vehicles into game viewers.

Precision farming is rapidly evolving, with Raven Industries leading the charge. Nico Myburgh, CNH’s head of precision technologies for the Middle East and Africa, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about this.

The onslaught of Chinese cars introduced to local market has been relentless over the past few years, and heritage brands are starting to feel the pressure.

Butterflies are regarded as less efficient pollinators than bees. However, in some instances, their services have even greater value.

The Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupé shatters SUV stereotypes, delivering thrilling performance and an intoxicating V8 soundtrack. This powerhouse proves that a practical family vehicle can indeed be a dynamic, purist-pleasing driver’s car.

Irrigation efficiency and uniformity are largely determined by correct sprinkler selection for your farm and your crop.

Drip irrigation has long been a trusted method for irrigating sugar cane, as it is widely recognised for its ability to reduce resource use and increase crop yields, writes Marike Brits, Netafim Southern & East Africa.

BYD’s presence in South Africa has been low-key due to the Chinese carmaker only offering all-electric models. That’s about to change with the arrival of the plug-in hybrid Shark bakkie, writes The Citizen’s Jaco van der Merwe.

Hyundai’s seven-seat Santa Fe SUV was initially built to blend in. But the hybrid-only latest reiteration of the Korean carmaker’s flagship local product is meant to stand out, says The Citizen’s Mark Jones.

As Netafim celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, the global leader in precision irrigation is marking decades of innovation, transformation, and impact across Southern and East Africa.

After saturating the local SUV scene with dozens of models over the past few years, the bakkie segment is next on the list for Chinese carmakers. Chery has become the latest manufacturer from China to join the bakkie party, writes The Citizen’s Jaco van der Merwe.

Biotechnology is set to transform South African crop production over the next two decades. Chantel Arendse, plant biotechnology lead at CropLife South Africa, unpacks how genome editing, drought-tolerant traits, and regulatory reform can help farmers boost yields, improve sustainability, and remain competitive.

The Toyota Fortuner has consistently been South Africa’s best-selling bakkie-based SUV since 2006. The Citizen’s Charl Bosch drove the GR-Sport, the latest addition and probably the last model to be introduced to the current generation.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) reports that the increasing urbanisation of South Africa’s rapidly growing population is a significant factor impacting the risk of wildfires.

The Citizen’s Jaco van der Merwe has fond memories of holding onto the cattle rails of his uncle’s bakkie for dear life, with Lovely the collie by his side, on the farm roads of Koekenaap. It turns out, though, that these rails keep more people and dogs on bakkies than they do cattle.

Agrico is set to transform South Africa’s irrigation and water infrastructure by installing an extrusion line capable of producing rigid mPVC and uPVC pipes up to a massive 800mm in diameter, confirmed to be the largest in Southern Africa.

The big news around the all-new Renault Duster’s local introduction was the discontinuation of the venerable diesel engines. The Citizen’s Jaco van der Merwe looks at how the crossover is gearing up for life after diesel.

After the introduction of the new flagship in Great Wall Motor’s bakkie line-up, the P500, the old P-Series moniker, is now being changed to P300. The Citizen’s Charl Bosch explains the carmaker’s new bakkie structure.