Get your vehicle ready for the holidays

With thousands of drivers taking to the roads for their year-end holidays, the National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA) has emphasised the importance of pre-journey checks on your vehicle. "It's important to be sure that your vehicle is safe and roadworthy," says Mark Dommisse, National Chairperson of NADA. Here are some vital pre-holiday checks NADA recommends you carry out ...

Noteworthy news in numbers

500 million: number of people who may develop heart disease, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases because of inactivity.

10 million tonnes: amount of edible food that is wasted annually in South Africa, equivalent to a third of South Africa's total food production.

R14 million: the amount set aside by the Western Cape government to tackle wildfires during the approaching summer fire season.

The new hijacking trend

There is a new crime trend where motorists are targeted at drive-through establishments. Charnel Hattingh from Fidelity ADT says, "Typically, as you get to the front of the queue, armed suspects from the vehicle in front of you get out and attempt to hijack your vehicle. There are usually two cars involved; the vehicle behind you blocks your car when you try to reverse." Here are some invaluable tips to stay safe ...

Ensuring cover for storm damage

Consumer journalist Wendy Knowler says, "If you've been a bit slack about maintaining your home lately, your homeowner's insurance policy won't help you if the rainy season wreaks havoc on your property. The mere fact that a policyholder pays a premium does not necessarily mean that all claims submitted will be accepted." The ombudsman for short-term insurance (OSTI) has warned consumers, "The water damage must be sudden and unforeseen, not gradual or over time or involve wear and tear." Read how to ensure that your storm-related claims are paid ...

YouTube - predictions for 2023

Since its inception in February 2005, YouTube has grown to become the second most popular website after Google, with over 2.5 billion monthly users globally. According to German market research company Statista, YouTube's global advertising revenues amounted to approximately 28.84 billion US dollars in 2021. Here are some interesting predictions for YouTube in the months ahead ...

Keyless vehicles being targeted

Criminals are focusing their attention on keyless vehicles. The tactic involves two or more criminals, with one following the vehicle's driver as they walk away from their locked vehicle. Using a relay amplifier, the criminal can amplify the constantly-transmitted signal from the vehicle's key fob to a criminal counterpart's relay transmitter, allowing access to the vehicle via the transmitter, either to steal the vehicle or its contents. This article offers advice on how to protect yourself, and this useful video reveals other criminal tactics ...

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