July 2026 marks the launch of another ground-breaking product by one of Africa’s leading radial truck tyre recyclers – the Van Dyck PermaFlex® Acoustic Gym Tile. Made at the company’s Hammarsdale facility and destined for both export markets and local use, this product is yet another innovation by Mathe Group, which has not only turned more than a million used truck tyres into mountains of rubber crumb, but re-engineered this into a host of pioneering products. Mathe Group’s Hammarsdale facility is one of the largest dedicated truck-tyre recycling and secondary-processing plants on the African continent and is known for being a trailblazer when it comes to finding new uses for the end-of-life tyres that make their way through its gates. Unless recycled, these accumulate in landfills or on empty lots where they are both an environmental and health hazard. The wide range of products manufactured in Hammarsdale by Mathe Group include outdoor rubber paving and floor tiles, livestock mats, artificial grass shock pads, ballistics materials that absorb sound and vibrations, rubber sole boards that go under the feet of scaffolding during construction and sound-absorbing acoustic treatments such as floor underlays and flooring cradles. These reduce echoes and sound transfer. Mathe Group CEO, Dr Mehran Zarrebini, says that this latest product emerged from a clear market signal: South Africa's rapid urbanisation has seen gyms increasingly located within mixed-use precincts where acoustic performance has become as important as durability. “Drawing on Mathe Group's recycled rubber manufacturing capability and Van Dyck's established expertise in flooring design and acoustic underlays, our technical team set out to develop a single-product solution combining heavy-duty shock absorption, certified acoustic performance, and full recyclability. Development took approximately eight months from concept through in-house testing and accredited third-party acoustic …
Serco Advances Electric Truck Innovation With Purpose Built Bodies for the South African Market
South African truck and trailer body builder Serco continues to position itself at the forefront of next generation transport solutions through the successful design and manufacture of rigid truck bodies for a leading global electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer—marking an important milestone in the evolution of electric commercial vehicles in South Africa. The project involved the construction of three rigid dry freight truck bodies for an OEM manufacturer who recently introduced a range of electric trucks for the local market. The builds were completed at Serco’s Johannesburg facility using lightweight construction techniques specifically developed to maximise vehicle efficiency, usable payload, and operating range—key considerations for fleet operators deploying battery electric trucks. SANY Trucks currently offers one of the most comprehensive electric heavy-duty truck line-ups available in South Africa, covering a range of applications across local transport, logistics and specialized operations. According to Avinash Singh, Director of Sales and Marketing (SA Business Unit) for Electric Vehicles at SANY Trucks in Johannesburg, Serco was selected following a rigorous evaluation process. “We approached Serco because we regard them as one of South Africa’s leading vehicle body builders,” said Singh. “This was our first collaboration with Serco following the launch of our rigid electric truck range locally, and the quality of the builds has met our expectations. We are certainly considering additional orders as our footprint grows.” The completed vehicles include single skin van bodies and a tautliner, featuring LED interior strip lighting and rear doors fitted with Delta locking handles—solutions selected to improve visibility, ergonomics, security, and day to day operational efficiency for fleet operators transitioning to electric vehicles. Singh noted that the local EV truck market is expanding rapidly, supported by improving charging …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Psychologist-Turned-Novelist, Jane Hudson Brings “In the Name of Mother” to South African Readers
Cape Town psychologist and author Jane Hudson will be rolling out the launch of her debut novel, In the Name of Mother, going countrywide from the beginning of 2026. Published by UK based Olympia Publishers late last year (2025), In the Name of Mother is a gripping story of identity, family and the haunting power of the past. The narrative spans four continents – although it is firmly grounded in the author’s beloved home city of Cape Town, and the colourful Bo Kaap neighbourhood which features on the book’s cover. Hudson’s own career has spanned everything from an economics degree and stint in the corporate world, to becoming an entrepreneur and ‘accidently’ launching her own company. Later there was a highly successful spell in property management. During her forties, she did a career about turn, completed a master’s degree in psychology and for the past 26 years, has been a busy practicing psychologist. Her writing journey began after Christmas 2023 when her husband gifted her a year’s subscription to the home of online courses, BBC Maestro. “I jumped in and started listening to tutorials by five well known authors. I could have looked at cooking. I could have done painting, but I chose writing and what was probably about 30 hours of tuition. I was listening away even when I was chopping onions for dinner. I scribbled down notes, and I re-listened to sections, and I did some of the exercises that they recommended,” she smiles. Her colourful career has also been woven into the narrative that began to unfold in 2024. She wrote between five and nine most mornings and lots more over the weekends. Within just four months, the first draft was complete. Hudson wished to feature a couple of interesting characters that brought to life some of the issues that she has explored as a psychologist. What emerged in her complex main character was a conglomerate of the mood and personality disorders that she has encountered over the years. She describes mixed- …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Serco Expands Johannesburg Facility to Deliver Faster Lead Times
Leading truck and trailer building company Serco has completed a significant expansion of its Johannesburg manufacturing facility. This will unlock faster turnaround times, increased production capacity, and improved after sales support. The extension to the Boksburg operation includes an additional 1 500m² dedicated to after sales repairs. The additional space will enable Serco to increase repair throughput, reduce customer downtime, and improve overall service efficiency. The upgraded area also incorporates a newly-developed speed bay, designed to handle minor repairs within a single day. This will help fleet operators get back on the road faster. To support the company’s growing product range and rising demand, Serco has also expanded its steel body assembly shop by 600m². The additional capacity will allow the production of an extra 20 vehicle bodies a month. Serco CEO Clinton Holcroft said the upgrades formed part of the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering reliable lead times, supporting customer growth, and maintaining industry-leading manufacturing standards. “These investments strengthen our ability to respond quickly to customer needs,” said Holcroft. “We’ve focused on improving workflow, increasing capacity, and creating a safer, cleaner working environment for our teams. All of which ultimately benefit our customers.” Additional enhancements to the Boksburg facility include 3 800m² of new paving, improving yard access and drainage during rainy conditions to ensure smoother operations year-round. The expansion project began in October 2025 and was completed in January 2026. Holcroft says he is optimistic about market conditions going into 2026, supported by improved economic indicators including lower interest rates, a stronger rand, and elevated gold prices. Originally focused exclusively on refrigerated truck bodies and trailers, Serco has broadened its product offering in recent years to include dry freight solutions. The …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Zero2five Reaches Out to Little Ones Over Christmas
When the school gates close for the year, many of KwaZulu-Natal’s youngest children face the harsh reality of hunger for the next six weeks. They rely on meals provided between lessons and will go hungry during what should be fun-filled summer holidays. Jodi Pons‘s team at the Zero2Five Trust, a leader in ECD interventions in the province and host of a flagship Holiday Club Programme that has put the joy back into the festive season for thousands of local children since 2018, is again preparing to fill the nutritional gap and open their facilities for fun and educational activities during the six-week summer break. Although they are focussing on happiness during the festive season, the stark realities are always in the background, the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Zero2Five Trust admits. According to the South African Early Childhood Review 2024, nearly five million children under six live in households that cannot meet their basic needs with almost half (49%) of KZN children experiencing some of the highest rates of food insecurity in the country. This results in ongoing malnutrition, stunting and developmental delays. “Food security is declining all the time. It is scary how basic food items have become ridiculously expensive. Although an extra 5kg bag of porridge doesn't seem like much, it translates into 100 meals for a young child over the six-week school holiday period. I would imagine it all gets split amongst siblings and maybe even the elderly, but I welcome knowing that we are helping impoverished households,” she says. Another major concern is safety. This is evident in the many stories of neglected children that emerged during the 2024 holiday season from households where caretakers were working and young children were left in the “supervision” of their older siblings. The holiday season might be great joy for many children, but it also puts the vulnerable ones at an even greater risk. “We open our four venues for …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Author Cindy Norcott Shares Practical Tips for Charities in Her Third Book
Entrepreneur, successful businessperson and founder and chairperson of the Robin Hood Foundation, Cindy Norcott, has just launched her third book. Entitled the Weight of Hope, it is her first book about the Robin Hood Foundation – and is the legacy and gift that she will leave for those following in her footsteps as she hands over the reins of an organization that she has successfully headed up for more than 20 years. “To mark the occasion, I thought I'd write this little book about what I've learned. It is a practical, hands-on kind of book that others who do this sort of work will find inspiring,” Norcott explains. Weight of Hope includes a chapter on the history of the Robin Hood Foundation which Norcott started shortly after her second daughter was born. Realising how quickly her baby was outgrowing her wardrobe of babygro’s having hardly worn them, she felt that she could help clothe little ones from poor households. That birthed the Love the Babies project which grew to include creating “Gogo bags” for the elderly, hosting entrepreneurial conferences, building creches, hosting parties at schools for disabled children, launching projects for animals and more. Words of advice “This is the sort of book that someone who wants to start a charity should read first. I think the most useful chapter covers mistakes made and lessons learnt. I've interviewed many other charity founders about the problems that we have all encountered. There’s also a chapter on how to do fundraising. A lot of people do it wrong or don't know where to start – and then they wonder why people don't support them,” Norcott continues. Another very practical chapter deals with handling volunteers – how to attract them, manage them. motivate, retain, and reward them. Having been put under a great deal of pressure during the KZN floods, the KZN looting and even the Covid-19 pandemic, Norcott visits another major challenge that she has encountered – burnout: “Burnout is …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Serco Strengthens Its Position in a Tough Market
“Despite economic headwinds, leading South African truck and trailer body builder Serco has navigated 2025 with resilience and strategic focus delivering growth through innovation, customer partnerships, and operational excellence. This is according to Serco CEO Clinton Holcroft who said trends showed customers were stretching asset lives while selectively investing in efficiency improvements. These improvements validated the company’s dual focus on manufacturing quality vehicles and providing strong after-sales services. “Stand-outs are our on-site repair facilities, and the quick-opening curtain systems which help customers cut down time and labour costs during loading operations.” Holcroft said during the year Serco completed a complex, multi-site assignment to replace many vehicle bodies for Clover South Africa. They were delivered on time, to strict quality standards and with minimal disruption to their operations. “That project showed our ability to scale across manufacturing sites, maintain consistent quality and operate as an extension of a key customer’s logistics function –exactly the kind of partnership we want to be known for.” Growth is visible and impressive at the company which is expanding its Boksburg branch facility to add 1 500 m² for repairs and 600 m² for manufacturing and installing new steel-processing equipment to shorten lead times and improve operation efficiencies. Said Holcroft: “The added undercover workspace will enable us to increase capacity and service levels to our customers in Gauteng. The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. It will include use of rainwater harvesting to improve the efficient and sustainable use of water in our business.” In further developments, the company has also secured larger premises for its after-sales repair business in Durban which is expected to become operational by April 2026. This will enable Serco to significantly increase capacity and service levels for the …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Navigating Offshore Opportunities Amid Global Uncertainty
Since the start of the decade, investors have weathered a relentless cascade of shocks, beginning with a market selloff in March 2020 as the world came to grips with the reality of the Covid pandemic. Equity markets then surged ahead throughout 2021, buoyed by optimism around the ‘Great Reopening’, only to quickly reverse direction in the first six months of 2022 as central banks implemented interest rate hikes at a rapid pace to combat an inflation spike that was both higher and more persistent than initially anticipated. Geopolitical crises – from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to regional tensions in Asia – added further complexity, and in April 2025, Trump’s sweeping ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs then introduced a new era of trade disruptions and regulatory uncertainty. Today’s markets present a further challenge, one defined less by macroeconomic shocks than by structural imbalance. A handful of AI companies have accounted for 80% of gains in US stocks so far in 2025, creating outsized concentration risks within global markets. Technology stocks now make up over 49% of the S&P 500 index, with the five largest companies alone comprising over 30%. While AI innovation promises genuine productivity gains, such narrow leadership amplifies volatility and heightens downside risk to equity markets. For investment managers, the challenge is not only to enable clients to capture exposure to this potentially transformative technology, but to maintain appropriate portfolio diversification and remain mindful of valuations, which in some instances are becoming increasingly demanding. With rising concentration risks and ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, focusing on quality investments is more important than ever. This approach has long been central to Marriott’s investment strategy and is embraced by leading global asset managers. While funds in this category share common traits, each maintains unique characteristics that differentiate them. Marriott’s newly launched …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
As Rand Volatility Surges, South African Investors Turn To Gold for Stability in 2025
Although South African investors have historically lagged behind their global peers when it comes to adopting alternative investments in the wake of global economic uncertainty, they are quickly rethinking traditional strategies. “With the local currency under pressure, investing in precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum can hedge against the rand’s depreciation and preserve wealth.” - Roodt, Financial Analyst ISA Gold, a leading regulated gold trading platform, supports the views of both global and local economists who believe that geopolitical shocks and continued aggressive trade policies from the US against the BRICS trade block will continue. These could trigger a retaliatory global trade war and renewed safe-haven demand from investors, who will likely move most of their money away from perceived riskier emerging markets to safer developed markets. This, together with fluctuating and unpredictable US tariffs on imports, the pending review of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) next month (September) and the upcoming review of South Africa's credit rating by S&P Global Ratings' scheduled for November, will continue to see global investment uncertainties escalate. These will be exacerbated by macro-economic uncertainties on home soil in the wake of the downward revision in economic growth for 2025, the still evolving impact of US tariffs, the absence of much needed pro-growth structural reforms and continued delays in infrastructure spending and service delivery. Anticipated pressure on global and local supply chains is also likely to negatively influence a commodity driven currency such as the rand. ISA Gold is not surprised that this will play out in ever greater rand volatility with economists expecting South Africa to face its most unstable quarter since early 2020 accompanied by further rand depreciation due to sticky inflation, weak exports, and continued capital outflows. Gold, traditionally seen as a hedge …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
SA Investor Gold Rush a Response to American Tariffs Says ISA Gold
"Clients who secured Krugerrands or gold bars through our platform last July are seeing portfolio gains that outpaced inflation and equities, proof that physical gold remains an essential part of any diversified investment strategy," says Aziz Moti, Chief Operating Officer at ISA Gold. According to market data, the price of gold has risen from R 43,700/ounces in July 2024 to R62,200 /ounce in July 2025, marking an approximate 42.33% increase over the 12-month period. For investors who bought R100,000 worth of gold last year, this translates to a gain of roughly R142,334.10. Trump’s tariff tsunami and the Reserve Bank decision to take a cautious route and cap the eagerly anticipated drop in interest rates are likely to see an uptick in wily investors adding this age-old safe haven to their portfolios. Aziz Moti believes that the rise in gold prices – and expected continuation of this upward trend -will continue to be driven by a combination of factors including global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, a weakening US dollar, low interest rates, and a surge in retail investor interest. Central banks – which have incidentally indulged in their own gold buying sprees - have also played a role in increasing demand for gold. With the outlook for 2025 remaining uncertain, ISA Gold reports a rise in both new sign-ups and repeat purchases from existing clients. The company’s simple onboarding process and dedicated support team have been instrumental in encouraging more South Africans to enter the gold market. Whilst the company does not offer financial advice, Aziz Moti maintains that recent market forecasts from leading institutions provide insight into potential future trends. According to Goldman Sachs, the outlook for gold remains broadly positive. The bank recently raised its year-end 2025 forecast to $3,700 per troy ounce, citing sustained central bank buying (averaging 80 tonnes per month), continued safe-haven demand, and potential …