Toll fees for major South African routes: what you need to know this festive season
The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has announced toll fees for major routes across the country, highlighting key routes expected to experience heavy traffic during the festive season. These include the N1 from Gauteng to Musina (Limpopo), the N3 from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal, and the N4 from Gauteng to the Lebombo border post (Mpumalanga).
N1 Gauteng – Musina Border Post
The N1, stretching from Gauteng to the Musina border, is in good condition, with rest facilities available from Pumulani Toll Plaza to the Beit Bridge border post. Motorists will pay around R300 for tolls for light vehicles.
N3 Gauteng – KwaZulu-Natal
The N3, leading to KwaZulu-Natal’s coastal holiday spots, is expected to carry heavy traffic. While there are no roadworks in Gauteng, construction between Pietermaritzburg and Durban may cause delays. Tolls for a single trip total approximately R500.
N4 Gauteng – Lebombo Border Post
The N4 is prepared for the season, with minimal disruptions from road marking near Belfast. Tolls for the route amount to R304.
Sanral says it urges safe driving, regular rest breaks, and respect for other road users.
Nedbank takes a stand against financial abuse
Nedbank announces its bold campaign to shine a spotlight on financial abuse, a hidden yet devastating aspect of gender-based violence (GBV), during the 16 Days of Activism against GBV. The bank will feature warning strips across its TV, radio, print, and online adverts, each delivering a vital message about the crippling impact of financial abuse.
Often overlooked, financial abuse is a controlling tactic that traps victims—mainly women—in cycles of dependency, making it harder to escape abusive relationships. Nedbank’s campaign aims to raise awareness, spark conversations, and empower South Africans to recognise and address this issue.
To amplify its efforts, Nedbank is partnering with People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA), an NGO dedicated to supporting GBV survivors. Together, they aim to educate the public, support victims, and help women regain their independence.
“While physical and emotional abuse are rightly condemned by society, financial abuse largely remains hidden in the shadows; yet it is just as crippling,” says Khensani Nobanda, Nedbank’s group executive of marketing and corporate affairs.
Bidvest Group Sells Bidvest Bank to Access Bank for R2.8 Billion
Bidvest Group Ltd has announced the sale of its banking subsidiary, Bidvest Bank Holdings Ltd, to Access Bank plc for approximately R2.8 billion. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other standard conditions.
Bidvest CEO Mpumi Madisa says: “As a well-respected, experienced and prominent financial services entity, I am very pleased that Access Bank meets our original principle to provide reassurance for the continued sustainability and prosperity of Bidvest Bank. This provides an exciting future for Bidvest Bank, enabling it to advance, scale-up and grow in today’s fast-changing, technology-driven and highly competitive financial sector.”
Access Bank is a global financial company with over 60 million customers across 23 countries. With a strong presence in Nigeria and extensive operations in Africa, Europe, and Asia, the bank offers retail, business, commercial, and corporate services. As of December 2023, Access Bank reported shareholder equity exceeding $1.7 billion and customer loans and deposits of $6 billion and $12.5 billion, respectively.
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