Author:charleen-clarke
Truck Test 2022: done and dusted! June 17, 2022 Truck Test 2022 is done and dusted… and now we know which trucks in South Africa are the best of the best! After many months of planning, Truck Test 2022 kicked off on May 31, when the trucks were refuelled at Engen Blockhouse south of Johannesburg. This was the start and end point for the Johannesburg/Durban/Johannesburg test that was to come. On a cold June winter’s morning the following day, the […]
Expired driver’s licences: know your rights! May 10, 2022 Are you driving without a valid licence? I would imagine that this situation probably applies to thousands of South Africans. If you’re one of those thousands, read on! I hear about this problem on a daily basis. Lockdowns, faulty equipment, and poor administrative practices have given rise to hundreds of thousands of truck drivers and motorists driving with expired licence cards or Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs). Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has […]
SABOA and FOCUS join forces April 7, 2022 I am delighted to tell you that, with effect from this issue, FOCUS is the official journal of the South African Bus Operators Association (SABOA). Established in 1980, SABOA is a non-profit, member-driven association focused on creating a transformative and sustainable bus and coach industry in South Africa. The association plays a key role in the transport policy formulation process and is an active and credible participant in the consultative platforms of […]
Tested: the car Idols winner Berry Trytsman drives! April 7, 2022 Idols winner and instant millionaire Berry Trytsman has it all: a voice like an angel, four kids, a record deal with Kalawa Jazmee Records … and a Renault Kiger nogal. I have none of the above … well, except the car… more or less. In the interests of factual accuracy, I do need to point out that it was only “mine” for a week. The specific model I tested […]
Enough is enough! March 15, 2022 We’re only in the third month of the year and I’m already starting to feel overwhelmed. Just when we thought that Covid was easing, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine happened. And now we appear to have gone full circle and back to where it all started … with massive Covid-related lockdowns in China. The number of deaths in Ukraine depends on where you source your news – and whether you believe the Ukrainians, the Russians, […]
Should vaccinations be mandatory for drivers? February 9, 2022 Mandatory vaccination is a topic that polarises people. Some wholeheartedly support the concept, while others dismiss it with contempt. There is very little “grey area”. Recently, Canada came under fire for introducing mandatory vaccinations for truck drivers. Should South Africa be doing the same? I’m going to nail my colours to the mandatory vaccination mast up front: I think it’s an outstanding idea. In fact, I think it’s the only way […]
A challenging year ahead? January 17, 2022 Whenever I have wished anyone a Happy New Year in January, I’ve added that I hope that it is a better year than 2021. That is my fervent wish! However, it appears as though we may have another challenging year ahead. As we commence the year, there are just so many unknowns. The most relevant of course is Covid, which seems to control our daily lives. Will other variants arrive? Probably. Let us […]
Revealed: what I want for Christmas December 14, 2021 So, we have come to the end of what has been a somewhat ghastly year. And, as the festive season has come upon us, I’ve drawn up a list of what I want for Christmas (hint: it’s unlikely that my wishes will be granted…) This time last year, I wrote about 2020 – and I described it as a truly lousy year. I’m not going to do the same this time […]
Toyota Dyna morphs into Hino 200 December 15, 2021 The popular Toyota Dyna light truck is now being marketed as part of the Hino model range as the 200 Series. The previous Dyna 150 becomes the Hino 200-310, with the “3” denoting a 3-tonne GVM while the “10” is a short form for the 100-horsepower engine. The reason for this change in identity is that responsibility for the former Dyna range has moved from Toyota into the Hino stable. “The […]
Hino’s hybrid truck excels during Dakar testing December 14, 2021 Hino Team Sugawara has conducted extensive testing of the 1 000 hp hybrid truck it has entered in the 2022 Dakar Rally. Results have been very promising as the team aims to take on the so-called “monster trucks” with Hino’s first racing diesel-electric hybrid powertrain. This event, which is considered the most gruelling motorsport event in the world, will take place in Saudi Arabia from January 2 to 14. The Hino […]