AA Traveller Winter 2022

More documents

Recommendations

Info

In thenews Canthe governmentdomore? Theanswer to this question is complicated. Thereare twomainfactors that determinethe price of fuel:the internationalprice of crudeoil perbarrel, andsecondly, therand/dollar exchange rate. “Whenitcomes to thefirstfactor, thereisverylittle wiggle room,” says Layton. However,ifthe country takessteps to improvethe rand/dollarexchange rate,the pricewill drop.Infact, as badasthe Aprilincreasewas,itcould have been much worse hadthe rand notstabilisedagainstthe dollaratthe time. Thereare several ways governmentcan help strengthen therand, explains Layton.“Improveinvestor confidence,createawelcoming environmentfor internationalinvestors,cut redtapewhenitcomes to Levies andtaxes GENERAL FUEL LEVY R2,35per litre (followingthe R1,50price reduction) This taxgenerates around R90billion peryear. It’s usedtofund general governmentexpenditure programmes.Ithas been reducedtoR2,35 perlitre untilthe next price adjustmentscheduled forJune. international investments,createasafe environmentfor investors, deal betterwithunemployment…In short, create an economic climateconducive to growth.” TheAAalsobelievesthatgovernmentshouldrelook fuel taxesand levies,especiallythe GFLand theRAF Levy.“Areweusing themoney generatedbythesetaxes in theright way?”asksLayton. “There aresevereand deep concerns aboutthe effectivenessofthe RAFasan organisation.It’spoorlymanaged,indebtand requires alot of intervention.And when it comestothe GFL, issues regardingcorruption andthe misappropriation of fundscomes into it as well.Governmentneedstolook at theissue of thebasic fuel priceand askthemselvesif theleviesand taxescan be betterstructured.” It seemslikegovernmentisplanningondoing this. In hisbudgetspeech, Godongwanasaidthatheand GwedeMantashe, theministerofmineral resourcesand energy,would review allthe aspectsofthe fuel price regulation.And in his speechtoparliamentinMarch, he stated that “a broader package of relief measures will be explored, andtheywill come into effect afterthe expiry of thetwo-month fuel levy reduction”.* ROAD ACCIDENT FUND LEVY R2,18per litre This is used to compensate road accident victims and contributesabout R45billion to theRAF per year. 12 CARBONFUELLEVY R1,53per litre An environmental taxaimed at reducingcarbon.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES: aa.co.za;gov.co.za;news24.com;you.co.za Images: GettyImages/GalloImages Whilethis is astepinthe rightdirection, Layton says it’s crucialfor governmenttoinvolve allstakeholders, includingthe privatesector andcivil society, in these discussions. “Whateverthe solution is,itmustbenefit theconsumer,” he adds. Long-termsolutions If thewar in Ukrainecomes to an end, theprice of fuel will come down,but oilisafiniteresource, so overthe long term,the pricewill continue to rise,explains Dale. We need medium- to longer-term solutions that will addressour dependency on oil, he says. In themediumterm, natural gas maybethe answer. “New naturalgas deposits arecomingonlinein northern Mozambique andAngola.Itcould lessen our dependencyonimportedoil;it’slocal andcheaper than oil,”Dalesays. In thelong-term,weneedtofind ways to reduce our dependencyonfossilfuels “Alternative energy sources need to be scaled up drasticallyoverthe nexttwo to three years to decrease ourrelianceonoil,” he adds. Governmentcan also help consumersbydeveloping reliable,safepublictransportsystems.And thebulk of SouthAfrica’sgoods aretransportedonthe road, whichmeans that if theprice of fuel goes up,sodoes theprice of goods.Improving therailway systemand transporting moregoods viatrains can help cushion consumersfromfuelprice increases. “Change is never easy.It’sgoing to be difficult,but we need to lessen ourrelianceonfossilfuels.And it’s notjustabout therisingcost–it’saquestion of environmentalsustainability as well,” says Dale. Butit’snot alldoomand gloom–we canchange things.“SouthAfricareminds me of theUS’ carculture. We would rather drivethanwalk, even if it’s just ashort distance.But we’vegot to change.Even if it’s asmall change like walking to thestore insteadofdriving.” *At timeofgoing to press, government hadnot finalised the review process or relief measures. 10 ways to save fuel With pricesatarecord high,hereare afew tipsthatcan help you save onfuelcosts: 1. CALCULATE YOUR FUEL COSTS: Calculating how muchfuelyou useper day, weekand monthwillgiveyou abetterperspective of your consumption on awhole, andit’ll help youplanand executefuelsavingmeasures, explains Layton Beard, the AA’s head of public affairsand internationalrelations. 2. CARPOOL: Thereisno cultureofcarpoolinginSouth Africa,sayspolitical economist Dr Dale McKinley.“Have a look at cars travellingonthe highway. Often, it’s people driving by themselves.” Carpooling to work with colleagues canresult in a massivedecreaseinfuel expenditure, he adds. Before youstart aliftclub, checkwith your insurerifyou haveproper cover, warnsLayton. 3. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: “Ifit’s available to you, andit’ssafe andreliable, consider public transport,”Laytonsays. 4. ENSUREYOUR CARISINA GOOD WORKINGCONDITION: Awell-maintainedcar that’s regularly serviceduses between10and 20% less fuel compared to one that’s not, accordingtothe AA. 5. CHECKYOURTYRES: Tyres that areinagood condition andinflatedaccording to the manufacturer’s specifications will uselesspetrol.“And tyresthatare alignedand balancecan also help keep your fuel consumptionlower,” Layton says. 6. PLAN YOUR TRIPS: Try to avoid shorttrips,says Layton.Rather plan aroute with multiple stopssoyou cancomplete severaltasks along theway.For example,if youdothe school run, stop at thegrocery storeafterwards instead of doing twoseparate trips. Andplanyourtripif you’re going onalong journey, he adds.Whatisthe quickest routetoyourdestination? When is thebest timetodrive to avoid traffic? Arethere toll boothsalong theway? 7. KEEP IT CONSISTENT: Driving at aconstanteven speed uses less fuel than brakingoraccelerating quickly.Thisalsomeans that driving in traffic,where youhave to constantsstop and start, upsyourfuel consumption. “Ifyou can, work from home,orask your employerifyou canstart later or earliersothatyou canavoid traffic,”advises Layton. 8. KEEP IT LIGHT: Aheavily loaded vehicle will use more fuel,sodon’t keep unnecessary items, for exampleluggage, in your car. You’ll also usemorepetrol when towing somethinglikea trailerorboat. 9. DIESEL DRIVERS SHOULD SHOP AROUND: Theprice of diesel isn’t regulated,sohow muchit’ll cost to fill up your carcan differ from one fuel stationtothe next.Try to find a stationinyourareathatoffers youthe best deal. 10. SWITCH OFFTHE AIRCON: SouthAfrican summerscan getunbearablyhot –especially in acar –soforgoingair con mightnot be your favourite waytosave fuel,but if you switch it off, or useitsparingly, youwillsaveonfuel. Keep in mind that if youneed to choose betweendriving with your windows down or aircon, especially at higher speeds, thelatterismorefuelefficient. 13 WINTER 2022 | AA Traveller
Page 1: traveller AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION OF
Page 4: 46 58 14 Contents 22 TheMarabi Club
Page 7 and 8: Letterfromthe AA CEO Credit whereit
Page 9 and 10: Special report Blue light brigades:
Page 11: In thenews Withthe priceoffuelat al
Page 15 and 16: National park WORDSAND PHOTOSBYEVAN
Page 17 and 18: National park Numerousquiver treess
Page 19 and 20: Thepark's receptionoffice WHERETOST
Page 21 and 22: GOOD TO KNOW VEHICLE: Youmustdrive
Page 23 and 24: It sinthe pt old Thecityisrichinhis
Page 25 and 26: City guide Sweet Teaand Chikadee hi
Page 27 and 28: City guide Shop till you drop! If y
Page 29 and 30: City guide Let'sgo for adrive Quali
Page 31 and 32: SouthernCape Farmersinthisregion ha
Page 33 and 34: Karrie versus witblits andmampoer
Page 35 and 36: Winterdestinations ANDCOSY 35 Don
Page 37 and 38: Winterdestinations MPUMALANGA KWAZU
Page 40 and 41: St John's Anglican church Thebig pi
Page 42 and 43: Weekend away 42 The village has alo
Page 44 and 45: Weekend away 44 Halfstar Hobo Hotel
Page 46 and 47: 46 THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO Thepilgri
Page 48 and 49: Hiking 7 48 6 CaminoInvierno Ponfer
Page 50 and 51: THEFRENCHCAMINOS TheCodex Calixtinu
Page 52 and 53: Janine andStefan Schoombie Dr Anton
Page 54 and 55: Science 54 Amouse-freeMarion Allisn
Page 56 and 57: Localentrepreneur Sinceits launch i
Page 58 and 59: Soup-er Winter is soup season.Fromc
Page 60 and 61: ROASTEDVEGETABLE SOUP WITH LAMB NEC
Page 62 and 63:
Recipes 62 PRAWNLAKSA Serves 6 Prep
Page 64 and 65:
COSY READS FOR COLD WINTERNIGHTS An
Page 66 and 67:
Gear 66 LOOK BEFORE YOUBUY •You
Page 68 and 69:
Gear K-WAYKILIMANJARO (28litres) Na
Page 70 and 71:
By Juliet McGuire IT’S ELECTRIFYI
Page 72 and 73:
PRICING FORTHE AUDI E-TRON RANGE: e
Page 74 and 75:
Motoring 74 AWORD ON EVsINSA Is Sou
Page 76 and 77:
MODEL CHOICE: Tiggo 4Pro 1.5Elite(C
Page 78 and 79:
MODEL CHOICE: PoloR-Line 1.0TSI 85k
Page 80 and 81:
Blockbusters CROSSWORD 99 Capital o
Page 82:
Last word So,how was your holiday?
show all

AA Traveller Winter 2022

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?