This is Watts & Wheels, a new motoring show hosted by motoring journalist (and “buzzhead” – or is that “electronhead”?) William Kelly and TechCentral editor (and wannabe EV owner) Duncan McLeod.

With a focus on the shift to electric motoring, the pilot season of Watts & Wheels consists of three episodes. The focus of the show is the “lived EV experience”, with the aim of helping “dispel some of the misconceptions” about owning and driving an EV in South Africa.

What else can you expect from Watts & Wheels? We’ll look at the latest EV models – from mild hybrids to plug-in hybrids and full battery-electric vehicles – making their way to South African shores. We’ll also test drive many of them for the show.

We’ll also look at the business of motoring, and the challenges and opportunities facing the local industry amid the tectonic shifts that are remaking the global automotive sector, including the rapid rise of Chinese EV brands.

Whether you’re pondering your first EV purchase, are keen to understand the nuances of local charging networks or are simply fascinated by the future of sustainable transport, let Watts & Wheels be your guide.

In episode 1, William and Duncan dive into:

• The different types of new energy vehicles available in South Africa, explaining terms like EV, BEV, HEV, PHEV and REEV. What do they all mean, and how are prospective buyers to choose between these technologies?

• Should consumers really be worried about long-term battery health in EVs? Spoiler alert: no! In fact, the data now shows battery endurance in EVs has been vastly underestimated.

• The power of VTOL, or vehicle-to-load, technology and how it can be used to power everything from a kettle to your house.

• The electrification of bakkies, including a look at BYD’s exciting new Shark 6 PHEV (and whether it can beat the monstrous 3l Ford Raptor from a standing start to 100km/h); Nissan’s sexy Frontier PHEV (not confirmed for South Africa); and Ford’s new PHEV Ranger (made in Silverton in Pretoria).

• The controversial Jaguar Type 00 – and why William thinks why the critics have it completely wrong.

If you like what you see, please subscribe to Watts & Wheels on YouTube – and share the word with family and friends. It’s also available as an audio podcast in your favourite podcasting app.

In episode 2, out next week, look out for an exclusive look at – and first media test drive of – South Africa’s first 4x4 fully electric bakkie.

IT security breaches are on the rise in South Africa and worldwide, and with AI tools at their disposal, criminals are scaling up their attacks.

With the risk of attack so high, organisations are forced to look beyond beefing up security – they must prepare for the unfortunate event where their systems are, in fact, breached. One way to do this is to learn from those organisations whose systems have been breached in the past.

This episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, the third in a series of three with First Distribution on how to manage cyber crises – watch episodes 1 and 2 here – sees Microsoft portfolio manager at First Distribution Kejen Pillay back to share more insight on this topic.

Pillay discusses various lessons from:

- The TransUnion breach of March 2022, where 5.2 million records were compromised and a US$15-million ransom demanded;

- The CIPC hack of February 2024 and the media furore that ensued; and

- The National Health Laboratory Services breach of June 2024.

Don’t miss this important discussion. TechCentral

IT security breaches are on the rise in South Africa and worldwide, and with AI tools at their disposal, criminals are scaling up their attacks.

With the risk of attack so high, organisations are forced to look beyond beefing up security – they must prepare for the unfortunate event where their systems are, in fact, breached. One way to do this is to learn from those organisations whose systems have been breached in the past.

This episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, the third in a series of three with First Distribution on how to manage cyber crises – watch episodes 1 and 2 here – sees Microsoft portfolio manager at First Distribution Kejen Pillay back to share more insight on this topic.

Pillay discusses various lessons from:

- The TransUnion breach of March 2022, where 5.2 million records were compromised and a US$15-million ransom demanded;

- The CIPC hack of February 2024 and the media furore that ensued; and

- The National Health Laboratory Services breach of June 2024.

Don’t miss this important discussion.

In cybersecurity, prevention is always better than cure. However, organisations have to prepare for the worst-case scenario, one where their systems are breached by cybercriminals.

This is the second in a series of three podcasts on how to manage cyber crises effectively when they happen. The first episode – watch it here – centred on defining what a cyber crisis is and the different ways cybercriminals exploit an organisation.

In episode 2, Kejen Pillay, portfolio manager for Microsoft at First Distribution, discusses the strategies and tools organisations use to craft an effective crisis response plan.

Pillay delves into:

• The elements of an effective crisis response plan;

• The Microsoft tools businesses can use to prepare for a cyber crisis;

• Backups and other tools that aid in the speedy recovery of operations following a cyber crisis;

• The importance of training non-IT staff on what to do in a cyber crisis;

• How AI tools can help protect organisations; and

• Advice for organisations wanting to begin crafting their cyber crisis response plan.

Don’t miss the discussion. TechCentral

In cybersecurity, prevention is always better than cure. However, organisations have to prepare for the worst-case scenario, one where their systems are breached by cybercriminals.

This is the second in a series of three podcasts on how to manage cyber crises effectively when they happen. The first episode – watch it here – centred on defining what a cyber crisis is and the different ways cybercriminals exploit an organisation.

In episode 2, Kejen Pillay, portfolio manager for Microsoft at First Distribution, discusses the strategies and tools organisations use to craft an effective crisis response plan.

Pillay delves into:

• The elements of an effective crisis response plan;

• The Microsoft tools businesses can use to prepare for a cyber crisis;

• Backups and other tools that aid in the speedy recovery of operations following a cyber crisis;

• The importance of training non-IT staff on what to do in a cyber crisis;

• How AI tools can help protect organisations; and

• Advice for organisations wanting to begin crafting their cyber crisis response plan.

Don’t miss the discussion.

In today's hyperconnected society, a cybersecurity crisis isn’t just a technical glitch; it's a profound disruption that can bring businesses, governments and even entire countries to a halt.

For organisations to protect themselves effectively, they must understand what cybercriminals are capable of, where the vulnerabilities in their own systems are and – most importantly – be prepared for the worst-case scenario where their systems are breached.

In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Kejen Pillay, Microsoft portfolio manager at First Distribution, discusses the anatomy of a cyber crisis and how businesses should prepare for it.

Pillay delves into:

• The difference between a cyberthreat and a cyber crisis;

• How cybercriminals are using AI tools to develop increasingly sophisticated methods of attack;

• How organisations can keep pace with the rapid changes in the threat landscape to keep their systems secure;

• The difference between a crisis management plan and an incident response plan;

• Some common errors businesses make when responding to a cyber crisis; and

• What South Africa’s leading organisations are doing to prepare for a cyber crisis.

This informative show is not to be missed.

* TCS+ episodes are sponsored TechCentral

In today's hyperconnected society, a cybersecurity crisis isn’t just a technical glitch; it's a profound disruption that can bring businesses, governments and even entire countries to a halt.

For organisations to protect themselves effectively, they must understand what cybercriminals are capable of, where the vulnerabilities in their own systems are and – most importantly – be prepared for the worst-case scenario where their systems are breached.

In this episode of TechCentral’s TCS+, Kejen Pillay, Microsoft portfolio manager at First Distribution, discusses the anatomy of a cyber crisis and how businesses should prepare for it.

Pillay delves into:

• The difference between a cyberthreat and a cyber crisis;

• How cybercriminals are using AI tools to develop increasingly sophisticated methods of attack;

• How organisations can keep pace with the rapid changes in the threat landscape to keep their systems secure;

• The difference between a crisis management plan and an incident response plan;

• Some common errors businesses make when responding to a cyber crisis; and

• What South Africa’s leading organisations are doing to prepare for a cyber crisis.

This informative show is not to be missed.

Data is like oxygen in the digital era, and people are using more of it. In 2025 alone, global mobile data usage is projected to reach 200 exabytes per month. That is 200 billion gigabytes of data consumed monthly by everything from high-definition video streaming to online gaming and IoT.

This trend has implications for infrastructure – in the home, in business and even in shared outdoor spaces. For the people consuming the data, connecting with ease as they migrate between different environments is paramount; but so is the privacy and integrity of their personal data.

In this episode of TCS+, Vox Wi-Fi product manager Craig Blignaut discusses the trends in data consumption, their drivers and how Wi-Fi technology is evolving to meet people’s needs.

Blignaut delves into:

• Why data has become the lifeblood of modern society;

• How newer technologies like generative AI are shaping trends in data consumption;

• The different ways people gain access to the internet;

• How Wi-Fi has contributed to making the internet cheaper and more accessible;

• How an enterprise’s Wi-Fi experience contributes to how visitors experience a company’s brand; and

• The role is AI playing in enhancing network connectivity.

Don’t miss an informative discussion.

Data is like oxygen in the digital era, and people are using more of it. In 2025 alone, global mobile data usage is projected to reach 200 exabytes per month. That is 200 billion gigabytes of data consumed monthly by everything from high-definition video streaming to online gaming and IoT.

This trend has implications for infrastructure – in the home, in business and even in shared outdoor spaces. For the people consuming the data, connecting with ease as they migrate between different environments is paramount; but so is the privacy and integrity of their personal data.

In this episode of TCS+, Vox Wi-Fi product manager Craig Blignaut discusses the trends in data consumption, their drivers and how Wi-Fi technology is evolving to meet people’s needs.

Blignaut delves into:

• Why data has become the lifeblood of modern society;

• How newer technologies like generative AI are shaping trends in data consumption;

• The different ways people gain access to the internet;

• How Wi-Fi has contributed to making the internet cheaper and more accessible;

• How an enterprise’s Wi-Fi experience contributes to how visitors experience a company’s brand; and

• The role is AI playing in enhancing network connectivity.

Don’t miss an informative discussion. TechCentral

Samsung Electronics recently launched the latest line-up of its popular Galaxy A-series of midtier smartphones, with the A26, A36 and A56 replacing the older A25, A35 and A55 models.

One of the most notable new features of the A-series is a curated artificial intelligence module, dubbed Awesome Intelligence, that brings powerful AI features previously exclusive to its top-tier Galaxy S-series phones to its midrange devices for the first time.

Unique to the A-series is a new safety feature called Samsung SOS+, a free-to-use, 24/7 subscription service exclusive to owners of the new Galaxy A56, A36 and A26 devices.

In an emergency situation – and on-demand – the service immediately geolocates the user and sends private security and medical emergency services to their location at the press of a button.

In this episode of TCS+, Justin Hume, vice president for mobile at Samsung Electronics South Africa, tells TechCentral about how SOS+ works in the new Galaxy A-series line-up.

Hume delves into:

• The inspiration behind SOS+ and why Samsung has chosen the A series to pilot the service;

• How the service works and its benefits for A-series smartphone users;

• Why the service is currently limited to users of the A56, A36 and A26 devices and Samsung’s plans for expanded roll-out;

• Key features that set the SOS+ service apart; and

• Why Samsung has chosen Aura as its partner in providing the SOS+ service.

Don’t miss a fascinating discussion! TechCentral