From the Editor’s Desk

17 July 2026

A former Professor of Journalism and good friend of mine once said: “When you see a journalist leaning back in his chair staring out the window, leave him alone – he’s working.” It’s true. Words don’t always come easily and neither do thoughts. That was me yesterday. I spent a lot of time staring out the window because my mind simply would not settle on one issue. My thoughts kept jumping from one frustration to another. So, forgive me if I wander a little.

While staring out the window, I eventually realised all those spinning thoughts had a common thread – the increasingly cruel and worrying world in which we now live, shaped by so-called leaders who seem more interested in short-term gains rather than long-term humanity; in self-interest rather than statesmanship. The world has become a place where too many people simply “follow the money” – and society is paying a heavy price.

The poster child for this is US President Donald Trump. There is so much one could say about the man but I still shake my head at his comments made at the United Nations General Assembly last year dismissing climate change as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.” He went on: “All of these predictions (around climate change) made by the United Nations and many others, often for bad reasons, were wrong. They were made by stupid people that have cost their countries fortunes and given those same countries no chance for success. If you don’t get away from this green scam, your country is going to fail.”

Oh, my goodness! The most powerful person in the world who could have such a positive impact on ensuring the environmental sustainability of our world, calls climate change “a green scam”. Not sure if he has noticed but over the past few weeks Europe has been enduring record-breaking heatwaves – with over 1 000 deaths recorded – and the United States itself is battling extreme temperatures under what has been described as a heat dome. Scientists repeatedly warn that these events are being exacerbated by man-made emissions and global warming. Yet one of the most powerful leaders on Earth chooses to dismiss those warnings. Visionary leadership? Hardly.

And then there are the wars, the ceasefires that don’t hold, the ever-present geopolitical tensions, rising oil prices and inevitably, ordinary people paying the price. But it isn’t only an overseas problem. Here in South Africa we have municipalities that have failed their people. Communities battle with water shortages, unreliable electricity, collapsing infrastructure and poor service delivery while many of those responsible appear to live comfortably removed from the consequences. Johannesburg – Egoli, the City of Gold – is effectively broke. Then there are the seemingly endless reminders of state capture and corruption – and now the disturbing revelations emerging from the Madlanga Commission. Crime remains one of South Africa’s greatest scourges, yet some of those entrusted with protecting society are themselves under scrutiny. And on top of all this, our very own President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing an impeachment process stemming from the 2020 Phala Phala farm theft – against which he is trying to get an interdict. Oh yes, and then there’s the many thousands of foreigners who have been sent back to their countries following the March and March protests – which are on-going. No wonder my thoughts were spinning. The world is a confusing and exhausting place right now.

And then, late in the day, something landed in my inbox that lifted my spirits. Toyota South Africa Motors announced the launch of the ninth-generation Hilux, underpinned by a staggering R10.4-billion investment – the largest single product investment in the company’s South African history. Speaking at the launch, President and CEO Andrew Kirby said: “The R10.4-billion investment reflects Toyota’s enduring confidence in South Africa, its people and its manufacturing future.” What wonderful words to hear.

Not long afterwards came another release, this time from Isuzu Motors South Africa, announcing an investment of almost R2-million in a new AI, Coding and Robotics Laboratory at Khulile Primary School in Motherwell, giving 650 young learners access to cutting-edge digital learning technologies. Now there’s another story about investing in people and contributing to society. Despite political disappointments, there are still companies and people investing in South Africa and its future. Funny, isn’t it? Take politicians out of the picture and suddenly the good news starts appearing.

Anyway, I’m out of here before my thoughts start spinning again. Tomorrow the sun will shine – perhaps a little too brightly given that the world has a ‘Super’ El Niño coming its way. But life goes on. And so, too, must we. Let’s keep on trucking.

Patrick O’Leary
Managing Editor, FleetWatch