The value of the Rand has risen all day as the chance of Cyril Ramaphosa becoming the new ANC leader became apparent… and as the news was confirmed Monday evening that Ramaphosa is the leading party’s new President, the Rand stood at R12.73 to the US dollar, and R17.10 to the British pound. People around […]

The South African Revenue Service will collect the Sugary Beverages Levy (SBL) from 1 April 2018. The levy is fixed at 2.1 cents per gram of the sugar content that exceeds four grams per 100ml, which means the first four grams per 100ml are levy free. SARS on Friday said the levy falls under the […]

The suspense is tangible as the African National Congress (ANC) – South Africa’s former liberation movement that’s turned into a tired governing party – approaches its fiercely contested 2017 elective conference. By December 5, the party’s branches had largely spoken, and its provincial structures had consolidated the branch delegates’ voting preferences. The lay of the […]

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) has put in place measures to secure the 54th African National Congress (ANC) Elective Conference… as the ANC battles it out to decide on its new leadership. Chairs may fly (as happened with the ‘Festival of the Chairs’ at an ANC conference in the Eastern Cape!) at […]

South African businessman Christo Wiese has resigned as chairman of Steinhoff in order to reinforce independent governance of the company which is currently under scrutiny, and avoid any “possible conflict of interest” that may exist. His son Jacob has also resigned. Steinhoff announced Heather Sonn as new acting chairperson. 76-year-old Wiese recently dropped overnight from […]

The last twelve months have been a confusing time for African democracy. We have seen coups that didn’t look like coups and elections that didn’t look like elections. In this sense, it was a year of illusions. As in 2016, the broad trend is clear: with a number of notable exceptions, the gains made in […]

A Durban-born company has come up with an amazing concept. Perhaps a cure for the ails of entrepreneurship and a way to kick-start some amazing businesses into South Africa’s economy. Big Box has only been around for just over a year. But this team is taking no prisoners in their goal of igniting an entrepreneurial […]

Africa’s richest man – Aliko Dangote from Nigeria – was honoured last night at the Bloomberg 50 annual gala dinner at New York’s iconic Gotham Hall. Dangote is included on Bloomberg’s list of 50 most influential names, who have had an impact on the world in 2017, for his outstanding commitment of over $4 billion USD […]

The DA says it finds it “incomprehensible” that the hard-won steps towards saving SAA could be so recklessly undermined by an alleged proposal to move the embattled airline from the Finance Ministry to the Transport Ministry – “a ministry that has so fouled up the e-toll saga”.   The allegations were made in local South […]

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it has today filed submissions to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) arguing as to why Jacob Zuma should immediately face the 783 charges of corruption, fraud, money-laundering and racketeering in a court of law as soon as practically possible. “Our submissions are in line with the NPA’s deadline for submission […]

Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans in KwaZulu-Natal held a march on Friday to highlight the plight of black farm workers. The demonstration was a reaction to the recent #BlackMonday protests by farmers against farm murders. The march blocked traffic and trucks on the N3 from 9am till noon at the Mariannhill toll plaza in Pinetown near […]

Global rating agency Standard & Poor’s have downgraded South Africa’s sovereign credit rating to ‘junk status’. The Democratic Alliance (DA) says this proves that Minister of Finance Malusi Gigaba’s “strategy to delay the hard decisions necessary to hold the fiscal line and allow the budget to “blowout” with national debt ballooning to R3.4 trillion, or 60% […]

With South Africans joining the rest of the world to buy as many bargains as they can on Black Friday tomorrow, one local business is offering a chance instead to make it Give Back Friday. Sweep South, an online platform which connects cleaners with individuals, is transferring the savings they’d usually give to their customers on […]

Zimbabwe Update: According to latest reports, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has agreed to step down next year… but there are calls from within his own country and from other parts of Africa – including from Botswana’s President Ian Khama – for him to stop trying to prolong his stay in office and step down […]

AfriForum today announced that they have instituted legal action to privately prosecute Adv. Nomgcobo Jiba, former acting Director and current Deputy Director of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on charges of fraud and perjury. Adv. Gerrie Nel, Head of AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, and AfriForum will act in the case against Jiba on behalf of […]

If you regard yourself as a pro shopper, brace yourself for Black Friday.  It is that time of the year again where millions of consumers will be flocking to different stores in the hope of finding huge discounts on big-ticket items or basics that do not often go on sale. Traditionally Black Friday takes place […]

Engen has done it again! Remember the cool video last year when the petrol attendants in Cape Town performed a brilliantly choreographed song and dance? Well, last week they produced a similarly awesome video to put a smile on South Africans’ faces – a flashmob at Engen 1 Stop Winelands surprised motorists stopping by on the […]

Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic held its sixth event in its ‘Business is an Adventure’ series… in South Africa today. The series uncovers secrets on how business leaders, entrepreneurs and influencers make the adventure of business epic. Watch below as Branson was joined for a panel discussion, alongside social media icon and YouTube sensation Caspar Lee (who recently […]

Following Public Enterprises Deputy Minister Ben Martins rebuttal of a testimony by Eskom’s suspended company Secretary and legal services head Suzanne Daniels that he attended a tea party that was also attended by, among others, members of the Gupta family… Daniels has said she stands by her testimony. Deputy Minister Martins briefed the media at […]

One of South Africa’s biggest cities, Cape Town, is gripped by a rising panic. People are haunted by the idea that they may soon have to queue for water, carefully rationed out by local authorities under the watchful eye of the army. But these doomsday scenarios need to be tempered. It’s true that the first […]

South Africa has produced two must-read thrillers in the past week. They are non-fiction, yet are as gripping and readable as any page-turner. Veteran investigative journalist Jacques Pauw’s “The President’s Keepers” has, within a week, become a global best seller. It has had the advantage of the best available marketing push by South Africa’s State […]

South Africans love renovating… and whether you’ve just built a brand-new home, have completed major renovations or refurbishments, or are just looking to update your home’s overall look, the windows you choose are one of the most important final touches to consider… writes Ethan Thomas. Not only do the right windows add character and aesthetic […]

With 15% of the workforce absent every day in South African businesses, it pays to invest in employees’ well-being. Occupational Care South Africa (OCSA) has revealed up to 15% of staff call in sick each day in South Africa, costing the economy R16 billion per annum. However, for every three employees that don’t show up […]

The repo rate will remain unchanged at 6.75% per annum, Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said on Thursday. “Given the heightened uncertainties in the economy, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) felt it would be appropriate to maintain the current monetary policy stance at this stage, and reassess the data and the balance of risks at […]

National Treasury confirmed in Parliament yesterday that the law change forcing South African expatriates to start paying tax will be proceeded with and take effect… writes Jerry Botha from Tax Consulting South Africa. However, the outcome is vastly more beneficial than what was originally proposed by National Treasury… and Barry Pretorius’ “Expatriate Petition Group” can […]