Standard launches its loyalty programme

[Phakamisa Ndzamela] Standard Bank‚ Africa's largest bank by earnings‚ has set aside an undisclosed amount as an investment in a customer rewards programme aimed at retaining and acquiring new customers. 12 Jun 2013 11:46

Reduce scope to ease the pain of PCI compliance

[Peter Harvey] Businesses that process credit card transactions are under increasing pressure to comply with global Payment Card Industry (PCI ) security standards - and if our experience at PayGate is anything to go by, the journey is likely to be a painful one. Anybody considering it should prepare themselves for at least two years of intense effort. 12 Jun 2013 16:10

Investec both 'lender and investor' in farm

Construction of West Coast One, a 94MW wind farm near Cape Town, is expected to start as soon as the project's developers reach financial closure. 12 Jun 2013 11:32

African infrastructure grows thanks to private equity investment

Private equity firms are injecting capital into developing African infrastructure. According to Erika van der Merwe, CEO of the South African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA): "Infrastructure gives private equity investors access to the strong African growth story, an exceptional theme in a structurally low-growth world." 12 Jun 2013 09:19

Snyders takes reins at Mutual & Federal

[Phakamisa Ndzamela] South Africa's SA's second largest short-term insurer‚ Mutual & Federal‚ has appointed Raimund Snyders‚ a veteran in the Old Mutual Group‚ as its new chief executive following the resignation of Peter Todd‚ the company said on Monday (10 June). 12 Jun 2013 09:08

Manufacturing up but stats may be distorted

Manufacturing production rose 7.0% year-on-year in April from a 2.2% year-on-year decline in March‚ data released by Statistics SA on Tuesday (11 June) revealed. 12 Jun 2013 08:09

FNB joins local peering community

First National Bank (FNB) is the first South African bank to support peering, having leveraged its telecommunications licenses, skills and internal ISP, FNB Connect, to join the NAPAfrica platform. 12 Jun 2013 07:51

Choosing the right enterprise development strategy

[Catherine Wijnberg] The search for job creation and economic growth solutions in South Africa has reached a state of frenzy, with all echelons of government, many corporate leaders and a raft of civil society organisations stepping forward to try to solve this vexing challenge. 12 Jun 2013 16:08

Choosing the right business support solution

[Anton Ressel] The welcome recognition by the government and other role-players that the SMME sector is indeed crucial to our collective growth and survival as a nation has had an interesting side-effect. With more money being made available at both private and public levels for the support and development of emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses, it seems that every second person you meet these days is a business support practitioner or consultant of some description. I should know, I am one too ... 12 Jun 2013 16:04

SARS urges taxpayers to check their tax practitioners

All taxpayers are strongly advised to ensure that the tax practitioner they choose is compliant and registered with a recognised controlling body, otherwise they could face a nasty surprise come the opening of the 2013 tax filing season on 1 July. 12 Jun 2013 15:25

How the rand movements impact on economy and your portfolio

[Imraan Jakoet] The recent movement in the rand saw the currency move to multiple year lows (or highs depending how you look at it) to the US dollar and subsequently rebounded last week. Movements like these don't only impact the cost of forex for your overseas holiday next month, but also impact on your local and international investments. 12 Jun 2013 14:58

How to invest amounts ranging from R1000 to R1 million

[Tendani Mantshimuli] Investing can seem limitless when you have excess money at your disposal. But debt unfortunately chokes your financial ability to save or invest, no matter what the amount may be. Every household should have an investment strategy and one that includes consultations with an accredited financial adviser year-to-year. 12 Jun 2013 14:46

South Africa renegotiates double tax agreement with Mauritius

[Ernest Mazansky] The much-anticipated renegotiated double tax treaty with Mauritius was recently signed and disclosed to the public. The new treaty, which is expected to come into effect in 2015, will impact on several existing tax structures. 12 Jun 2013 14:36