Absa to use Barclays to lead Africa expansion

Absa is to merge its business and retail banking sectors with the Barclay-controlled bank and a small team of executives will lead the Barclays expansion across Africa according to a report in Business Report. Read more >>

More than R1-billion transferred via cellphones

More than R1-billion has been sent via First National Bank's eWallet mobile phone banking system since it was launched in 2009 according to Yolande van Wyk, chief executive of eWallet Solutions. Read more >>

FirstRand's bank purchase cancelled

Zambia's new president, Michael Sata has told finance minister Alexander Chikwanda to cancel the sale of Finance Bank to FNB Zambia for US$5,4-million, and to hand control of the bank back to its original owner Rajan Mahtani. Read more >>

Business tax rejected in Durban

The plan by government and local authorities to impose a business tax on companies within the metropolitan areas has roundly been rejected by the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The additional taxes were expected to generate additional income of about R19-billion. Read more >>

Disabled to benefit from new tax

A new medical tax credit will come into force in March 2012, replacing the existing medical aid cap amount. This will give employees more deductions and provide extra benefits for the disabled, who currently qualify for the same cap amount as everyone else for PAYE purposes. Read more >>

Enablis renames loan fund to Khula Enablis Loan Fund

Enablis Entrepreneurial Network has announced the re-naming of its loan guarantee fund to the Khula Enablis Loan Fund. This name change is reflective of the support that funding partner Khula Enterprise Finance has committed to supporting South African entrepreneurs. Read more >>

Fabian joins The Foschini Group

Leading retailer group TFG (The Foschini Group) has bought niche luxury menswear brand Fabiani, effective from 1 October 2011. Established in 1978 by Arie Fabian and renowned for the exceptional cut of its suits, highest quality fabric and powerful design details, it expanded its offer to include casual clothing, shoes and fashion accessories and is considered one of the leaders in the luxury menswear market. Fabian will join the group as the brand director. Read more >>

Mixed bag competing for SA Car of the Year

[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] A mixed bag of 10 French, Italian, German and Korean vehicles have made it through to the finals for the 2012 South African Car of the Year competition. The finalists were determined in a vote by the full members and a jury made up of 30 selected members of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ). Read more >>

Marketing lessons from Steve Jobs

[Chris Moerdyk: @chrismoerdyk] Look closely at the marketing strategies used by Steve Jobs and other visionaries and the first thing that comes to mind is the realisation that marketing is not a democratic process and that those who are really successful at it are, yes, visionaries. Read more >>

Bok tragedy!

[Corné Krige] I am only 36 years old, but one of the many valuable lessons I have learned is that life isn't fair. Sometimes you get things when you don't deserve them and other times when you absolutely deserve it then you don't get it. This was the case on Sunday morning when the Springboks played Australia in Wellington, New Zealand. Read more >>