If there is one thing that is common in SA today, it is a shortage of skills, so it's good news to see that
Denel and the SAAF have agreed to retain 139 skilled jobs. So at least sense has prevailed in this instance.
How was that last braai you had? You enjoyed the steaks? Do I hear you say 'nay'? Well, if you found out your tasty steak was actually the last nag in the Bod Raker Handicap at Kenilworth last Saturday, you might not be able to get a payday out of it... Even if you do happen to be
an old lady who swallowed a horse....
If you thought the board antics at the SABC was the stuff of soap operas, then SAA's board antics seem to be trying to follow on, as minister of public enterprises Malusi Gigaba
says aiKona to South African Airways suspended acting CEO Vuyisile Kona.
And the buck stops... where? Corruption is robbing this country of billions, so it's nice to hear that a new
anti-corruption bureau is to fast track cases against public servants. Now, one hopes that will apply across the board - right to the very top... you know... the cabinet, if evidence of corruption is found?
Finally, our very own bright spark, motoring editor Henrie Geyser reckons that
the new baby Chevrolets now spark even brighter. Just like Henrie then.
Rod Baker: Content Director
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financenews@bizcommunity.com. Exclusive contributions may be sent to
contributors-finance@bizcommunity.com.
New Santam finance director Hennie Nel could not have timed his entry into the job any worse. 
Financial services group MMI Holdings (MMI) lifted core headline earnings by 16% to R1.501 billion for the six months to December 2012. 
Pretoria-based Assupol has reached its centenary in style by completing its transition from mutual society to public company and then paying out a cash windfall of R892m to more than 228‚000 qualifying policy-holders who have opted for cash pay-outs instead of holding Assupol shares. 
The Treasury's chief director of legal tax design, Keith Engel, is leaving the government to work for one of SA's big four auditing and advisory firms in Johannesburg. 
Shares in Standard Bank initially rose by 1.29% on Thursday, 7 March 2013‚ following its full year results and the retirement of group chief executive Jaco Maree after 13 years at the helm‚ but the share price slipped back in late afternoon trade. 
First National Bank (FNB) has come up with a card solution which will help merchants reduce their cash held on their premises by returning cash due to customers via a card. 
Consumer goods group AVI has reported an 8% rise in headline earnings per share to 210c in the six months ended December‚ from 194.2c a year ago. 
Despite the humdrum economy, a number of listed property companies released better-than-expected results with the weighted average growth in income payouts declared by the 11 companies with December reporting periods clocking-in at an inflation-beating 7.4%. 
Franchise restaurant group Spur Corporation last week reported diluted headline earnings per share of 89.91c for the six months ended December‚ up 35.3% from the previous period. 
Global furniture retailer and manufacturer Steinhoff International Holdings on Tuesday (5 March) said that group revenue grew 52% to R57.3bn while operating profit was up 36% to R5.0bn. Cash generated from operations increased 44% to R4.5bn. 
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe said his minister in charge of indigenisation, Saviour Kasukuwere, had made a "mistake" in striking an R8.3bn empowerment deal with Impala Platinum and he questioned whether the company should be paid for transferring a 51% stake to local owners. 
The Western Cape provincial government has tabled legislation that proposes an increase of the tax on casinos operating in the province. 
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has proposed several changes to legislation concerning retirement savings. 
SA needs a dedicated ministry for small business to promote this vital, job-creating sector of the economy, the South African Institute of Tax Practitioners said on Thursday (7 March). 
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND: 
BRAZZAVILLE, CONGO: The Republic of Congo has established a Postal Bank with the aim of reaching a wider part of the population of 3.6m in a country where only about five percent of inhabitants have bank accounts. 
HELSINKI, FINLAND: Nokia, once the world's biggest mobile phone maker, said its chief executive Stephen Elop received no bonus in 2012, reducing his overall income by 45%. 
WASHINGTON, USA: The Android operating system accounted for 79% of all malware infections on smartphones and the threat is multiplying, a security firm said last week. 
LONDON, UK: British insurer Aviva reported a net loss of £3.0bn last year and slashed its shareholder dividend, sparking a slump in the group's share price. 
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