Business News Leaders

Why foreigners are snapping up SA bonds

Foreigners have more of an appetite for South African bonds than previously thought, according to new data from the JSE. The bourse says this shows that investors have confidence in government’s policies and have appetite for yields that that are among the highest in emerging markets. Business Day TV unpacked…

26 Oct 2021 12PM 7 min

NEF to support unrest-affected businesses

The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) has committed R722m to help support businesses that were affected by the unrest that gripped Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in July. Alishia Seckam spoke to NEF CEO Philisiwe Mthethwa for more detail

26 Oct 2021 12PM 8 min

The great inflation debate

Halloween is around the corner and the bogeyman frightening global markets at the moment is inflation. With some likening what is happening now to the Great Inflation, which was the defining macroeconomic event of the second half of the twentieth century. Over the nearly two decades it lasted, the global…

26 Oct 2021 6AM 28 min

Why Busa wants legal certainty on mandatory vaccines

Business Unity SA (Busa) plans to apply to the high court for a declaratory order on workplace vaccine mandates as a way to ensure that firms are on the right side of the law should they choose to require their staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19. The organisation believes this…

25 Oct 2021 11AM 6 min

Altron eyes growth opportunities

Technology group Altron is upbeat about its prospects as it pursues a strategy that involves focusing on growth areas such as cloud, data analytics, internet of things, and security. Alishia Seckam spoke to the firm’s CEO Mteto Nyati for more detail on Altron’s prospects

25 Oct 2021 11AM 8 min

The Tokenisation of Assets’ Implications for Financial Markets

We’ve seen some interesting deals in the local market that are pointing to the increased usage of distributed ledger technology in financial markets. Late last year the JSE acquired Globacap, a UK fintech company whose unique distributed ledger technology allows digital registrar services to be reflected in real-time. The JSE…

25 Oct 2021 8AM 26 min

The week in perspective

From a huge leak of documents showing how countries are trying to change a crucial scientific report on how to tackle climate change. The leak reveals Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia are among countries asking the UN to play down the need to move rapidly away from fossil fuels. It…

22 Oct 2021 7AM 26 min

Omnia offloads 90% stake in Umongo Petroleum

Omnia has agreed to sell its 90% stake in Umongo Petroleum for R1 billion. The chemicals, fertiliser and explosives group says the proceeds will be used to either peruse growth opportunities or return cash to shareholders. Alishia Seckam discussed the disposal with Omnia’s CEO Seelan Gobalsamy

21 Oct 2021 1PM 6 min

Clicks rings up record operating profit

Pharmacy group Clicks has delivered record adjusted operating profit for its 2021 year thanks to a stellar performance from its wholesale business, UPD which benefitted from increased demand from hospitals during SA’s second and third Covid-19 waves. Alishia Seckam spoke to CEO Vikesh Ramsunder for more detail

21 Oct 2021 1PM 5 min

COP26 | RESPONSIBLE INVESTING

You're watching Climate Conversations on Business Watch, as we build up to COP26 to discuss whether we’re turning the tide on climate change brought to you by Investec. So far we’ve spoken to Minister Creecy about what the overall focus is for the South African government heading into this so…

21 Oct 2021 7AM 25 min

Steady demand boosts Balwin Properties

Balwin Properties’ operations are steadily recovering. South Africa's largest sectional title developer was hard hit by the economic fallout from Covid-19, but says it’s now seeing robust demand for apartments. Alishia Seckam unpacked the performance with CEO Steve Brookes

20 Oct 2021 2PM 7 min

Societal impacts of AI in Africa

Africa is currently experiencing a demographic boom that is largely young and urban. Unlike Germany with a median age of roughly 47, the US at 38, or China at 37, the median age in Africa is roughly 19. In addition, this demographic of African youth is expected to double to…

20 Oct 2021 7AM 25 min

Rand gains ground against softer dollar

A softer dollar has given the local unit a boost, helping it recover from a 3-week loss. Zinathi Gquma discussed the currency scene with Varushka Singh from RMB

19 Oct 2021 2PM 6 min

Combined Motor Holdings returns to profitability

Combined Motor Holdings is back in the black. The company, which operates vehicle dealerships, has reported a half year profit of close to R150 million, supported by its retail division. Alishia Seckam unpacked the results with CEO Jebb McIntosh

19 Oct 2021 1PM 8 min

ACSA posts R2.6bn loss as passenger volumes plunge

Airports Company of South Africa has felt the Covid-19 pinch. The company has reported an annual loss of R2.6 billion loss, reflecting the pandemic’s impact on aviation and tourism during the period. Alishia Seckam spoke to ACSA CEO Siphamandla Mthethwa for more detail

19 Oct 2021 1PM 7 min

Reality bites for restaurants

The past year-and-a-half has brought countless challenges for restaurants, from the early days when restaurant operators were forced to think on their feet as sudden shutdown orders brought dine-in business to a halt, to current struggles with cash flow and vaccinations. During the course of the pandemic, restaurants have had…

19 Oct 2021 8AM 27 min

Streamlining efforts boost Calgro M3

Calgro M3’s streamlining efforts are paying off. The affordable housing and memorial parks group returned to profitability during its half year and reported headline earnings per share came in at 42.79 cents. Alishia Seckam unpacked the results with CEO Wikus Lategan

18 Oct 2021 2PM 8 min

Assessing SA's recovery prospects

The International Monetary Fund and World Bank expect South Africa to grow by 5% this year, largely due to the favourable global climate and base effects. Alishia Seckam spoke to Isaah Mhlanga, Chief Economist at Alexander Forbes for his view on the country’s growth trajectory

18 Oct 2021 2PM 7 min

Marketing costs knock Karooooo’s profit

Karooooo, the new holding company for vehicle recovery and fleet management group Cartrack, has reported an 18% rise in revenue on the back of strong subscriber growth but this hasn't filtered through to the firm's bottom line as profit fell by 12% as the company incurred higher marketing costs. Business…

15 Oct 2021 10AM 5 min

The Week in perspective

Three major global problems have dominated headlines and weighed on markets. First, supply-chain snarls are straining everything from USPS delivery to Grape Nuts availability. Second, a chip shortage is slowing production of GM trucks, gaming consoles, and lots more. Third, a surge in ransomware cyberattacks has disrupted a large variety…

15 Oct 2021 9AM 25 min