Setting the record straight in terms of how the government's proposed retirement reforms will affect you. Over the last few weeks vested interests have tried to create fear and confusion around the proposed retirement reform. Between unions flexing...
Taxpayers generally have the odds stacked against them when it comes to disputes with the South African Revenue Services (SARS). With wide-ranging powers provided to it under the Tax Administration Act, SARS is able to request information about...
Jeremy Gardiner, director at Investec Asset Management argues that most of the economic pain we are feeling in South Africa at the moment is being felt more or less similarly across all emerging markets. My brother has just returned to South Africa...
Credit Ombud Manie van Schalkwyk unpacks the credit amnesty, and separates out the myths from the facts. In the lead-up to 1 April, there have been many misconceptions regarding the credit amnesty: exactly who will benefit, what information will be...
Recently a story made news in South Africa about a South African who emigrated to Australia in 2002, leaving his estate here neatly bundled up. Prior to arriving in Australia, he stopped over in Lichtenstein where he established a series of trusts...
Each year I get particularly annoyed about the falsehood that we receive a “tax relief” – as if Minister Gordhan managed to eke out some extra money for cash-strapped taxpayers. So let’s put it in perspective. Based on last year’s personal tax...
With no particular surprises for taxpayers in this year’s budget, I decided to drill through some of those tax numbers to see exactly how much tax we are now paying. If you add all our taxes together, individuals account for over R700bn in tax...
Adrian Saville, CIO of Cannon Asset Managers, offers his thoughts on the investment outlook for 2014. A turning point? Ever since the global financial crisis of 2008 the world’s advanced economies, that led the way into the crisis, have struggled...
Saxo Bank, the online multi-asset trading and investment specialist, has released its annual set of ‘Outrageous Predictions’ for the year ahead. Although the probability of any one of the predictions coming true is low, they are deduced...
From 25 November 2013, shareholders will be able to trade their MTN Zakhele (MTNZ) shares. Craig Gradidge of Gradidge Mahura Investments looks at the factors to consider when deciding whether to buy or sell these shares. There are many MTNZ...
Although South African government bonds are less expensive than they were a few months ago, they remain overpriced and continue to offer little value to investors. This is according to value-based asset manager, RECM, which says that despite the recent sell-off...
Santhiran Naidoo,investment analyst at Glacier by Sanlam, explains what the possible US government shutdown is all about, and takes a look at how the current uncertainty in the US may affect us here in South Africa. For the past few weeks we have seen an increasing...
Geoff Blount, CEO of Cannon Asset Managers, takes an early look at investment opportunities that are likely to arise from the extension to the Gautrain network. Unlike the scepticism that met the announcement of the initial 80 kilometres of the Gautrain’s routes, the...
Wilhelm Hertzog, portfolio manager at asset management company RECM, looks at some South African shares that offer good value at the moment. For the first time in a few years, the South African market is offering up some exciting opportunities to buy high-quality...
A landmark ruling raises the issue of a woman’s right to inherit outside of wedlock regardless of what Nguni customary law dictates, writes Mkhululi Ngxumza A married woman inherits all kinds of assets from her husband, her children, who may die before her leaving no...
David Leslie, MD of Belmont Asset Management in Cape Town, takes a look out how the slowdown of China's economy could affect investors in South Africa. China enjoyed average growth rates of in excess of 10% for the first eight years of the millennium, but growth rates...
Geoff Blount, CEO of Cannon Asset Managers, examines the recent performance of the JSE, and notes that much of the performance is due to just three stocks. We recently pointed out that, since January last year, the JSE has risen a superlative 38.7% to a near all-time...
Although they have valuation levels similar to their counterparts in South Africa and the developed world, African markets offer superior prospects for growth, though it would be unreasonable to expect 50% a year going forward. Johan Steyn, Portfolio Manager at...
The National Debt Mediation Association is re-forming as a non-profit, independent financial wellness organisation to assist indebted consumers. The National Debt Mediation Association (NDMA) has over the past five years provided assistance to over-indebted consumers;...
Tax season is in full swing and as you race to get all your documents in order, you should take some time to reflect on the Tax Administration Act and how it affects you. SARS extended power The South African Revenue Service will now have extended powers to collect...