Moneyweb@Midday

A round-up of news, including the Parliamentary Committee's request for an investigation of the failed SAA/Takatso deal. Thabo Mbeki joins the ANC's election campaign and a look at the role played by SMEs in economic growth.

‘For a process of democracy to succeed, the ones who must write their manifesto are the public, and having agreed on that manifesto, we must go and look for a politician who seems to be capable of executing that manifesto,’ says Pali Lehohla, former Statistician-General.

A round-up of news, including why communities should write their own manifestos. World Malaria Day, and Amnesty International on the state of world human rights.

‘It's going to feed more consumption in South Africa rather than saving an investment, and saving an investment is the critical ingredient that's missing from South Africa's growth structure,’ says Professor Adrian Saville, strategist and economist at the Gordon Institute of Business Science.

A round-up of news updates, including El Niño's impact in Southern Africa, the state of white-collar crime in the country and the threat posed by textbook piracy on education.

‘In this case it has to do with whether or not an employee, who has a criminal record, can be disqualified from getting a job and on what basis they can be disqualified and whether it's justified or not,’ says labour law expert, Patrick Deale.

A round-up of news updates, including Numsa's demands in the steel sector, the latest landmark labour court victory and the El Niño crisis in Southern Africa.

‘We are seeing the benefits of the work that has been done over the last year. We still have another year to go of executing on this plan,’ says Mteto Nyati, Eskom board chair.

A round-up of news updates including the rise in kidnappings in SA, Eskom's continued suspension of loadshedding and the decline in home ownership in the country.

‘Both of these factors, the rand and the oil price, would most probably have a very negative impact on petrol going into May. Let's have a look and hope it doesn't have that same impact on diesel,’ says the Automobile Association’s spokesperson, Layton Beard.

A summary of news updates, including the situation in the City of Tshwane, South Africa's entrepreneurial prospects, developments in the Middle East conflict, and the impending fuel price increase.

‘We are going to be a country that is defined by many people who were youths, who were unemployed, and eventually become adults who are unemployed,’ says labour analyst, Mamokgethi Molopyane.

A round-up of news, including the IMF's projection of increased unemployment in SA, reaction to the final white paper on citizenship, and the thorny issue of Gauteng school camps.

A round-up of news updates, including government's new partnership with Takealot, formalising artisanal and small-scale mining and SA's reptiles under threat.

‘We are currently running tests just to make sure that we get the facts and then if there are offences that have been committed against the Medicines Act, then we'll impose our penalties,’ says Daphney Fafudi, manager of regulatory compliance at Saphra.

Here's a round-up of news, including the latest on flooding in KZN, the Higher Education Department's firing of the NSFAS board, and the importance of funding mental health initiatives.

‘I was just disturbed when I read in the papers that they say we have replaced the critical skills list, that we are replacing it with a point system,’ says Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Home Affairs.

A round-up of news updates, including MK Party on the IEC's appeal and government's reactions to the latest developments in the Middle East.

‘If a company is unlikely to pay its debt or unlikely to be solvent in the next six months, then it's a prime candidate for business rescue. The purpose of that business rescue would be to avoid that company going into liquidation,’ says Vincent Manko, director of the Dispute Resolution at Cliffe Dekker, Hofmeyr.

A round-up of news, including fighting crossborder corruption, the rise in business closures and liquidations and the implications of scrapping e-tolls.

‘We've got to have greater assistance by the Financial Intelligence Centre when it comes to supporting law enforcement with identifying money laundering transactions and terrorist funding,’ says Steven Powell, head of ENS’ Forensics practice.

A round-up of news updates, including efforts to get SA off the grey list and hundreds of thousands are heading to Cape Town for the world's most beautiful marathon.

‘We've noted the study with great concern because when we look at the word use of injustice, in our view, the study does not fully represent the reality of what’s happening on the ground,’ says Patricia Stock, CEO of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

A round-up of news updates, including analysis of Zuma's court victory. JSC interviews conclude.

‘We will seek any possible cash injection that we can possibly get, but we are also very confident that we will survive the process with much more modest growth plans, even if no cash injection were to come our way,’ says South African Airways chairperson, Derek Hanekom.

Website:*A round-up of news updates, including MK Party VS IEC court ruling and SAA's search for a new CEO.

‘We have everything in place and I'm really grateful to say we got so much support from our community, from NGOs like StellCare, from Gift of the Givers, and everything is business as usual,’ says executive mayor of Stellenbosch, Gesie van Deventer.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at damage from the weekend's storms in the cape. The education department reduces student-teacher bursaries. The digital divide, who is left behind?

‘You can now, as of last week Thursday, apply for a remote worker visa to come and work remotely in South Africa, which I think is another big win,’ says Marisa Jacobs, managing director of Xpatweb.

A round-up of news including a look at Corruption Watch's 12th annual report, SA's new work visa regulations and the petition to save WildEarth Channel.

‘The consequences of taking that money out, not only are you going to be taxed as taxable income, but the long-term consequence is that you'll never be able to save that money up again,’ says Caroline Naylor-Renn, chief operating officer of 10X.

A round-up of news, including Mapisa-Nqakula's resignation and what you need to know about the two-pot retirement system. Captive Lion Industry Task Team on 'win-win voluntary exit'.

A round-up of Wednesday's latest news updates. Analysis of Sars's preliminary revenue collection outcomes and why SMEs shouldn't underestimate the power of branding.

‘You don't want to destroy the solar industry; I don't want to point fingers and say they are to blame for this because they're not. It's a disruptive technology and we need to come with a different way as to how we price electricity,’ says energy commentator, Hügo Krüger.

A round-up of news, including an analysis of the next Eskom tariff hike. E-Tolls to go and consumers turning to debt counselling

‘I think it starts with the knowledge and that's why I feel entrepreneurship embedded in education will really allow and empower people to be able to be these problem solvers,’ says Ntsaphokazi Madyibi, founder of the Entrepreneurs Development Forum.

A round-up of news, including an analysis of the Sarb's latest interest rate decision. Electricity Minister updates on a recent visit to the Kendal power station. Why schools should focus on developing entrepreneurship skills in their students.

‘They would have to have formally informed the students, that's what the regulations require them to do, where there are students who have got monies due to them, they have to reimburse those students,’ says Veli Mbele, spokesperson for the Department of Higher Education.

A round-up of news, including a look at the DA granted motion of no confidence against speaker of parliament The ANC's position on the speaker And the education department deregistered four institutions

A round-up of news, including a look at JHB's water crisis with the mayor of Johannesburg. Political analysis of the ANC vs IEC court ruling, and a look at how climate change is impacting consumers' pockets.

‘I spoke to some of the investigators and they were saying that they now have to regroup and see what they do with this particular case because they're going to have to focus on other people involved in Steinhoff,’ says Rob Rose, author of Steinheist.

A round-up of news, including a look at reactions to Markus Jooste's death and what's next for the others implicated in the downfall of Steinhoff. Parliamentary speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula approaches the court in a bid to stop her arrest.

‘It's not as though the ANC at this point is going to be losing somebody who's a heavyweight and her constituency is not such that the ANC is going to suffer if she were to actually suffer, let's say the legal ramifications of her actions,’ says Dr TK Pooe, public policy specialist at the Wits School of Governance.

A round-up of news, including a look at what is behind the NPA's raid at the home of national assembly speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa- Nqakula. Insights into South Africa's fibre connectivity.

‘We are part of a task team with the NPA and the SIU to make sure that we move on these cases because I agree with the sentiment out there that it's taken too long and so we need to make sure that there are consequences meted out,’ says Jodi Scholtz, commissioner at the National Lotteries Commission.

A round-up of news, including a look at what it will take to clean up the National Lottery of rampant fraud and corruption. And, insights into how election polls are conducted and why they matter.

‘Elections are the lifeblood of a democratic society, and we need to make sure that we do everything to cooperate with and assist the IEC to deliver these free and fair elections,’ says Lawson Naidoo, executive secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at Nersa’s approval of the transfer of Eskom's transmission powers to the National Transmition Company of SA. Analysts call for political parties to steer clear of attacking the IEC; and, a look at the latest data on unlawful land occupation.

‘In South Africa, the survey that was done at the end of February showed that the harvest may be down about 13% year-on-year, with the overall grain production of about 17.4 million tonnes,’ says Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at the MK party's chances of success. Why many people living with diabetes don’t get proper treatment, and what the dry weather means for maize farmers.

‘How they are funding operations at this stage is something of a mystery. Gordhan did say though that if they needed further money, it wasn't going to come from the state, that they had to look to finance their assets,’ says Guy Leitch, editor of SA Flyer Magazine.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at whether the government will be able to keep SAA going without an equity partner. Why are SA’s trade conditions on the decline? Police ordered to test whether guns were used in criminal activities before destroying them.

‘We are investigating, and we are planning to take action if it's neglect from our side as Rand Water, but it could be neglect, it could be sabotage,’ says Rand Water spokesperson, Makenosi Maroo.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at concerns over the government's late payment of suppliers. Analysis of consumer loyalty and a look at the daily challenges faced by commuters.

‘I think it's people who have succeeded, who have built ties, built opportunities and built up enough capital to come back and actually live a much better quality life than what they left,’ says Bronwyn Williams, futurist at Flux Trends.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at why some peanut butter producers are not adhering to the recall.

‘I think that we’re sitting on infrastructure that is falling apart and unless we literally take this on as an issue we need to focus on, we are going to be experiencing these water cuts for a number of years,’ says Dr Ferrial Adam, executive manager at WaterCAN.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at funding of big infrastructure projects. Analysis of the IFP’s manifesto and a look at solutions to Johannesburg’s water challenges.

‘The question now is, is there the necessary technical acumen within those institutions to turn the ship around? Everything that I've seen suggests to me that we do not have that technical acumen,’ says water scientist, Professor Anthony Turton.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at plans to fix Johannesburg’s water infrastructure. A look at how innovative funding can help the SANDF and political parties in a scramble to meet the IEC’s deadline.

‘We're working with government to ensure that that reform is actually not just decisions are taken, but the reform itself is implemented, but it's going to take time to feed through,’ says Martin Kingston, chairperson of the Business for South Africa steering committee.

A round-up of news updates, including an update on the eThekwini municipal strike.

‘Interesting, yesterday to listen to Jan Malan of British International Investment, they're funding two wind farms in the Northern and Eastern Cape. Now, they're certainly not willing to support new investments in fossil fuels, the likes of coal fired power stations, but interestingly, have heightened their desire to fund transmission projects,’ says Andrew Maggs, editor of SA Mining Watch.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at why Johannesburg’s taps are running dry. Should we be concerned about the state of Eskom following an independent report into its operations? And Zimbabwean leaders face sanctions.

‘I think that debt-to-GDP continues to rise slower and slower, continues to rise over a period of time, and it just becomes a case of we’re sleep-walking into a potential fiscal crunch,’ says Roy Havemann, principal, financial sector policy and public economics at Krutham.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at the latest GDP data. A look at what's happened to the SAPS's HQ and the role of technology in conservation.

‘I can assure you that South African Airways since its reemergence from business rescue, from May 2021 to current, has been on a remedial programme to sort out all those audit findings that the 2018 financials are about,’ says Professor John Lamola, interim CEO at South African Airways.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at concerns around the electoral timetable. Analysis of SAA’s financial status and a look at the importance of a national cancer registry.

‘I would say it's going to take us still a couple of years to move far enough forward with the basic reforms to show that we are making meaningful progress, and then there are other big issues that clearly are going to take longer,’ says Kevin Lings, chief economist at Stanlib.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at the latest political party funding declarations.

‘The most encouraging thing is that through ongoing dialogue, she has shown a real approach that seeks to be consultative, but also, she has been very open to working with the private sector in terms of resolving some of the issues at Transnet,’ says Lunga Maloyi, economic policy director at Business Unity South Africa.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at what the top priorities should be for the new Transnet CEO. Analysis of SAA’s finances and a look at how the Department of Health is readying itself for the implementation of the NHI.

‘These industries employ 70 000 people, contribute significantly to the manufacturing sector to the extent of about R500 billion a year and there are no feasible or discernible alternatives for energy to run these plants at this particular point in time,’ says Jaco Human of the Industrial Gas Users Association of Southern Africa.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at concerns by industrial gas users on a looming gas supply crisis. A look at why parliament has skipped public hearings on the SABC Bill and understanding why SA beef is so sought after.

‘One of the major things that was a good example of the rebuilding process is what was the reestablishment of the Sars Large Business Centre to what it was, which is essentially a one-stop shop for companies with a certain level of income so that they can more easily resolve their tax issues,’ says Louis Botha, senior associate at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr.

A round-up of news updates including a look at whether SA’s energy availability factor has improved. A look at why KZN is key for the elections this time around and the value of the sports market in South Africa.

‘It's crazy that government departments aren't paying their e-toll bills and yet some companies are. We've been saying for some time now, if these last 10% to 15% of the people who are paying just stopped paying, it would force government to make their decision a lot quicker,’ says Wayne Duvenage, CEO at the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at the impact of proposed cuts to overtime pay for doctors. A look at why voter education is critical ahead of the elections, and analysis of the trends that will shape consumer spending over the next year.

‘What we're finding is one in three transactions occur via a mobile device. That adoption is much greater and faster, which is the rise that we've seen last year, which is over 20% within the South African market,’ says Hayley Hopwood, head of revenue at Paystack.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at what the budget speech means for investors. A look at the rise of digital payments and analysis on whether political parties will lose or gain votes based on their stance on the Israel-Gaza situation.

‘I think the misconception is that you needed to have a certain background. Even in school you needed to have studied certain subjects. It's pretty simple once you're in it, and really anyone can do it,’ says Mvelo Hlope, CEO of Zaio.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at concerns over changes to the SRD grant. Analysis of the budget speech and a look at how coding could help ease unemployment.

‘When you're associating with an individual person, brands and companies need to consider the fact that these individual people have various different changing personalities, and their public interest may improve or decline over time, and it's important to be able to mitigate those risks,’ says Danilo Acquisto, senior digital influencer marketing committee member at the Interactive Advertising Bureau.

A summary of news updates delving into the persistent rise in SA's unemployment rate. We examine recent guidelines in the influencer marketing sector and why the government should prioritise children in social spending.

‘It begs the question as to whether or not the statistics of around 94% of them being concluded, does it include those that are not being traced, that are not traceable, that disappear off the system,’ says Bulelwa Mabasa, head of land reform at Werksmans.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at whether the Hawks are making inroads in investigating commercial crimes. A look at whether SA’s land restitution programme is starting to bear fruit and calls for a wealth tax to solve some of the country’s social challenges.

‘Government, even in an election year, can make the point to say, well, we are in a tight corner, we don't want to cut back on expenses, the economy's not really growing yet as much as we would like it to grow, so to generate additional revenue, we are considering Vat,’ says Maarten Ackerman, chief economist at Citadel.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at how the running of municipalities affects demand for real estate. A look at whether Judge will succeed in trying to delay his impeachment vote and a look ahead to Wednesday’s budget speech.

‘One of the findings is ways that companies can help women work through those career pauses, by retaining them through flexible practices, which definitely came out of the report as something that businesses can look at as an opportunity to attract and retain talent,’ says Phillipa Geard, founder of RecruitMyMom.

A round-up of news updates including a look at what needs to be done to improve funding for higher education. A look at why so many skilled women are left out of the workforce, and a new virtual game about rooibos takes the world by storm

‘We are just questioning whether transferring these named entities into a new Holdco, whether that actually achieves the stated aims, and we think this legislation needs some further amendment in order to go towards that goal,’ says Olga Constantatos, head of credit at Futuregrowth.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at whether the SOE bill will achieve its objectives. A look at how to close the SME funding gap and whether a lack of leadership is to blame for Tshwane’s service delivery failures.

‘If you get those doctors to populate those areas, I am sure that it would be very good planning, considering if that plan is implemented. If it's not implemented, it's just a promise that is not helpful, not only to the doctors, but also to the population at large,’ says Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, chairperson of the South African Medical Association.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at the latest risk assessment of SA.

‘As more and more people make the solar investment, or even if they have an existing system, they decide to upgrade it and enlarge it, the quantum of power that is available to us grows,’ says Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at how those living in Cape Town can sell excess power to the city. Why South Africa is considering heading back to the ICJ and a look at how to avoid romance scams ahead of Valentine’s Day.

‘There is a host of different elements that the government will have to address and basically ensure that they're put in place before any change can take place to the private healthcare that a number of South Africans have at the moment,’ says Gary Feldman, executive head of Healthcare Consulting at NMG Benefits.

A round-up of news updates, including a look at what’s behind the increased level of load shedding.

‘There are certain other factors that would inform whether or not the lower prices that would be found at the ports for containers bringing in poultry products would translate into lower prices for consumers when they get to the shelves,’ says Ayabonga Cawe, chief commissioner at the International Trade Administration Commission.