Planning Topics
By: Jason HiggsThe desire to own your own home burns fiercely within many of us. But pinpointing the exact moment to make that dream a reality can feel as elusive as catching a shooting star. Market conditions, interest rates and even the season – all these factors swirl around this momentous…
Devotees of true crime documentaries and podcasts will be all too familiar with the trope of spouses taking out life insurance on their partners before murdering them for the payout. While it’s not possible to do that in South Africa without the party’s consent, that doesn’t mean we don't have our…
South Africa's savings rate, at 16.3% (down from 25%-30%) affects financial stability and economic growth. Sebastien Alexanderson urges saving amidst economic challenges.Research from Investec and GIBS shows that South Africa has one of the lowest savings rates globally, currently at a staggering…
Hiring activity in South Africa remained volatile according to the Pnet Job Market Trends Report, which provides insights into recruitment and employment trends in the South African market.The report by the online recruitment platform said that after April every year there was usually an uptake in…
Absa in partnership with Ozow are introducing Absa Pay, a new payment solution, it said in a statement. By integrating Ozow’s platform with Absa Pay, both companies aim to improve the digital payments ecosystem. “This alliance is facilitated through South Africa’s leading proprietary open banking-…
GEPF represented by the PIC intends to acquire SAHL Investment HoldingsThe Competition Tribunal has announced that it has unconditionally approved the merger whereby the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), represented by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), intends to acquire shareholding…
By Roxanna NaidooPresident Cyril Ramaphosa’s signature to introduce the National Health Insurance (NHI) on May 15, 2024 has been met with mixed reactions. The three elephants in the room are: who will foot the bill, will all doctors and healthcare workers now work directly for the government, and…
According to the National Credit Regulator, South Africans owed R2.31 trillion in 2023, with short-term credit increasing by R235.09 million. This growing consumer debt highlights South Africans struggling to make ends meet and their need for credit. Ayanda Ndimande, Strategic Business Development…
This is the fourth article in a nine-part series that summarises findings from Just Retirement Insights 2024, a tracking study conducted by retirement income specialist, Just SA.Just Retirement Insights 2024 asked respondents to rate their level of confidence that their money, despite inflation…
Ryon PhernambucqAs a South African investor, there are several ways to gain offshore exposure, namely investing directly in an offshore fund or investing in a feeder fund. The investment decision to determine which of these is most appropriate involves some considerations.Are the two investment…
By: Mariska OosthuizenHow the F(inance) does one talk “money” with one’s kids? A 2024 Her Money Mindset survey suggests as many as 20% of parents don’t talk “money” with their children. A T Rowe Price study found that 41% of parents feel anxious to discuss finances with their kids. Honest money…
By Martin HesseThe inevitable annual tax filing season is upon us. As an individual, you probably pay more to the government than you realise. It’s to your advantage to know about the different types of taxes, as you can then look at ways to pay less tax or as the financial planning experts say,…
The priorities for the Government of National Unity (GNU) in South Africa include achieving rapid, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth to create jobs. Commentators agree that that our state-owned entities’ (SOEs) governance process has a serious and never-ending problem due to the political…
Many boards of trustees, now third-party data providers to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) through reporting beneficiary distributions, remaining ultimately responsible, are turning to their accountants/tax practitioners for guidance. These professionals play a crucial role in navigating…
By: Nicola MawsonIN THESE tough economic times, everyone is looking for a deal – a way to cut down on costs as much as possible.While salaries are showing a partial recovery from a year ago, according to BankservAfrica’s Take-home Pay Index for May, the latest available indicates that salaries,…
There is a trend of increasing mental health risks in the South African corporate workplace, according to new data by Life Health Solutions.The Life Health Solutions research, which analysed data from 2018 to 2023, revealed that it found a significant rise in the prevalence of mental…
The pre-owned watch and jewellery market is experiencing explosive growth, capturing nearly half of all global luxury resale trade and expanding at a rate of 8% annually, outperforming the luxury industry as a whole. This trend is also evident in South Africa, with local pre-owned luxury reseller…
By Tobie van HeerdenTechnology, properly applied, can be an incredible democratising force. It’s already played that role in media, publishing, collaboration, access to information, and so many other areas of our daily lives. More recently, it’s helped democratise areas of finance that were once…
By: XpatwebIn his first official act as the newly appointed Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, just one day after being sworn in, has extended the temporary concession for foreign nationals awaiting the outcomes of their visa, waiver, and appeal applications.On July 4, 2024, the Department…
Between work, family and personal commitments, carving out moments may feel like a constant battle at times. One area that often gets squeezed is managing our finances. This challenge is interlinked to our most valuable commodity – time. People simply do not have enough time.What if managing your…