POPULARITY
The unrest that has gripped South Africa has impacted many businesses, and Dis-chem was not left unscathed. The retail pharmacy stopped Covid-19 testing, administrating vaccines and has shut down over 30 stores. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam caught up with its MD, Lynette Saltzman for more detail.
ActionSA has condemned the looting and widespread riots currently gripping South Africa and say it will pursue a lawsuit against government over its failure to ensure proper law enforcement and protection. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to ActionSA President Herman Mashaba for more detail.
Retail sales jumped by 15.8% in May but economists have warned that recent lockdown restrictions and riots will likely weigh on the industry going forward. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Anchor Capital's Investment Analyst, Casey Delport for more detail.
Businesses across the country have suffered major damage from rioting and looting, and will be looking to their insurance providers to help address losses. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Ryan Woolley, CEO of Insurance Claims Africa for a look at whether insurance firms will cover damage of this nature.
Sustainability-linked bond sales have accelerated in 2021 as investors start to see value in green fixed income assets. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam caught up with RMB's head of sustainable finance and ESG Advisory, Nigel Beck to discuss why this trend is emerging.
The SA Property Owners Association has denounced the riots and looting taking place across South Africa, which has caused an undisclosed amount of damage to property and infrastructure. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Neil Gopal, CEO of SAPOA for more detail.
The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry says the social unrest that followed the imprisonment of a former president Jacob Zuma is placing food and job security at risk. Business Day TV'S Alishia Seckam spoke to Mpume Langa, First Vice President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry for more.
The national defence force is set to quell ‘free Zuma' protests, after violence and looting in response to the former president's arrest spread from KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng and Mpumalanga. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Political Analyst Daniel Silke about how the events are shaping the country's current political landscape.
Imperial Logistics has received a buyout offer from DP World worth R12.7 billion. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Imperial's CEO Mohammed Akoojee for more detail.
South Africa's Reserve Bank is optimistic about the banking sector but some analysts are wary, and have said that earnings will only gradually start recovering over the next three years as the country continues to battle with the effects from the pandemic. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam discussed this in detail with Patrice Rassou, Chief Investment Officer at Ashburton Investments.
South Africa's listed property sector has made a strong comeback. The industry has rallied by 23% this year after plunging by 35% in 2020. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Ahmend Motara, Senior Property Analyst at Stanlib about whether the momentum can be sustained.
The clock is ticking on the warrant of arrest for former president Jacob Zuma but police minister Bheki Cele has indicated that he will not arrest Zuma in light of recent developments. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Lawson Naidoo from the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution for his views on the matter.
Transnet's ongoing rail and port issues are preventing South Africa's miners from reaching their full export potential of bulk commodities, and depriving the country of vitally needed taxes. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Henk Langenhoven, Chief Economist at the Minerals Council SA for more insight.
South Africa's Covid-19 alcohol sales restrictions have been associated with a significant drop in weekly deaths from non-natural causes. That's according to a study compiled by the Medical Research Council and UCT. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam unpacked the findings with Tom Moultrie, who is the paper's lead author and director of UCT's Centre for Actuarial Research.
The government recently improved its public sector wage offer to include a 1.5% pay progression increase and a monthly cash gratuity. The cash gratuity has not been factored into budget projections and will cost the government about R18 billion. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Azar Jammine, Chief Economist at Econometrix for his assessment of the move and how it impacts the fiscal framework.
OPEC+ members have not found common ground over plans to raise supply to meet rising global demand. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Ettienne van Wyk, Head of commodities trading at RMB about what this means for the oil market.
All five sub-components that make up the Absa Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) stayed above the 50-point neutral mark in June, but expected business conditions turned less positive during the period as new sales order and business activity pulled back. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam unpacked the print with Absa senior economist, Miyelani Maluleke.
Tax revenue for the 2021/22 year is expected to come in at R1.35 trillion but with job losses, salary cuts and a pick up in immigration as the pandemic rips through the local economy, is this target achievable? To find out, Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to SARS Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter.
National Treasury has decided to scrap the 12J tax incentive, citing concerns regarding the effectiveness of the underlying investments in meeting its objectives. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam caught up with Dino Zuccollo the chairperson of the Section 12J association of South Africa and discussed what this move means for 12J investments going forward.
JSE-listed tech firm Etion has returned to profit after it initiated a turnaround strategy that focused on revenue generation and cost containment. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Etion CEO Richard Wills for more detail.
South Africa's adjusted alert level four lockdown will weigh heavily on the restaurant industry as eateries are only allowed to operate on a take-away basis. To unpack the impact this will have on the sector, Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam caught up with FNB's restaurant industry specialist, Henk Botha.
As the deadly Delta variant rips through South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved the country to adjusted level 4 lockdown. But has this move come too late and is it enough to contain the third wave of infections? Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to the chair of the ministerial committee on Covid-19, Koleka Mlisana to find out.
EOH is suing its former directors, including ex-CEO Asher Bohbot, for their alleged failure to deal with corruption during their tenure. A statement from the technology firm says the move is a 'significant milestone in EOH's journey towards closing off its inherited legacy issues and holding those responsible for the governance failings that took place accountable". Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to EOH CEO Stephen Van Coller for more detail.
The rand lost some steam today as it continued to digest President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to move the country to an adjusted level 4 lockdown for the next two weeks. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam discussed this in detail with RMB's Matete Thulare.
Invicta believes its streamlining efforts are starting to take effect. The company has reported a return to profit in its year to end-March as it cut debt by over 50%. The firm has also made the decision to resume dividends. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam caught up with Invicta CEO Steven Joffe to find out what lies in the company's future now that its balance sheet is in better shape.
In response to the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases, government has taken the decision to ban alcohol sales for the next two weeks. The state believes this will ease the pressure on overburdened hospitals as the move will reduce alcohol-related emergency incidents. But the Beer Association of SA (BASA) says government's fourth ban on liquor sales will cripple the industry. BASA has suggested that there are less extreme measures that could be put in place to ensure that the spread of Covid-19 is contained while consumers enjoy a tipple. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to BASA CEO Patricia Pillay for more detail.
Civil society and business groups have raised concerns around proposed changes to the promotion of equality and prevention of unfair discrimination act, which they warn will unfairly harm businesses in South Africa and unfairly benefit and advance certain groups. Rona Bekker whose Senior Policy Advisor at the National Employers Association of South Africa talks to Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam about their stance on this matter.
According to analysis from global investment manager Schroders, there is a clear correlation between the speed of a country's vaccination drive and the expectations for future economic growth. And this has an impact on the performance of local financial markets. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam unpacked this in detail with Schroders senior emerging markets economist David Rees.
Murray & Roberts' CEO Henry Laas says the company's power business is struggling to keep its head above water but the recently announced infrastructure plans by government to stimulate the economy should present opportunities and provide relief to the division. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam caught up with Laas for more detail.
Inflation has accelerated to a 30-month high, rising to 5.2% in May on an annual basis. This puts price growth above the midpoint of the Reserve Bank's 3%-6% target band which is prompting some analysts to believe that the bank could hike interest rates sooner than expected. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to PwC economist Christie Viljoen for her take on the situation.
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) says it's willing to go to court to challenge government's decision to sell a 51% stake in South African Airways (SAA) to the Takatso Consortium. The political party believes that the sale lacks detail and the involvement of Harith as part of the Takatso Consortium is a concern. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam discussed this in detail with UDM leader Bantu Holomisa.
EPP, which operates malls in Poland, says that it's optimistic about the future. That's as Poland makes progress with its vaccination programme and eases lockdown restrictions so that consumers can once again return to shopping centres. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam caught up with EPP CEO Tomasz Trzósło for more insight on how the company plans to take advantage of the improved operating environment.
South Africa's construction sector recovery slowed in the first quarter. Afrimat's index for the industry declined to 109 points, driven by seasonal effects as well as the second wave of Covid-19. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Independent Economist, Roelof Botha for more insight.
Chemicals and fertilisers group Omnia has succeeded in improving its financial position by settling debt and this has allowed the firm to resume paying dividends. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Omnia CEO Seelan Gobalsamy about the company's prospects now that it's balance sheet is in a better condition.
PPC's annual headline profit from continuing operations has fallen by more than two thirds as the Zimbabwean dollar's collapse against the rand offset the positive effects of resilient demand for key products in some of the firm's markets. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam caught up with PPC CEO Roland van Wijnen to discuss the health of the group's balance sheet.
Naspers says it will hold off on declaring an annual dividend until there is clarity on how its share swap transaction with its subsidiary Prosus will proceed. The proposed deal has received some criticism, with a number of asset managers saying the transaction will increase the complexity of the Naspers structure. For more insight on this, Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Albert Saporta, founder and director of Alternative Management and Research.
Nigerian banking giant Access Bank is entering the South African market. The group has launched a retail bank in SA and plans to open four branches before the end of the year. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam discussed these plans in detail with the MD of Access Bank South Africa Bennie van Rooy.
South Africa's unemployment rate rose to a record high of 32.6% in the first quarter. Job losses were recorded mostly in the construction sector, followed by trade and private households as the economy continued to grapple with the impact of Covid-19. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Lullu Krugel, Chief Economist at PWC about what the data means for economic growth moving forward.
The Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) compiled by Absa suggests that local factories are in good health as the latest reading for May has come in at 57.8 points with four of the five sub-components remaining above the 50-point neutral mark that separates expansion from contraction. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam unpacked how the print impacts the outlook for the sector with Absa's senior economist, Miyelani Maluleke.
The local bond market has shrugged off global inflation fears, with the R2030 firmer at 8.9% . Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam discussed the activity taking place in that space with Michelle Wohlberg from RMB.
Spar has posted a 52% jump in half-year headline earnings per share driven by strong performances in Ireland and Switzerland. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to CEO Brett Botten for his take on the results.
National Treasury has rejected the Democratic Alliance's proposal to amend pension fund laws to allow members to access up to 75% of their retirement savings as a loan guarantee. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Ismail Momoniat, Treasury DDG for Tax and Financial Sector Policy for more insight
The global commodities boom hit a wall at the beginning of the week after Chinese officials moved to temper prices and reduce the speculation that has driven markets. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam discussed the factors at play with RMB's Ettienne van Wyk.
Netcare has reported an interim profit from a loss in the previous six months. The private hospital operator attributes the improvement to better management and protocols during the second wave of Covid-19 infections. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to CEO Richard Friedland for more detail.
Barloworld's new acquisitions have given the company a boost. The group's delivered a 6.5% jump in half-year revenue and headline earnings per share have come in five times higher than the previous period at 367c. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam caught up with the company's CEO, Dominic Sewela and he shared more detail on the performance.
Tiger Brands has opted to resume its interim dividend and has declared a payout of R3.20. But the company has warned that trading conditions are likely to remain difficult as the impact of a Covid-19 continues to take its toll. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Tiger Brands CEO Noel Doyle for more insight.
The Reserve Bank has maintained its repurchase rate at a historic low of 3.5%. Governor Lesetja Kganyago says the decision was unanimous, as the Monetary Policy Committee expects inflation to be contained this year. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam unpacked the decision with Stanlib Chief Economist Kevin Lings.
Liberty has released its 2020 claims data. The statistics show that Liberty paid a total of R12.4 billion in insurance claims during the period and over half a billion of that went towards confirmed Covid-19-related deaths. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam caught up with Nalen Naidoo, Divisional Executive for Retail Solutions at Liberty, for more insight regarding the pandemic’s impact on the insurance sector, the consumer and the broader economy.
Discovery is working alongside the government to get South Africans vaccinated and phase two of the vaccine rollout strategy is now underway. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam spoke to Ryan Noach, CEO of Discovery Health for an update on the process, and what it suggests for herd immunity at this point.
Vodacom has raised its final dividend by 1.2%. That's as increased data usage and robust demand for the group's financial services helped lift profit during the full year. Business Day TV's Alishia Seckam unpacked the performance with CEO Shameel Joosub.