Kaya Biz

Inflation at more than 6% will boost wage demands.

The March 2022 edition of this report looked at the potential impact of higher commodity prices (specifically food and energy) on local producer and consumer price inflation. Trade unions’ elevated wage and salary expectations add an additional element of cost pressure for South African companies. The local labour movement is…

5 May 2022 4AM 9 min

South African state workers demand 10% wage increases.

Labour Unions representing South Africa’s 1.3 million state workers demanded 10% pay increases to help them offset soaring electricity, transport and food costs. The unions are also pushing for a single-year pay deal because they no longer trust the government to honor longer-term accords, according to a presentation they made…

5 May 2022 4AM 6 min

Southern African entrepreneurs secure $10-million in funding for regional entrepreneurs.

Two enterprising Southern African entrepreneurs have established a Southern African Investment Forum (ISAF) and secured an initial $10 million in international funding for emerging African businesses. Frustrated by the impact of COVID on local economies, disruptions to supply chains and funding delays from formal quarters, Johannesburg-raised Tessa Pule (Chief Operations…

4 May 2022 4AM 12 min

Ekasinomics: GH MALL – An online mall for township brands and businesses.

Diketso Setho and Thabang Chokwe (25) are the owner of GH Mall, an online mall that gives township businesses the opportunity to sell their products online. It mainly targets small businesses that sell clothing, accessories, local art, merchandise and books. A resident of in Mayibuye, a township between Midrand and…

4 May 2022 4AM 18 min

What do HR policies say about employees who are on trial or facing criminal charges?

Can you terminate an employee if they have been charged with a criminal offence? As with most things HR — it’s rarely clear cut, and this kind of situation is no exception. It does depend on the crime and whether they are convicted. There is a distinction between the two…

4 May 2022 4AM 16 min

SA ranked sixth country most affected by cybercrime, research finds

SA is among the top 10 countries found to have experienced the most cybercrime in 2021, according to research by cybersecurity company Surfshark. The overall numbers in SA, which ranked sixth, are significantly lower than the UK’s, which topped the overall cybercrime density list for the second year in a…

4 May 2022 4AM 15 min

Corobrik opens a new plant, the most technologically advanced & environment friendly brick-manufacturing plant in Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed a new brick manufacturing plant in Driefontein, west of Johannesburg as the fruits of the annual South African Investment Conference. President Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address at the official opening of Corobrik’s Kwastina manufacturing factory on Wednesday.

4 May 2022 4AM 7 min

Commission publishes practice note on the promotion of competition and inclusion in supplier panels of banks & insurers.

The Practice Note builds on the enforcement and advocacy work that the Commission has undertaken with Insurers and Banks over the years. The Commission regularly receives complaints alleging unfair competition practices in supplier panels that relate to the provision of services to customers of banks and insurers such as conveyancers,…

4 May 2022 4AM 9 min

TRANSACTING IN CASH NEEDN’T BE A ‘CASH-22’

The transition to a cashless society is underway in some parts of the world, but South Africa and other emerging markets remain a “cash-full society,” characterized by various businesses and industries where cash is still king. South Africans are not opposed to digital transactions; however, the majority still rely on…

3 May 2022 4AM 12 min

Home Loan Statistics: Slow Property Price Growth & Competition Amongst the Banks Favours New Homebuyers

Slowing property price growth and continued strong competition between banks for home loans favours entry into the property market for new homebuyers. Statistics for the first quarter of 2022 (Q1 22) from ooba, South Africa’s foremost home loan comparison service, indicate a residential property market and lending environment that still…

3 May 2022 4AM 14 min

It's My House: What affects the value of your property?

You may be considering some home improvements in the near future, but do you know which ones will increase the likelihood of a quick and profitable sale of your property? If you want to work your way up the property ladder to your dream home, you need to know how…

3 May 2022 4AM 20 min

ALLAN GRAY - Has your risk perception changed as a result of the market crisis?

Emotions and investing are like oil and water – they simply don’t mix. Reacting to big market swings in the short-term environment can have detrimental consequences for long-term investors, such as locking in permanent losses that cannot be recovered over time. Marise Bester, investment specialist at Allan Gray, joins Kaya…

3 May 2022 4AM 12 min

GEPF and PIC sign a new unlisted investment mandate – Does this make the pool bigger for small and unlisted businesses?

The Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) and the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) have signed a new unlisted developmental investment mandate. The GEPF is the largest pension fund in Africa, with assets in excess of R2.1 trillion, which are managed by the PIC. The GEPF first introduced the unlisted developmental investment…

3 May 2022 4AM 9 min

South Africa’s rand is undervalued.

The rand held its ground against the dollar in afternoon trade on Tuesday (3 May), having given up 3.6% over last week, trading at R15.99 relative to the greenback – near its weakest levels in nearly five months. Load shedding, floods in KwaZulu-Natal, rising inflation, and a stronger dollar have…

3 May 2022 4AM 10 min

Africa Travel Indaba kicks off in KZN – Will the outcomes be practical enough to implement?

The indaba is Africa’s biggest tourism trade show where African countries showcase their destinations to global tourism buyers. It is estimated that this year’s indaba will generate R72, 5 million to the local economy.

2 May 2022 9AM 10 min

Careers Corner: Company remuneration structures and policies for working overtime and on a public holiday.

What are the normal working hours in a week? According to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), the maximum normal working time allowed is 45 hours weekly. This is nine hours per day (excluding a lunch break) if the employee works a five-day week, and eight hours per day…

2 May 2022 9AM 21 min

Understanding the concept of seller financing – a new way of lending.

South African commercial property owners are now offering potential property buyers almost interest-free loans to supplement their already secured bank mortgages, to ensure they secure their asking price. These vendor loans (or vendor finance), are fairly well known internationally, but are now growing in popularity in South Africa, said Gary…

2 May 2022 8AM 15 min

Inside Your Pocket: Tricks and tips to bring down your cost of living in South Africa

There are indications that interest rates will slowly increase over the next few years, while fuel price continues to climb at a steady rate, notes Ester Ochse, product head: FNB Money Management. These two increases will have an impact on the amount you will pay for two important “needs”, housing…

2 May 2022 8AM 15 min

New landmark study for tax professionals.

A new landmark study is set to call out the most significant operational, regulatory and legislative challenges experienced by tax practitioners in South Africa with a view to improving the level of support provided by industry bodies and expediting often-onerous interactions with government tax agencies. Developed by Tax Consulting SA’s…

2 May 2022 8AM 7 min

SA workers need to toughen up and adapt.

South Africa’s workforce needs to step up efforts to become more effective contributors to South Africa’s economy, a skills development and recruitment services company has urged. This Workers Day, Afrika Tikkun Services (ATS) challenges workers to take responsibility and rise to the task of bringing their best ethical and professional…

2 May 2022 8AM 12 min