Thousands apply as DA candidates; some in secret

From SAPA The Democratic Alliance on Saturday announced its premier and Parliamentary candidates ahead of the 2014 elections.Party leader Helen Zille, was again nominated to be the premier of the Western Cape. Mmusi Maimane, who has been at the forefront for the party in Gauteng, was elected to head the province. Speaking at a media … Read more

Gold shoots up, dollar falls

* Faltering dollar pulls gold higher * Prices set to rise for fifth week as equities weaken * Gold premiums in India down 30 pct on import speculation (Re-casts, adds quotes, updates prices) By Jan Harvey and Veronica Brown LONDON, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Gold hit its highest in two months on Friday as the dollar fell and a global … Read more

Standard Bank fined for money-laundering: UK

From Reuters LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) – Britain’s financial regulator has fined the UK arm of South Africa‘s Standard Bank Group 7.6 million pounds ($12.6 million) for lax anti-money laundering controls of corporate customers linked to people holding prominent public functions. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said on Thursday it was the first time it had brought a case … Read more

Looming SA strikes: Mediation team prepped

From SAPAThe CCMA is preparing to resolve disputes ahead of labour union Amcu’s planned strike in the gold and platinum sectors, the commission said on Wednesday. “The CCMA is presently preparing a mediation team to support the state initiative presently underway to attempt to resolve the disputes,” the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration said … Read more

Unilever to invest more in Africa

From Reuters * Q4 emerging markets sales up 8.4 pct vs 5.9 pct in Q3 * CEO – no change in strategy, accelerating investments * Full-year earnings, sales top analysts expectations * Shares up 3.5 pct By Martinne Geller LONDON, Jan 21 (Reuters) – Unilever said it would stick to its emerging markets growth strategy as a … Read more

BRIC, MINT or CIVET: What’s the best investment?

From Reuters   * Assets in BRIC investment funds down sharply from 2010 * Economic growth may not convert into stock market gains * Goldman’s BRIC fund down 20 percent in past three years * Acronyms are economic, not investment concepts – inventor * MINT countries offer young, growing populations – O’Neill By Carolyn Cohn … Read more

New Primedia CEO: Roger Jardine replaces Pillay

From SAPATop businessman Roger Jardine has been appointed the new group CEO of Primedia, the company announced on Monday.Jardine will replace Kuben Pillay, who moves to the position of executive chairman for the group. The appointment will take effect next month. “Roger brings a wealth of experience with him, having run two listed entities including … Read more

SA finance minister urges workers to call off strikes

From Reuters * Union AMCU to strike at three biggest platinum producers * Renewed labour strife will add pressure on rand * Ratings agency say strikes create uncertainty By David Dolan JOHANNESBURG, Jan 20 (Reuters) – South Africa‘s ailing economy cannot afford more mine labour unrest, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Monday, after the platinum industry’s main trade … Read more

Gold price steady; platinum up on SA strike threat

From Reuters * SPDR holdings rise for first time in a month * Gold records four straight weeks of gains * Platinum strikes in S. Africa likely this week (Updates throughout, changes dateline from SINGAPORE) By Clara Denina LONDON, Jan 20 (Reuters) – Gold steadied after touching its highest level in nearly six weeks on Monday, still finding … Read more

Black South Africans overtake white home buyers

From SAPA Black South Africans overtake white home buyers: FNB Black South Africans have bought more suburban homes in the past year than their white counterparts, an FNB Estate Agent survey stated on Monday. “… 2013 was the first year in the history of this survey question, dating back to 2005, in which the so-called … Read more