The world is changing fast and to keep up you need local knowledge with global context.
This section houses interviews conducted by Biznews, both video and audio, and other interesting inputs sourced from Third Parties.
Although Group Five has grown revenues sharply – revenue was up over 55% in the six months ended December 2013, compared to the previous period – the growth in operating profit has been more modest. G5 reported that operating profit from continuing operations was up 27.5% in the six months ended December last year compared … Read more
As attempts to rescue illegal miners trapped in an abandoned gold mine in Benoni continue, people are starting to ask what can be done about this situation. According to Cadiz’s Peter Major, there are over 6,000 abandoned mines littering the South African landscape – that means over 6,000 mines whose owners government is unable to … Read more
I love my job. Some days more than others. Like on Saturday when I got a half hour interview with a business legend. The quiet genius, the “nice” half of the duo that created the world’s most valuable company, Apple Computer. Stephen Wozniak, or “Woz” as he is best known, was in Johannesburg to address … Read more
It’s part of the human condition that the more money you possess, the more liberal your views. It’s no accident that the wealthy suburb of Houghton in Johannesburg was the seat of the late Helen Suzman who, during the Apartheid era, was for decades the sole liberal voice in South Africa’s Parliament. In the asset … Read more
This was a terrific discussion. And timeous. Entrepreneurs worldwide are becoming increasingly interested in the African growth story. Statements vary depending on who you listen to, but it’s common cause the continent houses at least six (most say seven, others nine) of what will be the world’s ten fastest growing economies over the next decade. … Read more
With the collapsing rand and the many challenges facing emerging markets, it’s not an easy environment for a company like ARB Holdings, which imports and distributes electrical products. yet, despite conditions, the company has managed to deliver really solid results – a 35% increase in headline earnings, double-digit revenue growth, and good cash generation. The … Read more
One of the areas in which South Africa is definitely lagging is in the provision of broadband internet access. Encouragingly, however, it seems that government has recognised the problem and is trying to come up with ways to turn it around. The Gauteng government, for example, has just awarded a R1.2bn tender to Altech to … Read more
Italtile, listed on the Johannesburg stock exchange (see the Biznews data bank for more details on JSE: ITE), may have taken a bruising in Australia but it is not giving up on its international aspirations. This time, though, it is focusing on terrain closer to home: Kenya is where it expects to build revenue streams … Read more
Assumptions are the mothers of all bugger ups. Or something like that. As we were reminded today after hearing Abil had raised another R2.2bn in funding – but this time in Swiss Francs. On the surface, not the smartest idea on the planet given the strength of the Swissie and the very low likelihood that … Read more
Once you cut through the noise, there are some indisputable facts about the economic world we now inhabit. Old style jobs are disappearing at the rate horses fell to the side when cars started to be manufactured en masse. Big businesses are shamelessly investing in technology to replace people. Economies are growing again, but not … Read more