Futuregrowth’s Zain Wilson: Worst could be over for the Rand
In this Special Podcast, Futuregrowth fund strategist Zain Wilson takes a counter-intuitive view of the Rand’s prospects over the next few months
Undictated
Alec Hogg’s regular column covering investment, economics, moneycraft and, occasionally, something very personal.
Introducing the Biznews Global Share portfolio
It would be irrational to align my personal finances with a ship whose course I strongly disagree with. So after decades of resistance, I’ve now joined the “invest offshore” camp. So am delighted to introduce the Biznews Global Share portfolio
Finding the right business (and life) partner
What one needs to look for in a new business relationship has been on my mind a lot lately. So I turned to the Oracle of Omaha’s views on the subject.
I’m switching sides, joining Shuttleworth Fan Club
After he emigrated, I was among Mark Shuttleworth’s critics. Now, like Tim Noakes, I’ve exercised the right to change my mind – he deserves all our support.
UNDICTATED: Steinberg’s masterpiece makes one more nervous about path SA’s following
Jonny Steinberg is one of South Africa’s finest writers. Winner of the Alan Paton Prize for both Midlands and The Number, between writing books, he teaches at Oxford University.I’ve just finished reading Steinberg’s latest work, A Man of Good Hope. It is the story of Asad Abdullahi, one of thousands of Somalis who have been smuggled into … Read more
Food prices – the spark that ignites revolutions
By Alec Hogg At Sanlam’s i3 Summit earlier in the month keynote speaker Dr Pippa Malmgren painted a disturbing picture about the state of the world. She talks of growing “shrinkflation” – a business sleight of hand hiding the way prices are being stimulated by money creation in Western Nations. Instead of being charged more, … Read more
Experienced a memorable quarter hour on CNBC Africa Power Lunch yesterday
By Alec Hogg On Monday, Gideon du Plessis, the urban and measured head of trade union Solidarity, came on air to fling a raft of allegations at politically connected entrepreneur Solly Bhana – the man blamed for the Aurora Gold debacle. Among his slings was Bhana had skipped the country after being told to cough … Read more
Apple: Perspective please. Only nine iPhone6 “Bendgate” complaints.
Although the Watergate Scandal happened more than four decades back, its impact remains. The media loves tagging “gate” onto any new scandal – incorrectly escalating the matter to the level of the one which saw a US President being forced to resign. Latest is “Bendgate” which has bedevilled the launch of Apple’s iPhone6. Since the … Read more
What would Steve Jobs think of iPhone6 ‘bendgate,’ software update debacle?
Steve Jobs is in a better place. Thankfully. Because his successors at Apple seem to be doing their utmost to tarnish the reputation he worked so hard at building and protecting. Apple this morning apologised for having bungled yesterday’s IOS 8.0.1 software update which left many unable to access networks or use the fingerprint unlocking … Read more
Tragic reminder the unexpected does happen – sometimes with brutal consequences
By Alec Hogg It’s the stuff of nightmares. A young man slips over the railing and falls six metres into the tiger’s enclosure at the zoo. The cat ambles over and for the next 15 minutes stares at the cowering human. Zoo management is unable to do anything, they have no weapons nor tranquilizers at … Read more