During Thabo Mbeki’s era, SA’s cabinet boasted a core of economically literate members. Nowadays, with the exception of Cyril, Tito (above) and Ebrahim Patel, the cupboard is bare. This poses a major threat to a renewal of the successful 12J venture capital incentive scheme whose 12 years is set to end on June 30.
Also read: Alec Hogg: China is Covid-19’s big winner
Even insiders in the multi-billion rand industry have no idea whether 12J will be allowed to die, or be granted a new lease of life. They say all will only be revealed in next month’s Budget Speech. Given SA’s desperate need to create jobs, the rational mind would anticipate an automatic renewal. But with Covid-19 having emptied the Treasury, some argue every possible tax cent must be chased down.
What makes the scheme so appealing for taxpayers is the entire investment in a qualifying 12J company is written off against taxable income in year one. When backed by low risk, innovative business models – like that of our partner Bright Light Solar – annual returns from 12Js can run well into double figures.
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Also read:Â Alec Hogg: Knowing your Circle of Competence
Last year renewable energy-focused Bright Light Solar’s fund raise was well supported by the BizNews community. In an interview yesterday, CEO Kevin Shames said the 2021 fund-raise will be dropped by a third and only open to existing shareholders and BizNews members. Investments will be accepted from 1 Feb and close when the R50m limit is reached. Fastest fingers first.
This year’s first Premium-member-only webinar is on Tuesday at noon when we update the BizNews Share portfolio. We’re scheduling these webinars for noon on the last Tuesday of every month of 2021. Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/3785234117773097230
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Latest audio on BizNews Radio.…..(click on the link to access)
- Monica Singer on Blockchain: Why it could kill SA corruption
- Flash Briefing: Hidden costs of alcohol ban; Sibanye’s succession
- Bright Light Solar’s 2021 Prospectus, “fastest fingers first”
- Ivermectin: SAs have constitutional right to take it for Covid-19
- What Truworths’ 15% share surge tells us about other retail stocks
