By Alec Hogg
I was reminded yesterday the sun often breaks through when the sky looks darkest. After a nervous start, new Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene grew in confidence during his maiden Mini Budget Speech. There was a lot to like about what he said and how he said it. Especially the part when he virtually thumped the podium to emphasise that State spending needed to be curtailed. The new Finance Minister looks to have been forged very much in the Manuel/Gordhan mould. A very good thing.
Equally encouraging was the unexpected bonus of being shown around a new expansion project at the magnificent Fordoun resort by owner John Bates. The former partner in advertising agency Healy-Bates relocated to the Midlands in 1990 and his family has built one of the region’s iconic five star resorts. Bates says cycles come and go, but one thing has never failed him – knowing the best time to be bold is when everyone else is chicken. Sounds a bit like Warren Buffett, doesn’t he?
Yesterday’s top stories
