Tag: debt management

We welcome the positive changes announced by National Treasury on 23 July 2025. These changes should assist the country in creating a budget and budget process that is efficient and effective. They aim to address the needs of South Africa, its people and the unique challenges and trade-offs we face.

Cyber threats usually escalate during the festive season, as cybercriminals take advantage of holiday distractions. For many, a tax refund may feel like the perfect holiday gift. But, unfortunately, cybercriminals often intercept these refunds, leaving taxpayers and businesses vulnerable.

In many African cultures, the conclusion of lobola negotiations marks a major milestone. It symbolises the formal union of two families. While this deeply rooted tradition is widely embraced, fewer people understand its impact on homeownership.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has marginally improved refund payment time frames, but it needs to prioritise improving service delivery and building trust with taxpayers. In his recently delivered Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a tax revenue shortfall of R22.3 billion.

Receiving a letter of demand from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is never to be ignored, and often, where the correct response is not timeously delivered, spells the beginning of the end for the recipient taxpayer! In their war on non-compliance, the revenue collector issues scores of final demands on a daily basis, effectively serving as a “warning-shot” or last chance, for taxpayers to remedy the non-compliance detected.

Agriculture in Africa is being transformed by artificial intelligence (AI), but there is still one element it cannot replace. Despite dramatic technological advances in the sector in recent decades, the role of the farmer remains indispensable. This was a message delivered, surprisingly, at a recent conference in Europe, by a world leader in the field – from Eswatini.

In a realm marked by economic flux and financial ambiguity, the connotation of "debt" has assumed multifaceted dimensions. While the term itself often carries unfavourable implications, there exists a select set of financial obligations that the citizens of South Africa should not shy away from embracing in 2023.

Our financial decisions are consequential, it makes sense to have a trusted expert in our corner. However, it’s important to understand how your financial advisor earns their money and ensure their incentives are aligned with yours. Having a discussion around fees can ensure they are actually working for you, and not just selling financial products.

In a world where we face mounting financial pressure, it becomes increasingly difficult to stick to the confines of our budget and keep our spending in order. Rising interest and inflation combined with skyrocketing fuel costs have knocked the finances of South Africans, leading to a rise in debt as consumers increasingly turn to credit to make ends meet.

For most Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), funding and loans are vital to their ability to purchase equipment, expand the business and maintain cash flow through challenging times. But to maximise their chances of getting the loan, it’s vital that that they do their homework before approaching a funder.