Tag: ownership

Every day, millions of South Africans travel to work by car, taxi, train, e-hailing or on foot. Most of us track our spending in Rand terms. However, we rarely consider the true cost of mobility, especially the cost measured in time. Time is one of our most valuable resources. Unlike money, we cannot earn it back.

An insurance concept that often gets misunderstood, despite underpinning every policy, is insurable interest. While it might sound technical, the principle is quite simple. Simply put, you can only insure something if its loss or damage would cause you a financial setback. If you do not stand to suffer financial loss directly from the loss of or damage to an insured item, insurance will not cover that loss.

In a landmark development for South Africa’s tertiary education landscape, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has officially gazetted the Policy for the Recognition of South African Higher Education Institutional Types (Government Gazette No. 53515, 17 October 2025).

If you spend your days inside Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) transactions like I do, you will know the story by heart. Good businesses try to do the right thing by becoming sound empowerment partners. Then the deal stalls on one thing: money that is either too expensive, too risky or simply unavailable.

The Supreme Court of Appeal’s recent decision in Assmang (Pty) Ltd vs The Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has sent a clear and sobering message to taxpayers. In tax law, substance always trumps form. While this principle is not new, its application in the context of diesel refunds highlights the immense peril taxpayers face. The Assmang diesel refund case illustrates this danger vividly.

South Africa is transitioning from fossil fuels toward renewable energy. The government aims to add at least 19 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. By 2050, the country targets as much as 190 GW. These targets are critical for climate resilience and energy security. Yet, the social design of this transition is dangerously overlooked.

For centuries, the property sector has been predominately male. This was true not only in property sales but also in the building and maintenance of small and large-scale developments. Women were rarely considered for roles such as architects or artisans.

South Africa’s economic landscape is challenging even the most resilient consumers. In recent years, high inflation and soaring interest rates have taken a toll. At the same time, stagnant economic growth, rising fuel prices and a weaker rand are putting tremendous pressure on household finances.

In fleet management, determining the optimal vehicle replacement cycle is critical for operational efficiency, safety and costs. A poor decision impacts maintenance costs and cash flow. Advancements in telematics and leasing models are shifting practices.

The agricultural sector now enjoys universal recognition. Its status as a growth propeller is embraced in ways that transcend sectoral interests. Specifically, the country’s political leadership deeply appreciates agriculture’s importance in driving the rural economy. They also recognise its role in addressing poverty and creating job opportunities.