Tag: spending

Picture this: It’s peak travel season and you have left it until the last minute to book accommodation for that all-important conference. Now, your only options are a presidential suite in Sandton or a faded motel on the outskirts of the city. The motel comes with shared bathrooms and no sign of a Nespresso machine. Sound familiar?

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.

Today’s marketers, particularly those working with SMEs, are finding that long-term gains often disappear in the pursuit of undefined "vanity metrics". These metrics are not moving the needle in ways that align with real returns on investment. The world has changed. As a result, marketing must change, too.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping global power dynamics, economic frameworks, and security considerations. While it offers immense opportunities, it also raises significant concerns. These include governance, ethical standards, and its potential use in both civilian and military contexts.

In the 2025 Budget Speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana unveiled a proposed staggered increase to the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate. This move, designed to address economic challenges and fund key government initiatives, will undoubtedly add pressure to small businesses, especially those who are already struggling with cash flow. However, it’s worth understanding who pays VAT, how VAT contributes to total tax revenue, and how you as a small business can manage this change.

The economic reality in South Africa today leaves many middle-class households grappling with mounting expenses. They also face dwindling disposable income, which makes successful retirement savings increasingly difficult. In addition, there is a persistent inability to save for retirement.

What are the secrets to a healthy, happy, and wealthy retirement? To answer this, Christine Benz, longtime Morningstar columnist and podcaster, asked 20 retirement thought leaders for insights. Each expert shared a key lesson they believe contributes to success in retirement.

The growing trend of stokvels and the seasonal withdrawals during the festive season requires members to be vigilant and careful. Often, stokvels are formed at the start of the year to enable spending in December. As a result, we observe most withdrawals during this period.

South Africa stands at a critical juncture, facing a confluence of challenges and opportunities that will shape its future. One of the greatest opportunities lies in retaining its young graduate professionals, who are a vital resource for driving the nation's growth and development.

The introduction of the two-pot system, together with possible interest rate cuts, decent momentum in wages and lower inflation, could boost consumer confidence and drive an increase in spending in the months ahead. This is expected to be positive for domestic retailers, particularly discretionary names (clothing and furniture mainly).