Many successful entrepreneurs eventually reach a point where they recognise that their business has the potential to grow beyond its current limits – and perhaps even beyond their own involvement. Achieving this next phase of growth often requires additional capital. While traditional funding typically involves taking on debt, private equity (PE) offers an alternative: access to capital alongside a strategic partner who brings both funding and business expertise. Importantly, private equity can also provide more streamlined access to capital, often cutting through the red tape that can slow down expansion. How do I know if my business is ready? A…
Author: Staff Writer
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and The Global Trust Project (TGTP – part of VUKA Group) have entered into a memorandum of understanding to pilot the Trust Equity Framework (TEf) in up to 18 municipalities across South Africa. The initiative will be voluntary for participating municipalities and is intended to support stronger municipal trustworthiness, improved service delivery, better stakeholder relationships and more credible local conditions for investment. The pilot comes at a time of sustained pressure in local government. The Auditor-General of South Africa reported that municipalities took an average of 123 days to collect money owed to…
Range Rover has unveiled the Range Rover Sport TWENTY Edition, a limited-run model celebrating two decades of the performance-focused SUV line with bespoke detailing, flagship powertrains and performance seats drawn from the Range Rover Sport SV. The TWENTY Edition marks 20 years since the first full year of production of a model that emerged from a pivotal moment in automotive history, born from the realisation that the market was ready for more dynamic, performance-oriented SUVs. Its arrival also signalled a defining shift for Range Rover, marking the brand’s evolution into a family of vehicles. Over three generations, Range Rover Sport…
The proposed sale of the discount supermarket chain Jwayelani has collapsed after the Shingai Itai Consortium formally terminated discussions to acquire the business. The consortium confirmed it had ended talks with Business Venture Investment, the entity that owns the Jwayelani assets, following what it described as a comprehensive review of the proposed transaction and careful consideration by all parties. The consortium determined that it would not proceed further after evaluating the commercial and strategic considerations related to the acquisition . The transaction would have seen the black-owned consortium take control of approximately 45 Jwayelani-branded community supermarkets alongside a KwaZulu-Natal meat…
FNB has launched its Digital Enablement Programme, an 18-month initiative designed to prepare small and medium-sized enterprises for a digital-first economy. The programme focuses on equipping SMEs with the capabilities required not only to survive but to remain competitive in an evolving business environment. With a client base of more than 1.2 million SMEs across South Africa, FNB has developed data-driven insights into the realities, challenges and opportunities facing small businesses. The programme is delivered in partnership with implementation partner Edge Growth and is tailored to SMEs operating within industries undergoing rapid digital disruption, including manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, construction and…
In a significant strategic shift aimed at eliminating operational fragmentation, PwC has unveiled plans for a sweeping reorganisation of its global consulting business. This move comes as the rise of artificial intelligence and the threat of major upheaval reshape the industry, prompting the network of local partnerships to pursue a more unified approach against more tightly integrated rivals . According to a report by Stephen Foley in New York and Laith Al-Khalaf and Ellesheva Kissin in London for the Financial Times , a blueprint being drawn up by international leaders seeks to standardise services across the globe. The plan involves…
South African grocery shopping continues to be a careful exercise in allocation. Households are navigating constrained incomes, rising food costs and a growing need to prioritise how and where they spend their money. The latest SA Grocery Shopper Report by Trade Intelligence, a Smollan company, shows that pressure is both deep and widespread. Forty-two percent of grocery shoppers live in households earning less than R5,000 per month, but while individual spending power is limited, this segment collectively represents a meaningful share of national grocery spend. At the same time, the cost of putting food on the table continues to climb.…
As more South Africans turn to digital platforms to compare, buy and manage financial products, scammers are getting better at mimicking legitimate providers. What once looked suspicious is now often well-designed, well-worded, and increasingly difficult to distinguish from the real thing. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority continues to warn consumers about impersonation scams, fake investment schemes and unregistered financial services providers, with victims often only realising something is wrong after money has been paid or personal information has already been shared. Edward Wallace, Head of FinTech and Digital at financial services provider The Unlimited, says the rise in digital access…
South African construction contractors face a growing financial threat as global oil prices surge, and contractual safety nets may not protect construction contractors from the damage. That is the warning from construction law specialist MDA Attorneys, which has seen a sharp increase in queries from contractors grappling with the cost implications of rising fuel and materials prices linked to the war in the Middle East. The practice has been advising clients on how these increases are likely to be treated under the FIDIC suite of standard construction contracts, one of the most widely used frameworks in South Africa and internationally.…
On the back of soaring energy prices, fears are once again rising that the global economy could be heading in a stagflationary direction – one where economic growth is weak and inflation high. On average, this is the worst kind of environment for the stock market. But investors need not panic. Our analysis shows that stocks often perform well when there is stagflation, just not as well as at other times. Importantly, there has been divergence in sector performance in these environments and performance between companies is likely to rise, too. There is an argument that the sector allocation of…