Ban Ki-moon’s (overly) simple fix for South Africa
The former UN secretary-general says South Africa should focus on education and governance if it wants to emulate South Korea. But it’s more than that…
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Business
A rare moment of budget generosity
This year’s budget is the most pro-wealth and pro-growth it has been in years, thanks to higher tax brackets, VAT thresholds and CGT exclusions…
Budget by the numbers: Tax relief and a break for diamond miners
From getting tough on municipalities to diamond export levies, here are the key numbers and policy changes from South Africa’s 2026 national budget…
10 things to know about the budget
Gambling, grants, ghost workers and more ...…
Spar denies cash crunch but shares hit 16-year low
Spar management has tried to settle nerves that it is not facing a cash crunch, but not all are buying it…
Gold to breach $7,000? Standard Bank’s expert reckons so …
The ‘View from the Room’ session at Standard Bank’s African Markets Conference pitted the audience’s economic projections against those of experts…
Start investing before you’re ready
With investing, uncertainty never disappears. But waiting for the right time is an even bigger risk…
Why AI and crypto are finally getting married
AI and crypto have been solving different problems. Now they’re solving each other’s – and the internet will never be the same…
Why we need to think bigger about saving – EasyEquities
South Africa does not have a speculation problem, it has a savings problem – and lifting the tax-free savings limit is a great place to…
Magnificently, vaguely right: An obituary for Clem Sunter
The late scenario planner cautioned against the arrogance of certainty, focusing instead on adaptability and agility in decision-making…
When it rains, it pours for Spar
Between the exit of its CEO on Friday and a horror trading update on Monday, it’s fair to ask how much worse things can get…
African shares are set for another humdinger year
A weaker dollar and bargain-basement valuations could again herald bumper returns in 2026…
Godongwana’s rosiest budget yet – but watch for the sting
Godongwana is getting his first budget tailwind – but bracket creep relief and higher revenue come with a Sars enforcement drive that taxpayers will feel.…
Pleasure
Young people are ‘zebra striping’ – and brewers are loving it
Gen Z isn’t ditching booze, they’re drinking differently. That’s boosting non-alcoholic beer sales as wine and spirits fade…
The Friday song (on a Sunday): ‘Angel From Montgomery’ by Susan Tedeschi
Mark Rosin shines a light on Susan Tedeschi’s ‘fabulous, beautiful’ version of the folk-country classic, ‘Angel From Montgomery’…
Joburg, step by step
Ryan Enslin walks the City of Gold to see how care and movement can shape its renewal…
Eight questions for the interested and interesting: Vicky Ross
Joburg retail ace Vicky Ross talks books, art, desert-island songs and the enduring magic of physical spaces…
What we’re drinking this week: Le Lude Madàme Brut Millésime Blanc de Blancs
Le Lude’s Madàme Brut Millésime is a refined, citrus-bright sparkler with a crisp, grown-up finish – understated luxury in a glass…
South African television at 50: the soaps that wrote the script
As South African television turns 50, we examine how ‘Generations’, ‘Isidingo’ and other soaps shaped culture, ambition and national identity…
The Friday song (on a Sunday): ‘Radar Love’ by Golden Earring
Mark Rosin’s deep dive into Golden Earring’s single, ‘Radar Love’, explains why it’s still a radio staple 50 years later…
A weekend getaway to: Wellington
A working winelands town, Wellington is less about weekend glitz and more about year-round production. We spent some time in this gem…
Eight questions for the interested and interesting: Nadia Davids
The 2024 Caine Prize winner talks books, art, food and the small rituals that keep her grounded…
What we’re drinking this week: Delaire Graff Cabernet Franc Rosé
Delaire Graff Cabernet Franc Rosé lands just in time for Valentine’s Day – crisp, polished and quietly seductive…
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Ban Ki-moon’s (overly) simple fix for South Africa
The former UN secretary-general says South Africa should focus on…
The utility – and tragedy – of a boring budget
South Africa’s increasingly low-grade ambitions are writ large in this…
The surprising firsts that shaped Joburg
Here’s a little history of Joburg’s earliest architectural and cultural…
Eight questions for the interesting and interested: Sahil Harilal
Charles Greig Jewellery’s marketing manager, Sahil Harilal, on art, fashion,…
