Biznews: News in 90 Seconds

Disrupting SA car insurance, local fintech 'Naked' seeks peeling away costs

June 21, 2018 09:26

JOHANNESBURG - Just like the Michael Jordaan-backed mobile data network 'Rain', there are more startups beginning to emerge in South Africa that are taking sledgehammers to traditional industries. One of those startups is a local fintech called 'Naked' which is taking digital customisation and personalisation in the car insurance industry to new heights. Among the options that Naked offers its customers include the ability to pause their car insurance if they go on holiday or start taking the...

Southern Africa’s PE landscape: In conversation with Mike Donaldson

June 19, 2018 20:05

JOHANNESBURG — The latest available South African private equity performance report, compiled by SAVCA and RisCura, showed that a representative sample of SA’s private equity funds delivered a 10-year internal rate of return of 12.9% at the end of September 2017, which beat both the FTSE/JSE All Share Total Return Index (compound annual growth rate of 9.5%) and the FTSE/JSE Shareholder Weighted Total Return Index (10.6%). It also outperformed these indices over five-year and three-year period...

Inside story of a four-year project which readied Distell for a likely growth catapult

June 17, 2018 17:47

LONDON — In this special podcast, RMB Investment Banking Director Ferdi Vorster tells us about the project which simplified a complex structure for the Distell Group to position it for a new growth path. The Distell Group, created in 2000 by a merger of Stellenbosch Farmers Wineries and the Rupert Group’s Distiller Corporation, has been hamstrung by a highly complex ownership structure. Here’s the story of how that Gordian knot was addressed.- Alec Hogg

Ronnie Apteker on Netflix streaming SA's 'Catching Feelings', investing in Honey Pot tech

June 13, 2018 13:42

JOHANNESBURG — Ronnie Apteker is well known as an internet pioneer and co-founder of Internet Solutions (IS) in South Africa. But he has also made a name for himself in the creative arts. And, in fact, he was one of the producers of a South African film dubbed 'Catching Feelings', which has recently become the country's first local film to be streamed on Netflix. It's a great movie that has been described as the Johannesburg version of a 'Woody Allen' RomCom that portrays the iconic South Afr...

Taking a sledgehammer to data bundles: Rain CEO Willem Roos on SA's newest disruptor

June 07, 2018 12:44

JOHANNESBURG — It was almost exactly a year ago to the date that I interviewed former FNB CEO and now investor Michael Jordaan about a venture he backed dubbed 'Rain'. At the time, the idea of Rain appealed to many of our readers as Jordaan promised a data-only mobile network and disruption to the local market. A year later and Rain has launched with an attractive and simple no-contract offering that lets you use data when you need it without having to commit to bundles that expire. The man w...

A blowout in the Karoo: Inside the R4.4bn, 140MW wind farm project in Roggeveld

May 28, 2018 17:19

JOHANNESBURG — South African Energy Minister Jeff Radebe recently signed agreements with 27 independent power producers after more than two years of delays. The deals promise to revive the nation’s renewable-energy program that was once the world’s fastest growing, but has floundered amid the delays. The projects being signed will release R56 billion of investments over the next two to three years. Roggeveld, a 140 megawatt wind farm project recently reached financial close under the fourth r...

How world-first InvestSure helps protect you against another Steinhoff

May 28, 2018 14:19

JOHANNESBURG — South African FinTech 'InvestSure' has partnered with local fractional share trading pioneers, EasyEquities, to offer investors and traders on the JSE the opportunity to mitigate their risk. The local team at InvestSure has developed a world-first insurance product which protects buyers of shares from management teams that mislead and deceive shareholders. So, if you invest in another Steinhoff and the share price tanks over 10% because of bad behaviour at the top, you then hav...

Google kicks off Africa's first 'Impact Challenge' with $2m earmarked for non-profits

May 23, 2018 14:03

JOHANNESBURG — Internet search giant Google is hoping to make a difference in people's lives in Africa by launching its 'Impact Challenge' for the first time on the continent in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria. The company is looking to give away a total of $2m divided among several non-profits. Other Google Impact Challenges around the world have resulted in innovations such as smart cameras for wildlife conservation, solar lights for off-grid communities and a mobile application that helps ...

How SA businesses can use forex providers to boost their global effectiveness

May 22, 2018 12:44

JOHANNESBURG — When it comes to a South African rand that has traditionally been volatile, knowing when it's best to make an international transaction could become key to your business's bottom-line. In this interview, Sable International's James Edward explains how best to navigate forex waters and what local businesses need to bear in mind when moving money across the globe. - Gareth van Zyl

Shaking up the actuarial industry: Backstory of Adi Kaimowitz's 'Virtual Actuary'

May 21, 2018 15:27

JOHANNESBURG — With a background in sales and marketing, and after having made connections with several actuaries over the years, Cape Town-based Adi Kaimowitz had an idea to improve the industry. He saw a gap in the market to offer companies more competitive pricing regarding actuarial services while also enabling actuaries to go on their own and earn more as independent consultants. Subsequently, Virtual Actuary as a business was born, becoming an 'Uber' for actuaries but, as Kaimowitz expl...

Policy discussion: Global examples of harm reduction and lessons for SA

December 13, 2017 18:43

Does re-thinking the regulation of tobacco and nicotine products have the potential to transform public health in South Africa? Would a dispensation on reduced harm products help South African smokers who continue to smoke and in what way? Would such a regulation really encourage smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives? A panel consisting of Professor Solomon Rataemane, Head of Department of Psychiatry at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Dr Kgosi Letlape, an ophthalmologist ...

Fixing the world: Creative disruption is ushering in new leaders, new model

September 07, 2017 11:56 - 18 minutes - 24.7 MB

It's common cause that many of the world's systems are antiquated with their shortcoming badly exposed in this Information Age. But during a period of supposed enlightenment, why has so much of humanity regressing? And why have great nations elected populist leaders who quite obviously put their own interests ahead of those who gave them their power? Dr Claudius van Wyk picks up the challenge of addressing this and reaches conclusions that will come as a pleasant surprise for many. Mankind, h...

Dan van Zyl: What SA rugby can learn from the over-achieving Irish

September 05, 2017 11:33 - 8 minutes - 11.7 MB

Former Springbok scrumhalf Dan van Zyl is an much admired rugby coach in Ireland, a country whose team massively outperforms on the global stage. He says Ireland's ability to teams with vastly superior resources is no fluke, and in this fascinating interview with former teammate (and opponent) Bob Skinstad, shares insights into a national structure that consistently delivers the goods. Huge lessons for those running the show in the former Springbok captain Skinstad's home country.

FinMin's lawyer Tebogo Malatji: NPA won't be able to prove any crime

October 11, 2016 17:43

Statement on the charges levelled at SA Finance Minister by the NPA by Pravin Gordhan's lawyer Tebogo Malatji

Pravin Gordhan: Ready to subject himself to "legitimate process of the law"

October 11, 2016 16:18

Treasury statement regarding criminal charges of fraud levelled against Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan.

Stephen van Coller: Banks won’t be disrupted to death - provided embrace change

January 23, 2016 08:22 - 6 minutes - 4.56 MB

Until his retirement, former FNB chief executive Michael Jordaan was the king of SA banking innovation. That crown has moved across to Barclays Capital CEO Stephen van Coller, who showed his passion for change last year by bringing faculty of Silicon Valley’s Singularity University to Johannesburg. The impact of co-founders Peter Diamandes, Salim Ismail and their team was enormous. Indeed, they introduced South Africans to the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution seven months before th...

WEF: SA 2016 risks - jobs, social instability & infrastructure failure

January 15, 2016 10:08

The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2016 features perspectives from nearly 750 experts on the perceived impact and likelihood of 29 prevalent global risks over a 10-year timeframe. The risks are divided into five categories: economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal and technological. Alec Hogg is in London and he caught up with the content lead on risks at WEF, Caroline Galvan. There was a specific focus on South Africa, with the top three risks - unemployment and underemplo...

Andrew Canter: Foreign investor trust in SA will take years to rebuild

December 14, 2015 13:39

Bond specialist Andrew Cantor, chief investment officer at Futuregrowth, explains why foreigner investors panicked at the firing of Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene - and how confidence built up over 20 years wan be destroyed virtually overnight. Canter worries trust in the fiscal prudence of the SA Government has been broken, so potential investors will now "think twice" about South African assets. But the good news is these events prove democracy is alive and well in SA, with the public out...

Futuregrowth IS developmental investing at its best.

December 03, 2015 13:48

While shocking news abounds on almost every media platform you care to engage with, Futuregrowth Asset Management located in Cape Town continues to turn out good news stories year after year. Not only are they engaged in financing and assisting the most incredible developmental projects in South Africa, but they’re able to produce such competitive returns that their funds are included in pension funds nationally. Not sure what we’re talking about? Listen to investment analyst Amrish Narrandes...

Martin Wolf warns SA; Putin outrages at Turkey

November 25, 2015 06:44 - 1 minute - 1.83 MB

Martin Wolf warns SA; Putin outrages at Turkey by Biznews.com

Dow Theory, AGMs and Nando's in the headlines

November 24, 2015 06:41 - 1 minute - 1.68 MB

Dow Theory, AGMs and Nando's in the headlines by Biznews.com

South America dumps socialism, ANC continues regardless

November 23, 2015 06:53 - 2 minutes - 2.12 MB

South America dumps socialism, ANC continues regardless by Biznews.com

SA Govt's inability to execute, Rand, ISIS funding in today's headlines

November 20, 2015 06:44 - 2 minutes - 1.94 MB

SA Govt's inability to execute, Rand, ISIS funding in today's headlines by Biznews.com

Wylie lays into Competition Commission, plus Faure, Rupert and Jones make news

November 18, 2015 09:54 - 1 minute - 1.67 MB

Wylie lays into Competition Commission, plus Faure, Rupert and Jones make news by Biznews.com

Moeletsi, MTN, Elon and Jake grab today's headlines

November 17, 2015 07:52 - 2 minutes - 1.92 MB

News in 90 seconds.

The imminent death of BRICS

November 13, 2015 07:14 - 2 minutes - 1.99 MB

The imminent death of BRICS by Biznews.com

Andrew Canter on financial ethics: "1 in 5 will pay a bribe"

November 12, 2015 05:10

Biznews' Alec Hogg sits down with Futuregrowth's Andrew Canter with a specific focus on ethics in the financial services sector. Canter says ethics is key to managing people’s money, primarily because as much as people want good investment returns they first want to make sure their money’s being looked after by somebody they can trust. The conversation refers to two recent surveys, the first a global one where 1,200 US and UK CFA individuals answered questions around ethics, and the second a...

SA's implications from China's sea of troubles

November 10, 2015 06:19 - 1 minute - 1.3 MB

SA's implications from China's sea of troubles by Biznews.com

What is an asset class and how do you choose one? Satrix explains

July 08, 2015 12:21

Investing can be confusing and the simple hurdle of trying to understand what is what in investing lingo may actually stop you from taking the first step to a better funded future. Listen to Satrix explaining what asset classes are and how you go about choosing one.

Futuregrowth: Building communities through shopping mall development

July 07, 2015 09:14

Futuregrowth's Smital Rambhai explains how the property fund helps build communities through shopping mall development.

What is Financial Freedom anyway? Satrix explains

July 07, 2015 08:48

Having enough money to do the things you want to do while covering your expenses is just the first step to financial freedom. The harder part is understanding your relationship with money; what motivates you to save and what triggers spending. Interrogating what would make you feel content financially within a reasonable framework is the first step to achieving it and financial freedom.

Don't make these investing mistakes!

July 07, 2015 08:46

You work hard for your money so it's important to know what mistakes to avoid when investing it. Listen to this podcast as Satrix explains what NOT to do when trying to grow your capital.

What can I expect from my investment? Satrix explains

July 07, 2015 08:40

There are certain investing principles which hold through out time. Understanding these will help you manage your expectations around the returns you can expect form your investment as well as how much you'll need for the goals you're setting.

Which Satrix product is for me?

July 07, 2015 08:26

Satrix offers a variety of unit trusts and ETFs with different stock market and asset class exposures. Understanding which one does what is important before you invest. This podcast will help to demystify the choices.

A unit trust or an ETF - which one do I choose? Satrix explains

July 06, 2015 10:41

Understanding the vehicle you are investing in will help you make better investment decisions. Satrix explains the differences and similarities between unit trusts and ETFs so you know when to choose which one.

#JUSTSTART The power of compounding and why you should save

July 01, 2015 12:29

Satrix investments is committed to helping people save and more importantly understanding why you should start as soon as you can and stay invested for as long as you can.

Futuregrowth Community Property Fund gives back wherever it touches

June 29, 2015 12:15 - 9 minutes - 13.2 MB

Futuregrowth Asset Management has not done enough to let South Africa know about the far reaching and high impact work it does in communities all around our country whilst still delivering competitive and sustainable returns to investors. Smital Rambhai, product manager of their Community Property Fund is passionate and engaged with the pervasive impact his fund has on underserviced communities. This 20 year old fund has specifically focused on providing retail facilities to previously disadv...

The psychology of wealth and health with Ilze Alberts

June 17, 2015 09:44 - 9 minutes - 13.2 MB

Human behavioural specialist and wealth psychologist Ilze Alberts on how to enrich your life on all levels

Accenture's Peter Lacy talks Leapfrog opportunities in Africa

June 04, 2015 00:00 - 9 minutes - 12.8 MB

Accenture's Peter Lacy talks Leapfrog opportunities in Africa by Biznews.com

Alec Hogg and Stephen Van Coller

May 27, 2015 13:08 - 9 minutes - 8.33 MB

Alec Hogg speaks to Stephen van Coller about why he brought the Singularity University founders so far from home.

Smart Beta ETFs: Harvesting extra performance without higher costs

May 04, 2015 09:55 - 10 minutes - 13.9 MB

In this special podcast, Gareth Stobie of Coreshares explains what investment experts mean when they talk about alpha and beta - and explains to Alec Hogg why the cost advantages of Smart Beta are only part of the reason why it is becoming such a popular alternative to traditional active managers.

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