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Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 04:01:36 PM Here we go again ! The pattern is becoming so predictable. We get a kiss or two on the cheek (fuel price decrease), soon to be followed by a kick in the arse ( Fuel price increase).

'Bus firms teeter on bankruptcy' 2009/01/30 03:59:00 PM Jeremy Cronin, as far as I know is a commie. He should not complain as this kind of thing is typical when commies get more power. "It (the regime) had a duty to come up with emergency measures to save the industry" says Cronin. As far as history shows, commies cannot safe themselves, nevermind an industry. As this country tanks, we are all going to walk more and eat less...so get use to it.

Fair value 2009/01/30 03:52:48 PM All the boerwors in the world and no fire in sight. what must be done other and than create an artificial bubble by manipulating consumers, thus the GDP, through the supply of money, or lack of it .... the interest rate reduced to zero is the first card to be shown and its hopeless,,,sigh...ok next??? GREAT ARTICLE MR WARWICK

Zim 'randisation' won't hurt SA 2009/01/30 03:51:03 PM randisation or randalisation?

Absa shares come under the whip 2009/01/30 03:50:28 PM are the acquisition as a result of absa getting thier hands on the security put foward by the speculators? if that's the case, it is highly probable that these investors have gambled with the contributors funds. think of fedentia...

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:50:27 PM no no no....this cannot be right. something here stinks. surely at the peak in September 08 we should have been paying R 20 /l then....COSATU you bumblers these are the battles you should be fighting for the masses...can they please do away wiith the existing formula and just start again from scratch...no no no....

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:50:08 PM Relax People, it's no conspiracy theory or racist government. A few quickies though, state earnings from fuel are a percentage (+-35%), not fixed amount, and it is an obscene amount purely because it is the only thing they can reliably make tom from. Sasol only produces 30%, NOT 65% of our daily. Don't forget OPEC announced yesterday they're dropping output to massage prices cos they want more than 50$ per barrel, among other things, this rise is probably to pre-recover for that...

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 03:49:16 PM I get sick when fellow Africans and in particular South Africans talk bad of our legacy, this world will be materpiece and people wil enjoy our warm reception and Ubuntu, we just need to change our perception and others will follow suite. Once African always African, ONE nation.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:49:04 PM well food prices have not dropped so why not increase the petrol price and really put pressure on the people. or is the holiday over and back to normal, so put everything up again......and just when you think things are changing for the better.

Confusion about petrol price 2009/01/30 03:43:05 PM you people are funny way to unite go on shouting and calling names the enemy laughs many disctractions hide harsher realities

Zim 'randisation' won't hurt SA 2009/01/30 03:40:34 PM Well infrastructure in Zim is still intact, industries, factories, need to be reopened by introducing a condusive business environment.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:37:13 PM Oor brandstofpryse behoort daar veel meer duidelikheid te wees. Dit behoort gereeld op alle nuusblaaie se voorblaaie uiteengesit te word. Ons het almal die reg om te weet wat aangaan. Want anders bestaan die moontlikheid altyd daar dat die amptenary sommer net soos hul lus het met brandstofpryse kan maak. Die brandstofprys raak ons almal en die armer deel van die bevolking word die heel meeste geraak wanneer die persentasie van hul inkomste wat geraak word in ag geneem word!

'Petrol price to rise' 2009/01/30 03:34:59 PM this blady thieving goverment will make up any story to fill there pockets,the people of south africa should not vote them in again they are not worth it there word is like the zim doller between the anc and 2010 wont be long for us to follow zim

Zim 'randisation' won't hurt SA 2009/01/30 03:29:23 PM Yes supply has improved greatly but falls short to meet the demand of that country. That is why prices continue to rise especially in Rands. The problem was really not about the Zim $, it is about the shortage of basic commodities due to closure in factories, industries, companies and the informal traders (operation drive out rubbish).

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:27:01 PM Well said Rob

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:26:18 PM Astounding. The exchange rate has remained the same / strenghtened a bit and the oil price is still at the roughly $44 where it was prior to the previous cut yet we get a 60c increase pet liter on petrol? How the HELL do they get to that figure? Something must have weakened or become more expensive... Also, why has the government not reduced the R1.something levie they introduced last year to 'boost the fuel reserves' when petrol was at R12 and is now half the price? Corruption reeks...

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:25:17 PM and the rest of you ill informed geniuses. If you understood anything about economics you would realise that increasing petrol price means increasing inflation which according to the reserve bank's mandate should be kept under control. In economics you would put UP the interest rate to bring demand down and thereby bring inflation down. Oh and yes Sasol produces most of our fuel BUT it sell it in dollars to who ever buys it around the world: INCLUDING South Africa. It is an international company

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 03:24:02 PM I say, we all have a role to play. Accusations or counter accusations will not help anyone. Lets all pull with one tow. We'v been victims direct or otherwise, lets build this SA together and if you feel you cant do that, then Aus or US or England can be your alternative. All i know, SA is a better country to live in. We were told how we were going to suffer when someof you left, but here we are, still growing strong. This is a matter of deciding to be part of the solution rather than a problem

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:23:49 PM Kobus you are the Muppet here, you obviously living in the wrong era. It is the government unless you feel like taking the blame. Don't get me started on the thick skull, you don't even have a freaking brain.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:21:53 PM The price of oil went up from $32.94 per barrel in December to $45 today

Zim 'randisation' won't hurt SA 2009/01/30 03:21:47 PM Pakhama, could you please tell me who do you think should flood the Zimbabwean economy with goods? In a market economy prices send signals to both consumers and suppliers. High prices tell consumers to economize and suppliers to produce more. But in Zimbabwe government intervention in the market and wrong policies have distorted these signals.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:20:51 PM Stripping my moer at the moment not happy about this at all, give us a damn chance to make it in life. WTF. So tired of this inconsistency in SA.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:14:26 PM All you people baying about "the government using the money for Zuma or Zim!!" are complete muppets anyway. The fuel levy (the part of the price the government gets) is a FIXED AMOUNT PER LITRE. It's not a percentage of the price. So the government's income from petrol sales is determined solely by the AMOUNT OF LITRES sold. If the price is higher, they get LESS income from taxes. Get that into your thick skulls!

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 03:11:17 PM @ Vic, did you read daves comments and what he said about body bags, you must read moron.Blacks have only been at the helm for the past 14 yrs and the achievemnts speak volumes, i know its a bitter pill to swallow for you okes to acknowledge the truth. This is a country that had and still has islands of wealth,in the hands of a few whites. Many whites were against the SWC until now,that SA was headed for the gutters,that there was no hope here, many of them are coming back quietly, no fanfare

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:10:56 PM Government strategy to reduce cars on the road.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:10:00 PM Hello rollercoaster country...

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:07:30 PM And just when everyone predicts that OUR economy is fine. Man some of these crystal ball just go ZUMA. What a laugh, what a poor performance of the puppets of the ANC.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:07:30 PM How come dose Zimbabwe get cheeper feul, and weve got to pay for them to come back to SA to sell petrol cheap at the borders

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:05:41 PM somebody must finance the voting campaign of the anc, the courtcase of zuma and the mugabe regime. the devil alone know why it must be us!

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:05:18 PM While they keep the averidge pesrson busy strugling with the fuel and food prices the money manupilators ( Geldmag)earning millions.And we simply do not interphere becuase we are to busy focused to survive...

Zim 'randisation' won't hurt SA 2009/01/30 03:02:55 PM Prices of basic commodities will continue to rise as goods and services are in short supply. What they should do is to flood the economy with goods to reduce the huge demand. I travelled to Zim in october 2008 and a can of coke cost me about R16, petrol was about US$ 1.80 a liter. So dollarising the economy is not the answer althouh it will reduce inflation as the RBZ has no control over the printing of Z$.

Zim 'randisation' won't hurt SA 2009/01/30 03:02:44 PM If u live there you will know that supply of goods has greatly improved since the official and unofficial pricing of goods in foreign currency started. Prices of goods have come down appreciably in USD terms. Be advised accordingly.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 03:02:11 PM Funny !!! I thought I person would build your own country and help your own people Before you help Robert Moegapie , how many poor people is in SA , bloody idiots No wonder we have so much crime and corruption , our country is run by idiots!!!

Absa shares come under the whip 2009/01/30 03:02:06 PM How deep do these rabbit holes go...

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 03:00:28 PM @ pisses me off....are we not allowed to worry about crime in our country? Too many South Africans are numb to crime...they acknowledge it and grieve for those involved but then they keep on going! Telling people to leave is not the right attitude toward those who are actually voicing their feelings towards crime! Why should we accept crime as a norm? Safety and security should be the norm!

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:59:24 PM The price of diesel went down because diesel is one of the "middle distillates", together with aviation fuel and paraffin. The demand for the middle distillates has decreased because of less air transport and less industrial activity. This decrease in demand has made up for the increase in the oil price. The demand for petrol (a top distillate) has decreased, but not by as much, so it couldn't make up for the increase in ORB crude's price. Again, simple.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:57:16 PM They can all go to hell they don't know what they want..

Absa shares come under the whip 2009/01/30 02:55:00 PM No Ack, its the shareholders that couldn't meet commitments. @ shlomo they were all geared strategic postions, not many like that left in SSF's - so not much problem.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:52:58 PM No, it is not for Zume, it is to rebuild Zim,!

Zim 'randisation' won't hurt SA 2009/01/30 02:51:39 PM Interesting times. Let's see, what is the lesson we have learned. As as long as you print money to fund large and growing budget deficits your money will loose value. You can fix your currency against other stronger currencies and impose strict exchange controls, but you will not be able to maintain that fixed rate - sooner or later you will have no other choice but to devalue your currency. Even if you accept the US$ or ZAR (together with the Z$) as legal tender this basic principle remains.

Absa gets stakes after defaults 2009/01/30 02:49:43 PM Ronnie, the nature of the underlying properties in Pinnacle lies in the hands of many PRIVATE owners. A development such a golf course can't suddenly be changed into something else - even if they continue to make a loss - as there is long term commitments towards the private owners that bought properties. So the paper loss points to poor financial control: a) Allowed get-rich-quick trades on high risk companies b) Masks the TRUE severity of their lack of control (by downplaying the size of the "investment").

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:47:55 PM This has nothing to do with the RAND VS DOLLAR , SASOL produces 65% of our fuel consumption , there is no reason for a hike , the goverment needs money for something or someone!!!

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:47:32 PM Oh and I see Russell also jumped on the bandwagon. You can accuse the ANC of many things, but not of interfering in the fuel pricing (except of course once a year when the fuel levies are jacked up). The price of petrol from the refineries where South Africa gets petrol has gone up in rand terms, simple as that. This is because the price of ORB crude has gone up. That is why we are paying more - very simple, no conspiracy or racism (for once).

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:45:52 PM hope old tito takes this increase into acc when he is making his rate decision next week and drops by a full 200 bases point ! That will be cool - What u say "ECONOMIST". or will you wait for the decision and then say we said so like you always do.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:45:27 PM I tend to agree with Russel on the adjustment of these prices! Real adjustment never takes place due to coffer moneys being lost when prices works in the consumers favour! Keep an eye on the rand/dollar when SA is in the international news due to bad decisions made by government.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:44:48 PM Can someone please explain: Petrol goes up, diesel and paraffin comes down.How does that happen? Are all these 3 products not made from the same barrel of crude oil? As I understand, it is cheaper to refine diesel than petrol.wtf, its friday, I going to get pissed in the next hour in anycase.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:42:20 PM LOL Theuns and Shawn Taker. Theuns is just completely wrong, while Shawn's convoluted conspiracy theories about "giving rise to shares on the JSE" is a really good joke. Just work out the over or underracoveries on fuel yourself if you don't want to believe the official figures. And what about the diesel price, did they just "forget" to raise that too? You people who see conspiracies everywhere are really sad.

Absa shares come under the whip 2009/01/30 02:34:37 PM What are these "acquisitions" worth if the companies concerned were unable to meet their commitments in respect of variation margins.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:34:20 PM No Russell it is not the racist government, but then I wouldn't expect special people like you to understand how it is calculated, the simple maths may be a little hard for you to grasp maybe because there are no pictures to look at.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:33:44 PM Petrol going up food prices go up, Petrol going down food dont due to "other implications", Petrol price going up and watch the food price

Bring on cheap mobile internet 2009/01/30 02:32:50 PM still to expensive

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:29:53 PM Chris What the hell do economists know? They are in a large part responsible for the mess the world is in at the moment. On any set subject you can bet that 33.3'% will say A. 33.3'% B, and 33.3'% are undecided.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:29:07 PM Russell Go back to 80's

Zim 'randisation' won't hurt SA 2009/01/30 02:28:48 PM The prices of their products won't change!? Adopting the Rand in any manner won't address the supply and demand imbalances... economics 101.

Zim 'randisation' won't hurt SA 2009/01/30 02:28:35 PM nothing new, Zimbabwe is already having high inflation even on stable currencies like US dollar and British pound. Prices are going up for basic commodities even when being traded in forex.Does not make sense but yep that's what's happening in Mugabe land. A bag of maize that costs R500 today will be costing R580 sometime next week and the prices keep going up as the "Black market" controls prices. Demand for goods is higher than supply by a huge margin and that is keeping inflation very high.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:28:18 PM the son of a 1000 fathers, every single one a b@%$&^*d just like him!

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:26:01 PM Up and down, down and up, when will it STOP?

UK promises broadband for all 2009/01/30 02:25:04 PM Seems to parallel old Nero fiddling while Rome burnt. I would think there are much more important goals to be addressed during this recession than giving everybody East Enders on the P.C.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:24:50 PM Eish wena Zuma...

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:21:15 PM This racist government jumps the price up quickly when the market adjusts slightly but take forever to re-adjust down when the market moves in our favour. I wonder into whose coffers the funds go. Who pays idiots like Maleme, criminals like Winnie, despots like Pikoli, etc.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:20:14 PM Shawn Thaker, your comment makes no sense. Go ask an economist how this works, and you ignorance will shock you!

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:17:21 PM Yep, Zuma's legal fees must be due.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:16:35 PM eesh...stukkend bru stukkend...........

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:15:38 PM I knew it was to good to be true maybe there will be a day soon where things will be more stable especially petrol and stop being a yoyo.

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:14:18 PM I guess that would happen, the people in charge putting a levy on the fuel price to make the profits on the JSE by giving the cutting the interest rate increasing the dollar power leading to an increase in the fuel price, giving rise to shares on the JSE making the life of the man on the street difficult because of greediness seeing the opportunity to make a profit because of the economic statistics showing it its time to cut, what a joke these economists are because they looking what they have!

Fuel-price cuts screech to a halt 2009/01/30 02:11:54 PM This must be for the ANC's campaign costs and Zuma's court case. Cannot believe this

Zim 'randisation' won't hurt SA 2009/01/30 02:10:11 PM You mentioned that Zim will lose monetary policy if it randarise. My question is so what is the role of the RBZ now that trade is in forex and there is no control what so ever. And how will the financial system operate now?

SA Tourism: Fifa agency a bully 2009/01/30 01:52:47 PM Lionel...You are a racist idiot..You deserve to be economically sidelined due to your ignorance..

VW to axe 400 jobs in SA 2009/01/30 01:46:17 PM I'm guessing this new crisis in the global economy will weaken the unions even more, like what is happening in France now. It has been a while since the Unions demanded more money etc. and stopped production at mines and car manufacturers. Maybe this crisis will be good at the end, especially if we can get rid of those pesky commie unions.

Zim 'randisation' won't hurt SA 2009/01/30 01:43:55 PM Viva Africa. The whole of Africa should just standardize on the Dollar. Let Obama run our whole continent. We can become the 51st state of the USA.

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 01:43:44 PM South Africa is a fine country. What spoils it are those presently in power, criminals and the "artists" who have to mess up any surface that they come across. If the community at large could get to focus on responsibilities rather than rights there might be some hope for the place, but right now I'm not so sure.

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 01:38:57 PM Heita, the criminals are gonna have a field day also! With so many to pick (pocket) and choose. Reckon SA is counting the chickens before it hatches and still think this is gonna be a miserable let down to all!

Absa shares come under the whip 2009/01/30 01:33:31 PM Absa's forced aquisition of four companies that are clearly financially unviable ,I wonder how deep the sinkhole extends.By assumption another local progressive pvt bank "INVESTEC" involanterarly aquired a mine overseas .I wonder how deep their shafthole sinks.Lets hope that investors are enlightened timeously so that they may see the light at the end of the tunnel or not.

Thousands face job chop at GFI 2009/01/30 01:30:01 PM hi, Steven...African goverments have had a lot of shortcomings, i must empjhasise that India finds itself in the same boat there are a lot of challenges that lie ahead but we must not be ablivious of the fact that there has been a lot of damage due to colianism. this has taken centurues as a result things cannot be sorted out overnight.

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 01:26:25 PM Ayeyeee! Where are those rugby morons who said 2010 will fail?

US economic mood darkens 2009/01/30 01:18:04 PM Very well said. Fortunately economic trouble isn't the only problem being caused by greed. That means once greed is gone, so will most of the trouble on earth.

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 01:17:25 PM im not leaving this country f...that its my country too,im making an honest good living and contributing, leave this country se voet this is home i've lived in most countries in the world left 99 when "this country was bound to go down the tubes" made loads of cash where ever i was but i never belonged like i belong here, hey in this country i can still afford to be white without been asked why i only left after 94 why did i not leave during apartheid....i'm staying nd the only way to deal with

Zim 'randisation' won't hurt SA 2009/01/30 01:17:24 PM Para 9, '.. because they (Zim) can't print Rands.' In Africa? Wanna bet? Para 16, '..However, the disadvantage of having another country's currency rather than its own means that Zimbabwe would lose control of monetary policy after adopting that of the other country.' They have control now? A good African laugh!

Enquiry into R500 note scam 2009/01/30 01:14:13 PM First of all - I am not a criminal or a forger of any kind! This was my submission for the ‘South African Bank Note Society’ competition for 2008; we attended a seminar/brief for the competition early in that year and had a formal presentation of all the participant’s Bank Note Designs at the Central University of Technology’s Library later that year. When I presented my Design there was no mention of illegal practice on my part because it was just a competition after all! I do not know who sent my work via E-Mail to who knows where and starting all this but the only way the person could have attained this Design is to go to my DeviantArt account gallery. In the Artist’s Statement I clearly state that no person may copy or edit the Design in any way as well as giving a crystal clear statement that it was for the ‘South African Bank Note Society’ competition and all trademarks or reproductions are for the ‘authenticity effect’ for the competition and are the property of the South African Government and Bank Note Society. For more information go to the direct link below - http://southerndesigner.deviantart.com/art/SA-Bank-Note-R500-88485403 Sincerely SouthernDesigner

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 12:54:05 PM Democracy is when the voice of the people speaks out JKR, and it did and will continue to do so,if COPE wins yes it will be noted and acknowledged, do not worry those who wanted the ANC to be a playhouse and used it to elevate to pants and riches have gladly left and joined COPE, AND some are used to continue the 'xhosanastra', and let em continue to lie to the people, the current ANC leadership is not tested and the results will be positive, The time for us has come no-one will stop us

Cape Town 'too white, backward' 2009/01/30 12:39:21 PM "Blacks also don't speak the local black language, Xhosa"!? What?! Truly Mr Hamlyn, are you from here? Where did you hear this nonsense?

Ramos: Tough times ahead 2009/01/30 12:32:11 PM @Andrew & Clive Rail infrastructure was already in severe decline when she took over. Rail is hopelessly inefficient, nowhere in the world does it cover even the interest on the capital cost, let alone turn a profit. It would be a good idea to simply shut most of it down and sell the land. Keep only coal & ore lines, and let the market take care of commuter transport (Taxi's) and Air travel(SAA).She was right to sell the airports and V&A, we cant service or run a wheelbarrow properly in SA

Sasol defends top jobs 2009/01/30 12:22:06 PM I am grateful that there is a big and successful company wich has many opportunities like sasol.I would love one day to work in this company and i want to apply for a bursary from as i am a hard work doing civil engineering student doing my first year at Durban University of Technology(Indumiso campus) .I am hoping that i will get a chance to work in this company learn many thing

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/30 12:17:35 PM @ Natasha Alhoewel Amerika in a resessie is, is die land nie swak nie. Jy moet net Amerika besoek om to besef dat dit die grootse ekonomie ter wereld is. Haar ekomonie is steeds grooter as heel Europa, sowat 20 lande, ten spyte van 'n resessie. Die Dollar is nie waardeloos nie. Die land het groot probleme maar sy is net siek, nie dood nie. Dis belaglik om haar af te skrywe, soos die Amerika-haaters (SAUK) en linker-vleul pers will u glo. Amerika sal regkom en sal weer baie sterk wees.

Absa gets stakes after defaults 2009/01/30 12:10:03 PM The Pinnacle Investment cost them R931m per their statement. They would have taken some of the margin put up by the client.

Credit growth slows, boost for rates 2009/01/30 12:07:30 PM Great news guys we look forward to the rate cut .. Its only the Greedy Bunch that would like to stall this event so they can make more money ..its the old "The rich get richer and the Poor ... well you know " I look forward to the drop in my bond ... Good News!

Absa gets stakes after defaults 2009/01/30 12:04:43 PM You can only loose money on shares at the time you sell it. If you look at how losses wer determined, then it is very clear that development costs were written off instead of to capitalize it. Therefore a huge loss is shown in the financials. The nett asset value at costs also reflect a better value. If you look at the market value of the underlying properties, you will see a total different story. I am confident that the share price will rise very soon and investors should seriously concider it

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 11:58:57 AM I have no sympathy for criminals that do stuff because they're poor, Nandipha. They'll go murder and steal cos they're angry about poverty but then everyone (victim and criminal) will still vote ANC. Go figure. PS- interesting that SA's living oversees can't vote but murderers in prison can. I think this helps the ANC tally quite a bit.

Risk aversion tugs at rand 2009/01/30 11:58:21 AM Are you sure its not because of Zuma? How can it be due to international factors??? It must be Zuma related.... @#$#$@ I-Net Bridge. (For those that did not catch the sarcasm, it was meant sarcastically, these speculations attributing factors to movements in the rand is stupid and mostly inaccurate, please stop explaining why and just report the news)

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 11:57:00 AM it is a lot easier to deal positively when the problem is in the psst - different story when it is still present. Nothing negative about raising the crime issue - it is a real problem that needs to be addressed urgently - and not by Selebe or the other corrupt so called "crime fighters We do need to be positive -- positive that there should be zero tolerance to crime -- make it something of the past ----- and we will all agree with Bongza

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 11:55:05 AM Hhmm seems Lehman Bros's bad decisions go beyond the home loans in USA... Well I wonder how many made the same mistake... I'm wondering if lots of those 2010 tickets are going to be a write-off in this current economic recession. Whatever these people say there will be fewer tourists, and they will spend less time and money than what was planned for the average person by the 2010 organizers. At the best of times these tournaments barely cover their costs.

Credit growth slows, boost for rates 2009/01/30 11:50:09 AM PSCE at 14% is too high, still growing too fast. There is no need to cut rates to boost an already high number. Its just irresponsible or unsophisticated borrowers spending on consumer goods . Keep the powder dry and use rates cuts if SA slides into recession . Tito has no need to panic.

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 11:49:19 AM So you chose to forget - now i must forget hijackings and murders - easier said than done!

Obama berates Wall St bonuses 2009/01/30 11:49:14 AM Totally disagree with Obama, the stimulus packages around the world shows total lack of economic understanding by gorverments (not that this is a suprise). We give people their due (even in tough economic conditions) otherwise we'll land up in a spiral crash and totally lose the uncontrollable world economic flower. Yes sometimes it goes bad, but if you keep poking at it it will never blosom again.

Scene set for rates to be slashed 2009/01/30 11:42:13 AM RL you clealry dont understand how capital structuring works . Not all fixed investment comes from bank lending by companies .A lot of new investment funds come from rights issues, often supported by pension and retirement fund money. High real interst rates will not stifle growth, but they will prevent unsophisitcated borrowers getting money for consumer goods. There is a very strong case for high real interst rates. SA is not in recession, so there is no need to overreact and slash rates

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 11:39:36 AM Crime this crime that.South Africa is the best country you will ever inhabit.We need to create a wave of positve attitude. I as a black South African can complain about past injustice, that does not serve my country. I choose to forgive and learn from the past. Choose a positive attitude.

Enquiry into R500 note scam 2009/01/30 11:36:31 AM Thanks Clayton. What a laugh. Cant believe it !!!! (actually, I can)

Liberty: Capital wanted? 2009/01/30 11:33:14 AM AND THESE MONKEYS MANAGE BILLIONS????? HOW CAN THEY RAISE CAPITAL THRU A RIGHTS ISSUE WHEN THE SHARE IS TRADING AT 40% OF NAV????

Obama berates Wall St bonuses 2009/01/30 11:32:23 AM Quite agree with Obama - nothing but shameful - have them pay back their bonuses and then lock them away for breach of their fiduciary duties. Should apply to all other blood suckers who have taken bonuses at the expense of their companies and economies.

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 11:15:17 AM It never ceases to amaze me that whenever someone makes a critical comment it is suggested by quite a number of contributors that he leaves the country. What gives you the right to make that childish statement simply because he holds a view different to you. Many South Africans have lost loved ones due to crime - do they not have the right to feel anger? Let's stop this immature "you should leave' knee jerk reaction and try to understand where the othe is coming from - vic

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/30 11:10:59 AM THe minister is living in dreamland. Other curriencies have actively been used for a number of years and more sort our that the Zim Dollar

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 11:06:53 AM Sumen, I think u r talking nonsense. Assuming u r educated, but I doubt ur intelligence. You must remember where ANC took u/ur parents from & brought that freedom of speech u r throwing up with. U r now enjoying all the benefits like EDUCATION + that JZ didn't get bcos of ur old apartheid regime. Get real people of SA, ANC is the only party in SA which have all it takes to run this country at this moment. I am not condoning corruption, but I can't condone conspiracy over power. ANC is not JZ.

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 11:06:02 AM Spewing bile is what some of our pale skinned compatriots are known for. crime this, crime that, how many tournaments and world events have we (SA) hosted virtually without/ or with few incidents? The same folks you worry will be victims of muggings and rape were here in 2005 and none were the victims. I wonder why you are still here, you should have gone long ago to Australia and let us worry about SA, those of us who care. Its a shame that you dont see the effects of your own creation. Sies,nx

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/30 10:59:30 AM The rand has been doing the yo-yo dance for a while now due to may factors, excluding interest rates. If the rand is supposed to be allowed to be determined by free-market forces, then bank economists arguments against a 100 basis point decrease should be ignored. Let's face it: CPI is calling for such a decrease. While Joe Public stands to benefit from much needed releief, banks stand to see reduced profit margins. Maybe that's why bank economists are so vocal against such a reduction.

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 10:57:00 AM Dave,U make a good point...BUT!You are a doos!

Credit growth slows, boost for rates 2009/01/30 10:54:31 AM With M3 and PSCE above 14% it would be irresposible to lower rates more than 0.5%.Even a cut in my opinion will be futile as both fundamentals are dangerously high.It is clear that in current financial crises people lean on credit too heavily!

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/30 10:54:01 AM Gold is fast becoming the investment of choice...And if all our other exports fail, and South Africa falls into a "recession", the only major export will be Gold. Thus, if Gold keeps the upward trend, the Rand will benefit. South Africa will go into a recession, but will come out of it sooner than the developed world, because of our so called "buffers". This all is happening because consumers have bought their stuff, and is busy paying off...wait 24 months, and we're home free.

Bring on cheap mobile internet 2009/01/30 10:53:54 AM I think anyone without MTN on their portfolio in a bit crazy. I think Vodacom should list and try and get more capital to implement some of their ideas. Viva FreeMarket & Capitalism viva

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 10:39:41 AM Spot on Dave. This is risky business. While we may just pull it off nicely. The World's views can also change for the worse. Most of the World heard about our crime situation. But hearing is one thing, seeing and experiencing is another. It will only take a few tourists from each country to fall victim to our muggers, rapists and hijackers to confirm the worst to the World. And then there're our epic lacking of proper service attitude, good chances of losing luggage at the airports, etc, etc...

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 10:35:29 AM oh, and also... "suddenly" is not quite the word I would use to describe how activity occurs in SA or any African state!

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 10:33:55 AM Will JZ will be an effective Pres.? He's is the right man for certain jobs to be done;in the global village SA belongs to he will hold his own with support from the hard men (read here the muscle men) Where will SA be in the next 100, 200 years - that's real forward planning. China, Korea, Vietnam - they plan that far ahead; that's why they outperform the rest. It takes meticulous work, yes mistakes are made. Is the ANC/JZ that visionary? Are we happy to be a 3rd rate economy and always poor?

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 10:32:00 AM "When we are suddenly seen to have world-class infrastructure investors will regard South Africa in a new light." I think this guy means "if" and not "when"...

Scene set for rates to be slashed 2009/01/30 10:31:19 AM "The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." - *Cicero* - *55 BC* For "public assistance read DEBT."Ex. St. Give up, these chaps suffer from CRIS "Cranial Rectal Inversion Syndrome" Go to Joe Meyer,its too hard for them.

Dow, profit-taking sink JSE 2009/01/30 10:10:37 AM Morning - Jan 29 2009 08:44 - Johannesburg - Local markets are primed for a fourth positive day in a row on Thursday http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?ArticleId=1518-2438-2439_2460803 Evening - Johannesburg - The JSE ended deep in the red on Thursday

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 09:59:14 AM Dave, instead of continuously preaching negativity, look at the positives. We all know crime and corruption are rife, but lets remember that great bastion of freedom and democracy had a president who stole his first term in office, and that according to the ILO the developed nations will be hardest hit in the current meltdown. Our inefficient govenment have done us all a favour, inadvertently, but still a favour, by delaying the R600bn spend. Maybe you should leave..

Absa gets stakes after defaults 2009/01/30 09:55:54 AM So the "investment" cost them R1,444m One that is worth R1,111m at current share prices. The "loss" in Pinnacle Point Group is R300m, coincidentally a loss making company for a couple of financial periods... Since when is R333m loss a "MINOR" loss? They should be slaughtered for this, especially in the current economic environment - somewhere someone messed up BADLY and they allowed this to happen! The way they down-play something as significant smells of a cover-up!

Credit growth slows, boost for rates 2009/01/30 09:42:11 AM Credit extension should be already well below 10%. If it is still growing so fast it means the public in RSA is extremely irresponsible. We still borrow like mad. It puts our future in real danger. Cutting the rates doesn’t make a sense.

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 09:21:02 AM Ha ha ha, economists always the eternal optimists, does anyone else spot the trend with them....

Sarb given ammo for big rate cut 2009/01/30 09:17:05 AM I can understand that the interest rates needs to come down, but savings accounts are affected as well. You really try to save, but why cut rates on savings accounts as well. Is there no way to protect the savings, especially the pensioners, etc?

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 09:15:22 AM great article but as usual doomsayers like Dave will have us all believe the world is coming to an end.SA does have a serious crime problem but you kinow what else it has; bigots that just do not believe in this country and continent...always spinning even the most positive of news into a dire situation.stop the freaking navel gazing Dave and look around and see the poverty that exists in this country and you wonder why we have such angry criminals roaming the streets after 14 years of democracy where the poor get poorer and the previosuly rich and newly rich get richer...

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 09:07:57 AM Thank God JZ escaped being mis-educated by the apartheid and other such systems. There's a huge difference between being educated & learned! JZ's 'problem' is that he's the white man's nightmare- doesn't smoke a pipe, drink single malt, quote greek philosophers. He drinks mqombothi, does reed dances etc, a traditionalist, what the colonialists called "savage" Not yet uhuru! JZ will do fine. We should stop being apologetic about who we're, our right to our land, wealth, way of life...

Protectionism a threat to SA 2009/01/30 09:03:51 AM Sasoros, While resenting farming subsidies and subsidies in general I would rather they went to my own farmers rather than to some corrupt country in Africa. Africa in general has the attitude that the world owes them. For what? being lazy, idle and totally corrupt.Come back in 2000 years, that is if our planet still exists, I believe that will not be the case. How do you fancy supporting the Zimbabwes regeim with your taxes. It is already happening.

2010: Views on SA will change 2009/01/30 09:02:34 AM The financial success is one issue. What about the crime and corruption that is totally out of control in this country. The visitors will be prime targets for for the mobsters. If goverment does not get its act together very quickly 2010 is going to backfire on us big-time. S.A. must be one the very few countries where the criminal roams the street freely and the innocent citizens live in jails in their own homes (Africa problem). I have considered starting a body-bag business for 2010

Fewer home sellers emigrating 2009/01/30 08:56:05 AM It is said that people immigrate because of political leadership, Zim, corruption and so forth however the real reason is the result of reverse racisms. Who wants to live in a country if you are treated as a second class citizen? Don’t forget that most white South Africans voted yes in the referendum and many where involved in the "struggle" for this so called "liberty" sent with out prejudice and all rights reserved

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/30 08:49:08 AM I would appreciate an explanation from Mr Gouws on the seriousness of current and future job losses as well as the decline in GDP. We are skimming along at 1%, how is it possible not to dip against a backdrop of what's happening in the rest of the world. We are't isolated.If(anf it will) our exports goes, SA goes. The drop in inflation is not only a funtion of relaxed pricing but an indicator of serious decline in economic activity,also SA. HKGK. We will talk again at the end of 2009.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/30 08:43:46 AM Mark my words... Higher currency demand may improve the Rand's value, but it's only a matter of time before the stench of Zim affects our currency as well!

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/30 08:37:11 AM @Nea.... You don't need to spend all that time searching the net for answers. You will find it all in The Bible, in Revelations. John Lennon sang about it in his song, Imagine. A new world order is on the way. What people dont understand is that a few people, regulate the whole world. All this is planned, even the chaos in Zimbabwe. Soon there will be a man, who will solve all these problems. And I think he was recently inaugurated. This could possibly be the beginning of The End!!!

Sarb given ammo for big rate cut 2009/01/30 08:27:40 AM Nice, the end consumer still pays the inflated prices while the rest of the market capitalizes on rate cut by selling at inflated prices.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/30 08:25:53 AM Zim has been South Africa's 10 province for years and the millions of Zimbos in ZA make sure that enough Rands have been crossing the border dialy to prop up that economy and sustain Mugabe and his cronies. I am not sure what the fuss is all about!!

Sarb given ammo for big rate cut 2009/01/30 08:25:44 AM UP - Down, who cares. They are always using things like to dollar/rand rate and inflation as excuses for everything. I do not really care what excuse they use this time BUT I (and thousands of fellow South Africans) would love to see the interest rates go down. If this happens I do not have to sell my property anymore. If the interest rate comes down businesses all over the country have less expenses (interest payments) thus they do not have to push up their prices further. It will benefit ev

Brimstone to liquidate subsidiary 2009/01/30 08:25:32 AM Keg to answer your question the Springbok rugby jerseys were manufactured in S.A, all those people that made the jerseys are all still employed in fact they are manufacturing the new one.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/30 08:23:49 AM Goto: http://www.theinternationalforecaster.com also see http://www.fourwinds10.com First stocks will tank soon after the next & last shortlived surge ---> then bond market ---. then cash will hyperinflate. Gold & Silver will be King in a deflated global economy. The fiat fractional money system is near its shelf life. The engineered collapse of the world economy will usher in a new world order. A global currency could then be established. Interesting!

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 08:20:42 AM To all the racists on this site including black ones , you cannot think like the old apartheid regime and not be the same as them . You are no different to the right(left) wingers , in fact you should join up as your views are the same ,only in a different colour. Wake up and admit we are in a bit of trouble here , it is not a black white thing ,but rather a corruption thing. Do you want prosperity or poverty ? Or is the colour of the ruler most important at any cost ?

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/30 08:19:15 AM I wish all these politicians and economists would stop speculating. Nobody knows if we are heading for a recession and if people like Me Ramos utter their pessimistic remarks like we saw yesterday we will change the mind set of everybody to believe that we are heading for a recession, thus creating one that might not have been there. We cannot predict the future, live for today and make sure you make today a success.

African growth to slow to 4% 2009/01/30 08:17:41 AM the comments made by 3 of these idiots clearly shows that afriCA needs to be cleansed off the curses and bigotry that is heavily promoted by such individuals! im an example of a hard working blak african and i have achieved a lot thru hard work! yes im a zimbabwean and my i believe the beauty of a country is wihtin its pple , and s.a is clearly a nazi kkk pit of fire! the usa has 300mil pple, japan 150mil, uk 60 mill, china, 1.3b, india, 1.2b, and look how they perform

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/30 08:16:51 AM i never thought i will see the day that australians will move to south africa

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 08:03:33 AM Niza: "now it is our turn to prosper because this is our land" - you left out "and treat white people badly". Mawethu: I did, and I am watching the steady slide by the democractically elected government from where it no longer affects me, it makes me more objective. Seems to me that you seem to understand democracy as meaning your party, and your party only. Hypothetically, if COPE ever won, and became the ruling party, would you consider their win to be democratic? Or would you get all tribal>?

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 08:00:08 AM Pride will forever hurt us. SA's people are too proud to admit that the ANC is no better than the apartheid government. In fact schools ,hospitals and similar services were far better and very well administered under the old regime . The new regime is treating sa as if it is here to be plundered , rather than treating it as a child to be grown and nurtured and brought to its full potential.zimbabwe should be teaching us something . It is up to us to learn from them or die .

SA hotels may lose out on 2010 2009/01/30 07:57:42 AM Simple advertise your B&B in overseas publications as we have done and fully booked.

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 07:56:38 AM Jacob Zuma is under-educated. If you don't have even a matric certificate, you cannot even get a job at McDonalds, let alone run the country. Is this realy the man we want representing the values of South African citizens? Lets not prove the apartheid governments right by using the power we have to turn the country into a circus. Im not saying vote for anybody, Im just saying the time for anc is over.

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 07:50:48 AM equally!we have waited too long for a change,so its high time to move on.

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 07:48:35 AM We are led by people who do not learn and read the times. We were supposed to be consuming hard staff now and what we are getting are soft porridge in the form of Mshini wam which is long outdated It reminds me of the group that was approched by the police as they were chanting the song " down with president Thovhele Khosikhulu ya tshothe Patrick Ramaano Ramabulana Mphephu" I am not sure if the group was unaware that Mphephu passed on in 1988, hence the 2009 chants

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 07:48:28 AM Things are falling apart within the ANC ranks,why because people within it have got no trust to each other. Now since the ANC is devided,people tend to be confused because the very same people who the Chairperson and MEC `S are turning behind their organisation in order to also confuse the people of South Africa as a whole,this is a shame and a half.

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 07:43:39 AM Those who think our country is heading for the dogs let them go and find alternative countries of honey, we are a people that are willing to be led by a democratically elected party and the will of the people, the current ANC has the capacity to fix what the outgone ANC has messed up and we again as a people will rally behind them all the way, God Bless the ANC and our leadership incoming

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/30 07:41:45 AM Luzuko, the SARB won't necessarily print extra money if there is a higher demand from Zim (or wherever). It will be good for the Rand (and all who hold it) if a limited supply is kept and demand increases. Also you forget that these remittances that move "from hand-to-hand" have to be earned by someone working (hopefully) in SA.

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 07:40:04 AM This is so funny, you can say whatever you want. Mbeki had the same power like Mugabe. Muguba was the one who influence Mbeki to go for a third term. We don't want to be in the same boat as Zimbabwe. He was fine in the beginning but changed because of power. White people ruled this country for centuries treating us so bad now it is our turn to prosper because this is our land. Leave the ANC alone because the boers parties ruled for years without thinking of black people's future. God is our side

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 07:24:15 AM How i miss the great leaders we had Nelson Mandels, OR Tambo, Oom RAY, Oom Gov, Chris Hani, A Luthuli and Mr. T MBeki guys that could stand in the gap when the need called. Now we are left too the Vavi's, Blabes, Mantashes, naughty boy Malema and the Guy that always Sings about a Machine Gun. Phew SA is in for a bumpy ride fasen your seat belts.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/30 07:22:09 AM SA 'not heading for recession'! What recession? The country of milk & honey! If you can't buy it, steal it....et al !Nicole, spen your time better to follow up real stories than all this garbage.

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 07:13:43 AM Sean: This just shows that either the ANC clearly doesn't understand the concept of conflict of interest, or that they don't care if there's a conflict of interest (as long as it benefits them). Brian: as is Zim's nose. And it only took them 30 years to get there. And it's precisely because of situations like this that they are in trouble now. Pull your head out and get a clue. Voting ANC is not going to help anyone except the bigshots in the ANC.

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 07:12:18 AM ANC has done enough damage in this country (from 1999), Mbeki tried. We are grateful for what they did in the past, but its time to move on and change.

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 07:10:36 AM Well I should think the reason for (Malema and Vavi) Zuma guys to decline is a clever move since they were fighting for him and ppl had already tipped them for big positions. As for Mboweni there is nothing to speculate his reasons are clearly stated.

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 07:02:02 AM This is really worrying. Being a person that always try and look at the bigger picture, meaning we all can belong to different political parties but the common vision should be the wellbeing of the country and the people. I fail to see that this current leadership will take us to the next step, particularly in this current economic situation. People are loosing their jobs everyone is negative and the fear factor of it all is there is no credible leader that can stand in the gap. SA is in d SHIT!

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 06:03:17 AM Cope can continue to dream on weather is by-elections or general election they will never match the ANC.As we speak their noses are bleeding.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/30 04:39:50 AM Sorry to intrude on your tirade of negativity, but in macro-economic terms, SA is well placed to weather the downturn. And whilst our export markets may shrink somewhat (part of the downturn) they wont dissapear - they still need to stay alive somehow, and the rand is right for SA to take advantage in lean times. BTW, 2010 infrastructure projects are helping us at just the right time.

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 03:13:05 AM What heavyweight candidates? The only heavyweights they have are those with huge girths and round faces! Heavyweights in a cognitive sense are conspicuous by their absence. The ANC is the party of dullards, dimwits and greed, hence the Eskom, education, health, crime, justice, roads, municipalities etc etc disasters. Plenty more too. Anything they meddle with turns to brown stuff in short order. One only has to consider Malema, Msimang, Erwin et al. What a joke! Who can take them seriously?

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/30 02:39:00 AM The problems in the UK and US started because house prices were inflated and mortgages were issued to people who couldn't afford it. Then there are also the investors who overheated the stock markets. Both the sources of wealth was "on paper money" - nothing real. In RSA house prices have also started to drop and estate agents are doing their best to deny the truth - ask anyone who tries to sell their house. And then there is the debt load of the workers. Still no recession possible?

Scene set for rates to be slashed 2009/01/30 12:49:40 AM Ari...so the US and European banks that went bang weren't signitories of the basel II agreements?

Brimstone to liquidate subsidiary 2009/01/30 12:36:08 AM ... so where did all the jerseys come from that landed in SA before the wrld cup in 2007... were they made locally? in what factory & where...??? there must have been a very big factory with a few hundred or more employees working for a long time to make a few 10,000's rugby jerseys for the "springbok" crazy market... what happened toall these people once the jerseys were made & the world cup came to an end... so much for not blaming so-&-so & so-&-so... they all knew what was going on...!!!

Scene set for rates to be slashed 2009/01/30 12:35:33 AM YOU'RE DISTURBED IGNORAMUS AND Y'RE PRAYING TO THE WRONG GOD TWOT, NOW PHUK OFF

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/30 12:22:59 AM This just shows how far the ANC are willing to go! Why on earth are the nominating the governor of the Reserve Bank, which is meant to be independent of the governing party! But why not, its just something more which they can grab their hands on and screw up.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/30 12:19:12 AM I love how the African countries are confident that they will not suffer from the current financial crisis. What makes them so certain that it will not hit us? Its not like they are the greatest at maintaining and running a country successfully, just take zim for example!

Sarb given ammo for big rate cut 2009/01/29 11:36:39 PM With PPI @14% in '08 , is there really an ooportunity for a 'big' rate cut.

Sarb given ammo for big rate cut 2009/01/29 11:30:52 PM THABO YOU'RE QUITE RIGHT. CRASHING COMMODITY PRICES HAVE DONE THE TRICK NOT RATES. By the way i'd like to give the SARB some of my ammo.....12 GAUGE - IDIOTS

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 11:19:06 PM THANKS ANTON AND ALSO A BIG THANKS TO YOU ANDREW FOR DEBUNKING ANOTHER ECO101 MYTH. THESE CLOWNS TALK ABOUT CARRY TRADE BUT FORGET THAT IN 2006 JSE SHARE INVESTMENT WAS MORE THAN 5 TIMES MONEY MKT INVESTMENT BY FOREIGNERS

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 11:19:03 PM Natasha , Jou vraag oor die swakker Rand . Ek't 8 maand gelede gewaarsku van die risikos van swakker pryse vir ons uitvore. Dit , en die buitelandse beleggers wat hulle fondse terrugneem . Hierdie omstandighede lei tot n swakker Rand, en daar is absoluut niks wat enige Suid Afrkaner kan daaroor doen nie. All die teikens van die toekomende situasie was daar gewees.

Mboweni rejects ANC nomination 2009/01/29 11:16:16 PM Is this a sign that the ANC is running out of heavyweight candidates as the migration to Cope gains momentum?

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 11:11:13 PM How do you know when economists and politicians in South Africa are lying? ... As soon as their mouths start moving.

Listed property: is bigger better? 2009/01/29 10:22:08 PM Agree - voting against it completely - I bought ApexHi for a reason and it sure as hell wasnt to be part of Redefine...

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 10:02:58 PM @nandipha>> Go to "related stories" (next to the article) you'll find the articles on anaysis already done during the speculation. I guess there's nothing more to say about this. You can write to the editor and voice your opinion on MyNews24.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 09:52:28 PM @nandipha>> You said it yourself it was speculation and now this is confirmation. There's a difference between the two. You should note that this is a Reuters report - you can expect the same article on this evening's newspapers. Again check the site tomorrow, someone will comment if there's a need to.

Enquiry into R500 note scam 2009/01/29 09:03:08 PM HAHAHA, well done Clayton... that is pretty funny.... they'll probably throw the poor guy in prison too!!!

Enquiry into R500 note scam 2009/01/29 08:56:44 PM Die Rand is in sy moer in

Dollarising Zim 'a quick fix' 2009/01/29 08:41:09 PM @ Matla - sjoe china, you almost had my blood pressure way up there. Thank the Good Lord you're only joking. Worrying thing is .....there may be people out there that REALLY think this way....

Enquiry into R500 note scam 2009/01/29 08:39:05 PM LOL even funnier the competition is hosted by the Reserve bank http://banknotes.co.za/xoops/modules/tinycontent/index.php?id=8

Enquiry into R500 note scam 2009/01/29 08:37:35 PM http://southerndesigner.deviantart.com/art/SA-Bank-Note-R500-88485403 there we go Investigation complete it was just for a competition no hoax nothing amazing how a little googling can provide the answers. Hope no tax payer money gets wasted on this "investigation"

Enquiry into R500 note scam 2009/01/29 08:32:52 PM Anyone have two x R 250's to break a R 500 ??

Enquiry into R500 note scam 2009/01/29 08:26:06 PM LOL Ras. They clearly state that it's NOT real and you still continue to cry wolf. Some people just never learn. If anyone falls for a R500 rand and lets someone buy stuff with it, they deserve to get scammed.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 08:20:35 PM Tell them Ari. That economics 101 is a load of bull. Sorry that you guys spent all that time and money. Zuma will sort this currency out, once and for all. And that will have nothing to do with imports/exports, rate hikes/lows, invest or disinvest. It is just plain common sense. LOL!!! If we can reweigh/recalculate the basket and get a lower inflation, then we being ripped off all along. So tell me economics 101, where's da interest money going??? Probably building stadiums, hey!!!!

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 08:16:05 PM Let me SPELL it for you. A lower Rand should support exports in NORMAL times. But when the overseas markets are collapsing, they DO NOT NEED our base materials or any other goods. Hence a weaker Rand, today, will NOT give more exports. Capice?

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 08:07:23 PM Dumb question but if the currency devalues then our exports should INCREASE since it will be cheaper so get stuff from SA if you are overseas. In China they specifically keep the yaun devalued to ensure they keep their export advantage so what this man says makes no sense! Yes businesses will rather sell overseas but it will be good for our account deficit but may result in cost push inflashion since our product in SA will rise in price to convince them not to export all of it!

Free e-mail for Vodacom users 2009/01/29 08:05:56 PM registering vodcom free email

Enquiry into R500 note scam 2009/01/29 07:39:23 PM Zimbabwe, here we come!

'Bus operators broke' 2009/01/29 07:35:25 PM ONE WOULD THINK THE BLACKS WOULD LOOK AFTER THEIR OWN WITH THESE SUBSIDIES ; BUT ITS THE SAME OLD BLINKERED, LINE OUR OWN POCKETS FIRST. THEY HAVE NO IDEA OF MANAGEMENT OR URGENCY.

Scene set for rates to be slashed 2009/01/29 07:30:19 PM ARI if intelligence was a crime, they couldn't arrest you on suspicion! It is disturbing to see such filth in the public domaine. God, I hope they put the rates up next week!

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 07:25:22 PM the rand value is not that interest rate sensitive as many like to think. foreign inflows are growth seeking not yield seeking. as rates increased last yr so the rand weakened. a high rate is seen as detrimental to growth and therefore foreign inflows slow and the rand weakens. it's a myth that a lower rate will see the rand collapse

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 07:22:28 PM If ZA's economy grows by 0.1 and thats positive can it really be considered growth... If you take what a 0.1 growth means in Europe where we have a negative population growth yes... but in ZA's context if your employable number of people is growing by more than >1% per year than 0.1% is actually negative growth per capita... FOOLS

Absa gets stakes after defaults 2009/01/29 07:17:48 PM Blue stated on their website their SSF exposure was reduced to less than 5% of total shareholding? 16% is a bit more than "less than 5%"

Absa gets stakes after defaults 2009/01/29 06:58:00 PM any news on who the defaulters were?

Black CA's on the rise 2009/01/29 06:56:30 PM Nicolaas' comment seems to suggest that black student CAs follow a different curriculum to the white students, but the truth is all students CAs around the world follow similar rules when it comes to unit of measure. In fact South African CA are some of the best in the world. Please give them some credit and due respect.

Dollarising Zim 'a quick fix' 2009/01/29 06:52:12 PM Matla is a prime example of why the african continent is doomed to fail. His pre-historic thought process can not be undone by 12 years education. Only 10,000 years of evolution and initiative by his kind will get them to create. As he points out, he's happy to sit on his fat ass and reap the rewards he would not have if westerners were not here. Africa is and always will be a lost cause because the majority of the population has not evolved to the level of the civilised world.

Absa gets stakes after defaults 2009/01/29 06:44:42 PM Ouch!!

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 06:40:24 PM JACK - PLEASE DO US ALL A FAVOUR AND STOP QUOTING ECONOMICS 101 LIKE ITS GOSPEL. THOSE TWO MORONS GREENSPAN AND BERNANKE BOTH HAVE PHD's AND LOOK AT THE CHAOS THEY CAUSED!!!!!

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 06:31:53 PM Don't just talk. Convince the JSE, then we'll see if there is any merit in this belief !!!!

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 06:30:24 PM TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION NATASHA ITS QUITE SIMPLE - WE HAVE IDIOTS RUNNING THIS COUNTRY

Scene set for rates to be slashed 2009/01/29 06:25:52 PM DON'T CARE WHERE YOU GO JUST PHUK OFF IDIOT. TO EXSTUDENT: OF COURSE HIGH RATES INCREASE RISK TO THE BANKS IN TERMS OF DEFAULTS BUT ALL OUR BANKS ARE WELL CAPITALISED AT THE MOMENT RE BASLE II REQUIREMENTS. IN ANY EVENT A 1% CUT IS COMING NEXT WEEK

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 06:04:30 PM to aki. but this is hardly breaking news.this was reported on a radio news bulletin, if only as speciulation about a week ago. so i would understand if it was in fact news that we didnt see coming but this has been in the news for a bit and this article reports with no analysis...I seriously do have a problem with that. I believe that online journalism can get away with a lot and laziness shouldn't be one those things

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 06:01:46 PM Only an economist can sit there,show how clever he is and that there is no recession.I agree with NvV about Houdini.What do the 100000 people who lost their jobs in the latter part of last year think? Let's stop playing political word games,knuckle down,get real and build a real economy based on real life socio-economic life in SA.Leading Politicians and business people need to get together and develop plans and programmes for THIS economy that can work for all strata through free enterprise.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 06:01:17 PM So I read in the comments that it's not about rates. And so I read that in the States and other places, that cutting rates has been in-effective... And in recent times a 50 basis point cut didn't do much so why not cut them? If they're not relevant and this crisis isn't about them and if they have no effect... or do they....

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 05:59:41 PM Wow, the world economy revolves around your average American buying Chinese junk in smalltown USA strip malls. There is hope after all.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 05:57:31 PM @nandipha>> I think when it comes to breaking news there's no time for interviews, analysts, etc. You just report as is. You can expect that later, keep the site ticking by visiting again to find out.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 05:53:37 PM to hein whilst i agree that one makes up ones mind after absorbing any information, i do however believe that the role of journalism is also to report news within a context and this article doesn't do that. it just says this is what has happened in country xyz and nothing to it.lets just say if I were an alien that just dropped onto earth today(yes i know horribly analogy but work with me here) and read this article,it will mean diddly squat to me and I will need to research the background context as to why exactly is it news in the first place. that is what i mean by no analysis to this fact of zim swapping their dollar to the rand.I belive one should always make up one's mind but it needs to be based on some substence.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 05:51:54 PM @Hein - Dude, what is your problem with Nandipha? If you only want the news - then don't read the comments. Sheez. I for one think his analysis is rather valid.

Zimbabwe to 'dollarise' economy 2009/01/29 05:51:36 PM This nonsense about coupons means we are going to be in the same problem! Receive tax in hard currency, but pay out in coupons - this is effectively paying out in Zim currency as these coupons will be produced by the printing presses.

Global recession heads to SA 2009/01/29 05:47:09 PM @ Realistically So what you're saying is that unit of money's value and worth should change over time? If Gold IS money then it's a stable unit that is worth something one day and the same tomorrow and thereafter. So the Rands or whatever you keep in the vault should somehow buy more than they did last week? How is this possible unless you add to the pile in the safe? You describe a deflationary environment Don't you know...

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 05:46:03 PM Luzuko can it be good for a country if those that are able to, go over the border to Zambia, Botswana and South Africa to buy their groceries? They are thereby helping foreign business and not their own.

Global recession heads to SA 2009/01/29 05:42:37 PM @ Realistically: Why not debate a good point? You say there isn't enough gold to back all the fiat money in the world? Well of course there isn't! ( Deflation will get us back there soon though). That's why the gold standard was abandoned, so that governments and their greedy bankers could print print and print all the money they wanted to pay themselves. Where's that gotten us? I'm an engineer and even I understand how and why the control of the Gold Standard is a good idea now.

Scene set for rates to be slashed 2009/01/29 05:39:11 PM Sorry Exch. Std. Wrong artical. I meant "Whereto the Rand" by Joe Meyer 27/01/09. Very good and you should enjoy it.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 05:37:44 PM nandipha: I, for one, prefer to get the news, not what someone thinks it means. Previously businesses couldn't trade in other currencies, now they can. I'll make up my own mind on what that means, implies or may lead to.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 05:37:35 PM To Pearl .. I never heard that one before (Benny Johnson). I guess he did an Oral Roberts ;)

Global recession heads to SA 2009/01/29 05:32:23 PM @ Realistically? Gold has LOTs of uses. Don't paraphrase Buffet who is also not a scientist/metallurgist. Gold is an EXCELLENT conductor of electricity, is a noble metal (good as an implant prosthetic alloy) is highly malleable and can formed and woven easily. It's good for shielding against cosmic rays.(used to shield satellites) and remains a durable and corrosion resistant substance. Rather talk about your so called speciality: money. Keep yours in a mattress is the advice of a scientist.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 05:32:03 PM Zimbabwe is now a remittance driven economy, I wonder how much do Zimbabweans spend on (ZAR) remittance every month? It could be estimated around R900 million (I would like to exaggerate but that would be an aggregation), that is basically an estimate on the money going out of the country in which our SARB needs to print to replenish the thirst of Zimbabweans, at our cost of cause due to increase in money supply and knowing that remittance sent to Zimbabwe is not recorded in the balance of payments as a % of GDP because it moves from hand-to-hand not electronically, I guess its good for Zimbabweans as they increase their foreign exchange reserves.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 05:31:10 PM this article actually lacks any susbstence, we are left trying to figure out what does this all mean, having the Rand being adopted by Zim? no probing or trying to analyse the story whathsoever,just regurgitation of the event as it happened.this shows in all the responses on here...pathetic busi ness journalism!

Scene set for rates to be slashed 2009/01/29 05:24:56 PM Exchange Std: I had given this site up as badly polluted. But have you cosidered that the Banks have to raise funds foreign and local & this is becoming increasigly difficult. THE leadinf overseas banks are suffering badly from this malady. I think you are one who could benefit from the artical todat "SARB given ammo.." It relies on technicals to a large, but so have I for years & I got out of all property in '06/'07 & only into Gold on technicals. We can only do the best for ourselves.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 05:21:50 PM Lynn, its simple. With the US/EU in turmoil, they are not buying Chinese manufactured goods any more. This makes China, our biggest resource customer drastically reduce resource imports because they cant sell their products. This then causes our resource exports to fall. And lower prices dont help, so a weak rand now becomes an unmitigated liability because it causes import costs to soar, just as SA is spending billions on infrastructure and power stations. Its not only China, its India too etc.

Sarb given ammo for big rate cut 2009/01/29 05:19:24 PM I still think SA's monetary policy is a blunt instrument and is immaterial to whether inflation goes up or down, just my opinion.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 05:17:33 PM But it was bloody expensive. $3 for a can of coke. Works out to what R30 then. And well you could also pay the people with old clothes and shoes.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 05:15:05 PM Yes when I went to Zimbabwe last year we could use either Rand or US Dollar. The Zim-Dollar was not even mentioned. I had a billion dollar note that expired in December but no one wanted the note.

Rand: where to until June? 2009/01/29 05:14:24 PM There are some good arguements & comments here. I fully believe falling int rates will weaken the Rand, the fall will feed on itself. We have far too much other uncertainty to risk it. There are small countries like ours (some in the Euro zone)actually quietly raising their rates to stem any future currency outflows. When it hits the fan ALL foreign money is hot money. The RSA debt consumers need to learn a lesson, albeit harsh. Have some compassion for those newies who jumped into bank debt.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 05:12:21 PM Your 7th last paragraph comment puzzles me: Yes, when the Reserve Bank lowers the prime interest rate this should (probably will) cause the Rand to lose value. But as in the past, this rand weakening has always been POSITIVE for exports since the bottom line here is MORE rands for the forex paid for SA exports -- not less rands! A weak rand is good for SA exports' profits surely? Please clarify with other economists' opinions; thanks.

Scene set for rates to be slashed 2009/01/29 05:08:46 PM Awe Cicero! Don't worry about those chops! But are you avoiding answering my logical argument that keeping rates high is risky to SA banks and their investors?

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 05:07:58 PM Response to ??? Im no financial market analysts by any long short but logic says that if an unstable(politically and economically) country switches to your currency, which happens a lot by the way in terms of the US dollar, it has no bearing on the value of your currency.In fact I would say its a vote of confidence for your currency to be adopted by another country.Of course the controls of making sure that SA doesnt get flooded by fake SA Rands that could come from Zim is another story all together.So I would answer your question by saying,it doesnt affect SA Rand's value negatively...just my opinion.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 05:05:12 PM It shouldn't affect our currency in any way, because he is only acknowledging something that was already happening in any case.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 05:03:25 PM @GET REAL. You must be in some kind of retail business. I've got news for you. SA's economy does NOT depend mainly on retail for its growth! Its no good doing that, because consumer-led growth always leads to boom-or-bust. SA's economy is resource-led now. Efforts are being made to increase the role of manufacturing exports. Once this gets going properly, SA will never be dependent on retail again. The sooner this happens, the better for all. Retail is ever linked to price rises and inflation.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 04:59:10 PM Thats what you get when the RSA president holds hands with Bob. What we did not see was when they went into the meeting room and the RSA president went onto his knees and gave Bob a Benny Johnson.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 04:57:20 PM Not even Houdini will escape this recession. Here in the UK businesses are closing daily. Our town has now more charity shops than other types of shops. Big businesses are folding fast and every day. People do not spend anymore. You should see the bargains like buy one get one free even for some cars. The house market is in tatters and people only sell if they have to. Savers get between 1 and 2 percent interest. The pound is in a nosedive but still stronger against the Rand than what it was before the recession. On the positive side I still pay the same for some groceries as what it cost 10 years ago. In many cases a lot of things became less expensive unlike my annual holiday in South Africa. Maybe inflation is the answer to counter the recession.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 04:57:14 PM After Mugabe the rand will only get stronger if they start using it nou.

Zimbabweans to use rands 2009/01/29 04:55:36 PM does anone know if this will affect our currency in any way???

Sarb given ammo for big rate cut 2009/01/29 04:55:21 PM @ Up Down Up Down... are you sure those guesses are educated... ;)

Scene set for rates to be slashed 2009/01/29 04:54:32 PM Juvenile Website? The website is fine. Its the juveniles who hack it. I think I must go back to the Economist, Spectator, Telegraph, etc. Cry the beloved country. I rest my case as proven.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 04:52:34 PM Barclays is the sword of Damocles over Absa. If Barclays fails, it would bring trouble here because of their 60pc holding in Absa. Already Absa shares and prefs have tumbled owing to this risk. It still, however, represents the best asset of Barclays by far! If the UK nationalises Barclays, as might occur, there would have to be some sort of deal to free up Absa. SA cannot allow the UK government to directly benefit from Absa. However, this uncertainty could undermine our banking sector.

Hi-Fi Corporation's sales slump 2009/01/29 04:49:15 PM Johannesburg - Furniture group JD Group (JDG) reported on Thursday that total sale of merchandise for the first four months of trading was 3.3% up on the corresponding period of the previous year. The cash businesses (incorporating Incredible Connection, Hi-Fi Corporation and Abra in Poland) showed a 8.7% overall increase in merchandise sales, the group said in a trading update. "Both Incredible Connection and Abra showed excellent top line growth. While Hi-Fi Corporation traded 9.9% down on the previous year its product margin was 1.1% higher." The credit chains traded 1.4% down on the corresponding period. "Our entry level chains, Price `n Pride and Barnetts, did however fair better than the universal chains, growing merchandise sales by 4.3%. Revenue from financial and other services showed a year on year decline of 2.6%," the furniture group said. It added that the provision for bad debts has decreased to 13.2% of debtors compared with 13.3% at 31 August 2008. Receivable arrears as a percentage of receivables stands at 18.2% compared to 19.4% at 31 August 2008. This has resulted in total debtors' costs decreasing by 7.1% over the corresponding period, according to the group

'Consumer sector to consolidate' 2009/01/29 04:48:41 PM This is a BAD deal for AVI shareholders if it goes ahead and TBS are getting a steal...

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 04:41:36 PM I guess all the people here denying a recession or saying how well off we are, works for someone. As a business owner I can assure you we're already in deep trouble and things are not going to get better until credit criteria is relaxed and rates are dropped. Not everyone borrowed more than they can afford, being able to afford your bills is completely different to having disposable income and adding to the economy.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 04:40:51 PM Natasha. The reason the dollar is so much better than the rand is that its seen as the "reserve" currency, a role previously played by gold. When markets fell drastically, it was partly because many investors sold, bought dollars and put their money into US Government bonds! They're still doing that. Yanks dont trust banks, so cash goes into bonds. These are seen as risk free, unless the US collapses. I wish I could easily invest in US bonds, because I think the banks could get worse, ours too.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 04:30:30 PM even if we get 0,1% growth we are not in a recession, BUT it feels like a recession. Ask those people who can't pay for their houses/cars/credit cards..... If the whole world goes in recession (is in....) SA will suffer very hard. Commodities will not be in demand and what is sold will be at low prices (metals..). Let's talk again in 6 months.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 04:25:46 PM Sunny, dont make asinine statements! SA is NOT in recession yet, we have positive GNP growth, however small. There's nothing SARB or DoF can do to improve things much. SA will see a small fiscal deficit in the next budget, in order to stimulate to an extent. SARB will continue its watching brief on inflation, and cut rates conservatively when justified, as Gouws says. The people on this site who stupidly got themselves into huge debt must stop hyping rates! Its not about them.

Sarb given ammo for big rate cut 2009/01/29 04:23:28 PM Over the last week I've seen several different articles suggesting anything from 1.5% to .5% ... each day with a different figure? If the news isn't reliable then whats the point of even writing articles like this? At the end of the day these are all just educated guesses? its a bit weak.

Scene set for rates to be slashed 2009/01/29 04:22:41 PM CICERO, CHANGE YOUR MONIKER TO DILDO - ITS MORE APT

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 04:22:27 PM No sunny we are not in a recession and Tito will do what is need to be done, not to satisfy you because you cannot afford to pay your debt, remember it is because of debt and greed that has caused this recession. Hold off on the ill placed acusations until next week when yet again interest rates will drop, and I expect a 100 basis point decrease, that will save you about R400-R500 a month on a R800,000 bond if I'm not mistaken. Stop being reactionary, that kind of thinking can sink an economy.

Anglo Coal 'to get Eskom contract' 2009/01/29 04:18:21 PM I have no experience at all in the trucking industry, but would like to get access to a coal contract can anyone assist. 083 884 9884/073 755 0603/034 212 1474 thanx

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 04:17:32 PM Morne, the UK is much worse hit than SA! Its partly because financial services are such a big part of their resource-less economy. Secondly Browns wasteful Socialist spending, what he euphemistically calls "investment in public services", has saddled the UK with huge debt and deficits. They are much worse off than SA! In fact there is serious doubt if their economy can survive.

SAA to fly high in 2009 2009/01/29 04:16:38 PM SAA is the world's dirtiest, airline. Even 1st sucks GOK what a 'nice SAA plane' is - how pathetic!! Try Singapore or Thai one day. I flew SAA to London once - never again. I threw the return away and flew to USA/Asia with Singapore, as nobody would 'honor' it. It now gives new meaning to the term "Mile High Club" "Drug Dealers #1 Airline of Choice" How dumb is SAA Imagine some fanatic placing Semtex in a bag Honesty & Integrity - try it Small wonder RSA = Republic of Substance Abusers

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 04:13:39 PM We are already in a recession, soon to be a depression if Tito et al don't do something. They won't admit it just yet. Nobody is buying and businesses are retrenching everywhere. Time everyone woke up and smelt the roses.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 04:12:27 PM First, we need to define what a recession means for a developing economy as compared to a developing economy.US only has 4 million jobless people.We had 8 million before the global financial crisis. Does this mean we are constantly in a recession? Have our stds of living been as affected as those of the developed world? Has South African banking system been bailed out? I don't think so. South Africa still has very strong fundamentals and there is no recession here. Stop being so pessimistic!!

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 04:12:04 PM On an article like, we must all hope that this economist is right... for a change ;-)

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 04:10:13 PM Penguin. The US is the foundation stone of the worlds economy. If it fails, we all fail. However, comparing SA to say the UK or EU countries, we are better off. Gouws has outlined the reasons, but our resource wealth is a big factor. Its got little to do with the incompetence of the ANC, huge though that may be. As long as SA business, the engine of our wealth, is allowed to operate without excessive interference, we could be ok. Of course, the advent of a leftist Zuma govt could undermine us.

'Consumer sector to consolidate' 2009/01/29 04:10:04 PM Wow, this guy has such AMAZING insight! I mean, every single thing that he mentions is old news. Maybe it's just selective reporting...

Lawyers fret over property law 2009/01/29 04:06:22 PM A am a landlord of my fathers deceased esate. Tenant has not been paying rent for 7 months. Has illegaly connected lights after disconnection. Tenant has illegal subletters and running an illegal shebeen. Tenant refuses to allow us to erect for sale boards and has threated estate agent with grevious bodily harm. I do not know where to turn.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 04:04:01 PM Im in the UK at the moment and this things is brutal and leaves no prisoners... Doubt that SA will escape without long lasting effects!

Sarb given ammo for big rate cut 2009/01/29 04:03:29 PM I'm just happy to know that indicators point to a rate cut; it will be nice relief to many of us.

SA 'not heading for recession' 2009/01/29 04:01:53 PM Natasha, one of the reasons is that US investors are pulling money out of 3rd world / overseas markets and putting it closer to home (US). Thus, the law of supply and demand rules, whereby there is demand for the dollar, but not the rand. I wonder what economists and even Trevor see that I don't - with regard to the recession. The trade deficit will increase - inflation is lower only because of petrol price, and we've not yet experience the 'credit card' crisis, which should hit us soon!