Beplanning onderwerpe

The announcement by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) sees the repo and prime lending rates cut by 25 basis points for a second consecutive time. Now at 7% and 10.50% respectively, borrowing costs are officially 1.25% lower than they were a year ago, a welcome result that I believe…

Dishonesty, even when instructed, breaches the trust at the heart of the employment relationship and can justify a dismissal, according to Amandla Makhongwana, senior associate at Bowmans. Makhongwana says the Labour Court’s judgment in Mbuyane v Dekker NO and Others (JR1173/2020) [2025]…

Since 2023, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) has categorised trustees as third-party data submitters alongside banks and other financial institutions, which are required to report their figures to Sars so that Sars can pre-fill this information in the relevant persons’ tax returns, aiming…

A friend of mine is looking to buy a new set of wheels, something modest, second-hand, and reliable enough to handle Jozi's stop-start traffic and the odd weekend road trip. The excitement is palpable. I mean, who doesn't get amped about the freedom of finally having your own car? But in this…

With credit increasingly being used to cover essential living costs such as food, rent, electricity, and transport, alarm bells are being sounded about unsustainable debt levels of consumers, according to the National Financial Ombud Scheme of South Africa.The National Financial Ombud Scheme South…

Inflation is something we can’t avoid – it’s a bit like death and taxes. Traditionally, South Africa has had high inflation in comparison with developed countries, and that’s a fundamental reason why the rand has steadily declined against the currencies of those countries. The Covid-19 pandemic…

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) cut rates by 25bps to 7.0% in a unanimous decision, as expected by both the market and analysts, says Matrix Fund Managers economist Kim Silberman. She says the room to cut rates was made available by inflation remaining well contained and, importantly, by…

In a rapidly evolving world, fostering entrepreneurial skills in our children is critical. Cultivating innovation, resilience, and a proactive mindset from an early age lays the foundation for future success – and parents play a pivotal role in nurturing these qualities. Here’s how parents can…

Two decades ago, a generation of Black South African children quietly stepped into a new kind of adulthood. They had survived a crisis that left millions of others behind, the HIV and AIDS epidemic that devastated families, collapsed social safety nets, and exposed the fault lines of racial…

With the growing popularity of online investment platforms, spurred by advancements in digital financial services and the rise of crypto assets, the risk of exploitation of consumers and financial services providers (FSPs) has increased. A recent case in point is Banxso, a Cape Town-based…

Millions of South Africans were auto-assessed by the South African Revenue Service (Sars) in 2024, a move designed to simplify the tax season. But with convenience comes risk.Financial experts warn that auto-assessments, which rely solely on third-party data, can contain critical errors that might…

South Africa’s Master of the High Court is inching towards digital modernisation, but despite early signals of progress, the journey remains uneven, and for many families navigating deceased estates, frustratingly slow.After years of dysfunction and a near standstill at six Master’s Offices due to…

Despite all the publicity, this year’s biggest winners and losers have much less to do with the shocks of war and tariffs than you might expect. Emerging markets and Europe have outperformed despite being big exporting economies, while the US dollar has fallen in value, and inflation and interest…

South African life insurers and investment firms prevented fraud and dishonest activity totalling R1.4 billion in 2024, according to the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (Asisa).However, Asisa says actual losses incurred by the industry still amounted to R131.6 million,…

While many South Africans are doing their best to save, too few understand the difference between budgeting, saving, and financial planning. As a result, they often end up using their savings to cover everyday expenses, leading to frustration, shortfalls, and savings that vanish by month-end. This…

A recent High Court decision should serve as a cautionary tale for any taxpayer who underestimates the procedural rigor required when challenging the South African Revenue Service (Sars). In Kerbyn Cape 2 (Pty) Ltd v CSARS (15899/2023) [2025] ZAWHC 11, the court dismissed the taxpayer’s application…

Most South Africans don’t realise they can afford expert financial advice, but every day, millions spend between R25 and R45 on a takeaway coffee, a habit quietly adding up to over R1,000 a month.The perception that accessing financial advice is out of reach needs to change. This National Savings…

With a debt book of R535,9 billion, Sars is looking for any means to expedite seamless collections! Sars can leverage Artificial Intelligence and data-driven insights from 3rd party information, including processing of taxpayer bank statements without any prior warning or…

Before saying yes to a new job, it’s crucial to look beyond the salary figure to ensure that you fully understand the broader financial implications of the position, and to satisfy yourself that the new role aligns with your long-term goals. Here’s your checklist to carefully consider:Nature of the…

When managing your money, it’s easy to confuse saving with investing. While the two are closely related, they play different roles in your financial journey. Saving is about setting aside money for short-term needs or emergencies, while investing is about growing your wealth over time.…