Nicola’s Notes: Politics, power plays and principles

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

President Jacob Zuma shouldn’t use his victory to oust Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, further harming SA Inc, argues Nicola Mawson.

Drought weighs on Omnia’s profit

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Omnia Holdings, which provides specialised chemicals, says profit for the first half dropped 22. 1 percent to R259 million as the drought and commodity rout took ...

Nicola’s Notes: #GoShopping!

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Let’s stop adopting American ideas and come up with our own plan to boost the economy, writes Nicola Mawson.

Tsogo Sun bets on new investments

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Tsogo Sun reports flat profit for the 6 months to September as trading conditions remain under pressure, but is hopeful its new additions will pay off.

Drought weighs on Tiger Brands

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Tiger Brands seeks to improve profitability from sales into Africa, even after selling its stake in Nigeria’s Dangote.

MTN wraps up new R9.9bn BEE plan

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

The cellular operator will invest R557 million in the scheme as equity targets are missed upon closing of share applications.

Telkom’s strategy starts to ring true

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Telkom is growing its top line and operating profit as mobile finally starts making money, and it integrates Business Connexion.

Life Healthcare seeks another deal

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Life Healthcare, which is on the acquisition trail, on Friday reported revenue up 12 percent to R16 billion in the year to September.

Nicola’s Notes: The devil you don’t know

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Regardless of what we think about Donald Trump’s victory, America’s new president will have to prove himself, writes Nicola Mawson.

Clicks cleared to run Netcare outlets

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Clicks Group’s bid to take over almost 90 Netcare outlets has been given the green light by the Competition Tribunal, but with conditions.

Platinum wage deals good for SA - Moody’s

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Ratings agency Moody’s says the recent wage deals between SA’s largest platinum union and the three biggest miners is credit positive.

Cell C doesn’t need to raise $600m

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Cell C no longer needs to issue a bond to raise money, which would have trimmed its borrowings to R8 billion, its future 45 percent parent says.

Rand rallies as Gordhan is off the hook

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

The rand has recovered somewhat against the dollar as fraud charges against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan are dropped.

Nicola’s Notes: A ray of hope

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

It seems as if political shenanigans are side-tracking the Finance Minister from what is his most important task, writes Nicola Mawson.

'Green shoots are emerging' - Gordhan

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Green shoots are emerging that SA may be entering a new economic cycle, and government seeks to speed up growth.

#MidTermBudget: Where government prioritises spending

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

National Treasury is shifting money to fill gaps in education, social services and health care.

More cash for education after #FeesMustFall

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is shifting more money to post school education, despite the tight fiscal environment.

You're going to pay more tax

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

National Treasury will be hiking income earned from tax, but exact details will only be released in February.

National Treasury hits back at Guptas

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

National Treasury has says it is “peculiar” that the Gupta-owned Oakbay chooses to respond to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s affidavit in public.

Altron: Good progress, but more to do

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Altron says its strategy to focus on its ICT assets has paid off in the six months to August, although it concedes there’s still more to do.

Watch VideoOuta scolds Sanral over e-toll debt

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Outa comes out swinging against Sanral over e-tolls, slamming the agency for continuing to think it can collect overdue payments.

Naspers strategically sells Allegro for R47bn

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Naspers’ announcement that it is selling its Allegro Group for R46. 61 billion comes as the Polish e-commerce market matures.

Dis-Chem plans public offering

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

Family-owned Dis-Chem, has announced its intention to list on the JSE’s main board to boost its growth plans.

Nicola’s Notes: On a wing and a prayer

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

SAA needs to get its act together or pack its bags and leave, writes Nicola Mawson.

Post Office ‘still a mess’

Nicola Mawson | IOL Business Editor|Published

CEO Mark Barnes is more fired up about SAPO than ever, and says - despite its woes - green shoots are showing.