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Entrepreneurship Q&A

Do you have questions on the financing needs of your business? Fin24.com has a panel of experts on standby to answer queries.

PODCAST: Lessons from Abroad

Think it's easier to start a business in the US as opposed to SA? Listen to Fin24.com's entrepreneurship experts.

Companies

Woolies to use cash for franchise buyout

Sep 02 2010 17:35

It will cost Woolworths Holdings less than R1bn to buy out its SA franchisees – and the company has cash available to fund the buyout, says CEO Simon Susman.

Economy

Marcus: 3% growth won't create jobs

Sep 02 2010 20:56

Central bank governor Gill Marcus says SA's return to growth of 3% is a welcome development, but it will not address unemployment.

Economy

Davies to force steel players' hand

Sep 02 2010 16:34

Government is intent on using policy tools to achieve competitive steel prices, says Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies.

Business

Plea to delay new consumer act

Sep 02 2010 16:51

A law firm says there is no clear guidance on the proposed Consumer Protection Act, and has urged the department of trade and industry to extend its implementation.

Companies

Discovery 'too hot to handle'

Sep 02 2010 15:10

The "scale and sophistication" of financial services firm Discovery Holdings have enabled it to win market share from its competitors, says CEO Adrian Gore.

Business

Public servants rage over interdicts

Sep 02 2010 14:24

A group of striking civil servants has handed over a memorandum of demands at the Johannesburg High Court, complaining about the interdicts the court issued.

Economy

Car sales jump ahead of green tax

Sep 02 2010 12:23

Vehicle sales have spiked in August, ahead of the introduction of a new carbon tax.

TOUCH & GO: Apple CEO Steve Jobs announces the release of new upgrades in the iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle, iPod Touch, and iTunes at a press conference in San Francisco. (AFP) Full story...

Breaking News

Wage deal at Richards Bay Minerals

Sep 02 2010 22:42

A three-year agreement on wages has been reached at Richards Bay Minerals, a Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton joint venture

JSE ends lower on profit taking

Sep 02 2010 18:00

The JSE has closed weaker as nervous investors took profit after previous steep gains.

Unions to explain offer to members

Sep 02 2010 17:43

A union chairperson says some unions found it difficult to sell the new pay offer to their constituencies and they will now embark on an explanation process.

SA gold production increases

Sep 02 2010 17:16

The second quarter of 2010 has seen South Africa's gold production increase by 12.6%.

Police union threatens further action

Sep 02 2010 16:39

The SA Policing Union has rejected the government's latest wage offer and threatens further mass action.

Rand stronger, eyes R7.20 level

Sep 02 2010 16:44

The rand remains on the front foot as the US dollar came under selling pressure.

Strike ‘cancels out SWC benefits’

Sep 02 2010 15:42

The public service strike is diminishing the gains made by SA in hosting a successful World Cup, says Sacci.

Woolworths to buy out franchisees

Sep 02 2010 14:32

Retail firm Woolworths Holdings has decided to cease operating franchise stores, according to a company statement.

Columnists

Marc Ashton

Knowledge is power

The right tech tools can empower your small firm and give you the competitive edge at very low cost, says Marc Ashton.

More columns...

Inside Fin24.com

JSE off black ownership target

Black ownership of JSE-listed companies is still a way off the 2017 target.
Facelift planned for rails

The framework for a Jhb-Dbn speed rail should be completed by 2011.
Entrepreneurship Q&A

Do you have questions on your businesses financing needs?
Packing up your troubles

Take time to make the right decisions in time about moving house.
Dilemma for tax defaulters

Taxpayers should make use of the disclosure programme - and fast.
MTN's BEE goes live

MTN has opened its empowerment initiative to the public.
Going nuclear

Standard Bank has agreed to work on nuclear power opportunities in SA.
Surging demand

Gold demand surged in the second quarter, according to new data.

International

US jobless claims fall

Sep 02 2010 16:40

New claims for US unemployment benefits fell last week, but are still too high to signal a change in fortune for the troubled labour market.

Sarb says policy should stabilise output

Sep 02 2010 14:18

SA's monetary policy has to continue its role of stabilising output at high but non-inflationary levels, says Sarb chief economist Monde Mnyande.

Motor industry strike continues

Sep 02 2010 13:54

The strike in the motor industry will continue until workers' demands have been met, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA says.

The health gap

Aug 29 2010 15:50

In addition to pension savings, a newly retired couple will need R1m to fund medical care.

Keaton stakes claim with Mpuma project

Sep 02 2010 09:24

Keaton Energy is confident its first large coal mining project, Vanggatfontein in Mpumalanga, will be a major supplier of A-grade coal in the local market.

Ominous issues loom over firms

Aug 19 2010 18:50

Land ownership, nationalisation and press regulation could have a negative effect on business in the next 10 years, says a scenario strategist.

Comments and Analysis

Comment And Analysis
Exercise in futility

Is the Fed powerless to prevent a double dip?
Comment And Analysis
Down to business

Expect growth as savvy telecoms operators transform.
Comment And Analysis
Take your pick

This is the ultimate environment for choosing shares.
Comment And Analysis
Relax - it's in the bag

The final deal between Metropolitan and Momentum raises questions.
Comment And Analysis
Beware the bunny huggers

The investment philosophy of doing good can end up badly.
Comment And Analysis
Fading optimism

Hopes for GDP growth are taking a reality check
Comment And Analysis
Sharing too much

Location data on social networks: a step too far?
Comment And Analysis
Clean green or hot air?

Natural gas extraction is not without potential pitfalls.

More...

Indicators

Last updated: Fri 00:00

Company Snapshot

Make money from art

Sep 02 2010 12:48

Art's nicer to look at than stock and bond certificates, but can it make you money? Fin24.com spoke to the experts about this alternative investment class. Time: 3:00

Not working? Click here More videos

Only daily parallel rate indexing can do the trick in a hypeirnflationary economy. Here you will find everything SAICA banned from continued being published on their public Discussion Forum about SA accountants - including CA(SA)s&nb... Read their blog...

Lessons from Abroad

Think it's easier to start a business in the US as opposed to SA? In our entrepreneurship section, Fin24.com speaks to the experts whether the grass is always greener. Time: 12:10 Listen Here...

Unzipped, Aug 31 '10

The Unzipped team talks about Kalahari.net's new marketplace and a virtual visit of the Cape winelands on Google's street view. Time: 13:20.

More podcasts...

Vote

Q: Unions have rejected the state’s latest wage offer. Government should:

		Stick to its guns
		Return to its original offer
		Offer more


Results	Previous results...

Read it in FinWeek

An unlikely pairing

Sep 02 2010 00:00

There is a fable that tells of an argument between an elephant and a mouse about who is stronger. The mechanics of the tale are not important here; suffice to say they agree to disagree on their relative merits and in a conciliatory gesture the rodent accompanies his new friend on a walk. As they cross a rickety bridge that heaves under the pachyderm’s weight, the mouse – oblivious to its relative insignificance – whoops with delight: “Look how the bridge shakes as we cross it!”
More...