SAQA’s National Learners’ Records Database (NLRD), the first such system in the world, holds the key to tracking crucial information for human resource development in South Africa. It is the NLRD that underpins the publication of important information and research tools, such as SAQA’s second edition of “Trends in Public Higher Education in South Africa,”…
DetailsTRANSFORMING THE AUDITING PROFESSION The phrase, “I want to be an auditor when I grow up” has probably never been uttered in a primary school anywhere in the world. Unlike the medical and legal professions, there are no TV shows set in auditing firms. But the auditing profession is undeniably crucial, protecting, as it does,…
Details“Back in the 70s and 80s things never changed as much, it was like the world stayed the same for longer, you know!” These are the words of a man sixty three years old in corporate South Africa. We were discussing the constant change in his work environment, after the company he worked for was…
DetailsOm te kalf is vir ‘n koei om geboorte te gee. Maar daar is ‘n ander tipe, alledaagse ‘kalf’. Dit is wanneer dinge ineenstort, en dis die een wat ek in gedagte het! Ons ekonomie kalf momenteel. Net nageboorte waar jy kyk, en nie ‘n mooi aangesig nie. Dit het tog so onskuldig begin. Huishoudelike…
DetailsReaders may be forgiven if they believe that the title of this article refers to Eskom. It does not, although Eskom’s proposed savage increases in the price of electricity may well prove to be a catalyst in persuading the Minister of Finance to revise some of his tax policies. Policies which were admirable ten years…
DetailsINTERNATIONAL TRADE WITH SOUTH AFRICA The return of South Africa to the international community after the 1994 elections revolutionised the country’s position in the international trade arena. Less than two decades ago the South African economy was characterised by apartheid legislation and international sanctions. This resulted in a closed economy, marked by high tariffs, subsidies…
DetailsSAICA’s National Tax Committee and its work The committee operates to support the overall objectives of The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). PURPOSE The purpose of the committee is to be the most influential committee on decisions made by stakeholders on South African tax matters, particularly in respect of decisions made by the…
DetailsSouth Africa has recently seen a significant increase in mergers and acquisitions. Despite global market tumult and poor conditions in debt markets, transactional activity is continuing, where market players see the opportunity to get good deals done, and to restructure their entities to respond to the fast evolving environment. As the cost of funds for…
DetailsFROM THE PEN The golden issue I waited a while this month to get going on this editorial. As you are aware, every newspaper and television news bulletin, in boardrooms across the country, at lunches, meetings, in business editorials and corridor conversations, are all peppered with doom and gloom. So when I read this month’s…
DetailsISLAMIC FINANCE 1 Fundamentals of Islamic Finance The purpose of this article is to explain the fundamental principles and underlying philosophy of Islamic Finance, and to explore the possibilities of the implementation thereof in South Africa. Firstly, the philosophy and socio-economic rationale underpinning Islamic Finance will be introduced, as it will be difficult to appreciate…
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