TAX SEASON EXPOSES SME WEAKNESSES
South African SMEs face growing pressure during tax season as tighter reporting requirements expose weaknesses in financial management, recordkeeping and cash flow planning.
Rather than being a once-a-year challenge, tax compliance increasingly reflects how well a business operates throughout the year.
Companies that fail to keep accurate records or plan for tax obligations often face unnecessary financial strain during filing periods.
Experts also warn that many small businesses miss out on available tax incentives because they do not fully understand SARS requirements.
As compliance becomes more complex, many SMEs are turning to temporary tax specialists and digital tools to improve efficiency and reduce risk.
Full story - https://t.co/hesfL27jjR
Pictured - Carole Ratcliffe, Managing Executive at Quest by Adcorp
HERE IS THE PLUG
If you didn't know, Makro offers free weekly deliveries to different locations for orders of R1,000 and above. This means you don’t need to own a bakkie to stock up for your business.
Simply open a Spaza Shop Cash Account at your nearest Makro store, place your order and have your stock delivered to you.
🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
LATE PAYMENTS CRUSH SMALL BUSINESSES
Late payments and unpredictable cash flow are placing growing pressure on South Africa’s small businesses, making it harder for owners to pay suppliers, replenish stock and cover everyday operating costs.
While many businesses continue to generate sales, delays in receiving payments can leave them short of cash when it is needed most.
The uncertainty also limits expansion, hiring and investment, forcing many entrepreneurs to focus on survival instead of growth.
Industry experts argue that clearer payment systems, greater transparency around fees and faster settlement times could improve business confidence, strengthen cash flow and help small businesses contribute more effectively to the economy.
Full story - https://t.co/ItqrNPGJ75
Pictured - John Mlangeni, FNB Merchant Services CEO
SA'S FIRST NO-LAPSE INSURANCE
Metropolitan has launched a new funeral insurance product designed for South Africans with irregular incomes, allowing policyholders to keep their cover even if they miss future payments.
The No-Lapse Funeral Growth Plan targets an estimated 11.9 million people in the foundation market, including informal workers, domestic workers and small business owners.
Customers can make flexible contributions without debit orders and permanently secure their cover after paying a total of R1,500 within the first year.
The mobile-first product is managed through WhatsApp and also rewards referrals with additional cover.
Metropolitan says the initiative aims to improve financial inclusion and reduce policy lapses across South Africa.
Full story - https://t.co/9bepgSkZDm
Pictured - Peter Tshiguvho, CEO of Metropolitan
IS BLACK TAX CRUSHING PROFESSIONALS
South Africa’s persistent wealth gap and the burden of “black tax” continue to prevent many young professionals from building long-term financial security.
ASI Financial Services argues that employers can play a bigger role by offering meaningful employee benefits that extend beyond basic compliance.
Strong retirement, healthcare and risk benefits can help employees achieve financial independence, reducing the need for their children to support them later in life.
Full story - https://t.co/yWinQCEApq
OROS GOES 100% SOUTH AFRICAN
Tiger Brands has sourced 100% of the oranges needed for Oros from South African growers for the second consecutive citrus season, ending its reliance on imports.
The company buys around 45,000 metric tonnes of oranges each year, equal to about 275 million oranges, to produce concentrate for the popular beverage.
The decision supports local farmers with stable demand while strengthening South Africa’s agricultural value chain.
Full story - https://t.co/ktd0saoKjH
SIX YEARS LATER, GROUP FIVE SURVIVES
Group Five has officially exited business rescue after six years, achieving one of South Africa’s most successful corporate recoveries.
The construction group, which entered business rescue in 2019 with around R7bn in debt and more than 2,300 creditors, has paid all creditors in full while preserving most jobs and completing the majority of its construction projects.
The outcome far exceeded expectations, with liquidation previously expected to leave creditors with only a fraction of what they were owed and shareholders with nothing.
Any remaining surplus could now be returned to shareholders, marking a remarkable turnaround for the once-struggling engineering giant.
Full story - https://t.co/iYVUFTdjjQ
Government invested R18 billion in pension funds in 23 companies and lost 100% of its money https://t.co/fVS3IER5qs— Parliament intervene and appoint an Adhoc Committee to investigate these looters . LaMasela are looting worker’s pension with impunity .
YOUTH SUPPORT ARRIVES LATE, SAYS FNB
South Africa’s youth economy is already creating jobs and generating income, but many young entrepreneurs remain invisible to systems designed to support them.
With youth unemployment at 45.8%, many businesses begin informally before becoming established. FNB argues that support often arrives too late, after momentum has been lost.
More young entrepreneurs are now choosing to formalise their businesses to improve credibility and access opportunities.
The bank believes early support is key to helping youth-owned businesses grow and strengthen the economy.
Full story - https://t.co/tDcF3dnruF
Pictured - Janis Robson, Business Development Head at FNB
LIVING PAYCHEQUE TO PAYCHEQUE
Many young South Africans fall into the trap of lifestyle inflation, where spending rises alongside income, leaving them no wealthier despite earning more.
Momentum's Anri Armer (pictured) says the first salary is a powerful tool for long-term wealth creation if managed wisely.
She warns that upgrading lifestyles too quickly can lead to living paycheque to paycheque.
Armer recommends delaying major upgrades, building an emergency fund and protecting income through insurance.
She also recommends the following https://t.co/96UVXjALHV
Tony Elumelu and Femi Otedola are key figures in Nigeria’s🇳🇬 corporate sector, employing contrasting methods to build wealth and influence.
Elumelu’s approach centers on accumulating and retaining strategic assets across multiple sectors, while Otedola favors entering, restructuring, and exiting businesses to redeploy capital.
Their philanthropic activities mirror their business methods, with Elumelu supporting broad entrepreneurship and Otedola making targeted, large donations, and both remain highly visible public figures with no clearly stated succession plans.
Both have significant influence in banking—Elumelu through UBA and Otedola through First HoldCo—using listed companies to expand their reach.
Rwanda has launched its first National AI Agency, a major for the country’s AI future.
At #AQS, we've been building in this space through data center infrastructure and AI systems designed for real-time, sovereign decision-making.
For more info: https://t.co/J8YNLYbRgv
I am honoured to succeed Senator Udoma as Chairman in January 2027 and to lead the Board through @SeplatEnergy ’s next phase of growth.
I firmly believe in the critical role indigenous resources play in the economic transformation of Nigeria and Africa, and Seplat’s culture of execution and governance aligns strongly with my own values.
I thank Senator Udoma and Roger for their stewardship and look forward to delivering further value for shareholders.
I also congratulate Mr. Okon on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer.
His deep industry experience gives me great confidence that @SeplatEnergy is well positioned for its next chapter of growth.
#TOEWay
Monday Motivation for #AfricanEntrepreneurs 💡
“There is no reward for simply having a great idea. You must translate those ideas into results.”
- Our Founder, Tony O. Elumelu CFR (@TonyOElumelu)
A great idea is only the beginning.
Across Africa, thousands of entrepreneurs are filled with brilliant ideas every day. The difference between dreaming and building lies in execution. Success comes from taking that first step, staying consistent, adapting when challenges arise, and turning vision into measurable impact.
This week, don't just think about your next big idea, take action on it.
#EmpoweredByTEF
#TEFImpact
#TEF2026
[ATTENTION ECONOMICS GRADUATES] Applications are open for the 2027 Economist Internship Programme at Stellenbosch University’s Bureau for Economic Research (BER). In partnership with the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), the programme provides practical training to graduates, giving them the opportunity to work alongside BER economists for a year. Successful candidates will be employed full-time by the SARB and receive a competitive salary.
Apply here: https://t.co/6APO6wLyu5
Goodbye South Africa 💔
I finally got an email I have been waiting for.
I am happy to announce that I have accepted a career opportunity in Beijing, China. 😊
We will be heading out in the last week of June to start our new life and a new beginning.
I would have texted everyone individually, but I thought it would be easier to post it here.
To my family, friends, colleagues, clients, partners and everyone who has been part of my journey, thank you.
I promise never to forget any of you, and I will cherish the amazing memories.
I am definitely going to miss every single one of you.
Goodbyes are hard, but I did not expect this one to be this hard.
I am going to miss you, my family.
But I will stay in touch.
Especially because this is not real. 😁
I just wanted to see how many people actually read posts until the end.
And since you are here, please read the caption on the image again:
READERS ARE LEADERS.
READERS ARE LEADERS.
You cannot sit on boards if you do not like or enjoy reading.
Governance is not vibes.
Board service is not a side hustle.
The ability to serve effectively on a board begins long before one enters the meeting room. It begins with the discipline to read, interrogate and understand the board pack.
A board pack is not an administrative bundle. It is the evidentiary foundation on which oversight, judgment and fiduciary responsibility rest.
So yes, this was a prank.
But the message is serious.
Read.
Study.
Prepare.
Govern.
Happy Friday 🎊😊
#AskAsanteOnBoards
#ReadersAreLeaders
#Boards
#Governance
#Leadership
#BoardReadiness