News release from SAVCA and AVCA 18 June 2013 AVCA and SAVCA sign Memorandum of Understanding Private equity and venture capital associations formalise collaboration over training, networking and research projects for Africa London and Johannesburg, Tuesday 18th June 2013: The African Venture Capital Association (AVCA) and the South African Venture Capital Association (SAVCA) today announced that they have formalised a partnership for the further promotion of private equity and venture capital in Africa. Following approval from their respective Boards, which are comprised of industry leading experts, AVCA and SAVCA will be collaborating to provide additional services to their members and leaders, in pursuit of attracting more … [Read more...]

Are you a hopeful entrepreneur? Do you have an innovative idea you would like to see flourish into a business or do you have a new business that needs guidance to grow to the next level? Do you need help pitching your business to potential investors or bank managers? If you answered yes to any of these questions, ENGEN Pitch & Polish is the solution for you. You are among the solution to job creation in South Africa as entrepreneurs create employment, drive and shape innovation and contribute to productivity. The world is looking at South Africa to step up to the challenge so Engen Petroleum Ltd has partnered with business incubator, Raizcorp, and national media partner SAfm to make it happen! ENGEN Pitch & Polish is a FREE … [Read more...]

Hirsch’s Fourways in association with The Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa will be hosting a business networking evening aimed at inspiring business women in all sectors to achieve great success. Business Woman of the Year 2012 (Entrepreneur) , Margaret Hirsch, and advisor to CEO’s of major corporations around the world, John Beyers McDermott will inspire the audience by sharing ideas and information. The masked (everyone is invited to wear a mask to add the fun of the evening) business networking evening will inspire women in the business to unmask their business potential by focussing on the ability to sell themselves in the business world. The evening also creates the opportunity for like-minded individuals to network … [Read more...]

You can’t keep a good man down, Jimmy Tau turns over a new Leaf in Business Former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs skipper Jimmy Tau, who has recently severed ties with Naturena based glamour boys outfit, is not showing any signs of slowing down. Despite Tau having made a miraculous return to the game, after a horrendous ankle injury in the previous season, he will not be part of the Kaizer Chiefs championship defending campaign for the 2013/14 season. That type of news would put many people down but not Jimmy, the eternal optimist. It all makes sense why he was afforded the responsibility to lead both Soweto Giants teams as the captain. The IMM educated Tau is returning triumphantly to Kimberly. Tau will be returning to his home … [Read more...]

This week, our Property Poser experts deal with an oft-repeated problem regarding the management of a sectional title complex and the extent of a chairperson's powers. A reader who lives in such a complex would like to know whether the chairperson of a body corporate may appoint a new trustee to the board without consulting the other owners or trustees. According to Schalk van der Merwe from Rawson Properties Helderberg in Cape Town, a Sectional Title Scheme is controlled and managed by a body corporate and as such it is responsible for the control, administration and management of the common property for the benefit of all owners. "The trustees are people who are appointed to look after the finances and running of the complex on … [Read more...]

Once best known for corporate investing, private equity firms are now ploughing money into African infrastructure. Erika van der Merwe, CEO of the South African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) said: “Infrastructure gives private equity investors access to the strong African growth story, an exceptional theme in a structurally low-growth world.” Buying exposure to infrastructural assets through private equity provides investors exposure to an asset class that is not easily found elsewhere. “There are very few listed alternatives,” added van der Merwe. “There is limited capacity in the listed market and even in the bond market for gaining such exposure to infrastructure.” Big US private equity … [Read more...]

South Africa renegotiates double tax agreement with Mauritius By Ernest Mazansky, Tax Director at Werksmans Attorneys The much-anticipated renegotiated double tax treaty with Mauritius was recently signed and disclosed to the public. The new treaty, which is expected to come into effect in 2015, will impact several existing tax structures. Worth noting is the following: · The treaty tie-breaker for companies with dual residence will no longer be the company’s place of effective management (POEM). Rather, the company’s treaty residence will be determined by mutual agreement between the South African and Mauritian Revenue Authorities (MAP). By doing this, the certainty of a legislated provision is being substituted for the … [Read more...]

The Minister of Trade and Industries, Dr Rob Davies, has called for public comments on the Draft Lotteries Amendment Bill by 25 June 2013. “The Draft Lotteries Amendment Bill primarily aims at ensuring the more effective functioning of the National Lotteries Board and the application and distribution and adjudication of grants (through the establishment of a specified distributing agency) under the Lotteries Act,” explains Leana Engelbrecht, Associate in the Competition and Regulatory Practice at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr. Engelbrecht explains that, in particular, “the Draft Lotteries Amendment Bill aims to delineate which persons are entitled to act as members of the National Lotteries Board by, for example, listing those persons … [Read more...]

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr acted for the Sasol Pension Fund in drafting several agreements relating to the development of the new Sasol office building, currently under development in Sandton. Attie Pretorius, Director and National Practice Head, Lucia Erasmus, Director and Andrew Seaber, Senior Associate, Real Estate practice, were part of the legal team that advised on this deal, considered to be one of the biggest property deals to be concluded in Sandton to-date. The building is expected to be the largest, new single-tenanted office building to be developed in South Africa in recent years. It was designed by Paragon Architects, is ten storeys high and aims to achieve a five star green environmental rating. The Sasol Pension Fund and … [Read more...]

Registration has opened for the third African Creative Economy Conference (ACEC), which is expected to attract some 400 delegates (including visitors from at least 40 African countries) to Cape Town, South Africa from 6-9 October this year. The Conference should appeal to a wide audience, including creative practitioners, academics, entrepreneurs, policy-makers, brand strategists, corporate managers and art administrators. With research revealing that Africa’s share of the global creative economy is less than 1%, the Conference aims to focus attention not only on the continent’s creative industries as economic drivers; it will also highlight their potential contribution to the eradication of poverty and underpinning democracy and … [Read more...]

During the South African Market Research Association (SAMRA) Conference, which took place on 16 – 17 May, in Johannesburg, thought leaders in the industry presented their latest views on research and its applications in business, marketing, and social decision-making. The topic of Real-Time Measurement, which is seen as one of the most thought-provoking subjects among researchers at the moment, was discussed by Andries Noeth, Chief Marketing Officer at Consulta Research. Noeth’s paper won Best Overall Research Paper at the conference and focused largely on a misperception in the business community that real-time research in itself provides business insights. “Truly understanding how customers view your business, brand or … [Read more...]

The largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, was awarded three accolades, including one gold at the ICSC Solal Marketing Awards 2013. Gateway was one of the most recognised shopping centres, competing against international centres at this year’s prestigious event. “This is a wonderful achievement for the marketing and management team. Being recognised for our world class event and innovative digital platforms highlights that Gateway has truly evolved into a theatrical realm of fashion and entertainment,” says Adrian Raw, Portfolio Manager at Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Gateway was awarded a coveted gold for their ‘Gateway’s Material World – The Vodacom Durban July Preview Fashion … [Read more...]

On Monday the 27 of May, 2013, the second Digital Crunch lightning learning evening took place at Full Stop Café in Parktown North. The event aims to bring likeminded digital professionals together in a comfortable environment where they can share ideas, inspiration and advances in the industry while making new business contacts. While Digital Crunch is still new to the networking circuit, it was launched at the end of April by Ryan Sauer and Cherylann Smith, the event is already attracting a diverse audience. Hosted by Search Online Consulting (www.searchoc.co.za) and Global Mouse (www.globalmouse.co.za) the intimate event attracted a variety of digital organisations, including, Cavalry Media (www.hellocavalry.com) a digital … [Read more...]