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News & Views

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South Africa’s 2025 Economic Outlook

Economists are cautiously optimistic about South Africa’s economic prospects in 2025. The effects of structural reforms and increased investment in the South African economy have largely contributed to the positive economic outlook. While opportunities exist, geopolitical and international developments could pose significant challenges, creating additional economic headwinds.

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Thistle – A Continued Thorn in the Taxpayer’s Side

The taxation of trusts in South Africa (“SA”) has long been a debated area of tax law, shaped by evolving legal interpretations. The recent case of Thistle Trust v Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (CCT 337/22) [2024] ZACC 19 (2 October 2024) (“Thistle”) addresses the tax treatment of capital gains arising within multi-tiered trust structures.   This article briefly explores the taxation of different types of trusts in SA and examines the impact of the Thistle decision.

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Just Energy Transition (JET) and Implications for Business

Over the recent past, the concept of the Just Energy Transition has gained considerable momentum globally as countries urgently seek to balance action on climate change with socio-economic equity.   With South Africa's heavy reliance on coal for energy and jobs, the JET presents immediate business challenges and opportunities. The implications of JET for South African businesses and social and environmental aspects are discussed and explored within this article in that it will look at the main drivers of transition, risk, and opportunities that businesses might encounter and cover the actionable takeaways for navigation in this urgent and complex landscape.

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Get Your Financial House in Order These Holidays

As 2024 draws to a close, we are reminded of a year that has truly been a roller-coaster for all South Africans. Amidst the challenges of load shedding and the jubilation of the Springboks' triumphant return as world champions, we look forward to a well-deserved break. As we recharge and set our sights on a hopeful 2025, it is crucial to take a moment for one last task this year: a financial health check.

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Sustainable Agriculture: A Cornerstone of South Africa's Future

Sustainable agriculture practices are gaining traction as a crucial strategy for ensuring the long-term viability of the sector. The World Commission on Environment and Development's (WCED) definition of 'sustainable development' is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations to meet their own needs".

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Strengthening Your Cyber Defences

As cyber-attacks become more sophisticated, the need for comprehensive cybersecurity strategies is more pressing than ever. This article summarizes the common cyber risks, how the attack works and essential steps for transforming weaknesses into strengths.

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SARS Interpretation Note 15: SARS Updates Guidance on the Exercise of Discretion to Extend the Period to Lodge an Objection or Appeal

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued Interpretation Note 15 (issue 6) on 30 August 2024. Alison Gounden unpacks in detail.

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Disruptive Technologies and the Internal Auditor

We live in a time when “disruptive technologies” are transforming the business world by reshaping industries, creating new business models and challenging established market leaders.   In 1965, Gordon Moore predicted that “the number of transistors per silicon chip will double every year”. This became a theme for describing the pace of technological change ever since then. Moore’s Law, as it became known, could not, however, predict the impact of major sociological events, such as the Space Race, the Cold War and more recently, the COVID 19 pandemic. It can be argued that these events changed the pace of technological development and accelerated the pace of Moore’s Law.

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Understanding Purchase Price Allocations in South Africa: A Critical Step in Mergers and Acquisitions

In the fast-paced world of mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”), financial transparency and compliance are non-negotiable. Among the many complexities involved in an acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation (“PPA”) is a vital component that both companies and stakeholders must understand. In this article, we explore the intricacies of PPAs in South Africa, their regulatory framework, and why businesses particularly those listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (“JSE”) — need to ensure they get this right.

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The Value of Double Materiality in Sustainability Reporting in South Africa

Sustainability reporting has become a crucial aspect of business operations in South Africa and worldwide. It enables businesses to communicate their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance to stakeholders, such as investors, customers, employees, and communities. However, traditional sustainability reporting has often concentrated only on the financial impacts of ESG factors on the business. This approach, known as single materiality, overlooks the complete picture of a company's sustainability performance.