Financial Mail articles from April 2011

Financial Mail archives from April 2011

Yet ANOTHER disappointing SHOWING.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Larry Claasen Yet ANOTHER disappointing SHOWING But the winner should be commended for its surprising commitment There was once again a disappointing response from AltX companies to the Top Empowerment Companies (TEC) survey. Last...

Sectors. ALTX.
April 29, 2011... ALTX Employment Skills Preferential Enterprise Socio- Total Overall Ownership Mgt equity dev procurement dev economic BEE Rank rank Top 4 companies score score score score score score dev score score 1 29 Beige Holdings 19,58 1,71 6,98 11,45...

Sectors. BASIC INDUSTRIALS.
April 29, 2011... BASIC INDUSTRIALS Employment Skills Preferential Enterprise Socio- Total Overall Ownership Mgt equity dev procurement dev economic BEE Rank rank Top 11 companies score score score score score score dev score score 1 8 Pretoria Portland Cement...

The BEST performers BY FAR.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Melissa Rowlston The BESTperformers BY FAR Despite being faced with a fragile economy, these firms have stuck to their equity commitments Basic industrials is one of the most improved sectors in this year's survey. PPC, this year's...

A PROUD contribution TO UPHOLD.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Melissa Rowlston A PROUD contribution TO UPHOLD This winner has cemented a strong foundation for the role it foresees for itself in the SA economy PPC scoops top ranked company in the basic industrials sector this year. The entire...

Winners. NO. 14 WBHO.
April 29, 2011... NO. 14 WBHO Training, developing and promoting people from within the group has earned this firm major points for skills development

The winners. NO. 40 MTN.
April 29, 2011... NO. 40 MTN This telecom giant boasts the largest public offering empowerment deal in the sector with its MTN Zakhele transaction launched last year

The winners. NO. 72 ASPEN.
April 29, 2011... NO. 72 ASPEN Showing almost no improvement in its BEE scores, this pharmaceuticals company has dropped significantly this year

The winners. NO. 98 THE SPAR GROUP.
April 29, 2011... NO. 98 THE SPAR GROUP This retailer performed much better than some of its counterparts when it came to voting rights for black women

Employment Factors. EMPLOYMENT EQUITY.
April 29, 2011... EMPLOYMENT EQUITY Employment Overall equity Total Rank rank Top 10 companies Sector score BEE score 1 96 BSi Steel AltX 14,43 56,15 2 11 Group Five Basic Industrials 9,22 85,78 3 10 Kagiso Media Media 12,98 86,25 4 52 Protech Khuthele Holdings...

Empowerment Factors. ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT.
April 29, 2011... ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT Enterprise Overall development Total Rank rank Top 10 companies Sector contributions % BEE score 1 7 Old Mutual Plc Financials 93,83 86,99 2 24 Cadiz Holdings Financials 39,71 80,94 3 59 Medi-Clinic Corp Health &...

There is room to IMPROVE.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Maarten Mittner There is room to IMPROVE Ownership levels are still falling far short as capital issues with empowerment groups continue to be a hurdle After lagging for many years in the BEE stakes, two of the mainstream banks have...

Sectors. FOOD & BEVERAGES.
April 29, 2011... FOOD & BEVERAGES Employment Skills Preferential Enterprise Socio- Total Overall Ownership Mgt equity dev procurement dev economic BEE Rank rank Top 8 companies score score score score score score dev score score 1 9 Tongaat Hulett 18,16 8,43...

The FOCUS is slightly DIFFERENT.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Matebello Motloung The FOCUS is slightly DIFFERENT But the change is aimed only at refining this top performer's winning ways After a four-year reign at the top of the food and beverage sector's empowerment league, agricultural...

Sectors. HEALTH & PHARMACEUTICALS.
April 29, 2011... HEALTH & PHARMACEUTICALS Employment Skills Preferential Enterprise Socio- Total Overall Ownership Mgt equity dev procurement dev economic BEE Rank rank Top 4 companies score score score score score score dev score score 1 19 Netcare 18,78...

A NUDGE IN the right DIRECTION.
April 29, 2011... A NUDGE IN the right DIRECTION The long-awaited sector charter could be just what this sector needs to do even better After almost eight years of negotiations, discussions, alterations and a lot of zigzagging, the ICT sector charter might...

Sectors. ICT.
April 29, 2011... ICT Employment Skills Preferential Enterprise Socio- Total Overall Ownership Mgt equity dev procurement dev economic BEE Rank rank Top 13 companies score score score score score score dev score score 1 27 Adapt IT Holdings 17,42 9,58 7,36 6,82...

A STRONG showing of RESILIENCE.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Staff writer A STRONG showing of RESILIENCE As it repositions itself, this company's dedicated focus catapults it to the top of pack As a regular feature in the Top Empowerment Companies survey, persistence has paid off for this...

Overview. A few MORE snags to IRON OUT.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Jennifer Kann A few MORE snags to IRON OUT Despite its good intentions, BEE has not benefited the general population as it was hoped It's been 10 years since the black economic empowerment commission chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa mooted...

Still A HIGHLY contested TERRAIN.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Tom Robbins Still A HIGHLY contested TERRAIN Top echelons of SA companies are still battling with meaningful transformation Small cap travel and leisure company the Don Group is the second-most empowered company in terms of management...

Empowerment Factors. MANAGEMENT CONTROL.
April 29, 2011... MANAGEMENT CONTROL Adjusted Manage- Overall Adjusted executive ment Total Rank rank Top 10 companies Sector board % (black) % score BEE score 1 2 Sekunjalo Investments Financials 75,00 75,00 11,00 92,27 2 74 The Don Group Travel & Leisure...

Still A LONG way TO GO.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Zweli Mokgata Still A LONG way TO GO Though it keeps tabs on others, the media sector continues to battle with its own transformation The media sector has been widely criticised as one of the least transformed in the SA economy. It...

Methodology. The approach.
April 29, 2011... The overall aim of Top Empowerment Companies (TEC) is to objectively measure the contributions made to broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) by companies listed on the JSE. The scope of participants comprises companies listed on the...

Overview. The ECONOMIC impact OF BEE.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Dennis Dykes The ECONOMIC impactOF BEE Is a business leader or government minister's offspring who has been educated at the best schools still correctly designateddisadvantaged? Broad-based black economic empowerment (BEE) evokes...

Overview. Set ON STAYING on COURSE.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Nomonde Mesatywa Set ON STAYING on COURSE I am proud of the significant milestones that have been achieved as we mark the fourth year since the gazetting of the BBBEE codes of good practice When reviewing the achievements of the BBBEE...

Overview. The DECADE that markedBIG CHANGES.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Chia-Chao Wu The DECADE that markedBIG CHANGES At the moment, significantly more companies voluntarily account for their BEE status than their employment equity report What gets measured gets improved, but what are we really...

The winners. An EXAMPLE to be UPHELD.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Stephen Cranston An EXAMPLE to be UPHELD Continuing to learn from valuable lessons that have shaped this company's growth path For Sekunjalo, empowerment is not about ticking boxes it is a fundamental part of the lifeblood of the...

The winners. The PLAN IS to stay RELEVANT.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Maarten Mittner The PLAN ISto stay RELEVANT The ranking might be the same, but the level of commitment has been taken to a different level Nedbank continues to be one of the big empowerment performers and has managed to maintain its...

The winners. Definitely moving FORWARD.
April 29, 2011... Definitelymoving FORWARD A combination of factors have made this financial powerhouse the best performer of the lot Standard Bank is proud of being awarded the empowerment top spot among SA's leading financial companies. This follows years of...

A strong show of RESILIENCE.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Tom Robbins A strong show of RESILIENCE Plausible steady performance as the economy recovers gradually from the recent financial woes Aspen Pharmacare Holdings and Naspers have moved into the Top 10 in the ownership category of the...

Empowerment Factors. Ownership.
April 29, 2011... OWNERSHIP Overall Voting Economic Ownership Total Rank rank Top 10 companies Sector rights % interest % score BEE score 1 2 Sekunjalo Investments Financials 97,22 89,06 23,00 92,27 2 5 Hosken Consolidated Financials 50,78 50,78 23,00 87,78 3 61...

Empowerment Factors. PREFERENTIAL PROCUREMENT.
April 29, 2011... PREFERENTIAL PROCUREMENT Preferential Overall BEE Spend procurement Total Rank rank Top 10 companies Sector % score BEE score 1 1 Standard Bank of SA Financials 163,22 20,00 92,83 2 43 Absa Group Financials 121,50 20,00 76,07 3 6 Adcorp Holdings...

Some CHANGES at the TOP.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Jennifer Kann Some CHANGES at the TOP Despite the controversy that surrounds this BEE factor, it has been driving empowerment Preferential procurement has been the driving force in broad-based empowerment. Without it, all the skills...

Still LEADING in the no-show SECTOR.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Jocelyn Newmarch Still LEADING in the no-show SECTOR As the sector still waits on a charter, the uncertainty continues to cripple any solid progress Being the only listed property company to participate in this year's survey makes...

The PACE of transformation PICKS UP.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Melissa Rowlston The PACE of transformationPICKS UP With new contenders in the running, old favourites are overtaken and forced to revisit their strategies There have been significant transformation strides in the resources sector....

Sectors. Ressources.
April 29, 2011... RESOURCES Employment Skills Preferential Enterprise Socio- Total Overall Ownership Mgt equity dev procurement dev economic BEE Rank rank Top 9 companies score score score score score score dev score score 1 19 Optimum Coal Holdings 21,00 7,53...

Set ON MAKING a significant IMPACT.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Melissa Rowlston Set ON MAKING a significant IMPACT The new kid on the block turns its vision into reality as it outperforms the old guard Optimum Coal, the newcomer to the resources sector, has outperformed in this year's survey with...

An IMPRESSIVE show of COMMITMENT.(Company overview)
April 29, 2011... Byline: Matebello Motloung, Jabu Silo & Jennifer Kann An IMPRESSIVE show of COMMITMENT Despite the lack of a regulatory framework, retailers are actively transforming their sector At about R225bn in total, the retail sectors food &...

Sectors. Retail.
April 29, 2011... RETAIL Employment Skills Preferential Enterprise Socio- Total Overall Ownership Mgt equity dev procurement dev economic BEE Rank rank Top 6 companies score score score score score score dev score score 1 44 Massmart Holdings 14,77 5,22 12,33...

Just MAKING it WORK.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Jacqui Pile JustMAKING it WORK With all the challenges this sector faces, the players still manage a decent showing Despite controversy over its relationship with a prominent black empowerment partner, staff placement company Kelly...

Sectors. Services.
April 29, 2011... SERVICES Employment Skills Preferential Enterprise Socio- Total Overall Ownership Mgt equity dev procurement dev economic BEE Rank rank Top 5 companies score score score score score score dev score score 1 4 Kelly Group 19,73 7,00 10,00 12,00...

A WORTHY effort at DEVELOPMENT.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Jennifer Kann A WORTHY effort at DEVELOPMENT Last year's best performer is unseated as others show more commitment The skills development element of BEE accounts for 15% of the total score. It is calculated based on the value of the...

Empowerment Factors. SKILLS DEVELOPMENT.
April 29, 2011... SKILLS DEVELOPMENT Overall Skills spend Total Rank rank Top 10 companies Sector (%) Score BEE score 1 11 Group Five Basic Industrials 73,47 14,41 81,65 2 42 Allied Technologies ICT 3,70 12,87 76,15 3 81 Hulamin Resources 2,70 12,51 65,05 4 32...

Grand PLANS that prove EFFECTIVE.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Jennifer Kann Grand PLANS that prove EFFECTIVE Getting recognised for making significant contributions in improving lives Described as the noble way to earn BEE points, socioeconomic development is a good way for a company to enhance...

Empowerment Factors. SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
April 29, 2011... SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Overall % Total BEE Rank rank Top 10 companies Sector Contributions score 1 66 Trans Hex Group Basic Resources 38,24 70,47 2 91 Remgro Financials 26,44 58,87 3 58 Metrofile Holdings Indus Goods & Serv 13,01 71,71 4...

Companies Index.
April 29, 2011... A,B,C AVI 63 Absa 40,74,75,77 Adapt IT 43,44 Adcorp 58,70,75 Advtech 67,76 African Bank 42 Allied Technologies 74 Altron 53,73 ArcelorMittal 73 Aspen Pharmacare 56,71 Astral Foods 63 Astrapak 71 Aveng 50,71 Avusa 64 BHP Billiton 46 BSi Steel 73...

Editorial.(Editorial)
April 29, 2011... Editorial FINANCIAL MAIL EDITOR: Barney Mthombothi SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR: Shavana Mushwana TOP EMPOWERMENT COMPANIES EDITOR: Jennifer Kann PRODUCTION EDITOR: Luleka Mangquku PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR: Briggette America ART DIRECTOR: Colleen...

Sectors. Media.
April 29, 2011... MEDIA Employment Skills Preferential Enterprise Socio- Total Overall Ownership Mgt equity dev procurement dev economic BEE Rank rank Top 3 companies score score score score score score dev score score 1 10 Kagiso Media 22,00 9,88 12,98 7,56...

Top 100 Companies.(Company rankings)
April 29, 2011... TOP 100 COMPANIES OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT EMPLOY EQUITY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PREFERENTIAL PROCUREMENT ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CSI Rank '11 Company BEE score Voting rights (%) Economic interests (%) Score Board(%) Top exec black (%) Score Score Skills...

Where BUYERS and sellers can INTERACT.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Jennifer Kann Where BUYERS and sellers can INTERACT Though possibilities for trading in BEE shares have been created, the uptake is still slow Afundamental principle of owning a share is the ability to realise the value of that share...

Very LITTLE movement HERE.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Melissa Rowlston Very LITTLE movement HERE And procurement is still proving to be a major challenge for companies in this sector There has been little change in the transport sector from last year. Only four companies participated in...

Sectors. Transport.
April 29, 2011... TRANSPORT Employment Skills Preferential Enterprise Socio- Total Overall Ownership Mgt equity dev procurement dev economic BEE Rank rank Top 4 companies score score score score score score dev score score 1 48 Super Group 18,07 3,32 4,42 11,24...

Set ON KEEPING their ADVANTAGE.
April 29, 2011... Byline: Zweli Mokgata Set ON KEEPINGtheir ADVANTAGE Showing more than just a passing interest in ensuring a transformed sector The travel and leisure sector began its transformation process as far back as 2003, giving it a head-start of four...

Sectors. TRAVEL & LEISURE.
April 29, 2011... TRAVEL & LEISURE Employment Skills Preferential Enterprise Socio- Total Overall Ownership Mgt equity dev procurement dev economic BEE Rank rank Top 4 companies score score score score score score dev score score 1 13 Sun International 21,41...

Did you hear?
April 22, 2011... Will he or won't he run for the Republican presidential election ticket? that's the big question in the US. Donald Trump, property investor and reality TV show host, says he will reveal all when the current season of his show, The Apprentice,...

Party tricks.
April 22, 2011... Byline: BARNEY MTHOMBOTHI Party tricks For the next two years the world will feel a bit unloved and leaderless as the US turns inward and tries to find a remedy to nurse its economy back to health. But more importantly, it will be choosing,...

No magic models.
April 22, 2011... Byline: MARTYN DAVIES No magic models China's growing impact in Africa goes beyond the proliferation of made in China products and building of infrastructure. China's developmental experience is increasingly appealing to African governments...

Broadband bonanza.
April 22, 2011... Byline: DUNCAN McLEOD Broadband bonanza SA and Africa have never had it so good. Almost every month brings news of some or other big broadband project. The latest, a plan to build a high-capacity cable between Brazil, SA and Angola, will...

Another Week.
April 22, 2011... Another Week AT HOME President Jacob Zuma says he views the allegations of abuse of taxpayers' money by co-operative governance minister Sicelo Shiceka in a serious light and awaits Shiceka's response. The public protector meanwhile is to go...

Miners still not paid.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Gavin Lewis Miners still not paid Last year the FM published a letter headlined Unpaid miners' sacrifice (August 20). It focused on the ongoing saga of the unpaid employees of Aurora mine, owned by Khulubuse Zuma (connoisseur of...

COMINGS & GOINGS.
April 22, 2011... COMINGS & GOINGS Jeffrey Hedberg. Altech has appointed the ICT industry veteran and former Telkom acting CEO and current adviser as its chief operating officer, effective July 1. He will report directly to Altech Group CEO Craig Venter. ...

ARCELORMITTAL SA. Test of strength.(Company overview)
April 22, 2011... Byline: Charlotte Mathews ARCELORMITTAL SA Test of strength ArcelorMittal SA, once the darling of the JSE, has lost its political and market influence. looks at whether it can claw its way back and regain its clout WHAT IT MEANS. ...

STEEL PRICING. Government's iron will.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Charlotte Mathews STEEL PRICING Government's iron will Whatever level of pricing the trade & industry department is targeting needs to be high enough to spur investment WHAT IT MEANS. Steel pricing is seen as uncompetitive. ...

COMPETITION IN SECTOR. A test of steel's mettle.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Charlotte Mathews COMPETITION IN SECTOR A test of steel's mettle New players are setting up shop in SA, which could challenge ArcelorMittal SA's (Amsa) dominance of the domestic steel market. But while competition typically opens up a...

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY. Going green makes cents.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Stafford Thomas ALTERNATIVE ENERGY Going green makes cents Even if you don't believe in climate change [going green] makes financial sense VANESSA OTTO-MENTZ For many companies, going green is a hazy concept and one that is not...

INVESTMENT. Appy days are here.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Larry Claasen INVESTMENT Appy days are here When Alan Knott-Craig jnr moved from Johannesburg to Stellenbosch two years ago, he thought his days as a high-flying businessman were over. The former MD of iBurst had reached a point where...

CARBON MARKET. Too little, too late.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Lise Pretorius CARBON MARKET Too little, too late SA may have missed the boat when it comes to taking advantage of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), the developing countries' link to the global carbon trading market. The...

101. Regulatory arbitrage.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Maarten Mittner What is regulatory arbitrage? It happens when firms capitalise on loopholes in regulatory systems in order to circumvent unfavourable regulation. Arbitrage opportunities may be accomplished by restructuring...

BRIAN BRUCE. Ready for the next stage.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Linda Stafford BRIAN BRUCE Ready for the next stage Murray & Roberts outgoing CEO looks back and looks forward to setting his own agenda [M& R] has been the vehicle through which I pursued my career rather than a career...

BRICS CURRENCY. Challenging the Greenback
April 22, 2011... Byline: Claire Bisseker BRICS CURRENCY Challenging the greenback There is a drive to ditch the dollar as the world's reserve currency, but any move will be gradual WHAT IT MEANS. As backs China in drive for new global reserve currency. ...

CLOTHING INDUSTRY. Tearing apart.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Claire Bisseker CLOTHING INDUSTRY Tearing apart In the middle of a wage compliance process in the clothing industry, in which only about 40% of noncompliant firms have so far been able to make the first hurdle, unions are demanding...

METCASH. A hybrid solution.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Stafford Thomas METCASH A hybrid solution Metcash's problem is that it has not kept pace with change; the solution is in hybrid stores PETER DODSON With more than three decades of experience, Peter Dodson is no stranger to challenges...

BNP PARIBAS. On safari in Africa.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Maarten Mittner BNP PARIBAS On safari in Africa French bank BNP Paribas is keen to expand in SA and the rest of Africa but it is too early to say if this includes buying a stake in one of the big four SA banks. Valerie-Noelle...

CORRECTION.(Correction notice)
April 22, 2011... CORRECTION Taste of success (FMFox April 8) contained three errors: Tashas restaurant is opening a branch in Constantia, Cape Town, not Randburg; Famous Brands acquired a 51% stake in Tashas and not 50%; and Kevin Hedderwick is CEO and not COO...

ENTREPRENEUR. Starting with service.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Zweli Mokgata ENTREPRENEUR Starting with service Lindani Dhlamini, founding CEO of Xabiso Chartered Accountants, is broadening the path for black female chartered accountants, of which there are fewer than 900 out of a total of 30000...

GIMME. Smart gets sexy.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Matiba Mutheiwana GIMME Smart gets sexy Smartphones have become sexy no more having to choose between a good looking phone and one that gives good service. At the top of Nokia's high-end smartphone range is the Nokia E7. At first...

REGISTRAR OF BANKS. Why Kruger quit.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Maarten Mittner REGISTRAR OF BANKS Why Kruger quit WHAT IT MEANS. Registrar is leaving for personal reasons. Ensured SA banks survived financial crisis Though the unexpected retirement of banking registrar Errol Kruger raises...

THE PLACE TO BE OR NOT TO BE. A home from home. THREE TREE HILL LODGE.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Max Gerbhardt THE PLACE TO BE OR NOT TO BE A home from home THREE TREE HILL LODGE. Where: Spioenkop, Northern KwaZulu Natal. Mood: Captivating Standing on the top of Spioenkop among the mass graves which contain the remains of...

PROFILE. CIPC in good hands.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Lise Pretorius PROFILE CIPC in good hands It's good to know that SA's new Companies & Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) will be in capable hands. Astrid Ludin, the incoming commissioner, is not new to working with SA's...

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS. Crude alternative.(Interview)
April 22, 2011... Byline: Lise Pretorius QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Crude alternative Karoo landowners are up in arms against Shell's proposed use of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the search for shale gas. spoke to chairman Bonang Mohale Why is Shell...

REAL PEOPLE DOING UNREAL THINGS. The reel thing. Mandisa Zitha.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Hilary Prendini Toffoli REAL PEOPLE DOING UNREAL THINGS The reel thing Mandisa Zitha. Documentary film festival director THE UNREALITY CHECK Heads SA's only general-interest documentary festival, Encounters. Raised money to keep...

SETAS. Trouble with trainers.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Carol Paton SETAS Trouble with trainers When CE of the services sector education & training authority (Seta) Ivor Blumenthal was removed by uniformed police from his office last week to enforce his suspension from work, the...

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Biking down Route 66.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Larry Claasen WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Biking down Route 66 Rick Hogben is doing the things he did not have time to do when he was CEO of African Oxygen (Afrox) like taking walks with his wife and his dog, and riding Harley-Davidson...

Disgusted by lawyers.
April 22, 2011... Byline: Name supplied Disgusted by lawyers I am absolutely disgusted by your recent article on the legal profession's hunt for medical negligence settlements, Lawyers grasp the scalpel (Features April 1). What are these bloodsuckers trying to...