Ghost Stories is a long-form podcast that gives me the opportunity to have deeper conversations with founders, executives and market participants who have a gre...
Ghost Stories #57: VAT strategies, bracket creep and what it means for South Africans
With the dust having settled on the Budget Speech and the proposals that parliament will need to vote on, Tertius Troost of Forvis Mazars in South Africa joined me to reflect on the key drivers behind the headlines.Â
VAT has been the focus area, but is it true that a VAT increase is anti-poor? And is it correct to rebut the "South Africa has a small taxpayer base" argument by pointing out that everyone pays VAT?
What is bracket creep and how does it affect middle-class South Africans?
Perhaps most importantly, what was not said in the Budget Speech?
This podcast is a great way to make sure you are on top of the key drivers behind the fiscal strategy in our country.
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27:04
Ghost Stories #56: Don't waste the TFSA opportunity
Tax-free savings accounts (TFSA) are one of the most building blocks in any equity portfolio. The advantage of compounding tax-free returns over a long period is incredibly powerful and can really turbocharge a long-term wealth creation journey.
To discuss the importance of TFSA investments and the opportunities available to investors in the ETF universe, familiar voice Siyabulela Nomoyi of Satrix* returned to the Ghost Stories podcast.Â
*Satrix is a division of Sanlam Investment Management
Satrix Investments Pty Limited and Satrix Managers RF Pty Limited are authorised financial services providers. Nothing you have heard in this podcast should be construed as advice. Please do your own research and visit the Satrix website for more information on all their ETF products. This podcast was published on the Satrix website here.
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28:57
Ghost Stories #55: Sustainability, the Spar way
Kevin O'Brien is incredibly passionate about his work as the Group Sustainability Executive at Spar. Having stuck with the group through tumultuous recent times, Kevin is focused on Spar's role as a corporate citizen in South Africa and the European markets in which it operates.
There's an important difference between governing sustainably and the governance of sustainability. ESG far too often becomes a tick-box exercise rather than a way to embed better business practices throughout a group.
In this discussion, the first such example of a Ghost Stories podcast that puts the spotlight on corporate reports beyond just the earnings announcement, Kevin shares his journey with us and his approach to sustainability. You'll find Spar's sustainability report at this link for further reading.
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36:15
Ghost Stories #54: 2025 kick-off and fresh views on rent vs. buy
Duma Mxenge of Satrix* joined The Finance Ghost on this podcast to talk about a range of personal finance topics and emerging trends in investing. The discussion then evolved into an in-depth look at rent vs. buy and an unusual approach being taken by The Finance Ghost as he plans to buy a family home in 3 years.
It's rent vs. buy as you haven't heard it before, along with tons of other insights to get your head in the game in 2025.
*Satrix is a division of Sanlam Investment Management
Satrix Investments Pty Limited and Satrix Managers RF Pty Limited are authorised financial services providers. Nothing you have heard in this podcast should be construed as advice. Please do your own research and visit the Satrix website for more information on all their ETF products. This podcast was published on the Satrix website here.
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40:52
Ghost Stories #53: International Opportunities Limited - a Chinese equity structured product
China is a land that is fraught with risk and brimming with opportunity. With enhanced upside as well as downside protection, International Opportunities Limited is a structured product that seeks to balance the risks and rewards available in Chinese equity markets.
International Opportunities Limited offers 1.3x geared exposure to the CSI 300 Index, capped at 60% growth for a maximum return of 78% in USD. In addition, there is 100% capital protection at maturity in USD.
Japie Lubbe of Investec Structured Products joined me on this podcast to discuss the investment characteristics of the Chinese market and the way in which this product has been built in that context.
Applications close on 7Â March 2025, so you must move quickly if you are interested in investing. As always, it is recommended that you discuss any such investment with your financial advisor.
You can find all the information you need on the Investec website at this link.
Ghost Stories is a long-form podcast that gives me the opportunity to have deeper conversations with founders, executives and market participants who have a great story to tell.
South Africa