Back in the days when Rome ruled supreme over an empire, paper was not as commonly and relatively cheaply available as today. Instead of supplying voters with ballot (from the Italian ballotta, meaning small ball) papers they were given the choice between small white (for yes) and black (for no) balls, which they then dropped into a ballot box to register their vote on whatever issue had to be decided.

With inflation expected to rise and interest rates likely to follow suit, a consumer under pressure and an expected downward adjustment of many asset prices, where should an investor turn? This article seeks to provide some perspective on these issues and to give investors some pointers.

Unhappiness among South African independent financial advisers with the way in which the Registrar of Financial Service Providers conducts business has reached bailing point and prompted them to seek the intervention of the Minister of Finance, calling for a commission of inquiry or the appointment of a special oversight committee.

In what can be regarded as a historic admission of the reality of the digital age and the economic, social and strategic importance of the internet, last week’s summit in France of the so-called G8-countries (comprising the largest industrialised economies in the world) was preceded by a eG8-meeting between top government representatives and the top leaders in the industry. Consensus on the if and the how of regulating the industry, however remained elusive.

The financial crisis that has swept across European economies since 2008 is having profound political effects. It is time to face the new realities and discuss the options they present. More than ever there is a need for an open debate on European integration - but this time a debate that explores all options, including the return to a less integrated European Union, writes Cas Mudde.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and South Africa have set up Africa’s  first sovereign debt management centre in Midrand to help African governments manage their debt and bond markets. It is aimed at creating stronger securities markets on the continent.

South African companies need to implement effective fraud awareness training through in-house workshops and ethics training, in order to combat the growing levels of private-sector corporate crime which is costing the country tens of billions of rands.

The youth-driven revolts in North Africa and the Middle East should not have come as a surprise to anyone. A blueprint for these events should have been known by governments since November 2004 and with the first signs of the revolt spreading to parts of Europe it would be a serious miscalculation to think it could not hit most of the so-called developed world – in fact most of the globe might be in danger of falling victim to the anger of a deeply frustrated generation.

Barcelona were ‘touching the football heavens’ this weekend with their sustained brilliance and soccer artistry during the Championship Cup triumph against Manchester United which catapulted the Spanish champions to their fourth European title. Locally Orlando Pirates would probably not be described in such superlative terms but also completed a remarkable treble by defeating Black Leopards 3-1 to win the Nedbank Cup at Mbombela Stadium.

It was a remarkable weekend of comebacks for South African rugby, highlighted by the last-gasp try after the hooter had gone, by Sibusiso Sithole to catapult the Springbok Seven’s team to an improbable victory against Australia in the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens Final. Two Super Rugby-teams also illustrated the never say die attitude of South African teams.

With the municipal elections over, the industrial “truce” between the African National Congress and its labour ally the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) has also come to an end. The annual wage negotiations and strike season is in full swing and already a number of serious industrial battles are in the making, not least of these is another round of serious confrontations between the state and its workers.

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The somewhat shaky aftermath of the local government elections continues to take up much of the current political agenda in South Africa as parties seek to increase their power stakes through coalition governments and a series of probable costly by-elections already looming. Some previously politically deployed senior municipal officials are also anxiously waiting for things to settle down.