The Money Maze: Investing in South Africa

After a short break (and a few power cuts in Zimbabwe), I'm is back — this time cracking open the story behind Coca-Cola’s R45 billion exit from direct bottling in South Africa. I unpack why the world’s most famous drink is handing over the factory keys, what it means for jobs, and whether this is a clever strategy or a sugar-tax dodge.

The Money Maze helps South African retail investors stop drowning in jargon and start navigating the market like someone who actually knows what they’re doing. This is not financial advice.

Starbucks is closing hundreds of stores and spending $1 billion to do so. Sounds mad, right? In this Maze Dive, we unpack why the global coffee giant thinks dropping a billion now will save billions later, what it means for investors, and how it compares to our own JSE heavyweights pruning deadwood. From burnt boerie to bitter espresso, this one’s a braai-side chat on bold moves, big risks, and the real cost of coffee.

The Money Maze helps South African retail investors stop drowning in jargon and start navigating the market like someone who actually knows what they’re doing. This is not financial advice.

Ever stared at a company’s results and felt like you were reading hieroglyphics? In this first episode of our four-part series on decoding financial reports, we break down the Income Statement. From revenue and gross profit to EBIT and net profit, I explain what it all means, with braai-side banter, tender irregularity jokes, and examples straight off the JSE.

The Money Maze helps South African retail investors stop drowning in jargon and start navigating the market like someone who actually knows what they’re doing. This is not financial advice.

Dividends sound like free money, but in South Africa, SARS takes its slice before you even taste the wors. In this episode, we unpack cash vs special dividends, yields, ex-dates, and why reinvesting is the secret sauce to compounding wealth. From banks to miners to ETFs, we show how dividends power long-term investing.

The Money Maze helps South African retail investors stop drowning in jargon and start navigating the market like someone who actually knows what they’re doing. This is not financial advice.

National Treasury’s draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill could quietly hammer South Africans invested in unit trusts. Fund mergers may now trigger immediate capital gains tax, creating a “dry tax” bill even if you didn’t sell a thing. In this episode, Jay unpacks how the proposed changes to sections 42 and 44 of the Income Tax Act could hit Collective Investment Scheme investors, why it’s being called a stealth tax, and what it means for your long-term savings.

The Money Maze helps South African retail investors stop drowning in jargon and start navigating the market like someone who actually knows what they’re doing. This is not financial advice.

ASP Isotopes just landed on the JSE under the code ISO, and the fireworks were immediate, from R217 at listing to over R1,100 in just a few days. In this Maze Dive, Jay unpacks what the company actually does (think Silicon-28, nuclear energy and medical isotopes), why it’s Nasdaq-listed but Pretoria-based, and whether the hype is more than just a hot start. We cover the milestones, risks, and what retail investors should watch going forward.

The Money Maze helps South African retail investors stop drowning in jargon and start navigating the market like someone who actually knows what they’re doing. This is not financial advice.

Think you need thousands to start investing? Think again. In this episode of The Money Maze, we bust the myth that the stock market is only for the rich. From starting with R5 on EasyEquities to using TFSAs, lump sums, or monthly debit orders, we break down how everyday South Africans can get invested without breaking the bank. We also unpack fractional shares, fees, and the power of compounding.

The Money Maze helps South African retail investors stop drowning in jargon and start navigating the market like someone who actually knows what they’re doing. This is not financial advice.

Keen to start investing but not sure where to begin? In this episode of The Money Maze, Jay breaks down the basics: why investing matters, how much you really need to start, where South Africans can invest (JSE, ETFs, offshore), and the biggest rookie mistakes to avoid. Simple, practical, and with just enough South African flavour to keep it lekker.

The Money Maze helps South African retail investors stop drowning in jargon and start navigating the market like someone who actually knows what they’re doing. This is not financial advice.

MAS plc’s results looked good on paper: profits up, NAV higher, debt low, but no dividend again. The share price dipped, investors on X cried “scam,” and PKI’s joint venture with MAS has everyone asking who’s really benefiting. In this Maze Dive, Jay unpacks the numbers, the takeover battle, and why shareholders feel sidelined.

The Money Maze helps South African retail investors stop drowning in jargon and start navigating the market like someone who actually knows what they’re doing. This is not financial advice.

Curro is set to be bought out for R7.2 billion by the Jannie Mouton Stigting, delisting from the JSE and converting into a nonprofit. The R13 per share offer is an 8% premium on the latest close and a 53% premium on the 30-day VWAP. In this Maze Dive, I break down the cash-and-share deal, the nonprofit pivot, and what it means for retail investors holding Curro.

The Money Maze helps South African investors stop drowning in jargon and start navigating markets like someone who actually knows what they’re doing. This is not financial advice.