I refer to the news that JP Morgan had gambled on the markets and lost billions of dollars. (For that amazing news go here - in German.) Now it must finally be clear to all that (1) the term “bank” should be redefined in banking regulations to exclude investment banking, asset management and all that is not core to the function of “oiling the cogs of the economic machine” (providing money, ie. credit) and (2) that these narrowly-defined banks should be majority-owned by the state as representative of the people.  [Read on]

Tags: banking sector

The voices urging “economic growth plans” for EU countries in recession are getting louder and more numerous by the day. They say Germany should stop forcing crisis-ridden countries (Greece, Spain…actually all except Germany itself) to reduce their budget deficits. Instead short-term stimulation programmes should be rolled out. In true Keynesian style.

I must be missing out on something, because I don’t understand how these countries are supposed to finance such business cycle  stimulation programmes. We’re beyond the point where Keynes can help these countries. [Read on]

Tags: EU

A fantastic, positive, full-page article (including an interesting Karoo-with-telescopes picture) on the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project appeared in today’s Financial Times Deutschland (FTD), just in time for the final decision by “the jury” next week on where the SKA should be built – in SA or in Australia. It’ll definitely bolster SA’s already strong chances of getting the contract.  [Read on]

Tags: South Africa

Sometimes one must shake the head in disbelief and frustration about the South African government and its inability to unlock the job-creating capacity of the economy. [Read on]

Tags: internet

Twenty-five percent and five years. Those are the key statistics for property owners in South Africa as from now.  [Read on]

Tags: Property

Here’s a nice read. It’s fresh from Davos. And it features Koos Bekker, the boss of Naspers.

http://www.moneyweb.co.za/mw/view/mw/en/page295053?oid=560713&sn=2009+Detail

Tags: Koos Bekker

I recently wrote (here) Naspers should be looking to buy Swiss-based Zattoo.com, since it’s such a nice web TV solution. Zattoo could be a winner for Naspers in Africa, I thought, where it could be set up to dovetail (compliment) Naspers’ subscription TV service (which is going to come under increasing pressure from mobile TV, on a continent sold on mobile (and where smartphones and tablets are gaining ground fast). [Read on]

Tags: Naspers, zattoo

We’ve all heard the uplifting stories of down-and-out, poor people getting small chances and turning them into magical escapes from poverty for themselves and their families. I’ve often wished I could give a down-and-out, poor guy the lifeline out of his misery. But, then I would quickly shake myself out of my dream, because I thought it was just that – a dream I’m not able to act upon.  [Read on]

Tags: Kiva

I’m back from a sunny holiday in my birth country South Africa and wondering what I’m doing in the grey world of Europe. This morning I stumbled on a piece about the Karoo I wrote a few years ago and I liked it so much, I thought I should point readers to it. Here it is.

I’ve written (complained) before about the lack of entrepreneurial spirit among young South Africans, specifically when it comes to the internet.

At the time, some readers might have thought I was just being “old, negative and pessimistic”. But now, you all…read this and tell me honestly that South African students could do the same (when they are not playing rugby or chasing girls).

Tags: South Africa