By Peter Cottrell CA(SA) One of the major challenges presented by the Covid-19 crisis is the speed with which the health pandemic has spread. It is hard to believe that just three months ago there were less than 12,000 recorded infections and 259 deaths globally. In my own life I reflect on having been in a coldContinue reading “Reflection: Crisis Preparedness”
Monthly Archives: April 2020
Reflection: Leadership Response in a Time of Crisis
By Peter Cottrell CA(SA) In a previous reflection “Life Beyond: The Inspiration of a Life at Sea” I shared a vision of hope from an inspirational South African seafarer, Constance Nengovhela. As I reflect on Constance’s story, it offers much insight into the strategy for surviving a crisis, including a realistic assessment of the severityContinue reading “Reflection: Leadership Response in a Time of Crisis”
COVID-19: NEWSFLASH – Covid-19 Draft Risk Adjusted Strategy (Key Sectors and Priorities)
This is a short advisory to draw the South African Government’s draft Risk Adjusted Strategy to be phased in with effect 1 May 2020. The draft strategy document contains proposals for the phased easing of lock-down restrictions with levels ranging from 5 (lock-down) to 1 (fairly wide freedom of movement permitted, but with health andContinue reading “COVID-19: NEWSFLASH – Covid-19 Draft Risk Adjusted Strategy (Key Sectors and Priorities)”
COVID-19: Guaranteed Loan Scheme for SMEs
By Peter Cottrell CA(SA) The major challenge facing most businesses is the need for liquidity, both during the lock-down period and for the subsequent reboot of the economy. On 21 April 2020, President Ramaphosa outlined further economic and social measures in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. One measure that will be of significant interest to many SmallContinue reading “COVID-19: Guaranteed Loan Scheme for SMEs”
COVID-19: Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) – Preliminary Feedback on Benefit Calculations
Most employers are still waiting for feedback on their TERS applications and accordingly information received to date is fairly limited. The limited feedback to date is that in some instances the TERS benefits received have been far less than what was expected. The purpose of this communication is to provide information based on the benefit calculations thatContinue reading “COVID-19: Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) – Preliminary Feedback on Benefit Calculations”
COVID-19: Further Tax Measures 21 April 2020
While welcoming the clear guidance given by President Ramaphosa on the gradual lifting of South Africa’s lockdown restrictions, it is clear that there is still a long journey ahead and that the economic hardship will be with us for some time. This brings a sharp focus back onto the available relief measures. Clive Stewart has preparedContinue reading “COVID-19: Further Tax Measures 21 April 2020”
COVID-19: Essential Services – Updated CIPC Bizportal Registration Requirements
Please find below an urgent update from Riona Pillay (Warrick de Wet Attorneys) regarding the revised Bizportal registration requirements for providers of essential goods and services. Please note that the existing certificates are no longer valid and essential service providers are urged to register and download an updated certificate as soon as possible. The process forContinue reading “COVID-19: Essential Services – Updated CIPC Bizportal Registration Requirements”
COVID-19: The Virtual Office
By Grant Auld (IT Service Provider) A lot of companies were ill-prepared for the Lockdown declared by our President, especially with regards to the IT infrastructure required to support work from home. With many needing to continue working during the Lockdown there was a mad scramble to get this enabled and most of the solutionsContinue reading “COVID-19: The Virtual Office”
COVID-19: Property Leases and Rental Relief
We are encountering many situations where tenants are requesting some form of rental relief for the lock-down period and sometimes beyond. In practice, this is a complex area with legal, commercial and moral implications. From the tenant perspective, there can be genuine financial hardship due to closure of businesses during the lock-down. While landlords will have an overridingContinue reading “COVID-19: Property Leases and Rental Relief”
COVID-19: Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) Benefit Online Application Process
By Peter Cottrell After our comprehensive update on Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) yesterday, we now share some practical information on the online application process that has been opened. There are still some questions around which UIF option is best. In most circumstances, the TERS benefit will be the most effective method of getting benefits into employees’Continue reading “COVID-19: Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) Benefit Online Application Process”
COVID-19: Amendments to the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) Benefit
By Peter Cottrell CA(SA) There have been significant changes to the Temporary Employer / Employee Relief Scheme Benefit over the last few days. Firstly, there have been significant changes to the regulations that have widened the scope of the scheme. There are three significant areas of change: Employees who are receiving reduced remuneration are now eligibleContinue reading “COVID-19: Amendments to the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) Benefit”
Life Beyond: The Inspiration of a Life at Sea
By Peter Cottrell Constance Nengovhela is an inspirational South African, offering a vision of hope that is so desperately needed at this time in our history. Born in Ha Mashau village in Limpopo, Constance serves as an active seafarer on international shipping routes. In between, she is an entrepreneur having launched an inspirational clothing line “LifeContinue reading “Life Beyond: The Inspiration of a Life at Sea”
COVID-19: Relief for the Poor and Vulnerable
Our President has made another great call for solidarity and action by our country and we face a further two weeks of imposed lock-down. There are three prongs to the government’s response to the Covid-19 Pandemic: An intensified public health response to slow down and reduce infections; A comprehensive package of economic support measures toContinue reading “COVID-19: Relief for the Poor and Vulnerable”
COVID-19: Lock Down Regulations and Social Services
By Warrick de Wet (attorney) Regulations Two sets of lockdown regulations have been published so far in terms of the Disaster Management Act 2002. One was issued on 25 March 2020 and the other on the 26 March 2020. The regulations have their problems, probably due to the fact that the situation is novel andContinue reading “COVID-19: Lock Down Regulations and Social Services”
COVID-19: Relief Measures Overview
Back by popular demand! After a raft of emails dealing with various relief measures and some personal reflections, we have taken a much needed moment to catch our breath. From a business perspective, I am pleased to report that our team are doing really well having adopted to this “new normal” way of working. TheContinue reading “COVID-19: Relief Measures Overview”
COVID-19: Private Sector Relief Initiatives
By Clive Stewart CA(SA) The Rupert and Oppenheimer families have each made R1 billion available to assist small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) that have been impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to popular belief, these funds were not donated to The Solidarity Fund, but will each have their own objectives and beContinue reading “COVID-19: Private Sector Relief Initiatives”
COVID-19: Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) Benefit
Update: There have been significant changes to the regulations and the registration process for the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS). Please refer to our updated guidance issued on 14/4/2020. Please find attached important guidance on the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) Benefit, a joint effort between Clive Stewart and myself this time. Please note thatContinue reading “COVID-19: Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) Benefit”
Covid-19: “Hands and Hearts” (a reflection)
Dear clients, colleagues and service providers In our senior staff meeting on Monday, we were reflecting on a theme of “Hands and Hearts”. In this strange new reality most of us are working at home, or possibly be taking a mandatory break, in a place of physical isolation. I have heard of numerous accounts ofContinue reading “Covid-19: “Hands and Hearts” (a reflection)”
COVID-19: Guidelines for Electronic Meetings
By Winette van der Merwe Here are some guidelines to ensure that electronic meetings are as effective as possible: If the meeting is on a new electronic platform, download the software well in advance of the meeting. Test your video and audio before the meeting. Check that your device is charged and/or that the powerContinue reading “COVID-19: Guidelines for Electronic Meetings”
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