Sunday Tribune 2024-11-24

If you are hunting for unique Christmas gifts for the special people in your life, look no further. Bidding in Cannon’s Auctioneers’ final online auction of the 2024 season is active, with a host of antiques, fine art and collectables going under the hammer. Competitive bids are coming through in most categories, including books, Linn Ware, Royal Albert, train sets, silver, art and bronzes, large chandeliers, furniture and jewellery. There are almost 900 lots to peruse, including three highly collectable vintage motorcycles. The auction will be closing on Wednesday and Thursday from 8am daily. Visit www.cannons.co.za to view a full catalogue, auction estimates, numerous images and instructions on how to participate online. Cannon’s Auctioneers are at Shop 1, Quarry Lifestyle Centre, Hilton. You can also call 033 343 3366,…

Ian Wyles would like to feature two properties that will go under the hammer during Its auction on December 11 at 11am. The first property is at 7 Mdoni Crescent, Zini River Estate, Mtunzini. Mtunzini is a small coastal town with pristine beaches, a nine-hole golf course at the Mtunzini Country Club, a number of bed-and-breakfast establishments as well as a range of camping, caravanning and other self-contained holiday accommodations. This five-bedroom, four-bathroom house is on a 2 390m² stand, and offers views of the surrounding bush and a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The spacious layout and use of natural light create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, enhanced by the two fireplaces. The open-plan layout combines a large lounge and sophisticated kitchen space, with…

Old Johannesburg Warehouse (Old JW) Auctioneers’ bumper end-of-year online auction will be held over two days – on Thursday and Friday. A vast array of antiques, art and collectables will be on offer. A number of pieces have special significance to the history of Durban, including the first Natal Mercury printed, dated Thursday, November 25, 1852, along with the first issue of its forerunner, The Natal Times, of August 29, 1851. Also on offer is a Clymer Dixon Columbian Press, a cast iron printing press invented by George Clymer in 1813, probably the first of its kind in the province of Natal. Durban also features strongly in the artworks on sale. Included will be numerous pieces by the late Barry Truter – a prominent figure on the art scene, and…

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition is sitting up and taking notice of the fact that South Africans are being inundated with spam calls. It’s asking for public comment on changing Regulation Four of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) by January 15. This section deals with “mechanisms to block unwanted direct marketing communication”. Basically, it suggests something that has been on the cards since 2010 when the Act was promulgated – an opt-out register. The amendments would result in marketers having to register on this database each year, as well as not market any goods or services to someone who has opted out by way of this register. I’d like to know who will be policing this, as current laws don’t seem to be enforced. I’ve had a flurry…

While the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) announced a cut in the interest rate this past week, many industry leaders have said it is a little too late and the decrease in the rate was not enough. SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago on Thursday announced that the central bank will cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, meaning rates will drop by 0.25%. This means that the repo rate will come down from 8% to 7.75% while the prime lending rate decreases from 11.50% to 11.25%. The MPC announced its first cut in interest rates earlier this year in September, making it the first cut since 2021, which saw the rate increase by 475 basis points, that took the repo rate to a 15-year high of 8.25%, where it settled…

Tasneem Thavar is no ordinary professional within South Africa's bustling retail sector. Among the more than 160 000 employees of the Shoprite Group, the nation's largest private employer, Thavar stands out as a rising star whose rapid ascent in the industry has become a testament to her unwavering dedication and passion for retail. Today, she serves as the Head Buyer for Usave, a supermarket brand comprising over 484 outlets across the country, providing her with the platform to make a significant impact in the lives of everyday South Africans. Raised in a single-parent household, Thavar became the first member of her family to attend university, a feat made possible by her mother’s role at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which allowed her to study for free. Throughout her academic journey, she…