SA's largest cellular operator, Vodacom, will soon be under British ownership, with the government agreeing that Telkom should divest from the business.

EFFORTS by the Competition Commission to fine Telkom R3,7bn for anti-competitive behaviour have been revived, with the commission winning the right to appeal against a court ruling that temporarily halted its campaign.

Local subsidiaries of American International Group Inc. maintained a "business-as-usual" approach even as the parent company set in motion a restructuring process that will see it spinning off some of its operations.

WHILE the global financial markets are in a frenzied state, SA's telecommunication industry is plodding along in the same torpid state as usual. How depressing.

STATE-owned oil and gas company PetroSA yesterday came out in defence of its planned R40bn crude oil refinery in Coega, near Port Elizabeth, amid concerns that it could drive existing refineries out of business.

In a year when compliance with international accounting standards carried the top score, Standard Chartered Bank has come out tops to win this year's overall FiRe Award.

THE Kingdom Meikles Africa Ltd (KMAL) board passed a vote of no confidence in the company's chairman John Moxon for alleged "recklessness", making unilateral decisions and issuing statements without consulting the other directors.

CHANGES to Kingdom Meikles Africa Group Ltd (KMAL)'s directorship should comply with the Banking Act since the company became a bank holding company after the merger last year, the conglomerate's minority shareholders' legal team has said.

KINGDOM Meikles Africa Ltd (KMAL) Chairman John Moxon's dispute with smaller shareholders deepened last month over an offer by Renaissance Capital (Rencap) to acquire a major stake in the conglomerate.

Intercontinental Bank Plc has announced its unaudited financial results for the half year ended August 31, 2008, which saw gross earnings rising to N121billion, representing a growth of over 99 per cent against the N60.9billion achieved in the corresponding period of 2007.

WHEN the JSE is in free-fall, I am forced to remind myself that the Private Investor's gains and losses are on paper only.

THE amount of corporate tax paid by SA's large companies is coming under increasing scrutiny and public debate, but a recent study shows how much corporate and other business taxes large companies are actually paying.

DESPITE an airline industry slow-down, low-cost carrier kulula.com will double their flights from Lanseria International Airport to Cape Town and Durban.

Ohorongo Cement has signed a N$41-million electricity supply for the yet to be constructed cement factory between Tsumeb and Otavi.

Generic drug maker Aspen Pharmacare has moved to increase control of its supply chain, dissolving two joint ventures formed in 2005 with India-based Matrix Laboratories for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Golden Beach Hotels is pleased to announce its participation in this year's Akwaaba Travel Market scheduled to be held at the EKO Hotels and Suites this month.

Zinox Technologies Limited in collaboration with Freeplay Energy of the UK are set to launch an assembly plant that would reduce the dependence of Nigerians on electric power.

The federal government is on the verge of selling NITEL again. In-fact it has concluded arrangements to give Nitel to a new core investor, come February 2009.

The High Court on Wednesday dismissed a case in which tenants of Nakawa/Naguru have been seeking to block the redevelopment of the dilapidated estates.

A petroleum transporting company, Dagare Transporters Ltd is in legal battle with Caltex Oil Uganda Ltd over Shs17.4 billion for breach of contract.

Tusker Lager has joined the team organising the Kampala International Jazz Festival due to take place this weekend.

As Warid Telecom announced its one million subscribers accomplishment yesterday, Zain Uganda formerly Celtel, unveiled a seasonal offer that is meant to change some people's lifestyles and draw new subscribers, to its network.

University students have been asked to embrace programmes such as training in business management skills because the government does not have jobs to offer to them.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday it released the Managing Director of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO), Mr. Sarki Bates Sule, to avoid unnecessary detention.

For Meganet Nigeria Limited, a Nigerian valued added services provision company, time or distance should not be a barrier to buying airtime and making important calls.