The Finance Ghost welcomes Altron CEO Werner Kapp fresh off a standout capital markets day that left a strong impression: this is a business whose growth story isn’t tightly tethered to South Africa’s traditional economic constraints. From FinTech and HealthTech to telematics and IT security, Altron operates a portfolio of platform businesses that quietly underpin everyday life, even if most consumers don’t realise it!  In this conversation, Werner unpacks how these platforms drive resilient, annuity-style revenues, while also leaning into powerful structural tailwinds like digitisation, mobile adoption and the evolution of the payments ecosystem.

In a country where far too many execs throw their hands in the air and blame difficult conditions, we find updates from three companies that have made it work: Omnia, PPC and Sygnia all have great stories to tell.

Fairvest has upgraded full year guidance, with B shareholders celebrating strong double-digit returns at the moment. Ninety One has returned to positive net inflows. Putprop is recycling capital into a property in Kramerville.

Tiger Brands put in an exceptional margin performance. Sirius Real Estate had a busy period of deals. Pan African Resources had a record year of cash flow, but the market hated the guidance. Momentum is still living up to its name. NERSA has thrown Merafe a lifeline. Copper 360 finds no love in the market.

Pick n Pay's core business is still going backwards. Altron's numbers look spectacular, with positive news also coming in from Exemplar REITail, Netcare, Omnia and PPC. RMB Holdings has heavily impaired its NAV.

Altron, Datatec, Gold Fields, Lesaka Technologies and Southern Sun all have good news stories to tell. The same certainly can't be said for Sappi, where shareholders are facing disaster. At Life Healthcare, the latest period was a disappointment for the market.

Weekly summary of Merger & Acquisition activity by South African companies.

Altron's strategy is working beautifully, while Super Group's strategic pivots have changed the trajectory of the business. RCL Foods has given tighter guidance on its sugar troubles. NEPI Rockcastle and Redefine Properties gave important updates. Octodec is selling Killarney Mall. African Rainbow Minerals was boosted by the PGM business.