Costing the greatest show - Nothing pulls in the audiences like the World Cup. But how do the rands and cents stack up? Kevin Davie explains. [M&G Headlines]

Business confidence dropped to 7-yr low in ’09 - Business confidence, which had shown considerable volatility in 2009, would likely reach a higher average this year, after reaching a seven-year low in 2009, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) said on Thursday.

Reporting on the results of its Business Confidence Index (BCI) for December, which fell by 0,6% month-on-month, Sacci noted that the index seemed to have lost momentum since achieving its highest level for 2009 of 85,5 points in September. [Engineering News]

SA electricity consumption up 3,2% in Nov - South Africa consumed 3,2%, or 599 GWh, more electricity in November 2009, than in November 2008, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reported on Thursday.

Consumption increased to 19 239 GWh, compared with the 18 640 GWh of electricity used in November 2008. [Engineering News]