The recent S&P downgrade of South Africa to junk status refers. How long do you think it will take us to get out of it

2 years. The cabinet has been reshuffled but the policies will remain the same. Radical economic transformation will save us. (27.74%)

15 years. The current ring fencing of support that the ANC has built around President Jacob Zuma will keep him in power until 2019. Another two years for him to do damage (54.74%)

Longer than 15 years. We will need a miracle to save us now. (17.52%)

Swiss RE reports that insured losses due to natural catastrophe events in 2016 was $54 billion, up 42% from 2015. Does this mean we are in for a cycle of hard rates?

Yes (28.57%)

No (28.57%)

Depends on what happens this year (42.86%)

A satisfied client will tell three friends, a dissatisfied client will tell the world. Has technology shaped the way people talk about your business?

Yes (85.14%)

No (6.76%)

I ignore social media, it’s the bane of humanity (8.11%)

Is the demarcation issue an agenda being driven by the big medical aid companies in order to get policyholders to upgrade to higher medical aid options?

Yes, it is very obvious (57.14%)

No, even if you upgrade there will be limits as to what gets paid out (42.86%)

After the escapades at SONA, are we going to have a level headed budget this year?

Yes, the threat of a ratings downgrade will mean that sanity will prevail (46%)

No, there are to much external forces fighting against a level headed budget (54%)

The Ford Kuga issue is one which is getting everyone’s head in a spin. How does this affect Ford owners?

They are in an impossible position as nobody wants a Ford (40%)

They are ok…once their cars are repaired that is (31.43%)

Ford is dead and buried in this country. One wonders how they let the situation escalate to this level (28.57%)

2017 promises to be a major year when it comes to regulatory reform. Will brokers, advisers and financial planners find it easy to weather the storm and adapt to a new way of doing business?

Yes, regulatory reform will improve the standing of all in the industry when it comes to client interaction (36.89%)

No, client interaction will be heavily constrained by reams of red tape (16.39%)

We’ll have to see the hand the FSB plays before placing a firm bet on the ability to weather any storm (46.72%)

Do you feel that Nova acted in the best interest of the Sharemax shareholders that they were trying to assist?

Yes (2.86%)

No (97.14%)

Over the weekend, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa suggested an increase to the minimum wage to R3 500 p/m

I agree with the increase (43.75%)

I don’t agree with the increase (12.5%)

I hope government has considered all the consequences when making this announcement. In a time of economic crisis, some cant afford these increases (43.75%)

Trump vs. Clinton: Did you see this coming?

Yes (66.46%)

No (33.54%)