JSE issues apology for the incorrect meta description on broker search

JSE Limited (“JSE) was alerted to an incorrect meta description automatically generated by search engines when searches relating to the JSE in relation to company information is performed. This resulted in the JSE’s awareness campaign relating to a cautionary pop-up on the JSE website regarding investment scams being displayed in search results.

The JSE has implemented technical measures to remedy the incorrect description.

We sincerely apologise for the error and in the event that you require any further information in respect of the remedial actions implemented or the JSE to clarify the incorrect search results, please contact [email protected].

Participating companies:

These are companies participating in the Claim It initiative, working with the JSE to ensure that unclaimed dividends are returned to their rightful owners:

adtech
wbho
findbond
naspers
cash build
old mutual
sasol
supergroup
reunert
ame
nph
impact

Dividends explained

Dividends are how a company rewards or pays out a portion of its profits to shareholders and investors. It is important to note that not all companies pay dividends, even if they are profitable. Companies can choose to do several things with their profits, such as reinvesting in their business, paying off debt, or distributing a portion of these profits to their shareholders as dividends

Types of dividends:
 

  • A cash dividend is the distribution of funds or money paid to stockholders generally as part of the corporation's current earnings or accumulated profits.
  • A stock dividend is a dividend payment to shareholders that is made in shares rather than as cash.
    • In some instances shareholders are granted an option to select whether they prefer a cash or stock dividend.
  • A property dividend is an alternative to cash or stock dividends, where a company gives shareholders property in lieu of cash or cash equivalents
  • A liquidating dividend is a type of payment that a corporation makes to its shareholders during a partial or full liquidation.

Dividends are how a company rewards or pays out a portion of its profits to shareholders/ investors. It is important to note that not all companies pay dividends, even if they are profitable. They can choose to do several things with the profit made such as:​

Introduction to Dividends

Important Dividend Dates

There are three important dates relating to dividends:​

  1. Date of declaration – this is the date on which the dividend is declared by the​ company.​​
  2. Last Day of Trade (LDT) – Only shareholders owning this share on this date will receive the dividends. You may sell the shares after this date and still receive the dividends.​
  3. Date of payment – This is the date of payment of the dividend. Dividends are​ only paid to shareholders registered on the date of record.​

Dividends and Tax

For equities (apart from listed property companies), you will incur dividend withholding tax (DWT) on the dividend income that is paid out. ​
​
DWT of 20% is held back from your dividends before they are paid out or reinvested.  Note the DWT is payable only on dividends paid out by the company and is payable after the company has already paid 28% corporate tax on its net profits. 

Dividends and Tax
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Frequently Asked Questions

A share is simply proof of ownership of part of a company. The more shares you have, the more of the company you own, and you become known as a shareholder. This proof of ownership is represented by a share certificate, which today, is recorded electronically. ​
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As a shareholder, it means that you have access to your share of the company’s earnings and any voting rights attached to the shares. It is important to note that being a shareholder does not necessarily mean you have a say in the day-to-day running of the business or that you can take items from the company where you hold shares (e.g. free clothing from Woolworths).​
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Companies sell shares so that they can raise the money needed to grow and expand their business, and to carry out certain projects to generate more income. These companies can sell shares either publicly or privately, and you can buy different types of shares.

Dividends are how a company rewards or pays out a portion of its profits to shareholders/ investors. It is important to note that not all companies pay dividends, even if they are profitable. They can choose to do several things with the profit made such as:​

  • Re-invest it into their business​
  • Pay off debt ​
  • Pay a portion of these profits to their shareholders (i.e. dividends)​

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It is the company board's discretion whether to pay out dividends to shareholders and how much to pay in dividends. For instance, if I invested R1000 at R10 each with 100 shares, it pays out 20c per dividend I would get R20.*​
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*Brokerage costs and taxes are not included in these examples

If the company in which you own shares produces a profit, the profit can be shared amongst the company’s shareholders in the form of a dividend payment.

The board of directors decide on the dividend amount /rate based on the company's most recent earnings. Dividends may be paid in cash or additional shares.

The frequency of dividend payments differs depending on the company in which you own shares. Some companies may pay dividends annually while other companies may pay dividends bi-annually or quarterly.

Dividends received by individuals from South African companies are taxed at a rate of 20% which is withheld by the entities paying the dividends to the individuals.

All you need to check if you have any unclaimed dividends owed to you is your ID number. If you do have unclaimed dividends you will need to complete and update your details with either our call centre agent or on the JSE Sharehub platform. You will also need a proof of address and banking details in order to conclude the process.

The timeframe depends on whether we received all your required FICA documents and proof of ownership. Once all documents have been received and validated, payment will be processed into your bank account within 5 business days.  

To check on behalf of any third party, you should obtain the necessary power of attorney / letter of executorship / letter of authority from the Master of the Supreme Court.

For deceased estates, the following documentation is required:

  1. Letter of Executorship / Letter from the Master of the Supreme Court
  2. Death certificate
  3. Proof of banking details for deceased estate
  4. Proof of residence for beneficiary
  5. Proof of residence for Executor
  6. Proof of banking details for beneficiary
  7. Beneficiary’s Selfie with ID document
  8. Beneficiary’s ID
  9. Executor’s Selfie with ID document
  10. Executor’s ID
  11. Proof of ownership / copy of share certificate
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The Johannesburg Stock Exchange has launched a countrywide search for shareholders who own roughly R4.5 billion in unclaimed benefits. The JSE's Marketing & Corporate Affairs Director Vuyo Lee speaks to Xolani Mbanjwa.

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Vuyo Lee, Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at the JSE on their campaign to educate citizens on unclaimed dividends. With R4. 5 billion worth of unclaimed dividends due to South African investors, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is launching a nationwide initiative aimed at educating potential claimants about investing.

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The National Asset Reunification initiative aims to address the critical issue of unclaimed dividends in the market by identifying and reuniting individuals with unclaimed or ‘lost’ entitlements stemming from limited or outdated information about the owners or holders of shares.

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