8. Cash generated by operations
 
  2018 
R’000 
    2017 
R’000 
 
Profit before taxation 5 322 210        6 196 821    
Costs incurred in respect of acquisitions  50 190        24 230    
Net finance charges  1 020 730        1 059 560    
Share of current year earnings of associates  (217 004)       (264 737)   
Depreciation and amortisation  1 680 638        1 641 568    
Share based payment expense  154 986        143 145    
Share based payment settlements  (419 756)       (307 280)   
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets  4 426        (1 147)   
Impairment of goodwill  15 258        –    
Remeasurement to recoverable fair value of associate  248 709        (1 144 633)   
Loss on disposal of interests in subsidiaries and associates, and disposal and closure  of businesses  185 654        147 383    
Other non-cash items  (145 659)       (223 596)   
Remeasurement of post-retirement obligations  (19 025)       (14 503)   
Decrease in life assurance fund  (36 929)       (9 156)   
Working capital changes  1 523 258        (367 886)   
   Decrease (increase) in inventories  45 270        (35 952)   
   Increase in trade and other receivables  (776 913)       (464 142)   
   Increase in banking and other advances  (421 236)       (192 537)   
   Increase (decrease) in trade and other payables and provisions  1 467 099        (398 198)   
   Increase in amounts owed to bank depositors  1 209 038        722 943    
Cash generated by operations  9 367 686        6 879 769