How to buy shares on the JSE

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is where South Africans buy and sell shares in listed companies. Buying your first share is more straightforward than most people expect — here's exactly how it works.

What is the JSE?

The JSE (Johannesburg Stock Exchange) is South Africa's primary stock exchange and one of the largest in the world by market value. When a company "lists" on the JSE, it sells shares to the public, and investors can then trade those shares with one another. Well-known JSE-listed companies include Naspers, Sasol, Shoprite, Standard Bank and MTN.

When you buy a share, you own a small slice of that business. If the company grows and performs well, your share can rise in value and may pay you a portion of profits as a dividend.

Step 1: Open a broking account

You can't buy shares directly from the exchange — you go through a stockbroker or investment platform. Choose one regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). To open an account you'll usually need your ID, proof of address and your banking details, part of the standard FICA verification process.

Step 2: Deposit funds

Transfer money from your bank account into your investment account. Many platforms have no minimum, and thanks to fractional shares you can start with as little as R100.

Step 3: Find the share you want

Every JSE-listed company has a short share code — for example, SOL for Sasol or SHP for Shoprite. Search for the company in your platform, and review the basics before buying. This is where research tools help: you can use FinBot to get a fast, structured breakdown of a company's bull and bear case, fundamentals and valuation.

Step 4: Place your order

You'll usually choose between two order types:

Enter the amount or number of shares, review the order and confirm. When it's filled, the shares show up in your portfolio.

Tip: track your holdings and returns in one place with EZvest's portfolio tracker, and watch live prices on the markets screen.

What does it cost?

Buying and selling shares involves a few costs to be aware of: brokerage fees (charged by your platform), and statutory costs such as Securities Transfer Tax (STT) of 0.25% on purchases, plus small regulatory levies. Over time, keeping fees low matters — even a fraction of a percent compounds over decades.

Shares vs ETFs

Buying individual shares means betting on single companies, which is riskier than spreading your money out. If you'd rather own a whole basket of companies at once, an ETF may suit you better. Many investors hold both. See stocks vs ETFs vs unit trusts to compare.