OMBA’s Sean Ashton dives into contentious waters here by addressing the naivety that produced “ten lost years” for South African investors overly influenced by home bias. He argues that’s not the only myth needing re-assessment, suggesting that a new investment regime may well have taken hold over the past decade and a half. The highly respected asset manager spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

One hundred and fifty (150) victims have come forward to report losses of millions of rands - after clicking on a deep-fake ad featuring Elon Musk. This after Advocate Petra van Niekerk blew the whistle in a recent interview with BizNews. She is now representing many of the victims - after she herself lost her life savings.  In this second interview, she reveals that one unlucky investor had lost R5,5-million. She relates the devastating impact on the victims, one of whom tried to kill herself after losing all her money. She also gives an update on the legal fight back, and has wise words of comfort for those who feel ashamed and embarrassed.

Employment in South Africa’s engineering sector has fallen sharply over the past two decades to half of where it should be. In this interview, Gordon Angus of the employer association SEAFA explains why, putting the blame squarely on idealistic but hugely destructive government regulations which are heavily weighted against entrepreneurs - every economy’s lifeblood. He shared the uncomfortable ‘Uber Truths’ with BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has come under fire from opposition parties for what they term ‘reckless’ foreign mission deployments. This follows an incident where two soldiers were killed and three injured by a mortar bomb at their base in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where they are part of a peacekeeping force. Currently, 2900 South African soldiers are engaged in combat against M23 rebels in the country. Reports have also surfaced in recent days of an expired Denel contract for helicopter maintenance. In an interview with Biznews, the DA Shadow minister for Defence and Military Veterans Kobus Marais emphasised the “irresponsible” deployment of soldiers in the Eastern DRC citing an overstretched and underfunded SANDF with outdated prime mission equipment. Marais exposed challenges in maintaining essential equipment, particularly helicopters, and raised concerns about SANDF’s financial constraints, including the unfunded R2 billion for the DRC mission. Marais suggested withdrawing troops from the DRC to focus on upgrading equipment and prioritising national interests, particularly in Mozambique due to potential security threats. He criticised the lack of clarity on responsibility for troop deployment and the deadlock between Denel and the government. Marais also expressed concerns about our porous borders and the heavy reliance on an ageing reserve force. It is, he says, “like sending guys from the old SADF from an old age home with a R1 rifle” into combat.

After a three-year court battle, the ANC was compelled on Monday to release over 1,300 documents revealing details of actions taken by its three-decade-old cadre deployment system overseen by a communist-style central committee. SA’s economic woes - high and growing unemployment, rising debt, stagnant GDP growth - are a direct consequence of the injection by this committee of thousands of unqualified and often useless party loyalists to the leadership of corrupted and bankrupt State Owned Enterprises like Eskom and Transnet; and the broader public sector. In this compelling interview the DA’s shadow Minister of Public Service and Administration, Dr. Leon Schreiber, explains why he has been obsessed with forcing these disclosures, the root cause of so much wrong in the country. Previously a senior research specialist at esteemed Princeton University, Schreiber also provides context on the revelations, which parallels the seismic impact of ‘Gupta Leaks’ in 2017. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

If the polls are correct, the ANC faces the possibility of losing its majority in South Africa’s national elections on the 29th of May this year. So, what went wrong for Nelson Mandela’s once proud political movement? Businessman and independent political analyst, Moeletsi Mbeki has identified five deadly sins that have contributed to the ANC’s downfall and the country’s current issues. In an interview with Biznews, Mbeki highlights the policies of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) and the ANC’s decision to cultivate a middle class through public service employment and affirmative action, rather than fostering entrepreneurship. He notes that these employees are among the highest-paid civil servants in the world. Mbeki also criticises the ANC’s decision to retain state-owned enterprises instead of privatising them, citing the success of privatised company SASOL. The fourth and fifth sins, according to Mbeki, are the government’s policy failures in Zimbabwe and Mozambique and the removal of military control over South Africa’s land borders, leaving the country vulnerable. He poses the question: Who can prevent Islamist rebels from entering South Africa and planting landmines? President Ramaphosa, Mbeki said, has repeatedly made it clear that he is sticking to these policies and the ANC is not planning to change course. As a result, public support for the ANC is waning due to these “five deadly sins.” Mbeki forecasts that whatever government is produced by the coming election, the ANC will remain central to it. This means he said, “We will continue with this stagnation we are sitting with. Whoever is in coalition with the ANC will have to live with that.”

Nobody articulated the rage of millions of South Africans better than Ayanda Allie when she responded to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent State of the Nation address. In this interview with BizNews, she describes how the president’s utterances made “something rose up inside me and it was like a fire shot up at my bones and I just could not let that go”. Allie speaks about her role as the Communications Director for Build One South Africa (BOSA), her MP candidacy, and the issues she would prioritise as an MP. She also graciously agreed to sing the title track from her album “We the People”, a song “that says, we the people of South Africa, we say no, no to corruption, no to injustice, no to poverty, no to unemployment, and no to this social milieu that we're seeing where people have no hope and no sense for the future”.

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) was in Russia “fighting” against neo-colonialism when Kremlin opposition politician Alexei Navalny died last week. This has emerged from a BizNews interview with Russian historian Professor Irina Filatova who says: “Just at the time when Navalny was killed, the ANC delegation was in Moscow. It was in Moscow at the meeting of the powers of the representatives of the parties which are fighting against neocolonialism…which is the influence of the Western world, economic, political, cultural, etc.” She also comments on the allegation made to BizNews that it was the Russian oligarch Viktor Velkselberg who once again bailed out the ANC and paid its debts. And she explains why an ANC election victory is so important to Russia. However, she adds that Russia would also work with former President’s Jacob Zuma’s MK and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

Change Starts Now is a political party that was launched in December 2023 by Roger Jardine, a former director general and banker. It aims to be an alternative political option for South Africans who want change in the country. The party's manifesto, called the Change Charter, was unveiled in Soweto this week. It includes a ‘Marshall’ plan of R500 billion to redevelop South Africa. In an interview with Biznews, Jardine explained that wartime vocabulary was chosen because South Africa’s current state resembles a war zone.To fund the plan, Jardine is proposing a temporary three-year reconstruction tax. This would include a wealth tax of 1.5%, a corporate tax increase from 28% to 32%, an individual tax increase of 4.5% for those earning more than R1.8 million a year, and a 1% annual charge on retirement funds. Addressing concerns about increased taxes, Jardine emphasised the urgent need for drastic intervention. He warned that if the country continues to decline, the chances of increasing and sustainable tax increases are on the horizon as ‘the gap between our ability to fund constitutionally guaranteed social protections and our balance sheet continues to widen.’ Jardine described the temporary tax increases as a short-term trade-off for long-term sustainability. In response to concerns about politicians misusing the proposed fund, he assured that it would be structured as a ring-fenced fund with oversight by an independent panel. Jardine stated that Change Starts Now supports a strong role for the private sector in state-owned enterprises and believes that black empowerment policies have failed. He criticised the misapplication of procurement policies. Jardine denied representing an agreed position of the business sector in the country or that his party has received a billion rand in funding. He said that finding solutions in South Africa is not rocket science; it can be achieved with political will and effective management.

Former Oxford University professor RW Johnson nails the phenomenon of Donald Trump’s cult-like support in this interview with BizNews editor Alec Hogg. In it Johnson cautions that although it’s no foregone conclusion America’s Captain Chaos will return to the White House, he explains an “uber truth” behind his continued popularity despite many missteps and dangerous pronouncements. Should South Africans care? As one of the world’s most open economies, you betcha. A nation heavily reliant on global trade, it is hard to overestimate the impact on SA were Trump’s heavily isolationist policies implemented.

Supporters of Russia's Nelson Mandela are crushed that he will never take that long walk to freedom now. Alexei's Navalny's death has sparked outrage across the world as it comes in the wake of a series of mysterious deaths of critics of President Vladimir Putin. It also comes on the eve of the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a war in which the ruling African National Congress ((ANC) in South Africa has stuck to the side of its longtime ally, Russia. Deaths and announcements have just bounced off Putin, who is looking strong enough to be re-elected for a fifth term, thereby possibly matching the long rule of Joseph Stalin. Listen to these issues being discussed by Max Seddon, the FT's Moscow bureau chief. He was hosted by Josh Gabert-Doyon on the FT's News Briefing. Meanwhile, ANC support for Russia is not likely to waver - especially not after the party has allegedly been bailed out once again by a Russian oligarch.

With only months to go South Africa’s national elections, the campaigns run by political parties are not “igniting” the youth enough to bring unregistered voters to the polls. So says Glen Mpani, the host of the first International PolCampaigns Expo held in Cape Town recently. He says MK, the IFP (Inkatha Freedom Party) and the ANC (African National Congress) are just “dipping” into each others’ support, but not activating those unwilling to vote. He hopes that the smaller parties like BOSA (Build One South Africa) Rise Mzansi and ActionSA will be able to “find the magic” and be the “game changers”. Mpani describes how AI and big data can be used to run political campaigns more effectively - and lists the ways in which the threat of disinformation can be countered.

In this fascinating interview, the DA’s Election’24 campaign manager Greg Krumbock shares insights from the party’s historically accurate polling process, which taps voter opinion daily. Among numerous other conclusions, the numbers confirm SRF’s Frans Cronje’s assertion  that the re-entry of Jacob Zuma into the political fray guarantees South Africa is heading for an era of coalition politics after the watershed national election expected before the end of May. Krumbock spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

The Cape Floral Kingdom is home to the highest concentration of plant species on the planet, and 70% of its 9,600 plant species grow nowhere else. Fynbos covers 80% of the region. Much of the Cape Floral Kingdom, including Table Mountain National Park, is a registered UNESCO-protected area. To survive, fynbos need to burn, but this could have devastating consequences, as was recently witnessed in the Pringle Bay wildfires.The Grootbos Foundation, a non-profit organisation, has a mission to conserve the unique Cape Floral Kingdom and develop sustainable livelihoods for the local population. Phil Murray, the General Manager of Communications at the Foundation, shared with Biznews that over the past two decades, they have meticulously observed and documented the 947 fynbos species at the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. Crucially, the foundation integrates conservation initiatives with community development, offering adult vocational training in horticulture, hospitality, and biodiversity stewardship. Their commitment also extends to youth development through sports programs, swimming lessons, and empowerment initiatives.Initially supported by the National Football League, the Grootbos Foundation has established a comprehensive children’s sports program, along with a multi-sports facility named Spaces for Sport in Gansbaai. This facility serves as a daily hub for 2,500 children, providing coaching, matches, and a nutritious meal. Given the region’s susceptibility to wildfires, the foundation also plays a crucial role in sharing expertise in wildfire management with neighbouring landowners.

Tourism, businesses, jobs, and livelihoods are under threat in the Drakensberg region where bad roads and unrepaired infrastructure have made travel perilous. In this interview with BizNews, Megan Bedingham of the Cavern, a popular ‘Berg resort, says occupancies in December last year (2023) in the Midlands and the Drakensberg area dropped to 56%. She identifies the dire state of infrastructure as the “greatest threat”, with more and more potholes, washed out culverts and subsided roads. She details the intensive lobbying to government for help, and describes how the community has to do the smaller jobs themselves while the Department of Transport doesn’t seem to have the capacity to roll out all the jobs that they have promised to do.

Predictions that Jacob Zuma’s re-entry into South African politics is a “gamechanger” were confirmed yesterday when his MK party produced a strong showing in just the second by-election it has contested, building on a 20% share grabbed earlier this month. It was also a big day for Gayton McKenzie’s Patriotic Alliance which surged to a famous by-election victory in the Western Cape, unseating a DA councillor for the first time.

Peter Major, the internationally respected mining guru from Modern Corporate Solutions, has attended virtually all of Cape Town’s annual Mining Indabas - an event which is now in its third decade. His verdict after this month’s gathering of the global mining’s movers and shakers: because of bad policies, SA is still going backwards - but reforms at SADC neighbours Zambia and the DRC is attracting tens of billions of dollars in fresh investment, creating tens of thousands of new jobs. Major reckons the sector which should be driving SA’s economy forward is floundering because the ANC lost the plot years ago and has been unable to get out of a self-created hole. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

“The Seven Economic Pillars of the Economic Freedom Fighters.” That is the title of a report written for the Institute for Race Relations (IRR). In this interview with BizNews, the author of that report, Ivo Vegter, says he did the report because he was concerned about the one-dimensional analysis that one often gets of the EFF, and decided to analyse in detail why EFF policies are either bad policies or why they are good ideals, but won't work. Vegter dissects the achievability - and the consequences - of expropriation of land without compensation; nationalisation; building state and government capacity; free education, healthcare, housing and sanitation; massive protected industrial development; massive development of the African economy; and an open, accountable and corrupt-free government.

South Africa's military is leading a mission of troops, in collaboration with the Southern African Development Council, to neutralise M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after the withdrawal of 2000 United Nations peacekeepers.The deployment of 2,900 soldiers to the eastern part of the DRC will cost over R2 billion this year. President Cyril has stated that the deployment of the force is South Africa’s international obligation. However, Prof Abel Esterhuyse from the Department of Strategic Studies at Stellenbosch has identified several red flags. He said although there is a broader issue of stability in Africa and for SADC, it is not clear what the national interest in the DRC conflict is. Prof Esterhuyse stated that South Africa is facing extremely difficult logistical and operational challenges for the DRC mission, which is not essentially a peacekeeping mission. A lack of infrastructure means no trains or roads for logistical support and airlifts would be needed to sustain the force which South Africa does not have. Additionally, there is a clash of interests with Rwanda, equipment incompatibility between the different SADC forces and a potential soldier morale problem as medical support would be complex. The military involvement is also taking place against a backdrop of severe SANDF funding constraints. Prof Esterhuyse pointed out that South African Military (SAMIL) trucks date back to 1981. He also wanted to know whether the R2 billion for the DRC mission would come out of the already challenged Defence Budget of R50 billion and whether the government has an exit strategy. Commenting on global tensions, he said, “The bigger picture is that we are increasingly seeing the kind of divide we saw in the 1930s with the democratic world on the one side and the autocratic world on the other, and there is growing tension between the two worlds.”

This month (February) one year ago two South African engineers were arrested in Equatorial Guinea under the guise of illegal drug trafficking. It is believed that their detention was in retaliation for the seizure in South Africa of two luxury properties and a super yacht belonging to the country’s playboy Vice-President “Teddy” Obiang. Frik Potgieter (54) and Peter Huxham (55) were subsequently convicted and sentenced to 12-years’ imprisonment. They were also fined “damages” of $5 million each and additional fines to be shared between them.  Their families are “deeply disappointed that the South African government has not sought to prioritise the illegal and arbitrary detention of two of its citizens over its current high-profile international diplomacy efforts”. Their families are pleading with the Government to help secure their release. In this interview with BizNews, Frik’s wife, Sonja, and Peter’s fiancé, Kathy McConnachie, share their trauma. - Chris Steyn

Patriotic Alliance co-founder and strategic advisor Charles Cilliers reckons it’s impossible to overstate the importance of Jacob Zuma’s re-entry onto the political stage. Cilliers admits he underestimated the impact but says party president Gayton Mackenzie, who knows Zuma well, has long predicted this would be a game changer that will benefit king-making smaller political parties like the PA. We caught up with Cilliers on the campaign trail in the Western Cape, where the PA is confident of a strong showing in two key by-elections this week. He spoke to Alec Hogg, the editor of BizNews.

There is a growing dispute between the Democratic Alliance, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) regarding the difficulties faced by South Africans living abroad when trying to register and vote at overseas missions. This issue could potentially result in a case before the Electoral Court that oversees the IEC and the conduct of elections in the country. The dispute follows after voters in Perth, Australia discovered that they could only vote at the South African High Commission in Canberra, while South Africans living in Malta will have to travel to Rome to vote. In an interview with Biznews, Adrian Rose, the Deputy Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, said that the DA has given the IEC and DIRCO an ultimatum to consider the inclusion of so-called honorary consulates, like Perth, as voting stations. If this is not granted, the DA would consider taking other steps. Rose added that the DA wants DIRCO and the IEC to increase the number of voting stations abroad by adding an extra 6-10 within the present legislation. Rose disagreed with the argument that there were financial constraints to adding extra overseas voting stations, as the government receives additional tax revenue from many overseas South Africans. He also highlighted that while the government has set a target of getting 100,000 prisoners out of about 127,000 prisoners to vote, there are no similar targets for voters overseas. It was unfair, he said that prisoners have a better chance of voting than South Africans living abroad. According to Rose, South Africans living overseas have a constitutional right to vote, and the government should take necessary steps to ensure that they can vote without any difficulties

The Social Research Foundation polled Jacob Zuma’s popularity in his home province of KZN just days before the popular politician announced his support for the new;t formed MK party in opposition to the ANC. SRF chairman Dr Frans Cronje says the data shows Zuma’s re-entry is a “game changer” for an ANC which he says is now in panic mode. With Zuma’s MK set to draw 10% nationally and around a quarter of the vote in KZN - primarily from the ANC - the ruling party can no longer expect a benign post-election future where it retains power with the help of a smaller party or two. Among the consequences of the Zuma fracture is increased pressure for provincial secessions from a union imposed by the British colonial power in 1910. Cronje spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Despite surveys and polls indicating that the ANC’s support in the coming elections could drop to below 50%, Prof Theo Venter, a political analyst at the University of Johannesburg expects President Cyril Ramaphosa to be back in Parliament to deliver the second SONA after the election. In a post-SONA interview with Biznews, Venter detailed the ANC’s potential voter base, including 30% of the rural vote, 10-12% of urban voters and he expects that a permanent Basic Income Grant could add another 5% to the ANC’s tally, bringing it close to the 50% threshold to stay in power. He described President Ramaphosa’s claims of ANC successes over the past 30 years as unconvincing and expressed scepticism that more than 10% of stolen state capture funds will be recovered. Amid stage 6 loadshedding over the weekend, Venter dismissed Ramaphosa’s assurances of an end to the worst of loadshedding as political campaign rhetoric. Venter also commented on Ramaphosa ‘looking for a pen’ to sign the National Health Insurance legislation, suggesting that the President might be reluctant to sign the bill. The one positive aspect of the speech, he said, is that the ANC clarified it is going for green energy and a just energy initiative focusing on Mpumalanga, which is ironically a model that was very actively pushed by former Eskom CEO, André de Ruyter.

Political scientist, historian and former Oxford Don RW Johnson unpacks the likely impact of Jacob Zuma on the ANC’s 2024 Election prospects after the former president’s new party this week drew 20% of the vote in the first by-election it contested. This wide-ranging interview also provides context on the most likely source of the ANC’s miraculous financial turnaround from bankruptcy to rude health - and why money is so critical in South African elections. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

A “defeated” President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a “disaster” State of the Nation Address (SONA)  as his “worst nemesis” former President Jacob Zuma is staging a spectacular comeback. Neil De Beer, the president of the United Independent Movement (UIM), a party in the Multi-Party Charter (MPC), dissects the SONA for BizNews. He also lambasts the “outgoing” President for lying about corruption and loadshedding, and labels him a “very sad indiviual” and a “coward” who is living in “La La Cuckoo Land”. De Beer warns that Ramaphosa will have to call the national election earlier rather than later “because he cannot keep the country together” - and “every day he doesn't call the date, MK is growing…” Moreover, he thinks Ramaphosa - who once called the Multi-Party Charter “a nothing, a null on a contract - has just realised that 50 plus 1 is possible” for the MPC. - Chris Steyn

A deep-fake video using the doctored image and voice of South African billionaire Elon Musk has fooled investors across the world. In one video created for the South African market and regularly flighted on social media channels, “Musk” outrageously and falsely claims that SA billionaires Nicky Oppenheimer and Johann Rupert are investors in his scheme. After being swindled by the con artists, Advocate Petra van Niekerk of the Johannesburg Bar is now determined to expose the scam. In this interview with BizNews, Adv Van Niekerk describes how the false advertising lured her to lose her life savings and shares what her investigations uncovered about an entity which she believes has masterminded the con. She lists all the actions she has taken so far to try and bring it down.  She is in contact with other victims, and has appealed to more to come forward so that she can launch a class action suit.

In a landmark ruling, a Delaware court cancelled Elon Musk’s $56 billion Tesla compensation package from Tesla following a lawsuit by a shareholder who argued that Musk’s pay package was excessive - an argument that found favour with the judge. These implications of the court case are far-reaching for companies with outside compensation packages and corporate boards accused of lax oversight. In an interview with Biznews, Jeroen van Kwawegen, the co-lead of the New York law firm Bernstein, Litowitz, Berger and Grossman who was responsible for the exceptional result said that the court case proved that the richest person on earth is not above the law, especially in the United States. Van Kwawegen said it also showed that investors have multiple tools in their toolbox to make sure that executives and the directors of their portfolio companies comply with their fiduciary duties. On the impact that the court case against Musk’s Tesla compensation would have on the pay packages of other CEOs, he said the Musk benchmark for chief executives salaries has been nullified and that it will have a direct impact on future compensation packages. He also addressed Musk’s recent poll on X (formerly Twitter) poll that Musk had on his social media platform about relocating Tesla from Delaware stating that such a decision lies with the board and shareholder, not Musk alone. Superstar CEOs, the shareholder attorney said, still have fiduciary accountability. Van Kwawegen also set out that the legal options that are open to Musk should he consider appealing the court’s decision to strip him of his Tesla compensation package.

The Portugal Golden Visa has long been a sought-after option for non-EU citizens, including several South Africans, looking for residency abroad. Launched in 2012 by the Portuguese government, the program aimed to attract foreign investment. However, concerns about escalating property prices led to changes in the Golden Visa’s rules. In an interview with Biznews Andrew Rissik from Sable International explained that despite fears that the program would be completely abolished, it remains available as a ‘Plan B’ or secondary residency option. Rissik clarified that while real estate investment is off the table, residency can still be achieved through private equity fund investments. In comparison with golden visas for other Western destinations, Portugal, he said, remains “top of the pops.” On the percentage of a wealth portfolio that South Africans should consider for overseas suitable investments, Rissik said Sable’s wealth advisors believe it should reflect South Africa’s share of the global market, which stands at 0.8%. The immigration specialist will hold roadshows in Cape Town from February 21 to 23, Johannesburg from January 27 to 29, and in Durban on January 29. South Africans have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one discussions with Sable International immigration experts to explore the investment options and golden visas available.  – Linda van Tilburg

Land Restitution consultant Jan Wessels shares an “uber truth” in this powerful interview where he exposes one of the ugliest of the ANC’s dirty secrets. He claims the political party’s top dogs have long applied a deliberate strategy through the ‘land restitution’ process to capture rich mineral wealth on ancestral land. They use this to enrich politically connected elite through mining deals - while the tribes with historic rights live in poverty. Wessels warns: “In implementing this non-restitution process, the ANC is putting national security at risk. This non-restitution strategy will most certainly lead to a Zimbabwean outcome - communities are running out of patience.” He urges true beneficiaries to take “this long-standing corruption to court…..based on the legal facts, they will succeed in getting these unwanted ANC criminals out of their land and get back their mineral benefits”. He says the ANC is very aware once land restitution puts the land and minerals under the ownership of their historic owners, mining companies “will run to the tribes for mining agreements and would not need the politically connected BEE partnerships to get mining rights allocated”. - Chris Steyn

In December, 317,000 international visitors landed in Cape Town, a record for a single month. The multiplier effect on the local economy of so many visitors spending hard currency is enormous, supporting a virtuous cycle confirming good governance’s dividend. The city’s executive mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis (37), fresh from a mini-speaking tour abroad at the invitation of his counterparts in New York and London, has just unveiled another initiative to support a campaign promise of making the city load-shedding free by 2026. The progress on electricity is one of numerous ways SA’s “City of Hope” has become a template for other Metros. GHL reckons it all begins with financial stability. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

The Portugal Golden Visa has long been a sought-after option for non-EU citizens, including several South Africans, looking for residency abroad. Launched in 2012 by the Portuguese government, the program aimed to attract foreign investment. However, concerns about escalating property prices led to changes in the Golden Visa's rules. In an interview with Biznews, Andrew Rissik from Sable International explained that despite fears that the program would be completely abolished, it remains available as a 'Plan B' or secondary residency option. Rissik clarified that while real estate investment is off the table, residency can still be achieved through private equity fund investments. He said that compared to golden visas for other Western destinations, Portugal remains "top of the pops." Regarding the percentage of a wealth portfolio that South Africans should consider for suitable overseas investments, Rissik said Sable's wealth advisors believe it should reflect South Africa's share of the global market, which stands at 0.8%. The immigration specialist will hold roadshows in Cape Town from 21 February to 23, Johannesburg from 27 February to 29, and Durban on 29 February. South Africans can engage in one-on-one discussions with Sable International immigration experts to explore the investment options and golden visas available.

After delivering double the stock market’s returns for investors last year, for 2024, South Africa’s oldest and largest hedge fund is excited about opportunities in its backyard. In this review of Peregrine Capital’s annual Investor Letter, CEO Jacques Conradie looks back to another stellar year (helped by Meta….) and looks forward to how the team intends to repeat those returns in the current 12 months. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Although best known nowadays for his investment prowess, Corion co-founder David Bacher also possesses a deep cricketing pedigree. In this month’s analysis of the markets, he applies analogies from the sport - and concludes by posing pointed questions to Cricket South Africa’s hierarchy over its “firing” of national Under19 captain David Teeger, because of threats from local activists linked to the Israel/Hamas war.

Join host Bob Skinstad in a captivating conversation with Ettienne Brandt, an accomplished telecom executive who made the leap from the UK to the U.S., now spearheading Frontier Communications in Dallas, Texas. Ettienne shares his incredible journey – from humble beginnings in Port Elizabeth to managing a $10.5 billion P&L at BT and his current role building Gigabit America. Learn how Ettienne navigates the complexities of the U.S. telecom landscape, adapts his South African braai culture to Texas, and his unique insights into Africa's tech evolution. An inspiring blend of personal anecdotes and professional wisdom awaits!

A young woman with a bucket shot dead in a queue for water at a communal water tank in a dispute over water….She will forever stand as a symbol of just how bad the water crisis in the Durban area has become. Speaking to BizNews, Democratic Alliance (DA) Councillor Nicole Bolmann says: “We've become the movies we watch so often. I mean, in every science fiction movie, we seem to be always searching for water, whether it's the Hunger Games or Star Trek or whatever…there’s always the search for water and it becomes the liquid Gold. It becomes the commodity everybody needs because it is our survival. So what we witnessed…what we know about the lady being shot at the water tanker, at the Jojo, that just simplifies and amplifies the actual situation that we're sitting in in Durban currently.”

Firefighters have been battling raging fires in multiple areas of the Western Cape. The worst hit are Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay, where the fires prompted precautionary evacuation notices. In an interview with BizNews, Overstrand Mayor Annelie Rabie recounted how overstretched firefighting teams in the area were as they battled fires in different locations. Rabie said it was the fire season and they are usually prepared for outbreaks, but she was not ruling out arson. Rabie mentioned that the fires that started on Tuesday ignited at six different points simultaneously. This meant that the fires began 120 kilometres apart, which severely stretched their resources. In another fire three to four weeks ago, she said there were signs that the fire was lit at different points in a circle. Rabie said she did not want to pre-empt the investigation and report that will come out, but, “We were promised that the Western Cape will be made ungovernable.” What stood out, she said, was how the community and surrounding areas rallied together and how firefighting services from as far as Cape Town answered the distress call from Pringle Bay. Thirty to forty farmers jumped in with their “bakkie sakkies” to help and work until late into the night. Regarding the source of some strife in coastal towns like Pringle Bay, the troop of 70 baboons, Rabie said, appeared to have all survived the wildfire, although some were injured.

Four times rated the world’s top investment analyst of financial companies, Kokkie Kooyman stands head and shoulders above his local peers, so he is our obvious go-to guy for context on accusations that three local banks have badly misbehaved. In this fascinating interview, Denker Capital’s co-founder provides context on the Hamas funding allegations - and explores why Sanlam’s investment in India is looking uncannily similar to Naspers’ game-changing early bet on Tencent. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

Former SA president Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane is jumping into the political fray with a novel message for one from a hard-boiled ANC household - it’s business, not politics, that holds the key to a successful South Africa. Zuma Jr - who has formed his own party All Game Changers (AGC) - says business people should be protected and allowed to “throw their money where they want to”. In this interview with BizNews, the one-time Gupta associate preaches re-industrialisation, infrastructure development and regaining investor confidence; and explains why he did not join MK, his father’s new political party. He spoke to Chris Steyn of BizNews.

No-one shone a brighter light on the corruption at ESKOM than former CEO André de Ruyter who had to leave South Africa for his own safety. Speaking to BizNews from the United States, he says the corruption at ESKOM continues “by and large unabated” - enabled by the procurement policy in government departments and State-owned entities - and will come to an end only once some of the ringleaders are arrested and properly investigated. He dissects the Government's latest draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), and warns that South Africa will find itself “increasingly isolated from an export perspective” if it does not speed up its decarbonisation efforts. However, he believes South Africa’s problems are solvable with “appropriate political leadership” and policies that attract foreign direct investment that will create jobs and economic growth, and ultimately counteract the “prevailing African stereotype of failure, economic failure and corruption”. De Ruyter also shares his future plans - including his hopes to return home - and reveals the subject of his possible next book. - Chris Steyn

South Africa’s favourite stockbroker, David Shapiro, is in full flight here, providing context on the two big investment stories of the week - liquidation of China’s gigantic property developer Evergrande and continued rise of the world’s chipmaking colossus ASML. The discussion with BizNews editor Alec Hogg shows the stark contrasts between the corporations, something that can be expanded to the economic systems where they operate - the disaster of central control and sublime delivery of free enterprise.

As South Africa gears up for its national and provincial elections, which are set to take place sometime between May and August, global and local investors are closely monitoring their impact on the country’s policies. In an interview with Biznews, Langelihle Malimela, Head of Country Risk: Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted concerns about policy paralysis, particularly in key areas such as addressing the electricity shortage and broader infrastructure problems. Malimela said there is tension between the ruling African National Congress (ANC)'s electoral threat and the imperative for fiscal prudence. There was a potential risk of election-related violence, but he expects that to be localised and limited to Northern Kwazulu-Natal. One of the other ANC challenges that Malemela pointed out is that younger voters, which the IEC indicated are registering to vote in the election, are more concerned about enormous electricity prices and the cost of living than the issue of the past. Should the ANC drop below the 50% threshold in the coming elections, Malimela suggested it could potentially form a coalition with parties like the Good Party of Patricia de Lille, who is already serving in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet. Despite these challenges, he said, the ANC benefits from the lack of cohesion between opposition parties. According to Malimela, while these parties share a common goal of unseating the ANC, they have not articulated clear policy positions on key issues. Malimela warned that if the election results in the return of familiar faces and continued political involvement in key state-owned enterprises, resolving South Africa’s problems could take longer

It’s going to be “very difficult” for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to lose national power in the upcoming election; former President Jacob Zuma “is capable” of getting 5 to 10% nationally; and smaller parties in the Multi-Party Charter face an uncertain future. This has emerged from an interview with Political Commentator and Editor of the “Inside Politics” blog Gareth van Onselen. He also discusses the mixed fortunes of parties that have broken away from the ANC, and dissects the provincial battles in Gauteng where ANC support is on a knife-edge, and the Western Cape where the Democratic Alliance (DA) is under threat from smaller parties.

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) conducted an investigation into the riots of July 2021 and found no direct link to the incarceration of former President Jacob Zuma. The report indicates that the widespread looting and property destruction were orchestrated by well-resourced ‘primary actors’ whom they did not identify. The HRC highlighted a lack of coordination among security forces and the significant role of social media as major contributors to the unrest. The riots, which occurred from July 8 to 19, resulted in the loss of 350 lives and an estimated R50 billion hit to the South African economy. In a Biznews interview, Prof. Theo Venter described the report as ambivalent. He likened Zuma’s incarceration to the events of July 2021 with the saying, “If it looks, swims, and quacks like a duck, it is a duck.” However, in this case, he said the HRC saw all the signs but concluded it wasn’t a duck. Prof. Venter stated that most analysts of the July 2021 events would undoubtedly see a link. Regarding the unnamed ‘primary actors’ or agitators who planned and incited the violence, Prof. Venter suggested that the architects of the July 2021 riots are likely in the upper ranks of the ANC in Kwazulu-Natal, but it would be too uncomfortable for the ANC to deal with them. He also said that the Defence Force escaped the scrutiny of the HRC investigation

Alex van den Heever and Renias Mhlongo are world-renowned wildlife trackers. Their story of how they overcame trust issues and became a unit despite vastly different background, was penned in the book, Changing a leopard’s Spots. Since the publication of the book, they have been invited around the world to share their experiences. In an interview with Biznews, Van den Heever revealed that the duo had after working together for years, encountered trust issues because he suspected Mhlongo of being involved in rhino poaching. However, they managed to overcome their differences, rebuild trust, and are now using their experience to help businesses. Van Heerden said they established the Tracking Success team-building company, which offers virtual team adventures and on-site sessions at their new camp in Tshokwane in the Kruger National Park. Van den Heever describes it as the Rolls Royce version of their virtual adventures. The company helps corporates to get back on track when things go haywire, how to be resilient, show great adaptability and ‘reverence’, where there is greater care for c

The story on the ICJ judgement is taking on a life of its own which may not work out so well for four large South African businesses – MTN, Nedbank, Standard Bank and Absa. Over the weekend, the chief rabbi of South Africa, Warren Goldstein, made some serious allegations against the businesses.

The leader of Build One South Africa (BOSA), Mmusi Maimane, recently concluded his visit to the United States, where he engaged in discussions with senators, and esteemed institutions such as MIT and Harvard, and connected with South African expatriates in Boston. In an interview with Biznews, Maimane emphasised the US’s critical role as a trade partner for South Africa. He stated that his visit aimed to address the sustainability of this partnership with the US and the broader West, as the country approaches a pivotal election. Maimane conveyed the message that the views narrowly held by the ANC in terms of its position on Russia are not the view of all South Africans and certainly not the view taken by the South African Parliament. He said that South Africa’s foreign policy should be taken back to what Nelson Mandela stood for. On the ANC’s decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice, the BOSA leader says it polarised the issue and is not helpful in finding a quick resolution. He accused the ANC of hypocrisy in taking on this issue while building relationships with dictators who do not care for human rights. Maimane warned that if the ANC government continues to be seen as kowtowing to dictators, it could make the flow of capital into South Africa difficult. He said that a new government and a new generation of leaders who think in the interest of South Africa will fight to protect human rights and continue its partnership with the West while creating a strong Africa. He also assured his US audience that the capability of the state can be restored in South Africa. - Linda van Tilburg

In a first, South Africans living and working abroad can now register online to vote in this year’s provincial and national elections. This weekend, on 26, 37 and 28 January, they will also have the opportunity to register in person at diplomatic missions. However, Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said that in-person registration will not be available for South Africans in Israel, Ukraine and Israel as the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, which are their overseas partners, has indicated that these three diplomatic missions are not operational. In an interview with Biznews, Mamabolo said that he would however encourage voters in those countries to register online in the event of any changes to the security situation. He said Statistics South Africa has estimated that approximately 2 million South Africans are living abroad, but in the 2019 elections only 19,000 votes were cast ‘out of country.’ He expressed the hope that there are going to be many expats taking part in the coming elections more this election as it is now much easier to register for the elections. Overseas voters would still have to go to diplomatic missions to vote on the day and the IEC indicated that it would not be able to increase the number of voting stations, as requested by the Democratic Alliance, without legislative amendment. Mamabolo said he was encouraged by the trend of increased registration among young people, noting that 78% of new registrations during the registration weekend in November were from the youth. Despite some uncertainties, Mamabolo said the IEC was ready for the election which could for the first time have a two-page ballot. He also revealed that Elon Musk’s Twitter or X has “been a bit difficult” and have not signed a cooperation agreement that the IEC negotiated with other tech giants to combat misinformation.

In this captivating episode of 'Winning the Away Games' in collaboration with Elixirr, host Bob Skinstad welcomes Jon Flynn, Microsoft's sports visionary, on a journey exploring the intersection of technology and sports. From Jon's Southern African roots to his role at Microsoft, discover the transformative power of data and AI in modernising the business of sports. Jon shares insights into the NBA app rollout, revolutionising how fans experience games. Uncover why sports, recession-proof and pandemic-resistant, is now a serious business, with AI giving rise to the professional fan. Don't miss this dynamic conversation shaping the future of sports and technology.

Financial compliance expert Paul Nel says South African consumers of electricity have been overcharged by R1.375 trillion in electricity tariffs over the past 15 years. He believes this has contributed to South Africa’s failing municipalities.

Ace forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan says SAPS National Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Hawks boss Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya are unfit for service as both failed a lifestyle audit he conducted. He has written to president Cyril Ramaphosa urging the immediate suspension of SA's two top cops pending a formal investigation. In this interview with BizNews, O’Sullivan details his findings - and warns he will approach the court to remove the two if the president fails to act. According to O’Sullivan, Masemola was in a “parlous” financial state back in March 2022, but has gone from living beyond his means to having cleared all of his outstanding debt, save for the two outstanding judgments, while Lebeya had a judgment for a R3,125,848.23 tax debt registered against him at the High Court in Johannesburg on 2023-05-05. O’Sullivan also spells out the legal reasons why Lebeya’s appointment was “unlawful”. “Anywhere else in the world, these people would be in jail,” he charges. - Chris Steyn

Amazon is set to launch its online shopping service in South Africa this year. The tech giant announced in October last year that it would provide independent sellers throughout the country the opportunity to launch, grow, and scale their businesses. In anticipation of Amazon’s arrival, Naspers has boosted investment into Takealot, the home-grown e-commerce leader in South Africa and said they were well-positioned to deal with whatever could be coming from Amazon. In an interview with Biznews, e-commerce entrepreneur Andy Higgins, who started Bidorbuy and is now the Managing Director of the Bob Group, said while many people believe Amazon will have a massive impact on day one, he thinks it would take them longer. The challenges for Amazon, he said, would be the localisation of the software they use globally, infrastructure, and logistics. Higgins said the South African market has different nuances and Amazon will have to find ways to adapt which, “will be a bit of a challenge.” Ultimately, he said the consumer will be the winner if there is price competition. In terms of growth potential for e-commerce, Higgins said South Africa lags the rest of the world and even its emerging market counterparts. Penetration is still under 5% of total retail sales compared to Brazil, India, and Southeast Asian countries where e-commerce penetration is already over 10%. Amazon’s entry into the South African e-commerce market is absolutely not going to be a slam dunk for Amazon; “they have not been successful in every country,” he said.

The Cape Flats in South Africa is an area plagued by gang violence and drug abuse. The situation has been so dire that the army was sent into the townships in 2019 to control the situation. Exposure to the violence is particularly distressing for children who are caught in the crossfire. It is for these children that the Cape Kids Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in Muizenberg in the Western Cape, aims to ensure better outcomes. The Foundation takes in teens from the age of 14 and provides learning support for them throughout their adult life. Vicky Bauer, the Director of the Foundation, said in an interview with Biznews that the foundation, established in 2017, is for curious and determined young people who come to them for a place where they can feel safe and experience the power of being part of a family. From their initial program working with young adults, the foundation has evolved into a residential program with a strong emphasis on trauma counselling, and a school, the Alex School, was established in Muizenberg. Bauer said that The Cape Kids Foundation is in the process of designing an outdoor environmental education program on a site that they have acquired on a mountain peak in Glencairn. They are clearing the site of alien vegetation and making it safe for the neighbourhood that has experienced devastating wildfires in the past. She highlighted that students who come to them are children who don’t have dreams because they are merely surviving.

Action SA leader Herman Mashaba paints a grim picture of what a future South Africa will look like if the African National Congress (ANC) is not unseated in this year’s historic national elections. He predicts that the country will become a failed State - and says Zimbabwe will look like a Sunday school picnic by comparison. He speaks to BizNews after yet another fire gutted yet another hijacked building in Johannesburg where failing infrastructure has also resulted in gas explosions and excessive flood damage. “…if this government is elected back into power in South Africa, then we must accept it's going to become… another failed African state…I can assure you, when we fail, Zimbabwe will look like a Sunday school picnic.”

The first weeks of SA’s election year have been full of drama: new parties, new alliances, and shock resignations, especially that of DA shadow minister for Public Enterprises Ghaleb Cachalia. In this interview, Cachalia shares the details behind his decision to leave the Democratic Alliance (DA). He gives his views on the prospects of the Multi-Party Charter; the path the African National Congress (ANC) is likely to take when the election results are in; the rise of independent candidates - and the “power of the purse” in South African politics. Cachalia says an economically “powerless” South African needs fundamental change - and he vows to continue active involvement, driven by his need to help deliver economic prosperity and champion human rights, social justice, and the expansion of direct democracy.

Kayaking’s iconic world champion Oscar Chalupsky decided to write a book in November 2019 after being diagnosed with quick-killing, incurable bone marrow cancer. The result, a page-turner titled No Retreat, No Surrender, is a guide to the practical benefits of positive thinking and laser-like focus. In this wide-ranging and uplifting interview with BizNews editor Alec Hogg, he talks about entrepreneurship, setting and achieving goals, the link between food determines health and some personal thoughts about SA’s controversial doctor to athletes, Prof Tim Noakes. There’s also some discussion on his superb book, which is a must-read. Just like the recording of the interview is a must-watch. Seriously. - Alec Hogg

With the campaign season for South Africa’s national and provincial elections kicking off, The Multi-Party Charter, a coalition of opposition parties, including the official opposition in Parliament, the Democratic Alliance, has entered the election season with a subdued start. In an interview with Biznews, the chair of the MPC, Prof. William Gumede, explained that the newly formed coalition is in the process of seeking approvals from its members, building trust, and expressing openness to welcoming other parties that respect the Constitution into their fold. Prof. Gumede emphasised that South Africa is witnessing the conclusion of the liberation politics era, ushering in a new age of coalitions. He said that the election outcome will no longer be solely dictated by individual parties; instead, a coalition-based approach among like-minded groups is emerging as a defining feature of South African politics. Prof. Gumede also made a case for pre-election coalition pacts, stating that they are more stable and it is easier for voters to choose because they know exactly what they will be getting after the elections. He said the 2024 elections are going to be the ANC against coalitions.  - Linda van Tilburg

Argentina's new president, Javier Milei, chose the podium at Davos for his first international appearance - and his message could hardly have been more explicit: Western civilisation is in grave danger. In a brilliant 23-minute discourse, the libertarian economist explained how abdication to a political elite threatens to put prosperous Western societies on a path to socialist destruction. Here is the full speech.

Political scientist Dr Frans Cronje’s poll-based Election24 projections for the ANC are more favourable than everyone else, including the party itself. But in this forthright interview, Cronje explains how seen from a historical perspective, his forecast of an ANC vote of around 50% is actually catastrophic, reflective of a deeply embedded downward spiral. He says the penny has already dropped among urban voters where the party is supported by only one-third of voters. Worse is coming, he adds, predicting the ANC will pay a very heavy price for continued abuse of State assets - notably among its currently staunch rural Christian base after the sale once more of SA’s global voice, this time to radical fundamentalists. The chairman of the board of the Social Research Foundation is at his brilliant best here. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

In a typically hard hitting interview, Ian Cameron of Action Society describes South Africa as a "total bloodbath" and a "slaughterhouse of humans," referencing the data on escalations in murders since the ANC came to power in 1994. He criticises the government's detached attitude towards soaring crime rates, likening ministers and police commissioners to passive spectators of a violent sport. Cameron attributes police inefficiency to political interference and the influence of the "untouchable" police chief Bheki Cele. He accuses the ANC of ignoring internal issues while pursuing international justice, neglecting the alarming rates of murder, and the unprecedented rape of women and children in South Africa. Cameron suggests the ANC's reluctance to reform the police stems from fear of exposing their own corruption. - Chris Steyn

In a typically hard hitting interview, Ian Cameron of Action Society describes South Africa as a "total bloodbath" and a "slaughterhouse of humans," referencing the data on escalations in murders since the ANC came to power in 1994. He criticises the government's detached attitude towards soaring crime rates, likening ministers and police commissioners to passive spectators of a violent sport. Cameron attributes police inefficiency to political interference and the influence of the "untouchable" police chief Bheki Cele. He accuses the ANC of ignoring internal issues while pursuing international justice, neglecting the alarming rates of murder, and the unprecedented rape of women and children in South Africa. Cameron suggests the ANC's reluctance to reform the police stems from fear of exposing their own corruption. - Chris Steyn

Last year, the Ranmore Equity Fund, run by London-based South African money manager Sean Peche, ranked top of the 3 100 global equity funds tracked by Morningstar. Its 30% return after all costs ensured the fund’s position since inception in 2008 within the top quartile of similar funds. Even more impressive, though, is this was achieved without any “big picture” support. A year ago Peche ventured 10 possible investment surprises in 2023 - most of them proving the warning that forecasting is an impossible task. In this interview with Alec Hogg of BizNews, Peche explains that while guessing big trends is fun, the money gets made because of a strong investment process that exposes winning stocks at a micro level.

With few exceptions, high-profile investment pundits called 2023 wrongly by predicting a tough year for US equities (especially big tech); a rough ride for Bitcoin; and outperformance by SA share prices. Corion Capital’s David Bacher explains what happened in the “annus horribilis” that wasn’t, and sticks out his neck for 2024. He spoke to Alec Hogg, editor of BizNews.

Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has admitted ESKOM lied to South Africans about load-shedding stages it was implementing. In this interview Samantha Graham-Maré, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Electricity.notes:  “…in a couple of questions in the last week, Gwede Mantashe has admitted that last year January we went into Stage Eight load shedding…it’s the first time that anybody from government has actually admitted to the fact we did go into Stage Eight load shedding.” The wide ranging discussion with Chris Steyn includes her take on Government’s Revised Integrated Resource Plan and how National Treasury has “very quietly” incurred a $1 billion debt with the World Bank. - Chris Steyn

Paul Hoffman of Accountability Now speaks to BizNews about South Africa’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) litigation which some see as a principled effort to prevent alleged genocide while other say it is an ideologically-based ploy to isolate Israel and bring down constitutionalism under the rule of law sponsored by the theocracy in Iran. He talks about the alleged sponsorship from Iran to get the ruling African National Congress (ANC) out of its financial hole; and the South African taxpayer being theoretically responsible for the multi-million rand cost of the application - unless it was sponsored by another country. Hoffman points out that South Africa itself is in breach of international obligations because of its failure to put in place adequately independent anti-corruption machinery. It is also in breach of human rights obligations because of its failure to comply with a related judgment from the highest court in the land, as well as its failure to deliver services. - Chris Steyn

With only months before the national elections, some political figures are making big moves.  Neil de Beer - who spent 32 years in the African National Congress (ANC), but left in disgust to form the United Independent Movement (UIM), a party that has joined the multi-party charter to oust the ruling ANC - speaks to BizNews about how the “United Front” formed by the new political parties of former President Jacob Zuma (MK) and former Free State Premier and ANC SG Ace Magashule (ACT - African Congress for Transformation) will damage the ANC, but bolster the Multi-Party Charter.  “…every day that another group splinters from the ANC…that 50 plus 1 becomes much more realistic to obtain,” he says. De Beer talks about the Economic Freedom Front’s (EFF) need for a “bigger brother”; the retirement of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma whose Presidential ambitions were narrowly thwarted by Cyril Ramaphosa; the election prospects of the Multi-Party Charter; the rumoured election date of 22 May; and the strategy to beat the ANC’s election-winning trick of bussing in millions to vote. He also deals with the “dark side” of politics that has kept Police Minister Bheki Cele in his job - despite a clear lack of qualifications and performance. - Chris Steyn

Ninety-seven (97) African National Congress (ANC) bigwigs identified as looters by the Zondo Commission still have to be successfully prosecuted.  The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants an Anti-Corruption Commission (a Scorpions 2.0) to do so. The African National Congress (ANC) wants the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) to do it. In this interview with BizNews, Glynnis Breytenbach, the DA’s Shadow Minister of Justice, dissects the differences between the two. She explains that the Investigative Directorate (ID), even when it's made permanent within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), is only as independent as the NPA. “And I speak from my own experience, but we've all seen that the National Prosecuting Authority at times is not independent, and it can be interfered with. And we've seen how the Scorpions was closed down. There's no security of tenure.”  The Anti-Corruption Commission, on the other hand, would be an “elite crime-fighting unit that has all of the resources that it requires”; and be a Chapter 9 institution  - independent of the NPA - that can only be disbanded by a two-thirds majority in Parliament. However, she stresses that The Anti-Corruption Commission is not intended to be competition for the NPA. “They will run parallel to it and they will have overlapping areas of jurisdiction…the Anti-Corruption Commission will deal with the very top echelon of cases of corruption, the very top echelon of cases of organised crime, and that should free the National Prosecuting Authority up quite considerably to prosecute the thousands of other matters that it's forced to deal with every day.” - Chris Steyn

A manganese refinery near the Kruger National Park, known as the Manganese Metal Co (MMC), is poised to benefit from the West’s desire to detach itself from China’s supply. Located in the rural town of Mbombela, MMC is one of just a handful of refiners of battery-grade manganese outside China. MMC CEO Louis Nel told Biznews in an interview that the exponential growth of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles enhances the prospects for the company and has resulted in a steady flow of Western automakers knocking on its doors, looking to decouple from China. He did not want to comment on whether it includes Tesla but said that most pre-eminent automotive producers have come calling. When it comes to price, Nel said that it was hard to compete with China, but there was a market for an alternative product with a smaller environmental footprint.

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has had a very bad start to the election year. It has been one scandal and controversy after another.  BizNews speaks to John Steenhuisen, the leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) about the big four: ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula’s apparent admission that the ANC had lied to cover up the truth about the Nkandla “fire pool” to protect former President Jacob Zuma; the millions being spent on catering on the Presidential jet; Cyril Ramophosa’s “threat” to the poor that social grants are likely to disappear if the ANC loses the election; and the latest allegations of corruption in the higher education sector that could result in radical protest action from desperate students. In a raft of actions, the DA has already laid criminal charges against Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande. Meanwhile, the party is going after ANC officials and members of Parliament who might have perjured themselves before the courts to protect Zuma. “… this is a very, very serious situation that Fikile Mbulula has now landed the ANC in. And I think he significantly exposed a number of those people who were part of what we knew was an extensive cover up at the time…it's just showing here again that this is a government that cannot be trusted. They cannot tell the truth. They cannot deliver. They're led by a coward who cannot stand up to his own associates, and it's time to vote them out of office - and we will have that chance later this year.” - Chris Steyn

The South African Government has enlisted top legal experts for its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Their 84-page application argues that they only need to prove some of their accusations against Israel fall under the Genocide Convention to effectively halt its military operations in Gaza. Oral arguments for the proceedings initiated by South Africa against the Israeli government will be presented from January 11-12. However, Prof Theo Venter, a political analyst at the University of Johannesburg, told Biznews that he believes it will be a challenging battle. Venter expressed doubt about South Africa’s chances of success at the ICJ. He also accused the South African government of selective neutrality, pointing out an apparent bias in its international relations towards Moscow. Additionally, Prof Venter commented on the crisis in student funding following the leak of a series of recordings by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, alleging corruption within the Higher Education Department and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. He predicted that this issue will significantly complicate the management of students at South African universities. He said if the funding of 70% of students go awry, the fall out will be at the universities, not in Pretoria at the office of Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education.

This year is a significant one for South Africa as it gears up for the elections, and a key factor that has emerged is the ‘Zuma factor’. This follows the decision of former ANC president Jacob Zuma to support the newly formed Umkhonto we Sizwe party for the 2024 election, despite not resigning from the ANC. In an interview with Biznews, Prof Theo Venter, a political analyst at the University of Johannesburg, said that the ANC was taken by surprise by the formation of the MK Party and seems uncertain about how to respond. Venter believes that the new MK party, with Zuma as its figurehead, could impact the ANC’s support in Kwazulu-Natal, but doubts it will have a national influence. When asked if Zuma could emerge as the kingmaker in the upcoming election, Venter suggested that Zuma is more likely to play the role of a spoiler. As for the possibility of Zuma returning to the ANC and seeking forgiveness, Venter believes that the ANC is unlikely to forgive Zuma this time around. According to Venter, the most significant issue in the upcoming election will be load shedding, followed by the cost of living and inflation. He ranks the lack of service delivery by local governments as the third priority for voters. The informal economy, primarily run by foreigners, could also become a contentious issue in the election.

The dreams of thousands of students have been shattered by corruption in the higher education sector. Much of that has been exposed by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA). In this interview with BizNews, OUTA's Investigations Manager, Rudie Heyneke speaks about the corruption reports it has issued since 2018; the “three brave souls” who triggered OUTA’s investigations; their sacrifices, victimisation, and persecution; the leaked voice recordings containing damning allegations about a patronage network implicating Minister Blade Nzimande, National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Board Chair Dr Ernest Khosa, and several others; their denials of wrongdoing - and the ultimatum from students to President Cyril Ramaphosa to fire the Minister or face “radical” protest. Heyneke also denies accusations that OUTA has become politicised, saying: “…there’s no way that OUTA will become involved in politics”. As for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) calling on members to pray for the party’s renewal, he says: “Nothing is getting better. The same promises were made last year on the 8th of January celebrations. So to pray for change and for service delivery and so on, I do support that. But we will see if that turns into positive action. And if it is prolonged positive action and not only just because there's elections later this year.” - Chris Steyn

The year ended badly for Julius Malema funder - and alleged cigarette smuggling kingpin - Adriano Mazzotti. His Carnilinx was among a group of tobacco manufacturers that failed in their urgent bid to interdict SARS against installing CCTV cameras at their warehouses. In his reaction, Tax Justice South Africa’s Yusuf Abramjee calls on the Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA) to come clean on what they have to hide. He also speaks to BizNews about the modus operandi of the big crime syndicates; some of their tax avoidance tricks; the lack of law enforcement against the crime lords; the lifestyle of the kingpins; and Dubai as a hub of criminal operations - and a destination of choice for fugitives from the law. - Chris Steyn

In this interview with BizNews, investment strategist Magnus Heystek of Brenthurst Wealth Management speaks about: The poor performance of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s (JSE); how the African National Congress (ANC) government is scaring away foreign investment; the likely fall-out from South Africa taking Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for “genocidal” acts in Gaza; possible developments in the lead-up to South Africa’s national general election later this year; the countries globally that have offered investors the best returns as well as those that could emerge as safe investments destinations; the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution; the performance of his clients’ portfolios; and the investment advice he gives his own children and grandchildren.

There is a buzz in Cape Town about the development of the new Cape Winelands Airport near Durbanville with the City Council throwing its weight behind the development. The site for the new Cape Winelands Airport t near Durbanville in the Cape has an interesting history as it was chosen and built by the Allied Forces during WWII. After it was required in 2020, the consortium of private owners set out to expand the airport to turn it into a transport hub and springboard for tourism in the region. According to an interview with Biznews, the Director of the Cape Winelands Airport Nick Ferguson said they were a step closer to reality with the first phase of the consultation process completed. The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) has objected to the development. The airport is set to launch its first flights in early 2027, ultimately offering a unique airport experience that includes wine tasting, a vineyard, and an outdoor amphitheatre. He also shared their strategy to initially position Winelands Airport as a cost-effective alternative destination for airlines who are currently burdened with carrying extra fuel when flying to Cape Town because their nearest diversion destination is O.R Tambo, located 2 hours north. This move not only promises financial benefits to airlines but also a significant reduction in carbon emissions. This strategic shift could potentially earn Winelands Airport the title of the World’s Greenest Airport.

Among many wise phrases attributed to Winston Churchill is one where he responded to a critic: “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do madam?” ANC veteran and iconic anti-corruption campaigner Mavuso Msimang may have drawn on that advice after being widely criticised for withdrawing a strongly worded resignation from the political party he served for six decades. To the rational mind, however, while fuss surrounding the issue tarnished a stellar reputation, it also jolted the ANC into concrete action on corruption after decades of lip service. Msimang spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Nuclear physicist Dr Kelvin Kemm was so incensed with DA shadow minister Kevin Mileham’s “political propaganda” on BizNews TV last week, he insisted on setting the record straight. This the globally respected engineer does in forceful fashion in this interview where he addresses popular (mis)perceptions about nuclear power being corrupt, expensive and outdated. Kemm spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

"Tis the season to be jolly" as the Xmas song goes, but while we stock our fridges to the brim and buy mountains of gifts, there are children in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, who don’t have food. Corene Conradie, the Eastern Cape Coordinator of Gift of the Givers told Biznews that 80% of people in the Eastern Cape lived in poverty and below the breadline. Conradie said many of the families are child-led households with no parents. She said the child grant of R550 that families receive does not keep up with inflation and mothers said it was often only enough to buy two weeks of food. Despite this desperate need, the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development returned R67 million of the R100 million allocated to them by the central government in 2022. Conradie says it was an absolute failure to the poor in the province where a desperate mother in Butterworth murdered her starving children and took her own life. As has happened so many times during crises when the South African government has been slow to act, Gift of the Givers has stepped in with food trucks. Conradie says, “You can see the joy, dignity, and hope restored in the mother’s eyes.”

One of South Africa’s most successful cricketers, long-time Proteas captain Graeme Smith, has transformed into one of his sport’s leading businessmen. Smith is the League Commissioner of Betway SA20, whose second season kicks off on January 10, after a successful debut at the beginning of 2023. Smith is looking forward to significant growth in the coming season. The six SA franchises are owned by IPL giants, providing the commercial nouse and financial muscle to attract some of the world’s best players to the event. That’s after the first edition attracted the crowds back into cricket stadiums, generating R1.4 billion direct expenditure into South Africa, creating 8223 annualised employment opportunities and contributing R4.1bn to South Africa’s GDP. Smith shares the inside story of the most exciting development for SA cricket in decades with BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

In 2023, the South African Treasury responded to the outflow of private capital from the country with a regulation change just before the long weekend in May that some commentators labelled as ‘sneaky.’ This raised questions about what this means for South Africans wishing to move money out of the country. Graham Barratt from Sable International says that while there was a lot of confusion about exchange control rules, he believes that the change was not very meaningful. In this interview with Biznews he demystifies the implications of these changes and emphasises that exchange control, far from being abolished, remains a fixture in the country. He also discusses the timing of transferring money out of South Africa, suggesting that the uncertainty typically preceding an election has already been factored into the value of the rand. Barratt also outlines the necessary steps for those seeking to externalise their assets or transfer money abroad.

The past week’s announcements on Russian wins for the Mossgas plant refurbishment and a proposed 2 500MW nuclear plant follow the template applied by the ANC in the disastrous Kusile and Medupi contracts, where tender documents were massaged to favour Luthuli House’s preferred partner. In this episode of UNDICTATED, shadow minerals and energy minister Kevin Mileham shares background to these latest deals, and what the DA is doing to ensure there is no repeat of the Eskom plant debacle. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

At the end of 2022, the world was introduced to ChatGPT, which has been a watershed moment for artificial intelligence as it enables millions of regular users to experiment with AI. In just a year, it has changed so much of how we work and search for information on the internet. So, what will 2024 and beyond hold in store for us? In this interview with Biznews, futurist Pieter Geldenhuys, the Director at the Institute for Technology and Innovation, dives into several technological developments that are shaping our world including robo air taxis, moon mining for helium-3 as an alternative energy source, post-quantum computing, smart glasses, and the hu.ma.ne smart pin. Underlining these technology developments, he says, are currents that are shaping our world which includes a demographic decline in the northern hemisphere that will lead to a severe drop in consumption. By 3035, he says, “a reality might be that a company would be proud to announce our revenue only fell by 3% while our competitors fell by 8%.” Peak consumption will have a severe impact on Africa with its growing population but the light at the end of the tunnel for Africa, he says, is for the continent to embrace new types of technology, but that “does mean that the mindset of technology adoption will have to change significantly."

The South African Police Service (SAPS) National Commissioner Sehlahle Fannie Masemola and Eastern Cape Commissioner Nomthetheleli Lillian Mene may have to talk their way out of jail tomorrow (Thursday 14 December). In what could be a landmark case, they have been summonsed to appear in court to explain the failure to implement a ruling handed down last year to prevent violence and intimidation against long-distance coach passengers. In this interview with BizNews, Intercape Executive Chairman Johann Ferreira explains why the legal route has been resorted to: “ apart from just talking about it and moaning about it and threatening about it, we decided to embark upon a strategy to prove, not only to ourselves but to South Africa, whether South Africa is a failed state, whether the Eastern Cape is a failed state - and we're using the proper process, the court process, to highlight whether our judiciary system can hold its own against the onslaught of this lawlessness in the country.” Ferreira recalls how he had “forewarned” President Cyril Ramaphosa, Police Minister Bheki Cele, and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula two years ago. “I said, you're going to have the blood on your hands if you don't act. They chose, willfully, knowingly, chose not to protect their constituents. In specifically the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape and other provinces, they have used the man in the street that relies on public transport to be cannon fodder for the taxi operators. Now, why would a president and the Minister of Police and the Minister of Transport fight against the protection of the common man in the street?” - Chris Steyn

Every day, Ranmore Fund Management’s founder and chief investment officer Sean Peche uses what he learned during many years at the proverbial knee of SA’s greatest money manager, the late Dr Simon Marais. Those lessons include applying a tried and tested process of uncovering value - and working hard to avoid sectoral disasters. The result has been Ranmore’s consistent outperformance over the past decade and a half, catapulting its fund into the world’s top 1% performers. Now comes the best possible kind of recognition from SA peer Piet Viljoen, who is entrusting his firm’s $27m global value fund to Peche’s management. Peche spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Another big name from the business sector has thrown his name in the hat as a presidential candidate for the opposition in South Africa. He is Roger Jardine, the former PRIMEDIA CEO and FirstRand chair. Jardine was also reported to have had discussions with the Democratic Alliance’s John Steenhuisen and Helen Zille as the Multi-Party Charter is seeking an alternative presidential candidate. Political analyst, Moeletsi Mbeki said the problem he had with candidates like Roger Jardin and Songezo Zibi from Rise Mzansi is that they were the employers of big businesses, they were not the owners of capital. To really make an impact, what is needed is that one of the captains of industry, the owners of the banks, retail companies and mining industry stand for elections and challenge the ANC. Moreover, South Africa, he said, did not have an electoral system that allowed a central figure to rise like businessman Sam Matekane from Lesotho who won an election seven months after forming a political party. He said he believed that individuals can’t solve South Africa’s problems and that there will be no miracles that will come out of South Africa’s 2024 elections. Mbeki also commented on President Nelson Mandela’s legacy 10 years after his death and said the deal that the ANC got from the National Party was much better than expected if the ANC’s real strength on the ground is taken into account. He said the negotiated constitution is a good constitution and people who criticise it know nothing about the reality of South Africa at the time. He again blasted the ANC’s black empowerment policies saying it is the result of an elite riddled with an inferiority complex who think they should get wealth from white people and that they cannot create wealth through their own risk-taking and hard work.

A profit reverse for Easy Equities’ parent company Purple Group in the financial year to end August set some tongues wagging. But inside the company the response to the numbers was sanguine - CEO Charles Savage explaining here why it’s all going according to plan, with the bottom line picture an expected part of the planned growth. In this post-results interview, he fills in the gaps for BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

In a story that ranks among the most extraordinary covered by BizNews, Springbok Rugby World Cup 1995 champion and pharmacy group proprietor Hannes Strydom took a massive gamble when hiring renowned forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan. Strydom sought to establish his innocence amidst serious allegations broadcast by M-Net’s investigative programme Carte Blanche. Following an extensive investigation, with O’Sullivan’s backing, Strydom asserted his innocence in an as live interview with BizNews editor Alec Hogg. Strydom, who reported a loss of R50 million, attributed his misfortune to a purported internal criminal ring, which he claimed had also misled the team at Carte Blanche. However, the situation took a dramatic turn when O’Sullivan discontinued his services a month into the investigation due to unsatisfactory responses from Strydom. Two days thereafter, Strydom passed away in a car accident. In this revealing interview, Carte Blanche producer Nicky Troll offers her perspective: she suggests that it was actually O’Sullivan who was misled by Strydom, whom she implicates as the mastermind behind an illegal codeine distribution network. O’Sullivan, citing his devout Catholic beliefs which discourage speaking negatively of the deceased, has declined to comment on Strydom.

Close to over 25,000 healthcare workers, allied health specialists, and GPs are appealing to President Cyril Ramaphosa to refer the National Health Insurance (NH) Bill back to Parliament. South African Health Professionals Collaboration (SAHPC) spokesperson Dr Caroline Corbett says they would like it to go back for discussion and active engagement with all the role players. In addition, the Constitutional Court should be approached and it should be investigated awhether or not the Bill in its current form infringes on the constitutional rights of communities and citizens nationally. “…we’re absolutely not going to stop and sit and watch this quietly be signed off,” Dr Corbett tells BizNews - after the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) passed the Bill this week. A major concern is that the Bill “doesn't actually guarantee quality healthcare”. The SAHPC also has “massive concerns” around the governance of the fund in a country where corruption “is rife still, unchecked still, and unprosecuted in most instances”. Meanwhile, the exodus of healthcare workers continues. “This for many people is the final straw. They're not actually prepared to wait and see the impact of it attempting to be rolled out.” - Chris Steyn

Ten (10) bullets were pumped in the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Chief Whip in the uMngeni municipality - after police did not act on evidence of threats against him over the removal of illegall electricity connections. After he was shot, the phone at the police station rang unanswered. And it took police hours to arrive at the house of the slain man who was assassinated in front of his wife and children. This has emerged from a BizNews interview with Francois Rodgers, the provincial leader of the DA. Rodgers believes the killing was politically motivated as there were “certain threats against him relating to the disconnection of illegal electricity connections”. He says the “lack of consequence” for this type of killing makes it very easy for these hitmen to be able to operate in the political and the traditional leadership space. Unless there were “swift” consequences, it just becomes a “means to an end for people to make money and to eliminate those who are trying to do their job”. While the DA will now beef up security around certain party officials, it is “not going to go into a hole and avoid this campaign going into 2024”. - Chris Steyn

South Africa could have no safe drinking water in five years - unless the crisis is addressed. That is the prediction from Dr Ferrial Adam, the Executive Manager of WaterCAN, an initiative of OUTA (Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse). She speaks to BizNews about the Department of Water and Sanitation reports that show that 46% of drinking systems don’t comply with microbiological standards, 67.6% of wastewater treatment works are failing, and 47.4% of our water is lost or unaccounted for. Considering that there was a 41% deterioration over nine years, we put it to Dr Adam that we could have no drinkable water in 10 years if it continued to deteriorate at that rate. “… if we carry on like that...I don't even think we'll have to wait for 10 years. I think it will be about five years, because once you reach a particular point, you know, a tipping point, it's just downhill from there and it's much faster. So I think that in terms of the quality of our drinking water, there definitely is a need to treat it as if there's a crisis.” - Chris Steyn

While the global hotel and resort industry was heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, serviced apartments and aparthotels, many of which managed to stay open when everything else shut down, surged ahead. In this interview with Biznews, Rael Phillips, the CEO of Totalstay, the company that brought the concept of aparthotels to South Africa, said traditional or 'old school' hotels were stagnant and plateauing as guest preferences have changed. He emphasised that Totalstay aparthotels are now competing head-on with any other hotel in Cape Town, offering guests a variety of options in terms of prices, facilities, and amenities, with some even featuring podcast studios. Phillips said that digital nomads testing out various cities worldwide find Totalstay aparthotels and serviced apartments in Cape town ideal for work as it offers free uncapped internet, jacked-up security, and a consistent power supply. Philips highlighted the exponential growth in Cape Town's tourism, with visitors increasing by 16% and airport arrivals up by 104% and expressed optimism about the growth potential of the aparthotel and serviced apartment sector in South Africa.

The Constitutional Court handed down judgments today (Monday) that set important rules for independent candidates in next year’s national election. Michael Louis, the chair of the Independent Candidates Association (ICA), was there. In this interview, he takes BizNews through the judgments and explains their implications.  He predicts a scenario where an independent candidate needs to get 90,000 votes for a seat, but gets 67,000 votes and doesn’t get elected as a Member of Parliament, while a political party with 43,000 votes will get a seat. He says the big challenge now is that independent candidates will have to “really pick up the muster to prove their strength”. And he vows that ICA is going out “full steam to identify great leaders in all the provinces and then equip and train them to become independent candidates and politicians”. He already has 29 independent candidates “of very high profile” wanting to stand. - Chris Steyn Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.

The Constitutional Court handed down judgments today (Monday) that set important rules for independent candidates in next year’s national election. Michael Louis, the chair of the Independent Candidates Association (ICA), was there. In this interview, he takes BizNews through the judgments and explains their implications.  He predicts a scenario where an independent candidate needs to get 90,000 votes for a seat, but gets 67,000 votes and doesn’t get elected as a Member of Parliament, while a political party with 43,000 votes will get a seat. He says the big challenge now is that independent candidates will have to “really pick up the muster to prove their strength”. And he vows that ICA is going out “full steam to identify great leaders in all the provinces and then equip and train them to become independent candidates and politicians”. He already has 29 independent candidates “of very high profile” wanting to stand.

After enduring three challenging months, investment markets experienced a robust rebound in November, marked by double-digit increases in global equities. In this month’s comprehensive recap, Corion’s David Bacher delves into the reasons behind these shifts and the specific impacts. He highlights both the top-performing equities and the money managers who navigated these changes successfully. His insights were shared in a conversation with BizNews editor, Alec Hogg. 

As the “gradually…then suddenly” impact of the ANC’s socialist economic policies become apparent to all, Corporate South Africa’s appeasement approach is coming into sharper focus. In this episode of UNDICTATED, Free Market Foundation CEO David Ansara urges corporate executives to grow a pair, as the evidence proves business’s “ask nicely” approach has been a waste of time. He uses the unaffordable, bankruptcy-inducing NHI as an example: Big Business invested massively in time and resources over many years - but not a single of its suggestions were included in the final document. Ansara spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

First, we had loadshedding, the government’s euphemism for power blackouts in South Africa, which is a bane for our citizens, weighing down the economy and deterring investment. Now, the government has come up with another obscure word, ‘water-shifting’. It is loadshedding for water services that residents of Gauteng have experienced in the past months, especially those in higher-lying areas like Brixton where the supply was cut off for 3 weeks. In an interview with Biznews, water resource management expert, Professor Tony Turnton from the University of the Free State, says this policy is an admission by the government that the water supply system in South Africa has failed. The water issue, he says, is not one of scarcity. Dams and rivers are currently at their highest levels in two decades. The core issue lies in the mismanagement and distribution of water, primarily within metropolitan areas. Professor Turnton says the blame for the failures should not be shifted to consumers. High water usage figures are due to leakage rather than excessive consumption. He said it is not all doom and gloom as control over water supply is now being wrested away from the government through private initiatives, similar to what happened in the electricity sector. Professor Turnton does not see boreholes as the solution due to their low yield and contamination issues, particularly in Johannesburg after 120 years of mining activities. Ultimately, he said, South Africa faces a difficult choice, and the country will have to start recycling, recapturing, and retreating water.

Altvest founder Warren Wheatley and chief investment officer Akshay Karan share the latest developments at the innovative financial disruptor, whose shares are now listed on the CTSE and A2x. They also take the wraps off the new Altvest Credit Opportunities Fund, which has R100m available for funding to SMEs and is in the process of becoming the third underlying listing in the group’s stable. Wheatley surprised interviewer Alec Hogg with the offer of financing for BizNews Premium members - and that’s not the only surprise in this fascinating discourse.

This week’s shock announcement that South Africa’s dominant but loss-making steelmaker Arcelor Mittal is cutting its 10,000 workforce by 35%, is a case of gradually….then suddenly. For the past five years, this one-time major exporter has been pleading for sanity from Pretoria. With ever-growing problems at Eskom and an imploding Transnet, AMSA is now being forced to close the gigantic long steel plant at its Newcastle Works, which will lead to laying off over 2,000 of the 3 500 affected group-wide. It is a massive blow for the KZN town where AMSA is easily the biggest private sector employer. In this episode of UNDICTATED, BizNews’s Newcastle-grown editor Alec Hogg gets the what’s, why’s and how’s from AMSA chief executive Kobus Verster.

The private sector has offered the pay for much needed equipment to resolve the massive backlog at South African ports. Melanie Veness, the Chair of the Association of South African Chambers, tells BizNews that this is one of the proposed interventions to end the crisis that “is destroying our economy”. She says: “…it’s in our interest to do it… it's not a great scenario, but it is where we are. And we would rather step up and buy the equipment and get the ports operating than live with the situation that we currently have. So, we’ve got to get it right. That's the bottom line, or we all don't survive.” The drastic move comes from a “gatvol” private sector: “…we are saying that it's gone on long enough. We cannot continue any longer. We've reached crisis point now. We are very happy to play a significant role in resolving this crisis.”

This episode of UNDICTATED features an interview with Nedbank's chairman, Daniel Mminele, about the notable appointment of a competitor bank's esteemed professional as Nedbank's new chief executive, succeeding the iconic Mike Brown. We aim to uncover the rationale behind this decision. Currently, Jason Quinn is 49 and serves as ABSA's financial director. He was their interim CEO for about a year until March 2022. When ABSA chose Arrie Rautenbach as CEO, Quinn remained with the bank. His high regard within ABSA, which he joined in 2008, is well-known, and he also worked closely with Mminele when Nedbank's relatively freshly minted head of the directorate was ABSA Group CEO. Mminele discussed this and other issues with BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

There are rumours that the Guptas could be the “secret” funder of the R16-billion Smart Meter programme of Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientso Ramokgopa. This has been revealed to BizNews by the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Electricity, Samantha Graham-Maré, who has been struggling since July to identify the mystery funder. “I have had people contact me from as far as Dubai after our last discussion to say that they are of the opinion that it might be the Guptas who are the mystery funders…they were just saying that they had encountered the Guptas in Dubai, seen them sort of having coffee with various role players, and that smart meters were a big element of demand-side management in Dubai, and as such felt that perhaps they were keen on transferring the technology to South Africa.” Meanwhile, the DA has petitioned the ESKOM System Operator to investigate what appears to be a growing trend to issue misleading load-shedding advisories.

Siya Kolisi, the captain of the Springbok rugby team, believed his World Cup dreams were shattered when he injured his cruciate ligament six months before the Rugby World Cup in France. It was his teammates Pieter-Steph du Toit and Handré Pollard who suggested consulting Dr Willem van der Merwe, a Cape Town orthopaedic surgeon and former Free State all-rounder cricketer. Rachel Kolisi appealed to her social media supporters to pray for the Bok captain, hoping for a miracle. After 119 days led his team onto the Millennium pitch in Cardiff in April 2022, marking a recovery of less than 4 months—significantly shorter than the typical 6-9 months athletes endure. In an interview with Biznews, Dr. van der Merwe attributed Kolisi’s recovery more to the captain’s mindset than medical procedures, though he acknowledged making slight adjustments to the surgery to ensure graft protection. Dr. van der Merwe emphasised the significance of the signals doctors convey to patients, revealing that he advised Kolisi against using crutches and encouraged him to cycle, despite objections from the physio who deemed it too early. The response from peers was predominantly negative, with a French orthopaedic surgeon even berating him for jeopardising Kolisi’s future. According to Dr. van der Merwe, athletes like Kolisi and others, including Chad le Clos, possess a unique presence and confidence. When faced with adversity, they believe in themselves, a trait he regards as truly special. - Linda van Tilburg

After being only the third nation on earth to identify nuclear power as a viable opportunity, South Africa’s record in this field has been a story of mostly highly destructive choices. But listening to Pretoria-based global nuclear expert Dr Kelvin Kemm, the sorry picture may change. In this episode of UNDICTATED, Kemm offers context into why nuclear went off the rails in SA - and why the country may finally be ready to cash in on its world-class expertise and in some areas, global leadership. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Veteran crime fighter Yusuf Abramjee of Tax Justice South Africa is calling on South Africans to rise up to put pressure on the Government to put tangible actions in place to fight rampant crime. He speaks to BizNews in the wake of a World Bank study that found an estimated R700 billion is lost to the economy every year as a result of crime. “We must break our silence. We must stand up - even if it means taking to the streets, within the framework of the law, we have to do it. For how long are we gonna sit back and live behind high walls, behind fences, with beams, some people with bodyguards?” Abramjee says arresting the kingpins would be critical to the fight against crime. “…some of them are sitting in Dubai, probably sitting on the beach there and having their smoke and continuing to enjoy the cash from the ill-gotten gains…enough is enough for these people who are involved in the illicit trade, who are camouflaging themselves as legitimate dealers and manufacturers. Their time must come to an end. Not next year, not next week. I would say right now.”

The alleged killer of Pastor Liezel de Jager has been arrested - after an epic two-year battle by Action Society. In this interview with BizNews, Ian Cameron of Action Society says he had “never, ever, ever struggled so much to get an arrest for something like this”. That battle involved 200 inquiries or communiques to the SAPS, as well as a court application to force the police to appoint a competent investigation team. Cameron has high praise for the Cold Case Squad that took over the investigation. “…I must say, they did more work in less than two weeks…than the original investigator did in two years. And I must really commend them. It really makes me proud to still see that we've got South African Police Service members of this calibre.” The suspect was taken into custody in Bloemfontein on Thursday morning last week and questioned. On Saturday the SAPS officially confirmed to Action Society that he had been charged with murder and that he will be appearing in court in KZN tomorrow (Monday).

A PhD in Mathematical Statistics, Prof Mark Nasila is leading the Artificial Intelligence project at FNB, Africa’s most innovative bank. Given his passion, Nasila has kept a close eye on the past week’s drama around the firing and re-hiring of Sam Altman, rockstar of the global AI industry and co-founder of the world’s hottest start-up, the enterprise which created ChatGPT. In this wide-ranging episode of UNDICTATED, Nasila also shares insights on how South Africa is performing in the AI revolution (poorly) and what can be done to leapfrog the nation’s slow start. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg

There is a "plunder’s spree of note” by government officials to “make as much money as they can” before next year’s national elections. That is the charge from OUTA’s Wayne Duvenhage who speaks to BizNews after a Special Investigation Unit (SIU) report to Parliament has laid bare a “mind-blowing horror story” of looting that brought South African Airways (SAA) to its knees. Duvenhage says, with Anti-Corruption Week coming up there has been a lot of rhetoric from President Cyril Ramaphosa. However, “it might be some of his lackeys and his cronies and his cabinet ministers or senior people in the political structures that are implicated and that might have to go to jail, which is why we think that there's this reluctance to really get down to doing the hard yards here….He’s very weak, I'm afraid.”

Property Maverick Lew Geffen speaks about his book, Soul Mandate, a business memoir that contains a story of two extramarital affairs, one that ended in murder and the other that ended in happiness. He reveals what happened on the right Jason Rohde murdered his wife. He speaks about the happiness he has found with the woman who became his mistress 23 years ago. He relates how he had to personally buy back a house his sales agents had sold or be killed by assassins from the Israeli Mafia. He reveals why his mother, Aïda, sacked him in a note sent by scooter. He is the man who sold President Nelson Mandela’s first house in Houghton, marketed one to Princess Diana - and is now set to become the next Roald Dahl by writing children’s stories. - Chris Steyn

Kwazulu-Natal, a province that has weathered numerous crises, faces yet another challenge. Emerging from the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the July 2021 riots, which resulted in an estimated R50 billion in damages, and the 2022 floods causing around R17 billion in infrastructure damage, the province now grapples with paralysis at Durban and Richards Bay ports. This has led to significant road congestion, with no immediate solution in sight. Transnet estimates that clearing the backlog in Durban could take until February or March 2024. Further compounding the province’s woes, the northern section of Durban’s golden mile coastal strip remains unsafe due to E.coli, impacting the tourism industry. In an interview with Biznews, Paul Ngema, Chairperson of the Kwazulu-Natal Business Chamber Council (KBCC) and President of the National African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC), expressed concern that the port backlog could result in businesses missing out on the Christmas rush. Ngema also highlighted the deteriorating railway system and its impact on small and medium businesses that heavily rely on this cheaper mode of transport. He warned that the port crisis and resulting road congestion could deter South Africans from visiting KZN beaches for Christmas, potentially leading to a bleak holiday season for the province.

CEO of Linebooker, Naude Rademan, discloses that in some sectors the rail crisis at Transnet has led to a trebling in transporting of goods by road. This has had a severe impact on border posts, hubs like Richard’s Bay, ports generally and South Africa’s road infrastructure - with many red flags now being vigorously waved across the economy. Rademan spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

South African ports have been grappling with high levels of congestion and long queues of trucks waiting to enter the ports, which has now reached crisis proportions. To deal with the congestion in Richards Bay, Transnet has suspended processing trucks carrying coal. In Durban harbour, more than 70,000 containers are anchored off the coast of Durban with a three-week waiting period for offloading. This backlog, Transnet says, would likely only be cleared by February or March 2024. The state-owned enterprise said in a statement released earlier this week that it was implementing “a number of urgent interventions to address the backlogs at the Port of Durban and to ease the congestion at Richards Bay to minimise the impact on the South African economy” However, trust in South African ports has already suffered a blow been with Maersk, the global shipping giant, deciding that it will ditch Cape Town as a port of call in favour of Mauritius. In an interview with Biznews, Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association in South Africa said the issues at harbours have been coming for several years. Warnings have come from various industries, including mining for the past five to six years, signalling the impending collapse of core export corridors. He criticised Transnet for not foreseeing the disaster and stressed that South Africa, currently home to the largest port in Africa in Durban, risks losing this status. Kelly said a couple of years ago, exporters used to laugh at Dar-es-Salaam where it took 21 days to clear a container out of the port, it is now down to seven days. South Africa is going in the opposite direction. “We can no longer let state-owned entities that have proven to be absolutely useless to run these sort of crucial logistical nodal points and infrastructure points,” he said. These key points should be given to the private sector to run.

On Sunday, Argentines broke the political mould when 56% of them voted for a Libertarian to become the president of a proud nation with a broken economy. In this honest assessment of new president Javier Milei’s challenges, top SA money manager Piet Viljoen explains how Argentina got to a place where socialism’s decades long spell was finally broken - and the chances of the new leader’s radical economic reforms being achieved. Viljoen also explains the parallels between Argentina and the path his own country is following. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

There are strong signs that the youth of South Africa is emerging from its apathy to take part in next year’s general elections. This after a surge of voter registrations the past weekend by people under the age of 40. The Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC’s) Manager in Electoral Matters, James Aphane, says there were 568,374 new registrations. Giving a breakdown by age, he says: “Under the age of 29, we have 158,000 females and 130,000 males, and the total is 288,000. But if I were to just say, all the people that registered new amongst the 568 000 under the age of 40…that is actually 90% of them that accounts for that figure. So we have a very high number of registrations that are people under the age of 40, or 40 years and younger. So we are very impressed with these figures, because it means the younger generation is actually participating in this election.”- Chris Steyn

Numerous studies highlight the pivotal role of fibre broadband connections in fostering economic growth in emerging markets. In South Africa, the rollout of fibre has worked well in leafy middle-class suburbs but for 60% of the population that is not a reality. Two companies leading the charge in bringing fibre internet to townships are FiberTime, recently infused with an R39.9 million investment from Finnish development financier Finnfund, and VulaCoin, who is offering digital wallets for micropayments. Providing connectivity at half the price with uncapped internet and speeds up to 100Mbps, their inaugural fibre-to-home project launched in Kayamandi Township near Stellenbosch last year. In an interview with Biznews, Cobus Venter from the University of Stellenbosch’s Bureau for Economic Research who is a consultant for VulaCoin and Fibertime said their model could be rolled out by larger fibre networks, enabling townships to leapfrog straight into the modern digital era. Venter cites a call centre worker's savings of R900 a month in travel expenses and an extra four hours a day with her children as a compelling example of the social development impact. South Africa, he says, is slowly but surely shifting to pay-as-you-go for many other services as well.

With May 22 the most likely date for the big vote, South Africa’s watershed 2024 national election is now just six months away. A change in government, implausible a few years ago, is now a distinct probability with the gap between the two leading parties shrinking fast. On Friday night, the DA’s internal polling put the party at 32% of the national vote compared with the ANC’s 39% - its lowest yet. As momentum is with the DA and its coalition partners, their “path to victory” rallying call has been upgraded from hopeful to possible. DA election campaign manager Greg Krumbock explained why to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Corruption Buster Paul O'Sullivan has revealed how a Hawks police officer and a senior State Prosecutor “filled out their own arrest warrants” when they completed and signed hunting permits for a weekend with a fraud accused. He speaks to BizNews following their appearance in court - and his safe return from Brazil where he thwarted machine gun-toting armed robbers. O’Sullivan has words of praise for the police’s handling of the corruption case involving one of their own, and says there is “a golden thread of goodness in our criminal justice system, and if we have hope, which I have, otherwise I would have been long gone, if we have hope, I think justice will prevail and we'll see these people go to prison, and I'm hoping that all three of them will get a minimum sentence of 15 years.” Meanwhile, he urges the millions of poor in South Africa “to take a strong, hard look at who is committing the corruption, why the corruption is being committed” - and says the best way to deal with it “is when the elections come around”. - Chris Steyn

After being wiped out by the March 2019 COVID lockdown, serial entrepreneur Zuziwe Maphalala dusted herself off and started again with a grubstake of R2 000. The ’Kasipreneur listened closely to customers in her modest grocery - and the result is an innovative, successful and scalable concept she has branded as Zoezie’s Weigh & Pay. She explains how it happened, with gaps filled in by informal sector guru GG Alcock. They spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

In bustling Covent Garden in London, Paul van Zyl, originally from South Africa and former Executive Secretary of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and his co-founders, have established The Conduit. This private members’ club is dedicated to uniting the world’s brightest minds in a social enterprise committed to changing the world. In an interview with Biznews, Van Zyl discusses his journey from the TRC, led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, to co-founding The Conduit. He describes how he embraces the philosophy of Ubuntu and his efforts to introduce this concept to entrepreneurs. Van Zyl explains that The Conduit merges elements of private members’ clubs like Soho House with ideas festivals and business incubators, hosting 200 talks annually on global issues with a solutions-oriented approach. The Conduit boasts a diverse community of 3000 members, including philanthropists, CEOs, activists, and entrepreneurs. Speakers have included Nobel Prize winners and other influential global figures like Malala. The Conduit also operates a sister business functioning as a business incubator. Van Zyl reveals that the Conduit has expanded to Oslo and has plans for New York, Geneva, Copenhagen, and Singapore. They also plan to launch an academy to deliver recorded talks to a wider audience. He comments on the global leadership deficit in addressing the world’s challenges and reflects on his time with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. I try to live up to the optimism and leadership principles embodied by Archbishop Tutu, and Nelson Mandela, he says. They demonstrated “a kind of leadership that rises above pettiness and partisanship and thinks above the horizon, not on the things that are immediately in front of them.”

Traditional financial planning focuses on investments, pensions, tax or insurance and aims to optimise the individual components to achieve financial goals. In contrast, holistic financial planning takes a more comprehensive and strategic approach. In this interview with Biznews, Claire Moorhouse, a wealth Manager at Overberg Asset Management outlines the benefits of holistic financial planning and how a personal long-term financial roadmap could be created which incorporates wealth creation, wealth protection and estate planning. Moorhouse says traditionally intergenerational financial planning has been seen as making preparations for when you die, but a more modern approach is to act while they’re still here to protect their families and their legacy. She says It is important to be aware of your tax residence status as well as that of your beneficiaries. As many South Africans have externalised their funds, a situs tax could be imposed in the US and the UK on assets located in their jurisdiction. Moorhouse highlights a the possibility that you could be over-insured and reveals that the younger income earners in South Africa are overwhelmingly open about financial planning.

After an illegal - and costly - strike of almost four months, Tshwane is pulling back from the brink of collapse to get back looted money and crack down on lawlessness. The MMC for Community Safety Grandi Theunissen of the Freedom Front details the steps being taken to return stability and safety to South Africa’s capital city.  Those include the appointment of highly experienced chiefs of Police and Emergency Services; a crack-down on illegal liquor traders and spaza shops; as well as plans to establish an Illegal Electricity and Water Connection Unit, a multi-functional By-Law Enforcement Centre, and a Community Safety Directorate. He also reveals how 33 cases of fraudulent activity contributed to the City being in such deep financial distress - and describes the fight to bring those people responsible to book - and recover the money. - Chris Steyn

Demographic change is a pressing issue facing organisations today. Early retirements, coupled with what Harvard Business Review describes as a caustic blend of ageism and cost-cutting measures, led to many businesses prematurely parting ways with older workers during the pandemic. When these seasoned employees left, they took with them a wealth of institutional knowledge, expertise, and loyalty. Those who remained are now grappling with an influx of Generation Z employees who have entirely different skills and work expectations. This dynamic is further complicated by new work models, including hybrid structures and boundaryless assignments. So, how do we navigate these generational differences in the workplace? In an interview with Biznews, Anne Rutledge, the Executive Director of Talent Solutions at Resourgenix, emphasises the importance of companies understanding the generational composition of their workforce, what motivates these different groups, and how to retain them. Rutledge advocates for mentorship programmes that foster collaboration, enhance problem-solving skills, and help younger generations develop soft skills. Rutledge also offers insights on how workplaces can be redesigned where people can connect or take a break, how companies can deal with boundaryless assignments, data privacy and developments in AI in the recruitment process.

Nikki Munitz admits she did expect her autobiography ‘Fraud’ to be a hit, if only because of its sheer shock appeal. But the recovering addict who grew up in a dysfunctional Jewish home, stole millions and served time in an overcrowded South African prison says its tell-all approach has had a deeper impact. Her experiences are relatable to everyone facing similar self-esteem and addiction challenges that are so widespread in today’s world. Munitz spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Often referenced when sporting buffs debate the greatest to never play Test Cricket, now 75, gentle giant Vince van der Bijl’s life of service continues apace. The ‘white stokvel’ he helped start during Apartheid South Africa’s darkest days has grown into powerful catalyst for social change. Its flagship is in the 2 000 pupil Ukhanyo Primary School in the Masiphumelele township near Kommetjie. This is a story with a message of hope. Van der Bijl spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

In the Vhembe district of Limpopo, one of South Africa's poorest provinces, a non-profit organisation named Sumbandila Scholarship Trust was established with a mission to identify children who are exceptionally bright, particularly in maths and English, from poor rural homes. Many of them were slipping through the cracks of South Africa's struggling educational system. The trust provides three programs, including Saturday and holiday school programs, full bursaries for independent or Model C schools, and comprehensive support for university education and beyond. Sumbandila, which means "Show the Way," serves as a model of what can be achieved when bright students receive the right support and encouragement. In an interview, Leigh Bristow, the Founder and Executive Director of Sumbandila, shared the success stories of some of her intelligent and determined pupils. One of her former pupils is now a teacher at St Stithians College in Johannesburg, and an orphan now works in Risk Management at Investec. Bristow says what makes the program so successful is that it operates like a family, there is wrap-around support at university level and beyond. Sumbandila is currently developing a prototype of a hub that would enable children to self-learn. “Children have a remarkable ability to teach themselves given the right set of tools,” she said. Bristow says she also has a vision for an alumni program to guide former students in financial literacy, home ownership, wellness and voting.

To curb the flow of gold and oil-funded resources to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war chest, the UK government has targeted individuals, companies, and organisations that are aiding in funding Putin’s operations. They have added 29 new names to their sanction list, including Howard ‘Howie’ Baker, a key player in what Al Jazeera has termed the Southern African Gold Mafia. Baker owns the Rappa gold refinery near Johannesburg, which is licensed by the South African authorities and is currently under investigation by the South African Revenue Service. In an interview with Biznews, Yusuf Abramjee from Tax Justice South Africa said that the UK government’s move is another indication of the weight of evidence amassing against the ‘Gold Leaf Mafia.’ Abramjee questioned why seven months after Al Jazeera’s revealing documentary, none of the identified players had been prosecuted in South Africa. He urged the government to take action against organised criminal gangs in South Africa and suggested that as an initial step, the South African assets of those implicated in the Gold Mafia should be frozen immediately.

Airline entrepreneur Miles van der Molen shares an insider’s perspective of the local aviation sector where SAA continues to fly despite losing a bundle (so who’s funding it?) and how, despite having less than 10 aircraft, the State-owned airline wants to open a route to Brazil. Cemair’s founder and CEO explains the implications of a growing shortage of skills locally after SA pilots and engineers are being sucked into a global industry desperate for staff as volumes return to pre-Covid pandemic levels. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

Small modular nuclear reactors have long been utilised by the US Defence Department in aircraft carriers and submarines. Now, a consortium led by South African venture capitalist André Pienaar aims to introduce mini nuclear reactors to South Africa. In an interview with Biznews, Pienaar, the Founder and CEO of C5 Capital, elaborated on plans to bring this technology to the Western Cape. His initial focus is on supplying energy to data centres in the province. Using analogies from television and film, Pienaar envisions transforming the nuclear energy sector in South Africa from the large and hazardous depictions in The Simpsons to the compact, modular reactors used by Tony Stark in Iron Man for clean energy provision. South Africa, he said, possesses a robust nuclear ecosystem and a well-established regulatory framework for nuclear energy. Pienaar revealed that numerous South African nuclear engineers, some with prior experience at Eskom, have relocated to the United States under the same visa that facilitated Einstein’s immigration. These engineers now contribute to X-Energy, a company in which C5 holds a significant stake. The plan to introduce mini reactors to South Africa is still in its early stages, he said. The first milestone, a feasibility study, has been completed. The next step for the consortium will be to finalise the financing model and seek regulatory and permitting approvals. Pienaar believes that bringing mini nuclear reactors for power generation to South Africa is a compelling proposition. “This is South Africa’s opportunity to lose because several other countries are moving forward with similar projects,” he said.

Mystery surrounds the identity of the “secret” funder of the Smart Meter programme of Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientso Ramokgopa. The Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Electricty Samantha Graham-Maré has been struggling for months to get answers. Graham-Maré points out that Smart Meters were touted quite early on in Ramokgopa’s term, and she recalls “a deeply concerning issue” around Smart Meters when the Minister was the Mayor of Tshwane. “…there was a whole sort of fraudulent tender process that happened there around Smart Meters. Then he came in as Minister of Electricity and suddenly the Smart Meters were back on the table…but I can't get information because I'm being blocked.” After receiving no answers to a Promotion of Access to Information request to the Minister On 21 July 2023, she has now submitted Parliamentary questions to Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan.

Fears are growing that some of the missing billions from South Africa’s latest Ponzi scheme could have been sent out of the country. BizNews has been receiving information on off-shore companies linked to the BHI Trust of Craig Warriner. There also appears to be network of at least 11 special purpose vehicles and entities, made up of companies local and offshore - that enabled and benefitted massively from the BHI Fund. The network of entities uncovered so far numbers 16. In this interview with independent financial advisor Magnus Heystek, he says: “…the suspicion is very strong that most of this money is either dissipated on Ferraris and aircraft and has left the country.” Heystek details the huge obstacles that could create for investors who hope to get their money back. He also warns that Ponzi-like schemes land on his desk almost “on a monthly basis”, and urges investors to review their investments without delay and to walk away from unregulated schemes. - Chris Steyn

Powerful officials are abusing State funds to silence those who try to expose corruption. That has emerged from an interview with a member of a group of whistleblowers who have suffered five years of hell after they were targeted, had charges preferred against them - and ultimately lost their jobs. Speaking to BizNews, a former Senior Manager at the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SSETA), Lehloma Ramajoe, details the corruption and irregularities they blew the whistle on; paints a grim picture on the current state of this SETA; and blames the inaction by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande on his “questionable relationship” with the SETA and a particular official. While he is still fighting the government in the Labour Court, Ramajoe warns prospective whistleblowers to be ready for a “long battle with powerful people that are using State money to fight whistleblowers”. Still, he vows to keep exposing wrongdoing “because I don't believe that any evil can ever prevail over good”.

Fractures have appeared in the foreign relations between South Africa and the United States following a series of events. These events included accusations from the US ambassador to South Africa that a Russian cargo ship, Lady R, was loaded with supplies for use against Ukraine, and a call between Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, and the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. But after a fairly friendly 20th AGOA Forum over the past week in Johannesburg, relations seem to be on the mend. In an interview with Biznews, Dr Piet Croukamp, political analyst and a senior lecturer at North-West University, said that it would be optimistic to think that South Africa is out of the danger zone because the country’s “foreign policy is so unstable.” However, the idea that South Africa will be removed from the AGOA agreement appears to have dissipated. It appeared, he said, that the Americans were buying the idea that the agreement must be stretched over a longer period than five years, but he had doubts that a new agreement would materialise before 2025. He said that unless the South Africans did something “really stupid” and it is not impossible with Naledi Pandor at DIRCO, he could not see South Africa being removed from AGOA any time soon. The Americans will however not tolerate support for Hamas, he said. Dr Croukamp also warned that South Africa will have to do something about its infrastructure, electricity and roads as it would not be able to compete with American producers and service providers.

The 40th forum of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which offers duty-free access to the United States economy for 20 African countries, has concluded and appears that concerns about South Africa potentially losing its benefits due to the 'Lady R' diplomatic spat and its support for Hamas and Iran have abated. South Africa is advocating for an early 2024 renewal of AGOA in the U.S. Congress, as the current agreement is set to expire in September 2025. In an interview with Biznews, Renai Moothilal, the CEO of the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) said while it is challenging to predict the outcome until a formal announcement by the U.S. Congress, a strong case has been made for the continuation of AGOA. Moothilal said the automotive industry plays a significant role in the South African economy contributing to 5% of GDP and employing 110,000 people primarily in component manufacturing. AGOA, he said, is vital for the industry’s competitiveness and ability to maintain volume. Moothilal pointed out that South Africa exports a substantial number of vehicles and components to the U.S., which accounted for R24 billion in exports last year. He explained that South Africa contributes less than 1% to global auto production and it can't afford to lose any markets, making AGOA crucial for the sector's growth. Commenting on the global shift to electric vehicles (EVs) he said that component manufacturers are already adapting to technology changes and are prepared for the shift to EVS.

Easy Equities has been grabbing lots of social media attention over the past week after a R25 fee elicited unhappiness from some of its one million active clients. Freshly returning from his fourth visit to the Philippines this year, CEO Charles Savage explains why he’s delighted at the response and shares his thoughts about a share price that last month bottomed at a mere one-sixth of its recent peak. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

In the dynamic world of fantasy fund management, where the thrills of the trading floor meet the strategic battlefields of a game board, a remarkable journey has come to a close. After 27 intense weeks of sharp moves, unforeseen market twirls, and astute stock selections, the Fantasy Fund Manager podcast stands as a testament to the spirited competition and financial education it has stirred among its participants. Join Stuart Lowman from BizNews as he delves into the closing chapter of this exhilarating contest. In a conversation filled with insight and reflection, we hear from Corion Capital’s David Bacher and the triumphant inaugural winner, Raymond Steyn, unravelling their strategies, the pressures of market fluctuations, and the sweet taste of victory against the backdrop of a turbulent economy. This is more than a game—it's a glimpse into the mindset of those who navigate the highs and lows of investing with agility and foresight. So tune in, as we celebrate the culmination of an adventure that's as much about the numbers as it is about the narrative of those who dare to dream in digits. Big thanks to our platinum sponsors, Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and MoneyBetter. Until next year.

For South African investors, October was a month many would prefer never happened. Apart from the collapse of the R3bn BHI Trust Ponzi scheme, the only places to hide in legitimate markets were Bitcoin, Gold and Bonds. In our regular catch-up with David Bacher, the author of the Corion Report shares his insights into the reasons for what he had dubbed ‘Red October’. He spoke to Alec Hogg, editor of BizNews.

The recent surge in the price of Bitcoin, which has more than doubled this year, comes as no surprise to our long-time tech guru, former Google executive, and tech entrepreneur, Stafford Masie. In this fascinating interview, he explains why some of the world’s biggest investment names have converted to becoming ‘Bitcoin Maximalists’ - those who believe the coin is far superior to all other cryptocurrencies. He suggests that period of advantage for retail investors is quickly closing and goes so far as to argue that, given its high-risk socio-political implications, it is irresponsible for those living in South Africa not to own Bitcoin. He spoke to Alec Hogg, editor of BizNews.

Sharknets, commonly used in many coastal areas including South Africa to reduce the likelihood of humans being bitten by sharks, are responsible for the deaths of thousands of sharks and inadvertently trap and harm marine species like dolphins. A team of marine biologists at Stellenbosch University has developed an alternative solution, the SharkSafe Barrier. Their eco-friendly innovation is gaining international recognition with the first international installation on a private island in the Bahamas. The SharkSafe Barrier biomimics the visual effect of a kelp forest and generates a strong magnetic field through ceramic magnets, forming a double barrier that deters sharks from swimming through it. In an interview with Biznews, Dr. Sara Andreotti, a co-founder, and the Chief Operations Officer of the company, said humans fear sharks even though only 6-8 people are killed by sharks every year. She told Biznews that their device prevents shark deaths and the deaths of other marine life while providing safe swimming and surfing waters, which is good for tourism. The first successful commercial rollout of their innovation has been in the Bahamas and it is now being considered at a beach in Plettenberg Bay in South Africa. Dr Andreotti shed light on the alarming decline in the great white shark population in South African waters. She stressed that, contrary to the well-documented influence of Orcas, the primary cause of this decline can be attributed to human activities. Bycatching and illegal gill nets continue to pose serious threats, compounded by an exemption granted to the Kwazulu-Natal Sharks Board for the protection of great white sharks.

A prominent Muslim strategic consultant on the Middle East has called on South Africans to stop “incitement protests” against Israel. Mohammad Kabiya makes the call in an interview with BizNews in which he says Hamas terrorists killed not only Jews in the October 7 terror attack, but also Arab Muslims. He lists all the reasons why he does not regard Israel as an “Apartheid State; and he stresses that the Hamas terror attack was contrary to all human standards and all of the Islamic Sharia rules. He says the terrorists are not Muslims, but barbarians. And he slams the Hamas leaders “with billions of dollars” who are staying in Arab capitals in luxury hotels while “dealing and selling the Arab blood, the Palestinian's blood…”

Finance Minister Enoch Godogwana has described South Africa’s public finances as significantly weaker in his mid-term budget emphasising that measures to stabilise public finances and reform the economy to generate higher growth are essential. Markets reactions were generally favourable with the rand strengthening. Thea Fourie from S&P Global Market Intelligence said in an interview with Biznews that lower expenditure was a welcome surprise and that the investor community appeared to be happy with Mr Godongwana’s projections, but said concerns lingered about the persistent rise in the public sector debt-to-GDP ratio. Medium term risks remained on the horizon, she said. Transnet and Eskom, Fourie warned could be bad news for the debt trajectory. These risks she said raised concerns about the government’s ability to achieve its objectives. - Linda van Tilburg

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presented his medium-term budget in Parliament, revealing that disappointing tax revenues and rising costs to service the debt have taken a toll on government finances. Godongwana’s predictions include a slower-than-anticipated economic growth of 0.8% compared to his February budget projections, accompanied by a substantial increase of R54.7 billion in the main budget deficit. These forecasts according to Dawie Roodt, the Chief Economist at the Efficient Group, are far too optimistic. In an interview with Biznews, Roodt said he did not believe the projected growth would materialise and that several items are not included in the deficit numbers. The finance minister’s overall picture, he said, is not as rosy as the minister is portraying it. It is significantly worse. Roodt also believes that Transnet will have to be bailed out. Without it, he said, the economy is not going to function. Roodt estimates that the fiscal deficit is closer to 6.6% if Eskom’s debt is considered. Cutting the size of the state sector, he regarded it as good news and suggested the government start with VIP Protection expenses. The real picture of the economy, he said, will emerge in the main budget in February 2024. Roodt also said the picture that Mr Godongwana painted of himself as Mr Austerity does not hold water; he is Mr Expenditure. – Linda van Tilburg

South Africa's Finance Minister, Enoch Godwongdwana, is set to present the medium-term budget policy statement, bringing updates on economic forecasts, budget adjustments, and necessary spending changes. However, Stanlib's Chief Economist, Kevin Lings, warns that the upcoming mid-term budget won't bring good news. Lings, in an interview with Biznews, highlights a significant deterioration in South Africa's fiscal health since the February budget. He believes that the initial projections were overly optimistic, and government spending remains unchecked. Lings anticipates a R60 billion revenue shortfall and approximately R25 billion in overspending. He expresses scepticism about the government's ability to enact substantial changes to regain investors' trust. Lings rules out staff or salary cuts in the government and believes social payments won't be reduced during an election year. South Africa, he said, is heading in the direction of a fiscal cliff. Flags are going up and he urges the government not to wait for a crisis, as it did with Eskom, but to act proactively. Ling said the market is already concerned about these deteriorating fiscal parameters and the lagging tax revenue. If South Africa however can enhance its growth rate and eliminate load shedding, the country can attract substantial foreign investment.

Magnus Heystek of Brenthurst Wealth Management knew within minutes that the investment scheme that has lost investors billions was “rubbish” - and he was able to advise a client to pull R3 million to safety. That is revealed by Heystek in this interview with BizNews on one of South Africa’s biggest Ponzi schemes. Investors have been counting their losses ever since the scheme’s mastermind Craig Warriner - dubbed South Africa’s Bernie Madoff - handed himself over to police.  A court has now ordered the sequestration of the BHI Trust.  Heystek shares a copy of the BHI Trust and Plus application forms which clearly states under Terms and Conditions, Point 12: “The investor acknowledges that he understands that the investment is not registered under any law and is unregulated.” Heystek points out: “It says there clearly this is a very dangerous investment scheme.”

The Renergen share price has been hit by a variety of factors lately, most recently by social media attacks and the poor trading statement last week. But the real story remains intact - a $1bn Helium plant in the Free State that has the funding and requisite licences. In this interview, Renergen CEO Stefano Marani provides context for his company’s 45 000 shareholders, suggesting they consider the company’s real story, which is its goal of using SA’s plentiful natural reserves to become one of the world’s leading producers of Helium. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

There are measures in place to ensure that South Africa’s national election next year is not marred by the controversies that resulted in the recent election in Zimbabwe being declared not free and that fair. That assurance comes from Mawethu Mosery, the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa. Her says the IEC will get around possible controversies by the inclusion of all political parties “every step” in the preparation of the election; allowing litigation to be taken through its fullness; and “definitely making sure that political contestants have people who are watching the process for them, the party agents who are there throughout from special votes through to counting and signing off the results slip”. - Chris Steyn

Critical facts are emerging on the R3bn Ponzi scheme operated since 1999 by St Stithians old boy Craig Warriner. When the fraudster needed fresh funds to keep the scam rolling, he expanded out of the original well-heeled Sandton private school base into a broader middle-class group of retirees who depended on a monthly income stream and thousands of mainly Coloured and Indian ‘investors’. The increasingly desperate scam was funded through enablers that included broking firm Global & Local, which earned up-front commissions of a reputed 5% on the money injected into the Ponzi. In this interview, an investor who asked not to be named, explains how he got sucked into the fraud - and how Global & Local geared up its involvement with Warriner’s BHI Trust by purchasing books of clients from smaller brokers. The victim, who lost R6m, spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Christian Ashcroft, the St Stithians old boy once blinded by admiration for SA’s version of Bernie Madoff, became trapped in a devastating Ponzi scheme orchestrated by his one-time hero, fellow school alumnus Craig Warriner. Entrusting Warriner with his entire inheritance, Ashcroft was left grappling with betrayal when the truth was unveiled. As one of two trustees of the dubious BHI Trust, he sought legal guidance from attorney Caitlin Gottschalk, fearing potential liability and desperate to reclaim lost funds. This gripping saga unravels layers of deceit, exploring the fine line between trust and betrayal. Gottschalk spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

The billions gambled away by self-confessed Ponzi operator Craig Warriner were sourced through high-profile financial companies, whose endorsement provided the credibility the St Stithians old boy’s criminal enterprise needed. In this fascinating interview, Pretoria attorney Werner Cawood the only victim present when Warriner appeared in a small Katlehong municipal court last week, explains what happened there - and how his firm was sucked into investing with the fraudster’s front company, BHI Trust. Cawood is representing over 100 fellow victims and has applied for the sequestration of the BHI Trust to protect whatever remains of the operation run out of 4 Gremlin Road in Sandton - including data that will implicate the enabling companies. He told Alec Hogg of BizNews that this will help victims go after them

Tashas, a beloved brand in South Africa, grew from a single restaurant in Atholl, established with money from a loan shark, to 15 locations across the country. In 2019, Natasha Sideris and her brother Savva bought back Tashas from Famous Brands, establishing Tashas Group. This international hospitality company would soon have 10 brands under its umbrella, including the Flamingo Room by Tashas, Avli by Tashas, Bungalo34, and the World’s Top Galaxy Bar. The group first expanded overseas to the Middle East, establishing a presence in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia. Now, they are venturing into the London market with a Tashas opening at Battersea Park Power Station at the end of November 2023. In an interview with Biznews, Sideris shared her apprehensions about opening a restaurant in the competitive London market. They plan to bring their first restaurant, Atholl Square to London with its South African flavours and interior design. Like other South Africans who have come to London, one of the biggest challenges is staffing. However, Sideris is adapting to a younger generation with different expectations. She also discussed her decision to part ways with Famous Brands in 2019, how South African staff form the backbone of her overseas teams, and her plans to expand into every major world city and launch a homeware collection.

In a captivating episode of Fantasy Fund Manager, BizNews’ Stuart Lowman speaks with Garreth Montana of Corion Capital and Kanyane Matlou from Terebinth Capital. The duo discuss the intriguing trend of company delistings, highlighting the reasons behind firms opting to delist. Matlou provides a detailed insight into his day-to-day tasks as a senior portfolio manager, sharing the nuances of the listed property market. They delve into the changing dynamics of the South African property sector post-COVID, emphasising regional disparities and gearing comparisons. As the Fantasy Fund competition nears its end, both guests share gaming strategies and underscore the importance of long-term vision over short-term market noise. Remember, each dawn of Monday is your chance to pitch your winning stocks. With enticing prizes awaiting, the game is on. Rally your comrades and head to www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za to register—big thanks to our platinum sponsors, Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and MoneyBetter. And mark your calendars: Subscribe now to our podcast to keep up with every episode.

Ranmore funds founder Sean Peche shares a financial insider’s perspective of the massive scams that hit this week - with practical advice to guarantee you never get caught up in these fraudulent schemes. Peche, who has spent his career in the sector, also analyses quarterly results released this week by Wall Street’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ - the Big Tech stocks responsible for most of the market’s gains over the past year. - Alec Hogg

South Africa’s disruptive life assurer BrightRock appears to be confirming the wisdom of a ‘two horses in the race’ approach by holding company Sanlam, which acquired 100% of the business in February after six years its the majority shareholder. In this interview, Brightrock CEO Schalk Malan talks about the former start-up’s performance in the corporate family and why Sanlam relationship has supported the founding team’s growth ambitions. The qualified actuary also shares hard facts about COVID-19's mortality impact on South Africans, putting to bed claims that the virus was little more than “a bad flu”. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Adapting to a Changing Work Environment: Flexible Staffing Strategies for the Workforce and Companies The landscape of employment is evolving beyond the conventional 9-5 jobs, offering different models of work that include flexible working arrangements and staffing. These arrangements allow employees to work remotely for certain periods, while flexible staffing involves filling job vacancies or addressing increased company activity with part-time, temporary, or independent workers. In an interview with Biznews, Anne Rutledge of Resourgenix discusses how changing expectations from both workers and companies are catalysing the shift towards flexible staffing. Rutledge identifies the primary factors influencing this trend for both workers and employers, including the impact of AI and technology on employment practices. She also points out which sectors have successfully implemented flexible staffing and discusses the varying degrees of its implementation across different countries. Rutledge provides best practices for organisations considering the adoption of flexible staffing in today’s workforce. South Africa, she says is losing skilled workers who are attracted to overseas destinations offering more flexible work options.

Former Scopa (Standing Committee on Public Accounts) chairperson and African People's Convention leader Themba Godi has lamented the lack of justice in the case of disgraced former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste and the lack of accountability for President Cyril Ramaphosa. These are some of the talking points in this interview with BizNews after his party decided to walk away from a “Super Pact” of minority parties after at least two months of talks. Meanwhile, Godi says he has “almost given up on the possibility of the police and the NPA taking any decisive action” in Jooste’s case. And he feels that the media seems to have “no interest” in holding Ramaphosa accountable - thus giving Parliament the impetus to also do its work. Godi recalls his testimony before the Zondo Commission and warns: “For as long as there is no political will to push for accountability, Parliament will not be effective.” - Chris Steyn

1995 World Cup winning Springbok Hannes Strydom was portrayed as a drug-dealing psychopath by an alleged criminal syndicate to cover up their theft of at least R50m from his pharmacy business. After discovering the loss, Strydom called in forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan who has uncovered a crude fraud masterminded by the GM of Strydom’s 350-staff-strong enterprise. Detailed documentation and witness statements reveal that the crooks stole prescription-only scheduled medicine to be on-sold by drug dealers at huge premiums. O’Sullivan’s investigations revealed that theft in a single codeine product line cost Strydom’s business R50m. When the former rugby star first confronted the alleged criminals, they reacted by selling their version of the story to television show Carte Blanche, painting the 6-foot-6 entrepreneur as the villain. In this interview, O’Sullivan shares how his investigations uncovered the conspiracy which he says not only clears Strydom but raises massive problems for the other parties.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is becoming an “iron fist” for the African National Congress (ANC) in certain parts of South Africa. Crime fighter Ian Cameron of Action Society speaks to BizNews about the latest abuses of power and lack of accountability in SAPS. He describes how Police Minister Bheki Cele was escorted by six Flying Squad vehicles, three Public Order Policing (POP) vehicles and three mini buses from TRT to an ANC meeting on the Cape Flats. “…is the South African Police Service now a private security service for the ANC?” Cameron is fuming that eight “Blue Light Mafia” members who publicly assaulted civilians are back at work after their suspensions lapsed. He points out that the Presidential Protection Unit reports to Wally Rhoode who mainly reports directly to the President Cyril Ramaphosa. “So it's basically this little private security force that they've built on the side with police power that benefits a certain group of politicians.” Cameron also speaks about the submission Action Society made to Parliament today (Tuesday 25 October) on the new IPID bill that would give the Minister of Police “a complete monopoly on law enforcement in South Africa”. - Chris Steyn

South African governments have in the past supported the Palestinian people and their struggle for their own homeland, but have managed to balance that with cordial relations with Israel. There has however been a noticeable shift from this policy during the Presidency of Cyril Ramaphosa. President Ramaphosa remained silent on the Hamas attacks and only commented after Israel started a bombing campaign in Gaza. Added to this, was a call by his Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor to Hamas and her subsequent visit to Iran. Not only did the ruling party come out strongly in support of Pandor, the ANC organised a march near the Israeli embassy in Pretoria calling for the embassy to be closed down. ANC deputy-secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane also called for “an end to Zionism.” In an interview, former leader of the opposition and political commentator, Tony Leon described the response to the attacks as a low watermark for South Africa and warned that alignments pose risks. He said South Africa’s foreign policy does not matter in the Middle East, but it may incur costs in the West. Western governments, he said, are taking notes. He also commented on the increased support for opposition parties in South Africa saying that it is encouraging but they needed to keep on moving forward, like a shark. He warned against an ANC/EFF coalition saying the EFF would devour the ANC and it would be ruinous for South Africa.

After 15 years of running a Ponzi scheme, financial advisor Craig Warriner confessed, handed himself over, pleaded guilty to any and all charges and is seeking the safety of a single cell in prison. An old boy of the prestigious Johannesburg school St Stithians, Warriner, who appears to be the South African equivalent of Bernie Madoff, has lost billions of clients’ rand through a trust named after Berkshire Hathaway. David Shapiro unpacks the story, highlighting red flags that will help others avoid falling into the clutches of fraudsters like this. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

Western Cape municipalities are getting electricity wheeling toolkits to help fast-track the implementation of third-party electricity wheeling. It will allow private sector entities to transport power over the grid to other businesses, organisations, or facilities. In this interview with BizNews, the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertius Simmers, speaks about the benefits of third-party electricity wheeling. Those include: mitigating the impact of load shedding; a reduction in the bulk purchase cost of electricity for consumers; reducing consumer and municipal reliance on ESKOM: providing better electricity price certainty to businesses and commercial electricity consumers; enabling businesses to use renewable energy and reduce threats of export market carbon border adjustment mechanisms, as well as meet their climate change mitigation commitments and/or negate carbon tax obligations; and providing an incentive for investment, with the associated economic development and job creation benefits. - Chris Steyn

With polls showing the ANC continuing to lose ground, the DA steady, and EFF gaining, we asked the country’s leading political scientist how he would advise the three parties. Long-time Oxford Don RW Johnson offers suggestions for the party leaders. Given the narrow gap between the two most significant groupings and well-entrenched trends, he shares what we already know and perspectives of how things may develop ahead of South Africa’s 2024 Election. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Despite shifting dynamics in European immigration policies in response to global challenges, resistance to immigration, and upcoming elections, there are still plenty of opportunities for South Africans seeking to immigrate or explore alternative plans. In an interview with BizNews, Andrew Rissik, the Group International Director of Sable International, said that while options such as Ireland and Portugal's golden visas and tax incentives are narrowing, Greece has gained a surge in attention. At the same time, the United Kingdom remains a steadfast and promising destination for South Africans, even as the job market experiences a slowdown. Rissik offers valuable advice for South Africans considering a "Plan B" by emphasising the importance of thoughtful, well-researched decisions over impulsive ones driven by emotions or the stresses of their home country. He underscores that mistakes in this process can be financially costly. International options from securing a second citizenship to living, working, studying or investing abroad can be explored at the Global Citizenship and Emigration Expos Sable International is hosting in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Durban, and Cape Town in the coming month. Contact Sable International at im@sableinternational.com.

Relations between the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the State of Israel are at a new low after the ruling party’s deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane called for the Israeli embassy in South Africa to shut its doors; the ambassador to leave his diplomatic station; and a boycott of all goods imported from Israel. But Israel's Ambassador in South Africa, Eli Belotsercovsky, does not “see any reason” for “boycotting or condemnations or all sorts of very heated expressions and manifestations”. Belotsercovksy says: “I think we can talk, we can work out our misunderstandings or differences of opinion….We don't agree with the official position on what is happening in Gaza. We completely disagree with it, but it doesn't mean that we cannot talk about it.” Meanwhile, the ambassador vows that Israel will ensure that there is going to be “no terrorists left in Gaza”. - Chris Steyn

OMBA's Sean Ashton, a stock-picker of some repute who was formerly with Anchor Capital, is back on BizNews after a break of almost a decade. In this interview, he reminds us the ten stocks which have delivered all of Wall Street's 2023 performance have still not recovered from 2022's losses. It provides some valuable thoughts on US interest rates - the critical variable for all investment markets - and the growing role of geopolitics in all of our wealth-creation strategies. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

Dive into the world of finance with our latest podcast episode with Stuart Lowman as he delves into the world of investment strategies and market dynamics. In this episode, he discusses the impact of geopolitical risks on the financial landscape with experts David Bacher and Grant Morris. Discover their insights on managing portfolios in turbulent times and get tips for navigating the competition. Plus, hear their thoughts on potential market triggers and where to find value opportunities. Don't miss this informative and engaging discussion. Remember, each dawn of Monday is your chance to pitch your winning stocks. With enticing prizes awaiting, the game is on. Rally your comrades and head to www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za to register—big thanks to our platinum sponsors, Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and MoneyBetter. And mark your calendars: Subscribe now to our podcast to keep up with every episode.

A survey conducted by the Brenthurst Foundation has found that support for the ruling ANC party has dropped from 48% in 2022 to 41%. The poll also showed that the gap between the ANC and opposition parties has shrunk and that the Multi-party Coalitions (MPC) - which combines the votes of DA, IFP, Action SA, FF+, and United Independent Movement - could get 36% of the vote. Additionally, 24% of voters said that the launch of MPC made them more likely to vote for an opposition party. The survey also indicates a rise in support for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) - up from 11% a year ago to 17%. South African voters’ attitude towards BRICS was also polled, with 40% of people indicating that they prefer an association with the West and other democracies to an alignment with BRICS. It also indicated South Africans were keen to vote in 2024 with 80% saying that they would almost certainly go to the polls. In an interview with Biznews Ray Hartley, Director of Research at the Brenthurst Foundation said the survey was conducted through in-depth interviews with a random sample of 1,500 voters. Hartley said that the survey indicates a substantial erosion of the ANC’s political base and it is clear that Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal will join Western Cape as provinces ruled by the opposition. He added that the growing support for opposition parties is linked to a widespread desire to see politicians come together to address the country’s challenges, rather than engage in divisive bickering.

Whistleblowers are “agents of justice”, but in South Africa, they are more likely to be persecuted and assassinated than honoured and protected. Now civil society has had enough: 27 international and local civil society groups have joined forces to demand that the South African government protects its “Human Rights Defenders”. Today (19 October) the Human Right Defenders (HRD) Gathering hands over its memorandum to government. One of those organisations is groundWork whose Robby Mokgalaka tells BizNews that just one grass roots organisation has lost about 25 members, “shot and killed in execution style”. Another activist was killed in cold blood in her own house by five men in front of a 13-year old nephew. Yet another was killed by two men impersonating police officers “in his own house in front of his seven-year-old”. He speaks of an entire community living in fear because they do not know if the hitmen live among them.  “...they have eyes and ears...friends. So the moment one person…speaks out and says I want to reveal or I want to tell who actually did what, that person might disappear."

Today Pick n Pay released the last set of pre-Sean Summers financial results, numbers so bad that an already depressed share price promptly dropped another 14%. The group’s 70-year-old CEO, reinstalled two weeks back some 15 years after he retired, suggested the best thing about the numbers is that founder, the late Raymond Ackerman, wasn’t around to see them. But he has a plan, and although it will take time (Summers says 18-24 months before anything profound is evident), far-sighted investors will be encouraged. In this episode of UNDICTATED, SA’s master retailer shares what brought the group so low - and his plan to turn things around. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Israel is often lauded as the “Startup Nation” for its exceptional talent in fostering innovative technology startups. However, the recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Hamas, marked by an unprecedented attack that claimed over 1400 lives and resulted in numerous hostages, has posed a significant challenge to the tech sector. In an interview with Biznews, Israeli tech pioneer, Yadin Kaufmann said that the tech sector has been directly impacted by the ongoing crisis, with approximately 15% of the 360,000 reservists called into active duty coming from this industry. Furthermore, he noted that investments in and acquisitions of Israeli companies are currently on hold. But he said, the country functions, Israel is an extremely resilient country, it is not the end of the Israeli tech sector or Israeli economy and they would come back from it. On the continuance of a programme, he launched over the past 16 years to help Palestinians create a technology ecosystem, the tech entrepreneur said that the programme is on hold just as several companies were in the late stages of preparing offers for Palestinian interns. Despite his shock and horror about the Hamas attack, Kaufmann says he is hopeful that once the fighting is over the Israelis will find a way to continue working with Palestinians, but he thinks that is going to take a change in leadership, on both sides. – Linda van Tilburg

African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) President the Reverend Dr Kenneth Meshoe has spoken out strongly against “the politics of enemies". In an interview with BizNews he gives the reasons why his party rejected the Moonshot Pact; explains why the ACDP has now joined the Multi-Party Charter; and gives feedback on the recent trip to Germany by Multi-Party Charter leaders to study coalition governments. He lists the key factors needed to make a coalition government work. One of those is trust - which he says is going to be “a major, major issue”. - Chris Steyn

South Africans residing abroad will now have the opportunity to register online for the first time, marking a significant shift from the previous process that required physical visits to South African diplomatic missions, often located far from their places of residence. In 2019, this traditional approach resulted in just 31,000 registrations. Online registration is set to begin on October 24, 2023 for the country’s crucial 2024 national and provincial elections. In an interview with Biznews, the DA Abroad, Ludré Stevens described the new rules as ‘game-changing.’ The party is now on a mission to register 200,000 South Africans living abroad for the 2024 elections. Additionally, the DA is actively pressuring the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to designate 13 additional voting stations in areas with a substantial South African expatriate population, including Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Wellington, Austin, Edinburgh, and Belfast. Stevens emphasised the importance of South Africans abroad making use of these new registration rules, as this could be the first domino in prompting further changes. The party’s primary objective, he said, is to secure the election of two Members of Parliament through overseas votes, a critical potential outcome if coalitions become prevalent after the 2024 elections.

South Africa’s ever-optimistic Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has had “no accountability” for six months. That has emerged from a BizNews interview with the Democratic Alliance's (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Electricity, Samantha Graham-Mare. She shares the details of her many failed attempts to engage the Minister to collaborate on solving the country’s power-supply crisis. She charges that he has failed to attend any of the ad hoc Energy meetings in the Western Cape, “despite having three times agreed to be there and then not pitching for them”. However, with Parliament having decided that the Minister now reports to the Department of Public Enterprises, she is hopeful that there will be opportunities to engage with him in the Portfolio Committee. Meanwhile, the Minister’s predictions ”change weekly” in terms of when the crisis will be resolved. “But if we actually had to have a look at ESKOM's outlook for the next 52 weeks, you will see that every single week is indicated in red, which means that there will be load shedding - according to ESKOM- for every single week of the next 52 weeks,” she warns.

Blood has a voice. That is the title of a book written by one of South Africa's top forensic pathologists, Dr. Hestelle van Staden, who has conducted thousands of autopsies - and is one of between only 60 and 70 qualified specialist forensic pathologists in the country. As such she is often the last voice of a deceased person, a victim’s only chance for justice, a family’s only hope for answers. And in this interview with BizNews, she speaks about how the dead speak to her. Dr van Staden, whose expert testimony in court could mean the difference between a guilty verdict and an acquittal, also details “the most harrowing case” she has been involved in; reveals how a person who is found hanged in an apparent suicide can “tell” her that he or she was in fact murdered; and explains why a person found with a gunshot wound and gunshot residue on his hand, may not have committed suicide. “…you simply cannot assume that what you are seeing is exactly what is there,” she says. - Chris Steyn Photograph of Dr Hestelle van Staden by Theana van Bruegem

One of SA's best-performing fund managers is adamant that South African shares are discounting the worst but will rebound strongly, just like in every previous cycle. Andrew Vintcent of ClucasGray, whose returns in the past three years have been double those of the market, is confident that the worst is already behind JSE-listed stocks. In this interview with BizNews editor Alec Hogg, he argues the perfect storm of bad news is already starting to brighten, especially for small and medium-cap stocks. This assessment aligns with what we heard from Piet Viljoen earlier this week.

n this interview with BizNews, Ambassador Eli Belotsercovsky vows: “We will not succumb to this terror…Israel will do anything in order to defend its citizens…” The Ambassador gives an update on current Israeli military operations in the northern part of Gaza where Hamas is using civilians as human shields. He also speaks about Hezbollah’s support of the terror attack and the “very tense situation” currently on the border with Lebanon. And he reveals that Hamas has an office in South Africa. “This is, in my opinion, absolutely shocking. The Hamas was responsible for the murder of about 1,300 civilians now, and not only of Israelis, but also of people of many other nationalities. And the fact that there is a Hamas office operating freely in South Africa, in my opinion, it's completely unacceptable.”

Welcome to the Fantasy Fund Manager podcast, the nexus where finance and real-world events collide. This week, Stuart Lowman navigates through the tumultuous waves of the market with Corion Capital’s Garreth Montano and Caelib Hannibal from Sharenet, exploring the impact of geopolitical tensions, humanitarian crises, and the ever-volatile resource counters. Dive deep into a candid discussion about the intricacies of market movements, and the subtle art of maintaining stability amidst chaos, and glean insights into strategic plays in the current economic climate. Whether you're an investor, a market enthusiast, or someone keen on understanding the economic ripples of global events, this episode is your ticket to comprehending the complex world of investing amidst uncertainty. Remember, each dawn of Monday is your chance to pitch your winning stocks. With enticing prizes awaiting, the game is on. Rally your comrades and head to www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za to register—big thanks to our platinum sponsors, Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and MoneyBetter. And mark your calendars: Subscribe now to our podcast to keep up with every episode.

How can South Africa unlock the potential of its incredible sporting talent pool? According to Brad Bing - founder and managing director of Sporting Chance, an NGO focused on youth sports development and health education in South Africa - “South Africa keeps underselling itself as a top, top sporting nation.” Speaking to BizNews, Bing discusses the country’s pool of “incredible natural talent and flair” and the steps that SA’s sporting structures need to take to get the most out of it. Bing calls for more private sector and government investment in youth sports development at grassroots level, arguing that the return on this investment would be hugely beneficial to the economy. Beyond the benefit to the economy, Bing cites the impact of sport on national morale, “If our teams are doing well and the national psyche is at a huge high… The more people feel good about themselves, the more successful they're going to be.” And on the work of Sporting Chance and the need for kids to lead an active lifestyle, “it's absolutely vital that South African children understand the importance of learning how to be healthy and active.” - Patrick Kidd

CROW is South Africa's oldest wildlife rehabilitation centre. For the past 43 years, the centre has been rehabilitating and releasing wild animals and birds. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which suspended their international volunteer programme for two years, combined with the devastating 2022 floods in Kwazulu-Natal and the current cost of living crisis, the centre is in danger of closing down. In an interview with BizNews, Clint Halkett-Siddall, the Director of CROW, shed light on the centre's current plight. What was once a sanctuary rescuing 3,000 to 4,000 injured, orphaned and displaced animals and birds annually is now facing a grim reality: a mere ten months of operational costs stand between them and closure. In a bid to keep their doors open, Halkett-Siddall said CROW has initiated a BackaBuddy campaign, reaching out for support. He emphasised the critical role played by CROW in educating future generations. CROW's education program has already reached 160,000 pupils. He said urbanisation is exacting a significant toll on South Africa's wildlife.

In another informative interview, GoSolr co-founder and CEO Andrew Middleton explains how the company's cost per kw/h was already in line with Joburg's before City Power announced a 13% increase and is lower than Cape Town's. Middleton unpacks why this cost advantage will keep widening - and the self-confessed 'solar nerd' shares some practical tips on how those who switch to self-reliance can save even more. For more information on GoSolr, visit https://bit.ly/3q0jk6n.

A 12-year-old girl who has special needs is one of the hostages taken by Hamas terrorists during the worst ever terror attack on Israeli soil. In this emotional interview with BizNews, Noya’s mother Galit Dan pleads with the kidnappers not to harm her daughter. “Don't hurt her. The Quran says that if you have someone in your house, you shouldn't hurt him. You should take care of him. I'm sure there's women there, there's mothers. I'm sure you understand that she's someone's daughter. Be kind. Find your heart.” And Galit sends her daughter this message: “I'm doing everything I can to get you out of there. Noya, I'm strong and my love is strong. Everything will be okay. I'll save you…Be strong…” The terrorists also abducted Gilat’s 80-year-old mother Carmella Dan, as well as her sister’s children, Erez (12) and Sahar (16) and their father, Ofer Kalderon (50). - Chris Steyn

Former Springbok Captain Wynand Claassens has mauled the South African government for its sluggishness in updating anti-doping regulations. This blunder could've had the Proteas and Springboks playing without their national flag. In a candid interview with BizNews, Claassens is incredulous that the Department of Culture and Sport allowed two international competitions to proceed without sorting out these crucial regulations. He doesn't hold back on SA and World Rugby Boards either, slamming the Springboks' "Chappie" kit worn during the Rugby World Cup. Following an open letter to World Rugby, Claassens and his "partner-in-crime," former Bok captain Tommy Bedford, launched a blistering attack on the so-called "Gin and Tonic Board Room Brigade." Claassens asserts that World Rugby administrators live differently from professional rugby's gritty reality. The maze of rules they have introduced drives fans and aspiring rugby stars away from the sport. For the sport's excessive yellow and red cards, he offers a bold alternative to reduce head clashes and make the game safer for players. Claassens also calls on ex-players and seasoned captains who genuinely grasp the game to have a louder voice in shaping its future. Regarding his ongoing battle to declare Newlands Stadium in Cape Town a heritage site, he is not backing off, much like he did during his rugby-playing days as an indomitable eighth-man

KwaZulu-Natal is also known as “The Killing Fields” of South Africa. That is because of the high number of political murders in that province where scores of councillors and officials have been murdered. BizNews speaks to Arise SA President Mpho Dagada, who has just been there to investigate. He describes how councillors trying to protect municipalities are targeted and killed if they try and stop contracts being awarded to criminal syndicates; and how people go into municipal offices with guns to order the transfer of funds. The majority of the councillors murdered are from the African National Congress (ANC). Dagada says that is because there is a “culture of criminality” in the ruling party. Dagada calls on business- and community leaders to join the fight for “the soul of our country”.

In this episode of UNDICTATED, independent political and economic analyst Dr Frans Cronje tackles two topical subjects with BizNews editor Alec Hogg - massive voter shifts in KZN and the ANC’s monumental foreign affairs blunder. Cronje, who heads the Social Research Foundation, shares the latest research on voters in South Africa’s most populous province, where the country’s ruling party is in a downward spiral. And then moves onto the ANC’s public support for Hamas after its terrorists murdered hundreds of Israeli civilians - condemning Pretoria’s stated position as siding with barbarism and urging a rapid recant.

For the past two years, the world has watched with alarm as Ukraine faced a brutal invasion by Russia. The conflict had a profound effect on the global economy, with rising energy prices and consumers feeling the pinch. However, the Ukraine crisis has been suddenly eclipsed by another flashpoint in the Middle East: the violent escalation between Israel and Hamas. In an interview with Biznews, political analyst at the University of Johannesburg, Professor Theo Venter, says the Israel-Hamas conflict has now become the World’s Number One Crisis. Prof Venter says that the Hamas attack was an intelligence failure and that Israel is likely to retaliate with a “20-pound hammer,” which could lead to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. In an interview with Biznews, he said that we will all be impacted again like the Ukraine conflict did, with oil prices, the dollar, the pound, and the South African rand becoming more volatile while the price of gold and oil will increase. Prof Venter also gave his prediction of the outcome of the 2024 elections in South Africa. He suggests that despite consistently polling below 50% of support, the ANC is likely to retain power. Venter also predicts that the Multi-Party Charter will get “deep in the 30s” in the 2024 elections. Rapid urbanisation with more voters aware of the effects of load shedding and infrastructure collapse in the country will be two most important game changer, he says. - Linda van Tilburg

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has been urged to immediately sack his “darling”, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan. That call is being made by Ghaleb Cachalia, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises. “In the private sector, if that was your responsibility, they would be holding your feet to the fire to say, deliver or go. And as he hasn't delivered, they would show him the door.” However, Cachalia is not hopeful that the president will heed his call “…because he is the darling, if you like, the chief supporter of President Ramaphosa, there seems to be a lot of slack that's cut for him.” Cachalia describes Gordhan as “a dutiful and faithful acolyte of the president”, and fears that the government will “let him run with some face-saving” until his term ends. However, he warns: “But his face will be saved while the country’s will be destroyed. That is the tragedy. And unless the president hears that - and acts on that, then the president is also culpable.” - Chris Steyn

Two years into the R1m challenge to settle which is better, JSE or global investing, the performances of protagonists Piet Viljoen and Magnus Heystek have significantly narrowed. Following a flying start, Piet’s “Local is Lekker” portfolio has stalled, with Magnus’s offshore-focused investments clawing back after a horrific first few months. In this half-yearly recap on the Challenge, there’s a surprising amount of agreement between them - including a shared warning of how marketers of financial services promote finite-time concepts whose results are bad for investors. They spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

Tshwane’s Executive Mayor, Cilliers Brink, may represent the most rational hope for reversing South Africa’s prolonged decline into poverty. Brink’s leadership in confronting organized labour epitomises the country's challenges in the coming years. After decades of ANC compliance and regular capitulation to increasingly unsustainable demands of trade unions, Tshwane’s DA-led coalition refused to approve a R600 million wage increase to avoid further strain on an already R3 billion under-funded budget. The illegal strikers, constituting only 10% of the Metro’s workforce, have resorted to criminal violence, setting a precedent that could become a test case for the entire nation. In this episode of UNDICTATED, Brink discussed the situation with Alec Hogg, the editor of BizNews.

Has South Africa’s State Security Agency (SSA) been hacked? And did the new Head of Crime Intelligence get his Security Clearance in just five days? These are big issues for the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Dianne Kohler-Barnard who sits on the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence. But she tells BizNews that meetings of the last two committees of the last term were cancelled, and now meetings of the committees for this week have also “just been summarily cancelled”. She fumes: “…we have these two major issues, two major, major issues. And last term, we didn't finish the term, and this term, we haven't even started the term…What on earth is going on? Frankly, your guess is as good as mine.” - Chris Steyn

South Africa’s capital city, Tshwane, has been gripped by violence amid ongoing strike action by some municipal workers over a 0% salary increase. Community Safety MMC Grandi Theunissen of the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) tells BizNews that there have been cases of attempted murder, torching of vehicles, arson, stone-throwing, tyre-slashing, and intimidation.  He says it has gone “beyond” a normal labour protest and turned into “a violent, orchestrated criminal onslaught against the City and the people of the City as well as co-workers”. Theunissen charges that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have played a “disruptive” role - and are even “participating in criminal activities”. On how close Tshwane is to collapse, he says:  “…if we are allowed to work on our recovery plan and our funding plan, then I see that we can survive. If we are going to be forced into something that we do not want to do, there is a chance that this is going to happen.” On a positive note, seven new senior managers have been appointed, two of whom have already started work.

Israel has declared war on Hamas after the worst terror attack in its history. In an interview with BizNews, it’s ambassador in South Africa, Eli Belotserovsky, describes how-  under a barrage of missiles - armed bands of terrorists penetrated Israel through tunnels, in boats and by paragliders. More than 700 people have died and over 2 000 wounded, while an estimated 150 have been taken to the Gaza Strip as hostages. The ambassador says Israel will destroy terrorist infrastructure that has been developed in Gaza Strip by Hamas. Meanwhile, he is sure there will be a “thorough investigation” into why the Israeli military and its intelligence services were caught off guard. - Chris Steyn

When discussing clean energy solutions, wind and solar often steal the spotlight. However, there's another potential source of energy that's worth exploring—wave energy. Some scientists believe that, if fully harnessed, wave energy could theoretically meet the world's electricity needs. However, technologies needed to harness wave energy are still in the developmental stages. In South Africa where we are surrounded by two vast oceans, a tech company called Impact-Free Water is working on a solution to produce electricity from waves and their solution could also provide fresh water. In an interview with Biznews, The Founder and CEO of Impact-Free Water, Simon Wijberg said his company aims to compete with other renewable sources in terms of cost but has the added benefit of providing energy 24/7 and there is a reduced need for storage. He and the Business Director of the company, Anton Berkovitz highlighted the challenges of limited funding available in South Africa for wave energy solutions and said it forced them to develop smaller units which turned out to be beneficial as it is easier to scale and made their system more commercially viable.– Linda van Tilburg

Join Stuart Lowman on the Fantasy Fund Manager podcast, navigating the thrilling journey through a 27-week investment competition. In this episode, delve into insightful discussions with financial experts Garreth Montano and Simon Du Plooy from Corion Capital, exploring market dynamics, investment strategies, and the impact of global economic shifts on local and international investments. Celebrate the winners, explore the market's highs and lows, and glean valuable insights into making strategic investment decisions in a fluctuating economic landscape. Remember, each dawn of Monday is your chance to pitch your winning stocks. With enticing prizes awaiting, the game is on. Rally your comrades and head to www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za to register—big thanks to our platinum sponsors, Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and MoneyBetter. And mark your calendars: Subscribe now to our podcast to keep up with every episode.

Long-time property developer Francois Nortje has a vested interest in the country re-establishing its once-efficient logistics network. Then again, given its massive on the national treasury, so do all South Africans. However, we’re observing that the SACP/ANC government seems to misunderstand that simply firing the cadres it deployed at Transnet is not its silver bullet. In this interview with BizNews editor Alec Hogg, Nortje explains why Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, at 74, is a significant part of the problem. There’s no disputing Gordhan’s massive contribution to the nation through his successful turnaround of SARS and steadfast resistance to the Zuptas. However, when it comes to managing an enterprise — be it public or private, Eskom, Transnet, or SAA — a communist, no matter how smart or well-intentioned, is operating far outside their circle of competence. The evidence suggests the only lasting solution to the ongoing Transnet disaster lies in a radical transformation of ANC leadership’s thinking, not in doubling down on the long-failed fantasy of a “Developmental State.” Given its track record, this approach, to paraphrase Albert Einstein, is insanity.

After the steep climbs in interest rates, we could finally be approaching the peak. That is according to Mark Perchtold, the founding director of OMBA Advisory and Investments. This perspective comes on the heels of remarks from prominent figures in finance. Bank of England Governor Ben Broadbent said it was an open question whether interest rates in the UK would continue to rise. At the same time, Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JP Morgan Chase, issued a stark warning to Wall Street, suggesting that the Federal Reserve might not be finished with its aggressive interest rate hike campaign in the battle against elevated inflation. During an interview with Biznews, Perchtold said, fortunately, inflation is trending downward, which could pave the way for central banks to announce rate cuts in the future. However, he cautioned that on the flip side of the coin, such rate cuts could potentially trigger a recession in developed countries. Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, Perchtold remains bullish on China. He said China trades cheaply, and the bad news has been priced in."They have stopped making big policy changes and are supportive of platform business," he says. One of the changes that OMBA has made to its portfolios is moving some of its S&P 500 allocations into the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index.

This is the message Chris Pappas, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) candidate for Premier in KwaZulu-Natal, has for those who have accused him of nepotism. He speaks to BizNews after the Public Protector and the Speaker of the uMngeni municipality were both asked to investigate him. Pappas says the Speaker already investigated a couple of months ago - and stresses that he has nothing to hide. He also confirms that he has received “lots of threats”, but is full of courage. “When you're a threat, and when there's money involved, and when there's power and positions involved, and you do not have law and order, and the criminal justice system is largely dysfunctional, and the value for life and moral engagement, has deteriorated to where it is, then you do have the situation that I'm sitting in at the moment. But you also can't let that deter you.” Pappas also talks about the latest polling data; lists his priorities after next year’s election; and details the actions taken over the last 23 months to turn his municipality into what DA leader John Steenhuisen described as a “a shining beacon on the hill while the rest of KZN lies in ruin.” - Chris Steyn

When GT Ferreira, Laurie Dippenaar, and Paul Harris founded the FirstRand group in 1998, they were determined to disrupt South Africa’s then-stagnant banking industry. Now worth R350bn, their venture is now second only to Naspers among listed South African companies - and is comfortably the most valuable financial services group in Africa. FirstRand’s disruptive ways continued this week when chartered accountant Mary Vilakazi, an erstwhile gifted child from Alexandria township, was named CEO to succeed the retiring Alan Pullinger. Vilakazi, 46, who has served as the group’s COO for the past five years, will break new ground when she takes over in April by becoming the first black woman to lead a major financial services group in South Africa. In this episode of UNDICTATED, BizNews editor Alec Hogg hears the journey of this quiet iconoclast from poverty into becoming the occupant of one of the country’s most prestigious corner offices - and explores how FirstRand might evolve under her leadership.

Twelve out of thirteen big businesses turned down requests from Parliament to provide sponsorship to the ninth BRICS Parliamentary Forum held in Johannesburg last week. “It is absolutely outrageous that the incumbent government still thinks that it's appropriate to be hosting these lavish talk shops that essentially disincentivise our Western partners from investing in this country - and we see that now having a direct impact on what corporate South Africa is willing to associate themselves with,” says Emma Louise Powell, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister of International Relations and Co-operations. It has also emerged that the Government spent over R75 million to deploy more than 5 000 cops to the fifteenth annual BRICS Summit in August. “…all of these foreign delegations…bring with them their own security contingent. So essentially these more than 5,000 police officers were deployed to keep our ANC…safe while people across South Africa continue to deal with rampant violence, rising crime rates and a scourge of crime that doesn't seem to be abating anytime soon,” says Powell. She also describes the “notable disinterest” from BRICS member states in the “shambolic” forum that “achieved altogether absolutely nothing”. - Chris Steyn

The UK has recently implemented significant changes in visa requirements and fees, including the possibility of a substantial increase in the immigration health surcharge (IHS). These changes are part of the efforts of the UK government to ease the burden on its National Health. The Director of Breytenbach Immigration Consultants, JP Breytenbach, told Biznews that South Africans aspiring to apply for a UK visa should be prepared for higher costs and careful planning. While the changes may appear daunting, various immigration options remain available, especially for skilled workers. The UK, he said, is still pro-immigration, even though it wouldn't always look that way.

In this episode of UNDICTATED, BizNews editor Alec Hogg sits down with Wayne Duvenage, CEO of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, to discuss the arrest and legal troubles of Dudu Myeni — a close associate of Jacob Zuma and the former chairperson of South African Airways (SAA). Myeni, who was arrested near her Richards Bay home on Friday, faces corruption charges related to her involvement with BOSASA, a company infamous for public sector bribery. OUTA and the SAA Pilot’s Association fought a long court battle with Myeni, ending in a 2020 judgement that declared her a delinquent director, marking the beginning of her decline from affluence to infamy.

South Africa spends billions on its intelligence services, but more and more questions are being raised about the quality of intelligence being gathered. BizNews speaks to the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’) Dianne Kohler-Barnard who sits on the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence. Asked if there were a revolution tomorrow, would the intelligence services know or would they have to go on X and follow it there, she says:  “Well, I think if we can go by what happened in relation not only to the July riots two years ago, but also the burning of the trucks in KwaZulu Natal and Mpumalanga…they hadn't a clue…I do not believe that there is any working together of the three intelligence agencies in terms of determining something like that.” As for the impunity with which organised crime syndicates operate, Kohler-Barnard says she has personally seen trucks with special cubicles behind the drivers to fit “five or six children tied up, drugged and taken out the country and sold”. She fumes: “…you just have to keep on asking where are the hundreds of millions going to in terms of these various entities that don't seem to deliver when it comes to protecting South Africans from the worst of the worst. It is just not happening…” - Chris Steyn

The month of September was a shocker for investment markets, with global bonds rising at the fastest pace in memory, the oil price rising to 25% above the level of just three months ago, plus Nasdaq and S&P posting their worst month since December 2022's smack. WTF happened? In our monthly catchup, Corion’s David Bacher shares his insights on the latest moves - and provides an insider’s view into the latest developments within South Africa’s money management industry. - Alec Hogg

Minister of Police Bheki Cele is in no mood to apologise to crime fighter Ian Cameron for shouting at him to “Shut Up” at a police Imbizo in Gugulethu last year. Speaking to BizNews, Cameron says Cele is considering an appeal to the finding of Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests that the Minister should do so in the House. Cameron vows: “…despite or regardless of what the Minister Cele says or doesn't say, I'm not going to shut up. I'm not going to keep quiet. And I'm certainly not going to stop speaking out against injustice - and I'm definitely not going to stop pointing out and speaking out against the abuse of power by certain politicians.” - Chris Steyn

It is “quite possible" to “State-proof or make your investments ANC-proof so that the policy decisions and the misgovernance of the country have the lowest possible impact on your investments. That is according to Brenthurst Wealth Director Magnus Heystek who shares some of his top tips with BizNews viewers. He also describes how one can put “further distance” between your assets and the ANC government, “which may or may not do funny stuff in the future with taxes and inheritance taxes, et cetera”. He gives the assurance that one does not have to be “extremely rich” to do so as even normal salaried people can build a portfolio with small amounts of money to invest where the “misgovernance and misrule of the state has the lowest impact on their returns in the long-term. - Chris Steyn

The Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises, Ghaleb Cachalia, has called for Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan to go. Cachalia makes the call in an interview with BizNews on both Transnet and ESKOM being leaderless. “I call him of late ‘Green Shoots Gordhan’ because he says…regularly that there are green shoots in Transnet, there are green shoots in ESKOM, there are green shoots in Denel, there are green shoots in SAA. The fact remains that there are only weeds there. There are no green shoots. And he is responsible for putting the gardeners in place to tend to these weeds which they can't even dig up.” Cachalia says Gordhan is “an incompetent minister who appoints incompetent people to run the heart and spine of our economy”. Cachalia describes African National Congress (ANC) policies as “frankly mad”. He says the ruling party has “created a monster” that they “cannot deal with properly”. - Chris Steyn

Ex-Army General “Mojo” Motau leads new party into 2024: National service to fight unemployment and crime - and bring back discipline A retired Army general is leading a new political party into the national elections next year (2024) He is General Maomela “Mojo” Motau, the former Chief of Defence Intelligence. General Motau speaks to BizNews ahead of the launch of his party, Africa Africans Reclaim (AAR), in Soweto on Saturday 7 October. He says the country “is falling apart”; there is “clear sabotage” of the economy; and people are “losing confidence in democracy”. He believes a return to national service is needed to reskill the youth, bring back discipline and fight unemployment and crime. The general predicts the ANC may get even less than 30% of the vote.

IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa will not join his party’s Cape Town parliamentarians after the 2024 National Poll. Instead, he plans to stay home and move into the KZN Premier’s office, confident his party will win the provincial election. The IFP’s victory in another by-election against the ANC last week — its 10th since the 2021 Local Elections — lends credibility to this prediction. In this in-depth interview, Hlabisa urges members of the Multi-Party Charter to “engage, engage, engage” and specifically calls for including Gayton MacKenzie’s Patriotic Alliance in the Opposition coalition. He also addresses critics who foresee the IFP’s disintegration following founder Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s passing. Hlabisa outlines what it would take for the ANC to successfully woo the IFP away from the Opposition pact next year, setting a very high bar for such a scenario. - Alec Hogg

Western Cape farmers are calling for a state of disaster to be declared - after unprecedented flood waters ravaged crops, washed away roads, swept away shacks, and destroyed infrastructure. One of those farmers is Justin Mudge, the owner of Chiltern Farms, who says they “desperately require intervention”. He speaks to BizNews of the destruction, displacement, devastation, and desperation in the area. Mudge describes how generators have run non-stop since Sunday to keep cool half a billion rands worth of fruit in cold storage that still needs to be packed for export. He describes how workers from the informal settlement had all their possessions swept away by the raging storm waters. And warns that some farmers will find it very hard to recover from the significant damage.

Speaking to BizNews' Alec Hogg, Kanyane Matlou - Senior Portfolio Manager for Listed Property at Terebrinth Capital - shares his views on the current state of the property investment market in South Africa. Matlou draws on his economics and asset management background to shed light on the challenges and opportunities in the property sector. Motlau offers valuable insight into the potential for growth in specific segments of the market, which stocks to watch, and how to navigate the complexities of property investments in a changing economic landscape. For more information on Terebinth: https://bit.ly/3PEzICn

More than 400 000 rugby enthusiasts worldwide are currently competing against each other in predicting results and player performances at the Rugby World Cup - courtesy of the Superbru platform, a global sports score prediction app born in a London ‘digs’ shared by a group of UCT-schooled South Africans. In this interview, founder Andy Wood shares the journey of an online operation which, 17 years on, now offers games on all major sporting events, from soccer to golf, cricket to motor racing. It’s an entrepreneurial story of globally-minded Capetonians who turned their passion for sport and knowledge of tech into a serious business providing fun and excitement to its community of millions across the globe. They’ve managed to resist the overtures of corporate acquisitors, and by retaining private ownership continued following an evolving dream. - Alec Hogg

In the dynamic realm of finance, keeping one's finger on the pulse of the markets is paramount. In episode 22 of the Fantasy Fund Manager podcast, financial experts David Bacher and Grant Morris joined Stuart Lowman to dissect the intricate web of market uncertainties. From the surprising resilience of the South African Rand to strategies for navigating rising bond yields, their insights offer a compass for investors in turbulent times. Join us as we delve into their astute observations and strategies for success in an ever-evolving financial landscape. Remember, each dawn of Monday is your chance to pitch your winning stocks. With enticing prizes awaiting, the game is on. Rally your comrades and head to www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za to register—big thanks to our platinum sponsors, Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and MoneyBetter. And mark your calendars: Subscribe now to our podcast to keep up with every episode.

Organised crime syndicates are bleeding South Africa’s national economy of R155 billion a year - and that number is “significantly understated”. That is according to Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow Minister of Finance, Dr Dion George. He gives this breakdown: Construction mafia - R17 billion; Infrastructure vandalism and arson - R47 billion; ESKOM’s organised crime networks R12 billion; Kidnapping and extortion syndicates - R146 million; Illicit economy, specifically drugs and guns - R13.6 billion; Wildlife syndicates - R1.2 billion; Illegal mining networks (Zama Zamas) - R14 billion; Tender corruption - R30 billion; and the Tobacco and cigarettes Mafia - R20 billion.” He calls on Government to make organised crime a priority - and to stop wasting resources on “never-ending bailouts to basically bankrupt entities”.  Dr George says South Africa is only on its knees because the government has chosen the wrong economic policies.

Hundreds of volunteers of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) have worked day and night over the past two weeks to save lives and bring people and animals to safety in the worst storm surges and flash floods for decades. Craig Lambinon - who has been with the NSRI for 30 years - reveals the massive efforts involved in the recent rescue operations. The NSRI is a free publicly-funded 24-hour rescue service that has saved at least 1 000 lives over the past year. Lambinon shares with BizNews the “success story” of the NSRI; reveals details of its most dramatic rescue operations; and speaks about its “world-class resources” - and the funding from the public and corporations that makes it possible to save so many lives. “…we always say to the people who donate money to NSRI or people who fund NSRI through corporate sponsorships, even though they're not physically with us on rescue operations, we still regard them as being strapped to our back when we launch a rescue operation because without them, we don't have the world-class resources and assets that we have to respond to these emergencies.”

Ranmore Funds founder Sean Peche is cementing his position among the top-performing 1% of global equity funds by disciplining himself to what guru Howard Marks called “second-level thinking”. In this masterclass on investing that self-helpers will appreciate at all levels of expertise, Peche shares the rational approach which has enabled him to outperform no matter what the investment trend of the moment. Hint: study the companies you want to co-own instead of being part of the crowd that attempts to guess big trends (and fails at least 50% of the time). He also points us towards some juicy out-of-fashion investment opportunities that Peche is confident will reward the patient. - Alec Hogg

Police Minister Bheki Cele and President Cyril Ramaphosa are protecting each other - and he has so much dirt on high-ranking ANC officials, that he can’t be sacked. This has emerged from an interview with Action Society’s Ian Cameron who says: “Well, I think they protect each other… And I also think they can't really sack Cele because he's got so much dirt on all of them that if they were to sack him and he starts spilling the beans, it will be quite an awkward silence for a lot of people in the higher ranks of the ANC.” Cameron speaks to BizNews after Cele received the Great Wall Commemorative Medal from China. It is awarded to law enforcement officers from foreign countries who have made outstanding contributions towards protecting the safety of Chinese citizens. “My honest opinion is that it's certainly not for good policing service. I think it's because Minister Bheki Cele is a way and means basically for the Chinese government and certain well-connected Chinese officials to get to the South African State and obviously the ANC,” says Cameron.

When the Free Market Foundation’s co-founder Leon Louw was elbowed out of the organisation, many wondered whether it could survive without its long-time guide. Judging by the vigorous contributions of those who remain - and the energetic new CEO, David Ansara, those concerns are irrelevant. Last night Ansara delivered a tour de force at Johannesburg’s Rand Club, the venerable institute in the Loveday Street deep in the CBD, which, like the FMF itself, appeared to be heading for oblivion. Republished in full below (courtesy of editor of Politicsweb Dr James Myburgh) the speech is a reminder of those addresses of an earlier age - carefully crafted works of verbal art which, for centuries, shaped public opinion long before the age of soundbites and Tik Tok. I followed up this afternoon by interviewing Ansara about his talk, exploring areas of his address in greater depth. His forthright and rational message exposes ‘uber truths’ of our society. In brief: Pretoria is part of the problem; the SA state is failing; so each of us needs to take practical steps to ‘State-proof’; but don’t be despondent because what replaces the status quo can be so much better. As Ansara concludes, “The centre cannot hold. Thank goodness.” - Alec Hogg

Solidarity is gearing up the fight the African National Congress (ANC) government in court to stop it from “capturing” South Africa’s schools - and stripping parents of a say in the education of their children. BizNews speaks to Solidarity’s Johnell van Vollenhoven after a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee - in which the ANC and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) “used their numbers to obtain a majority” - accepted the BELA Amendment Bill this week. The Amendment Bill was therefore accepted for submission to the National Assembly (NA). This is the next step in the process of making it into law. Van Vollenhoven says such as law would mean “that we as parents and our governing bodies that we choose to govern our schools will be stripped of their powers”. The Bill was accepted despite widespread objection from the public with nearly 9 000 of the 11 000 inputs against the amendment of existing laws. “…they are not interested in looking at what the people are saying, they are only interested in pushing through their own ideology in this regard,” Van Vollenhoven charges. - Chris Steyn

In Namibia, there are only three people per square kilometre, the top income tax rate is 37%, citizens pay no capital gains tax, and there is no estate duty to be paid. Added to this low population density and tax regime are abundant natural resources and low crime rates, which is why our neighbouring country in the desert is being tipped to be the next hot spot for dollar millionaires by wealth analysts at New World Health (NWH). In an interview with Biznews, Head of Research at NWH, Andrew Amoils said hat Namibia shares many traits with Australia and could be described as the Australia of Africa. He says it is becoming a popular retirement destination, especially in parts of Windhoek and the areas between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, where lifestyle estates are on the rise. If South Africa was safe and followed Namibia’s capital gains tax and estate duty policies, he said, it would be one of the wealthiest countries in the world in a decade

The relentless rain of the long weekend has left death and destruction in its wake. The Western Cape Provincial Manager of the South African Red Cross, Fernel Campher, tells BizNews about the “devastating impact of the floods” on human lives. He says some residents ended up in “waist-deep waters where they used to live”, while “the first thing a lot of people did was “grab the families and run out of the houses”. Others have been left with “no access to their families or way through to get home”.  The Red Cross is fully deployed in the province - and has been busy providing hot blankets and hot meals to those in urgent need of aid, but appeals for donations of non-perishable items, clothing, blankets, drinkable water, vanity packs and baby packs as more victims are coming forward for aid. Campher warns the road to recovery is going to be a long one, but says the Red Cross will be providing psychological counselling to those left in shock by the impact of the disaster. - Chris Steyn

If Donald Trump returns to the White House for another stint of President of the US, he may want to renegotiate the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). And those could be tough negotiations because Trump would want his pound of flesh. So says Dr Edward Mienie, the Executive Director of the Strategic Studies Programme & Partnerships and Professor of Strategic & Security Studies at the University of North Georgia in Atlanta. Dr Mienie, a former diplomat for both the National Party (NP) and the African National Congress (ANC) governments, speaks to BizNews as speculation mounts across the world that Trump could pull of another “unthinkable” political victory that would bring about significant shifts in US foreign policy. He says Trump is by far the most popular of the contenders of the Republican Party, and that Democratic Party President Joe Biden is lagging behind. “If he (Trump) wins all of these court cases, or if they fall by the wayside, I'm predicting that it's very likely that he'll move into the White House. And it'll be quite a story…” - Chris Steyn

Over the past year, the BizNews tribe has been introduced to some inspirational 'Kasipreneurs courtesy of SA's informal sector guru, GG Alcock. In this interview, we meet the man behind Lebzcafe', whose iKoffie brand is enjoying serious traction after he won the recent Amstel Entrepreneur competition. In this uplifting discussion, Lebohang Nyandeni shares his background, learnings and ambitions, with GG chipping in on what we can all learn from stories like Lebo's, explaining what impressed him - and the judges. - Alec Hogg

The civil rights movement of Solly Moeng, The United South Africa Movement (TUSAM), is gaining support from across the world. One of the speakers at the upcoming People's Summit for a People's Charter will be an ex-South African executive assistant Carmel Foster, who has lived in the United States (US) for almost two decades. Foster is credited for getting a law passed that validates and dignifies workers' rights after she lobbied extensively following her own experiences as a domestic worker. Foster, who has authored The Awakening based on her experiences, stresses the importance of “being able to have the guts to get up and say, I want change”. Foster, who is excited to collaborate with TUSAM says: “I feel a deep responsibility to give back and share the knowledge and experiences I've gained while residing in one of the world's superpowers…Together we can work on enhancing digital infrastructure to create employment opportunities and drive social economic development.” - Chris Steyn

The World Economic Forum predicts that 23% of global jobs will change in the next five years due to industry transformation through artificial intelligence (AI), text, image, and voice processing technologies. In its Future of Jobs 2023 report, the WEF says that the integration of large language models (LLMs) and AI will present a paradigm shift. While this could lead to significant productivity gains, there is the risk of job displacement and it could exacerbate socioeconomic disparities, which is of particular concern in South Africa. While there is generally a skills shortage in South Africa, AI is undoubtedly going to have a profound impact on the workforce. So, how should we mitigate the risk of AI? In an interview with Biznews, Anne Rutledge, the Executive Director of Talent Solutions at Resourgenix, said that South African companies are not fully ready for the AI revolution. Rutledge said that companies should take baby steps in the adoption of AI and should not automate everything at once. They should also be mindful of security risks in using AI tools. Rutledge warned against using tools like ChatGPT for CV writing and said that it should only be used as a guideline.. Rutledge also has advice on how the unemployed can gain AI skills and lists the functions that are in danger of being taken over by AI, and the jobs and skills that will remain in demand. In South Africa, she says, there is a scarcity of top talent and that AI will never replace the human touch.

Central banks are meeting worldwide; the United States kept interest rates on hold, while the United Kingdom raised them by 25 basis points. Governor Lesetja Kganyago kept rates steady in South Africa while our Turkish counterparts got a five percentage point increase. But what does this all mean for investors and, more importantly, Fantasy Fund Managers? Join host Stuart Lowman from BizNews as he explores week 21 insights in the Fantasy Fund Manager podcast with guests making sense of it: David Bacher and Garreth Montana from Corion Capital. There's also a discussion on a Bob-less Naspers and the rally in retailers. Remember, each dawn of Monday is your chance to pitch your winning stocks. With enticing prizes awaiting, the game is on. Rally your comrades and head to www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za to register—big thanks to our platinum sponsors, Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and MoneyBetter. And mark your calendars: Subscribe now to our podcast to keep up with every episode.

Today’s ‘results interview’ with South African super entrepreneur Discovery co-founder Adrian Gore goes well beyond a recap on solid financials for the year to the end of June. Discovery’s now widely mimicked ‘shared value’ business model has delivered superb returns for a group which has substantial businesses in SA and the UK, plus an enviable list of big-name partners whose operations circle the world. But Gore reckons if he were to do it all again, he’d be even more committed to the group’s revolutionary concept where customers are directly rewarded for making positive behavioural changes. And he’d have been more confident when negotiating those deals with global giants. In the interview, he also addresses localised criticism of South African Big Business’s apparent support of the political status quo, quantifies the cost of COVID claims - and provides feedback on revolutionary Discovery Green that’s bringing some of SA’s biggest electricity consumers together to invest in large-scale renewable energy projects. - Alec Hogg

The motives behind Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan’s rejection of the ESKOM board’s recommendation for a new CEO have been questioned. Ghaleb Cachalia, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises says that the Minister seems to be looking for somebody who meets his “specifications” rather than those of the board. Cachalia points out that representatives on the ESKOM board were “vetted and appointed” by the Minister himself. “These are people whom he trusts. The chairman of the board is an old acolyte of the minister. He has put him in places in the past all over the show to do business on his behalf. He's put him now in a very important position, but he doesn't value what he says. We need to know why.” Cachalia notes that the job of ESKOM CEO is a “hospital pass of note” - and that the struggling power supplier's new boss would need “nerves of steel” to be able to stand up to political interference. - Chris Steyn

With data going back to 1975, the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom Index provides empirical evidence of the direct correlation between the prosperity of countries and how much choice citizens have in how they may apply their energy and their money. This is reaffirmed in the just-released 2023 Index, which showed the ANC’s socialist economic policies continue to hurt the nation’s ranking on the Gold Medal of such indices - SA is down from 32nd at the turn of the century to 94th this year. Neil Emerick of the Free Market Foundation has been analysing the report for decades. He reckons it is the perfect template for Moonshot Pact political parties that can apply the data to develop a platform to campaign job-creating policies. Something which holds the key to winning the 2024 National Election. - Alec Hogg

The Maharishi Invincibility Institute, a non-profit and self-development organisation, recently made headlines when Anglo American announced that it would donate its 45 Main Street building in downtown Johannesburg to the institute. The building is estimated to be worth R100 million. The donation will support youth development and Johannesburg's urban renewal efforts. In an interview with Biznews, Dr. Taddy Blecher, CEO of the institute, shared his ambitious plans to turn the CBD into an Education Town. It would be a Herculean task. Derelict buildings vacated by big businesses are scattered throughout the city and have become symbols of Johannesburg's decline—a city that was once the vibrant heart of South Africa's economy. A recent fire in a hijacked building claimed the lives of 70 people. Dr. Blecher said he is not prepared to say it is too hard. He sees Washington's urban renewal, where a successful education institution changed a whole precinct, as an example that he would like to follow. The former actuarial scientist also draws inspiration from the remarkable success stories of his students from underprivileged backgrounds, and he boldly challenged Biznews to return in five years to witness the remarkable progress first-hand.

The battle to remove South Africa’s Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, took four years and consumed more than R160 million of taxpayers' money, with her legal defence bent on dragging out the case and delaying her removal, employing every unethical and ethical legal tactic to avoid being held accountable. This tactic, known as the Stalingrad defence, has also been repeatedly employed by former President Jacob Zuma’s legal team to evade accountability. However, recently, this type of litigation suffered significant blows: President Zuma lost his private prosecution case against Advocate Billy Downer, and News24 journalist Karyn Maughan, and Advocate Mkhwebane was finally removed from her position as Public Protector. In an interview with Biznews, Constitutional law lecturer Pierre de Vos said that the Stalingrad defence strategy raises broader questions about South Africa’s legal system and the need for reforms to prevent the abuse of procedural rules in court cases. De Vos added that this tactic is not limited to the political field; it is a broader problem in the private sector where big companies and individuals with deep pockets undermine justice. Nevertheless, De Vos expressed optimism noting a shift in South African courts’ approach, indicating growing resistance against the Stalingrad defence. He said in recent court cases lawyers have been ordered to cover the cost of delays.

The most authentic voice of South Africa’s organised business comes from local chambers of commerce, whose membership has a high proportion of entrepreneurs and owner-managers because they rely less on government business than often too-beholden corporates. So, to really know what SA Business is thinking, there’s nobody better to listen to than Melanie Veness, who chairs the association of all SA’s chambers. She is no stranger to talking truth to power. As the long-serving CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and KZN Midlands chamber, Veness has taken on many controversial challenges, including during the July 2021 Riots when she was the voice of those hardest hit by the destruction. She is at her most feisty while explaining why businesses have ‘had it’ with Transnet, a once-efficient operation destroyed by being stuffed with incompetent and often arrogant ANC deployed cadres. Veness demands decisive action from Transnet management’s ultimate boss, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan. Here’s why. - Alec Hogg

What are the links between the assassination of HAWKS Lieutenant-Colonel Frans Mathipa on 6 August this year (2023); the kidnapping of alleged Islamic State (Isis) leader Abdella Abadiga and his bodyguard Kadir Jemal Abotese from the Mall of Africa on 29 December last year (2022) allegedly by members the SANDF Special Forces; and military front company vehicle photographed at the scene of the kidnappings as well as next the Lady R vessel that docked in Simonstown in December last year (2022) when weapons were loaded off. BizNews speaks to Hennie van Vuuren, the Director of Open Secrets, about its investigation into the murder of the Crimes Against States Unit officer who was “somebody committed to holding the powerful to account”. Van Vuuren warns that “the power of the people with guns will only grow” if those responsible for his murder are not held to account.

As South Africa prepares for the 2024 national and provincial elections, there is widespread speculation about the ruling ANC’s prospects for remaining in power. If the ANC fails to maintain its majority, there is speculation about which parties it might consider forming a coalition with. Former ANC Member of Parliament, South African Ambassador to Ireland, and current columnist and political analyst, Melanie Verwoerd, reveals that there is growing talk within the ANC about the possibility of seeking a coalition with the Democratic Alliance and the Inkatha Freedom Party. Verwoerd told BizNews the ANC National Executive is, despite the fear-mongering of the DA, not interested in a coalition with the Economic Freedom Fighters. Julius Malema, she says, “is the guy whose party storms onto the stage while the president is talking in parliament. They don’t like that kind of chaos and disruption.” Verwoerd said coalitions after 2024 need not be formal, they could be formed to pass money bills. She also commented on a possible IFP Presidency which she said would be “chaos.” According to Verwoerd, South Africans remain remarkably loyal to the ANC, despite their anger. Many continue to vote for the ANC due to the lack of viable alternatives. She stated that if the ANC continues to win, it would serve as a strong indictment against opposition parties.

ActionSA’s leader Herman Mashaba explains the thinking behind the tough policy resolutions adopted by his party at its recent inaugural policy conference attended by 600 delegates from all nine provinces. Mashaba reveals how he was convinced to abandon his strong position on bringing back the death penalty. He unpacks the motivations behind the party’s policy resolutions on the rule of law, drug dealing, illegal immigration, the energy crisis, BEE, governance, lifestyle audits, and international relations. He also gives an update on his party’s growth in support - and speaks frankly about its membership of the Multi-Party Charter.

Veteran money manager Piet Viljoen is shedding no tears for how Naspers/Prosus dispatched Bob van Dijk, its CEO of the past decade, who left immediately on Monday morning. Viljoen says he and Van Dijk see the world very differently - and by his calculation, under Van Dijk's direction, management actions destroyed 40% of the value that would have accrued had they done nothing. In this typically hard-hitting interview, Viljoen discloses that he recently invested in Naspers/Prosus for the first time but won't buy any more until he is shown interim CEO Ervin Tu is not 'simply more of the same'. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

The storm surge that battered South Africa’s coastal towns - leaving death and destruction in its wake - was the worst in 20 years. That is according to Gerhard Otto, the Head of the Disaster Management Centre of the Garden Route. He speaks to BizNews after a stormy weekend in which freak waves crossed roads in tsunami-like fashion to flood restaurants, homes and parking lots. He reveals the extent of the damage to infrastructure - and says that longer term repair work could take between six months and a year. He lists the factors that combine to form “perfect storms; explain why they could get even bigger in future - and appeals to the public to heed storm surge warnings. - Chris Steyn

Chemical pesticides have been in use since the late 1800s to protect crops, but their harmful effects on the environment and human health have led scientists to search for alternatives. In South Africa, two PhD students from Rhodes University have had a breakthrough. Ground-breaking research by Tamryn Marsberg and Michael Jukes has led to the development of two viral-based biopesticides, MultiMax and CodlMax, as alternatives to the conventional use of chemical pesticides on citrus, apples, and litchi. Biopesticides are biological pesticides like viruses, fungi, bacteria and nematodes that are natural predators of insects. In an interview with Biznews, Dr. Jukes said that, working with the university’s research partner Citrus Research International and an industry partner River Bioscience, a global patent has been completed and the products have been launched for commercial use in Africa and Europe. He said they are hoping that their products will soon be able to enter the Indian market and North American markets, where the codling moth is a major pest for apples.

Nowadays, investors seek more than just traditional avenues, which often underperform. To outperform they are searching for innovative and special investment opportunities. In this interview, Richard Asherson from Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management updates us on an opportunity that focuses on a high-yielding investment in a hard currency - via the UK market. - Alec Hogg

More than three million South Africans are affected every year by deadly fungi. Researchers in the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry at the University of the Free State (UFS) are now working on various research projects investigating new treatment options beyond the limited range of antifungals currently available. The research is being led by Professor Carlien Pohl-Albertyn, the National Research Forum (NRF) SARChl Research Chair in Pathogenic Yeasts. Speaking to BizNews, she says the problem is that these fungi are becoming drug resistant. Recently more fungal infections asre being contracted from contaminated water. “And a lot of people are warning that this may lead to problems down the line…because we have this population that is now more susceptible to fungal infections.” - Chris Steyn

I’ve been eagerly awaiting this interview for some time, having watched the Heffer family develop the small horseracing form guide Winning Form into the 6,000-plus staffed giant Hollywoodbets. A formidable brand, the company has naming rights on four major racecourses in South Africa; and many of its top races, including the most famous of all, the Durban July. Also, Hollywoodbets sponsor its hometown Sharks Rugby and Dolphins Cricket and the Durban stadiums where they play, plus Dundalk Racecourse in Ireland and, the highest profile of all, English Premier League team Brentford FC. Its Hollywood Syndicates reinvest heavily in SA’s racing industry, keeping over a hundred horses in training. This interview with Devin Heffer brings together this inspirational story’s threads that go back to a small entrepreneur, his father Owen, whose disruptive endeavours delivered the dream result. - Alec Hogg

The success of a new plan to fix ESKOM hinges on the implementation, the funds available to actually implement it - and the political will to do so. That is the warning from the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises Ghaleb Cachalia. He speaks to BizNews following the announcement that Germany-based energy consultants have completed a review of South Africa’s struggling coal-fired plants to present a revival plan to Treasury. Meanwhile, Cachalia accuses government of “political interference” in the run-up to election. “…if you look at ESKOM’s just recently published…schedule of planned maintenance, you'll see that there's a lot of maintenance going on now and over a period of time leading up to the elections. Just before the elections the planned maintenance comes down. So we suffer now in Stage Seven, but hey presto, somebody “fixes” everything…just around the election time.”

Dive into the world of finance with our latest podcast episode. Join host Stuart Lowman from BizNews as he explores week 20 insights in the Fantasy Fund Manager podcast. Special guests include Garreth Montana from Corion Capital and Carmen Nel, Head of Multi-Asset at Terebinth Capital. Discover market trends, investment opportunities, and challenging landscape tips. Gain valuable insights on how to approach SA Inc., the impact of media on sentiment, and much more. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just curious about finance, this episode offers valuable perspectives to elevate your financial understanding. Remember, each dawn of Monday is your chance to pitch your winning stocks. With enticing prizes awaiting, the game is on. Rally your comrades and head to www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za to register—big thanks to our platinum sponsors, Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and MoneyBetter. And mark your calendars: Subscribe now to our podcast to keep up with every episode.

EasyCrypto's chief executive Earle Loxton offers a bullish view on where the Bitcoin price is heading over the next year, basing his analysis on the historical trend of price surges every four years as new coins are added to the market. His thesis stems from the belief that during these intervals, the number of fresh Bitcoin created halves with each four-year cycle - reminding investors of the hard supply cap, and thus encouraging accumulation. Fascinating insights on a market whose extreme volatility confuses its supporters and critics. - Alec Hogg

South Africa’s incompetent Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane lasted 1700 days in office because she was protected by the ruling African National Congress (ANC).  Accountability Now director Paul Hoffman SC says she knew she was “royal game flying under the wing of Jacob Zuma and that the ANC dominated” in Parliament.  He speaks to BizNews following her formal sacking by President Cyril Ramaphosa today (Wednesday) – a month before her term was due to end - following her belated impeachment in Parliament. In her reaction, however, Advocate Mkhwebane posted on Twitter: “DA/ANC MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! I wish we could see such ‘concomitant efficiency’ to end loadshedding? This injustice, sadly perpetrated on Steve Biko Day, will be legally challenged in review proceedings. The stone the builders rejected became the cornerstone. If I perish I perish. Ngiyathokoza Mzanzi and Africa” - Chris Steyn

After the fallout following Net1's disastrous engagement with South Africa's welfare payment agency SASSA, the company's share price fell to a fraction of its highs. The seemingly hopeless case, however, attracted activist shareholders Value Capital Partners and two years later, the private equity turnaround specialist's efforts are bearing fruit. Financial results for the year ended June reflect a massive bottom-line turnaround. CEO Chris Meyer reckons there's much more to come, with another strong 12-month forecast and longer-term profit growth of 20% targeted. Given the pedigree of its new managers and supportive shareholders, the company now called Lesaka may well be the exponential growth opportunity South African investors haven't seen since the glory years of Naspers. - Alec Hogg

A black industrialist is taking the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Public Protector (PP) to the High Court. Angus Norkie of Nocks Oil charges that there was “something seriously sinister” in how the goal posts kept being shifted by the IDC when he tried to secure funding. He says “more surprisingly”, when the “maladministration” within the IDC was reported to the PP, he was met with “more lawlessness”. Speaking to BizNews, Norkie gives a blow-by-blow account of his dealings with the IDC since 2018, as well as his subsequent dealings with the PP’s office. “Politicians are fond of saying that we live in a democracy, but that democracy means absolutely nothing without effective public protection…This is autocracy with a lack of accountability,” he says. - Chris Steyn

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has been described as charismatic and smart. However, when he upsets the status quo and pushes the boundaries of what the rugby-loving world deems to be fair, he is accused of abandoning grace and dignity. When he questioned the decisions of referees in a video rant that went viral, which he said he made for consumption by his inner circle, rugby authorities did not believe his version and he was slapped with a ban. The confident rugby coach on the international stage who is not afraid to stir controversy is not the Rassie that broadcaster and author David O'Sullivan encountered during their many meetings to write Rassie's biography, "Rassie: Stories of Life and Rugby." In an interview with Biznews, O'Sullivan said that instead of the charismatic, loud Unmasking the Hidden Side and Personal Demons of Maverick Springbok Rugby Innovator Rassie Erasmus – David O’Sullivanman he expected, he encountered a very, very shy Erasmus who is not keen on public interactions and did not believe he had a story to tell. O'Sullivan says he would like Rassie's critics to read the book to understand that the way Erasmus did things was maverick and different, but it wasn't cheating. The traffic light system, which caused another stir after the 2023 World Cup Rugby match between South Africa and Scotland in Marseille, he said was nothing new and had been used by Erasmus during Currie Cup matches. O’Sullivan said he hoped that Rassie's legacy will be that he brought about effective transformation in South African

Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has confirmed that he is part of talks with “many parties” in the Western Cape to oust both the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) from the Western Cape. And in his prediction for the outcome of the watershed 2024 national elections, McKenzie says his PA is the only party that stands in the way of the Economic Freedom Fighter’s (EFF) hope to be the Kingmaker. He lists the actions the PA would take if it wins that race. In this latest wide-ranging interview with BizNews, McKenzie also reveals plans to fill Orlando Stadium on the 10th anniversary of the PA in November. And he speaks frankly on his party’s biggest milestone; his biggest regret of not including other races in his party from the start; accusations that the PA can’t be trusted; and his criminal past. He also slams big business for propping up both the Apartheid and ANC governments.

Winnie Mandela, the late wife of South Africa’s first democratic president, Nelson Mandela, feared that corruption would destroy the African National Congress (ANC). In fact, she was so worried about it that she even enlisted the help of a former Apartheid-era Crime Intelligence (CI) officer Doc Pretorius to mitigate the damage. The two became so close over two decades that she called him “the son I never had” in the inscription to him of her book “491 Days”. Pretorius - who wrote a book titled “Winnie Mandela’s Last Wish” - gives BizNews the inside story of the “unholy trinity” between transnational organised crime, criminal terrorist groups and corruption that is “protected by securitisation structures”. He believes it is still possible to fix the problems in the country, and urges people to come forward to do so “because if we're not gonna work together, people might find out that they're going to get exposed…” He also shares details of a meeting between him, Mrs Mandela and Jacob Zuma; and reveals what she told him about the Stompie Affair that so severely damaged her international standing. - Chris Steyn

After a sparkling career in the DA where, as executive mayor, he oversaw seven clean audits for Mid Vaal, Bongani Baloyi was a surprise departure - and even more surprising arrival at Action SA. Now the leader of his own political party, Xiluva, he shares the story with Alec Hogg of BizNews. - Alec Hogg

Workers from multi-national corporations are flocking to Cape Town instead of London and New York. BizNews gets an update on the latest trends from Paul Keursten, the CEO and co-founder of Workshop17.

South Africans are firing up their braais, stacking their fridges, and getting ready for the Rugby World Cup in France. On social media, we have been fed a constant diet of the Springboks as they get ready to take on the world's rugby titans. Nelson Mandela saw sport, and especially rugby, as a way to bring South Africans together in 1994. The moment has been immortalised in books and the movie Invictus. And, once again, we are pinning our hopes not only on a rugby win for the Boks, but also that it will lift the gloom of a troubled country. In this interview with Biznews, Dr Greyling Viljoen, a sport psychologist from Pretoria who is a former Springbok canoeist and has also won the Berg River Marathon, delves into the psychology of winning, why sport uplifts us and has some suggestions for how the Boks can manage social media comments, deal with the pressure of being the defending champions, and cope with the weight of a nation's expectations.

Welcome to the Fantasy Fund Manager podcast, where financial experts and everyday investors converge to explore the intriguing world of fantasy trading. In this episode, we journey into week 19 of the competition with our hosts, Stuart Lowman from BizNews, and our distinguished guests, Gareth Montana, Director at Corion Capital, and Darren Grusin, General Manager at SA Precious Metals. Amidst the ever-shifting landscape of financial markets, we uncover valuable insights, from navigating volatility to adapting strategies for success. Discover how this innovative game fosters community and financial education, making investing more accessible. Join us as we delve into the exciting realm of Fantasy Fund Manager. Remember, each dawn of Monday is your chance to pitch your winning stocks. With enticing prizes awaiting, the game is on. Rally your comrades and head over to www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za to register—gratitude to our platinum sponsors, Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and Money Better. And mark your calendars: Subscribe now to our podcast to keep pulse with every riveting episode. Rest assured, the stock prices discussed remain spot-on from the time of the podcast's riveting recording.

Jan Oberholzer has left the dark days of Eskom behind him and joined the race for renewable energy. In this interview, he maps out the future of power supply in South Africa. He speaks to BizNews following his appointment as the non-executive chairperson of Mulilo Energy. Oberholzer - who was not short of job offers from across the world - reveals why he chose to stay in South Africa and join Mulilo. He gives details of the many projects in the pipeline at the independent renewable energy developer. He says Mulilo has "quite an aggressive goal" to add five to six gigawatts of electricity to South Africa in the public and private sectors. "So it is then for me to provide the necessary leadership to guide, support, and give whatever direction is required to assist them." Oberholzer also looks into the future and how the role of ESKOM in the power supply industry will likely change over the years. - Chris Steyn

Dr. Theuns Eloff, former Executive Director of the FW de Klerk Foundation, former vice-chancellor of North-West University, and a renowned negotiator, is perhaps best known for being the first Afrikaans "dominee" (minister) to negotiate with the ANC in Dakar during their exile. He subsequently led the secretariat at the multi-party negotiations in Kempton Park that preceded the 1994 elections. In this interview with Biznews, he reflects on the ANC's 30 years in power, asserting that the ruling party has 'basically buggered it up' and is incapable of self-correction. While acknowledging that some voters still support the ANC due to the 'Gogo-effect,' he notes that black South Africans increasingly realise the ANC's inability to fulfil its promises. Dr. Eloff predicts that the ANC will secure between 48% and 52% of the vote in the 2024 election, allowing them to maintain power with support from minority parties in Parliament if they fall below the 50% threshold. He predicts a gradual three-phase transition away from ANC rule, believing it would be better for stability where power seeps away in Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal to the opposition which would limit the ruling party’s ability for patronage. He also comments on the Multi-Party Charter and says he believes they could collectively garner 40% of the vote in 2024. Dr. Eloff criticised business and religious leaders for being just too scared to oppose ANC policies in public and called for a federation, similar to the UDF of the past, to take South Africa across the ANC Rubicon

African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has been slammed for his rhetorical utterances following ZANU-PF’s election victory in Zimbabwe’s “chaotic” election. Ringisai Chicohomero, a political analyst with The Institute for Security Studies (ISS), who was in Zimbabwe for the election, tells BizNews that Mbalula’s celebratory statements are deflecting from the real issues. And he warned that it is “very much likely” than many more illegal and legal migrants will be flocking to South Africa, to Botswana, to Zambia and other Southern African Development Country (SADC) countries. He says South Africa cannot be trusted to be an independent or neutral arbiter as the Southern African region sits with the “headache” of deciding how to respond to the South African Development Community (SADC) denouncement of the electoral process. “…most of the Southern African countries, like any country, have shortcomings when it comes to elections. So this is a direct implication on the next round of elections. So whatever they do now can be precedent-setting. So they have to be treading very carefully.”

There is outrage over parole being dished out to sex attackers who got life sentences and should be dying in prison. Among those paroled recently are Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger who attacked Alison Botha. They were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1995, but served less than 30 years, as well as child killer Norman Simons, a.k.a The Station Strangler, who served only 28 years of his life sentence. BizNews speaks to Glynnis Breytenbach, the Democratic Alliance's (DA’s) Shadow Minister for Justice and Constitutional Services who calls it “an absolute, absolute disgrace”. She says it just confirms again that the African National Congress (ANC) and Justice Minister Ronald Lamola “do not care”. And she warns the Minister that the granting of these paroles could have tragic consequences - and that he will be held liable in his personal capacity “because he should have foreseen that this type of thing can go wrong, horribly wrong”. She also slams the Criminal Justice Cluster’s handling of the escape of Thabo Bester who was himself on parole when he raped two women. - Chris Steyn

This is an interview in two parts with former Joburg Metro mayor and Action SA leader Herman Mashaba expressing his frustration in equal measure. First we discuss the tragic fire at 80 Albert Street in Marshalltown, once the commercial hub of the African continent, which killed 77 of those who lived in the decrepit building. Mashaba revisits a successful mayoral project designed to reclaim hundreds of hijacked CBD buildings - but which was reversed into criminality after his ejection by what he claims was an unholy alliance between the ANC and his own party at the time, the DA. Mashaba then shares duplicity that is bedevilling a potentially promising project by opposition parties, the Multi Party Charter of SA - and explains why, despite this, Action SA hasn't left the pact. The guileless entrepreneur opens a rare window into how the games politicians love playing are hurting the people they have promised to help. - Alec Hogg

Larry Diamond is one of the world's most renowned scholars of democracy. In an interview with Biznews, the senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and the Mosbacher Senior Fellow in Global Democracy at Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) highlighted the perils democracy currently faces. Prof Diamond warned that a potential victory for Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential election would not only be a catastrophe for the United States but also have profound global implications. He expressed concerns about Trump's admiration for authoritarian leaders and his contempt for Africa. Shifting his focus to South African politics, Prof Diamond, who had recently visited Cape Town, stressed the essential role of improved governance in attracting domestic and foreign investment to create jobs. He believed that South Africa's energy crisis could be resolved through renewable energy solutions and a new generation of battery and nuclear technology. Prof Diamond also voiced disappointment regarding the Democratic Alliance's (DA) inability to progress towards a multiracial leadership. He said South Africa has enormous talent across the board and needs leadership to make the strategic decisions that will harness that talent.

Corrupt officials in the City of Johannesburg register fake NGOs to claim buildings so that they can be “hijacked” for rentals. That is according to Mpho Dagada, the President of a new political party, Arise SA. Dagada was a Fourth Industrial Revolution commissioner in the Presidency. He tells BizNews why he believes that elected officials in the City of Johannesburg should be held accountable for the deaths of 77 people who died in a fire that gutted a building in Marshalltown last week. Dagada describes in detail the alleged modus operandi of the slum syndicates - and urges voters to remember the victims of the building fire when they go to the polls.

South African Police Services (SAPS) whistleblower Patricia Morgan-Mashale has revealed how her tragic childhood and her late mother’s uncompromising truth-telling have inspired her to live her truth until she does have not have a voice anymore. In a heart-breaking, but spiritually uplifting, interview with BizNews she shares the story of her life: a father who died after being set alight by an employer, a mother killed by a hit-and-run taxi driver, and how she worked nights at a hospital while still at school so that she could raise her orphaned step siblings. Despite relentless persecution and prosecution because she dared to expose wrongdoing in the South African police, Morgan-Mashale will not be intimidated or frightened into silence. She says it is not death that she fears, but leaving her children behind in a world being destroyed by corruption because she chose to stay silent. Listen to her story in her own words… - Chris Steyn

Without the significant contribution of Business Against Crime, South Africa's already difficult position would surely be a lot worse. That body pioneered the template for tackling the country's most difficult challenges through public-private partnerships. Last week saw the finalisation of a similar collaboration on electricity supply with the innovative blueprint of a concept called Virtual Wheeling. it provides a platform for SA businesses to meaningfully contribute in ending loadshedding. Stemming from a project between Vodacom and Eskom during the De Ruyter/Oberholzer era, Virtual Wheeling has attracted its first billions via a commitment by SA's biggest mobile phone company with other big companies poised to follow. In an interview today, Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub unpacked the details for BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

In his monthly update on major investment markets, David Bacher sees some contrarian light in August's gloom. The author of the Corion Report shares how his firm is nibbling at Resources stocks after the prices of mining shares in particular have fallen sharply of late. He also points out the month's best and worst performers - and the professionals that are attracting money (and losing it). He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

Pastor Christopher Claassen, president of the Spectrum National Party, says his switch into politics was a calling. In this interview, he unpacks the reason why he started the party in 2019 - and how he believes the Multi Parter Charter of SA, of which Spectrum is a member, will eject the ANC from power in next year’s national election. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

An apolitical civil rights movement is holding a People’s Summit in November this year (2023) to draw up a People’s Charter that will demand pledges of change from political parties in exchange for votes in next year’s election. Solly Moeng of The United Movement of South Africa (TUSAM) tells BizNews how it was formed, which influential people are involved - and who will be speaking at the summit. Moeng says the people of South Africa are “on their own” because there's no leadership. He describes as “treasonous” President Cyril Ramaphosa stance that he would rather be seen as a weak president than one under whom the ANC would split. And he says Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema does not have the “needed emotional basics” to be a leader of a country as diverse as South Africa. He also urges the Democratic Alliance (DA) to take heed of “repeated” accusations of it “being arrogant, doing its own thing”. He calls on political parties to work together because not one of them on its own can remove the ANC or weaken its power.

There’s an online platform for unemployed mothers seeking domestic work in Greater Cape Town called The Cleaning Fix that does not take any commission from the cleaners on the platform. The founder, Joshua Cox, told Biznews that cleaners are given 100% of the fees paid for a day or half day's work. While some gig economy platforms have been accused of being exploitative, The Cleaning Fix is a shining example of how the gig economy can be used to create more equitable jobs for the unemployed. Researchers at Oxford University found that one gig worker in South Africa completed 60 hours of work for $20 or R370. Cox, who also runs Fix Forward, a service company for independent building contractors, says that he puts workers at the centre of everything he does. "If they feel like there's dignity, they feel that they're not being exploited," he said. The company is trying to create change in an industry that Cox says takes advantage of the fact that there are so many unemployed people in the country, by paying them a decent wage and giving them options.

Dive into the captivating world of fantasy fund management with the Fantasy Fund Manager Podcast. In this 18th week of the game, host Stuart Lowman from BizNews is joined by David Bacher, Chief Investment Officer, and Anthony Hall, Portfolio Manager, both from Corion Capital. Discover their strategies, insights, and experiences as they navigate the ever-evolving landscape of fantasy fund management. Uncover the latest trends, stock analyses, and unconventional approaches that make this game a unique blend of learning, excitement, and calculated risk-taking. Join us for an enlightening journey through the world of virtual investing. Remember, each dawn of Monday is your chance to pitch your winning stocks. With enticing prizes awaiting, the game is on. Rally your comrades and head over to www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za to register—gratitude to our platinum sponsors, Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and Money Better. And mark your calendars: Subscribe now to our podcast to keep your pulse with every riveting episode. Rest assured, the stock prices discussed remain spot-on from the time of the podcast's riveting recording.

The idea of the Western Cape's secession from South Africa continues to gather momentum, with the latest poll showing well over half of those who live in the province support independence. After the province's well-publicised Devolution Forum petered out, the Cape Independence Advocacy Group is now demanding that DA leader John Steenhuisen keep his promise to them and ensures a referendum is held. In this interview, spokesman Phil Craig shares the latest research data and explains that the intention is to force this referendum on independence to be held simultaneously with SA's 2024 National election. - Alec Hogg

Deputy president of the ANC Veteran’s League, Dr Mavuso Msimang, has been a member of the movement for more than 60 years, having joined its armed wing umkhonto we sizwe in the 1960s. The science graduate, who also earned an MBA in the US, returned from exile to SA in 1993 where he has since played a leading role in the tourism and anti-corruption sectors. In this interview, he tackles IRR Policy Research head Anthea Jeffery’s well-publicised interpretation of ANC policy. He says she got it badly wrong by concluding the SA Communist Party-created National Democratic Revolution document is the ANC’s blueprint. – Alec Hogg

Even the dead in South Africa cannot escape the culture of corruption in the country. Bodies are piling up so badly at 136 State mortuaries that some relatives have to pay bribes to have post mortems done so that they can give their loved ones a dignified burial before they decompose. This has emerged from an interview with the Democratic Alliance's (DA’s) Shadow Minister for Health Michele Odette Clarke who tells BizNews: “So there are bodies piling up in each and every mortuary. For instance, in the Hillbrow Mortuary, you've got over 100 bodies that they still have to do post-mortems on”. She says by the time people receive the remains of their loved ones for funerals, “the bodies have been totally decomposed and are very often not even recognised”. She calls for legislation to regulate mortuaries and for the appointment of an Ombudsman.

In this wide ranging interview, the Democratic Alliance’s Federal Chair Helen Zille digs into the concept of ‘innovative corruption’ which she says is increasingly applied by her party’s competitors. A case in point is the bizarre story of the Metsimaholo Local Municipality in the Free State where the DA had to go to court to block payments to a dodgy property developer that would have bankrupted the district. Zille has no qualms about the challenges that face SA in rolling back such corruption, arguing that the BOSASA-type plunder is not an exception but is the norm under ANC rule. She also shares the DA’s perspective on what is happening within the chaotic governance of Johannesburg - and the retirement from politics of the city’s former executive mayor Mpho Phalatse. - Alec Hogg

The Investigating Directorate (ID) set by President Cyril Ramaphosa four years ago has done “nothing”. That is the charge by Glynnis Breytenbach, the Democratic Alliance’so (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Justice and Correctional Services. She says “arrests don't translate into anything at all, unless the case goes to court and a trial runs, somebody's convicted and somebody goes to jail”. Meanwhile, Breytenbach is driving the bill that will see an Anti-Corruption Commission set up outside the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). This will be an independent Chapter 9 institution that will prosecute high-level corruption cases. “You can tell the politicians to bugger off and nobody can do anything to you. You're answerable to Parliament and the courts. That's it.” She slams another bill recently introduced to Parliament to make Ramaphosa’s ID a permanent structure within the NPA when it’s five-year life span comes to an end next year: “they're waving the bill around as the answer to corruption…It's political smoke and mirrors to try and convince South Africans that the ANC is serious about stopping corruption. Oh, ha, ha.” In his State of the Nation Address earlier this year, President Ramaphosa said the ID had taken 187 accused people to court in 32 state capture and corruption cases, and over R7 billion had so far been returned to the state from state capture cases while R12.9 billion in funds and assets had been frozen.

Birds of a feather tend to flock together. So when News24's Mashatile Unmasked investigation into SA’s deputy president turned up dodgy payments from a company called Valumax Projects, alarm bells started ringing for Francois Nortje. The Port of Gauteng developer explains in this explosive interview how he was courted by Valumax founding director Francois Bekker, whose sole intention was to connect him with former Steinhoff executives who co-own his stinky ANC-backed competitor down the road. Nortje joins the dots and concludes Markus Jooste and his pals are only walking free despite their massive fraud because they’ve paid off ANC bigwigs. And all roads, he says, lead to the proposed R5bn Tambo Springs development. - Alec Hogg

Criminal intent and socio-economic desperation rather than racial hatred are behind many farm attacks in South Africa. This has emerged from a BizNews interview with former Public Prosecutor with the Department of Justice and ex South African Police Service (SAPS) Brigadier Julius Weideman. He is now a rural safety expert who has founded Landelike Beveiliging SA (Rural Safety SA). Weideman says Landelike Beveiliging SA is a non-political organisation that aims to get behind the real reasons of crime in the rural communities to better inform its response in addressing the risk and minimising the detrimental consequences to the economy. Meanwhile, says Weideman, the NPO’s primary objective is to prevent loss of life and injury - irrespective of what the motive of the perpetrator may be.

There are 250,000 minibus taxis, many ageing on South African roads, spewing carbon emissions into the air. These emissions are surging with the near collapse of the country’s train system. Electric vehicles could transform health, carbon emission, and costs to hard-hit commuters. But, when it comes to the transition to electric vehicles, South Africa however remains in the slow lane. This has prompted a team from the University of Stellenbosch's Faculty of Engineering to lead the way and develop an electric minibus taxi. Heading the project is Prof Thinus Booysen, who said there is no single entity in South Africa manufacturing electric engines for minibus taxis. Prof Booysen said his team is investigating the potential strain on the electricity grid and considering installing solar power at taxi ranks and extensive battery banks. He said their test vehicle will be roadworthy in the next month and then be compared to an imported electric minibus. So, if you're driving around Stellenbosch in the next month and you see a silent minibus packed with engineers, it could just be the future of public transportation in South Africa.

In a detailed discussion involving Ian Cameron, Herman Mashaba, and the BizNews Community, various aspects of crime, policing, and security in South Africa are addressed. The conversation includes insights into books that shed light on organised crime, the overwhelming role of private security firms, and the inefficiency of the police force. The debate also explores the contrasting approaches to policing in El Salvador, and the participants consider how South Africa might achieve similar results while maintaining the rule of law.

South Africa is often held up as an example of how opposing political forces can come together despite hate, mistrust, and profound differences in their views on governing the country. However, for many, the concept of South Africa as the "rainbow nation," as coined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, is now seen as a relic of the past. Divisions are again deep, and even political parties that in principle agree on how the country should be governed have been at loggerheads, publicly airing their disagreements through the media. The prospect of cohesive action to challenge the ANC, which has held power since 1994, seemed remote. But seven opposition parties—the country's main opposition, the Democratic Alliance, the Inkatha Freedom Party, the Freedom Front Plus, Action SA, ISANCO, the UIM, and the SNP—managed to overcome the mistrust and agree on a Multi-party Charter for the 2024 elections. Freedom Front Leader Dr Pieter Groenewald told Biznews that the independence of the chair, Prof. William Gumede, and Zanele Morrison, who was brought in as a leadership facilitator, turned the summit into something more than a political meeting. He said their neutrality was valued during the discussions. Morrison shared with Biznews how she guided the political leaders and about her approach to working with business executives. She said that the leadership tools required to lead have fundamentally changed from 10 years or more ago. - Linda van Tilburg

During the interview session of his keynote, crime activist Ian Cameron ripped away the plaster concealing the root of SA’s law and order problem - leadership of the SA Police Services has been stuffed with untrained and ANC party loyalists with often very dodgy ethics. The unintended consequences of this odious form of cadre deployment has been to shield Big Crime via payola-driven interventions from politically-appointed Generals, or simply rank incompetence. Even in Hermanus, where the day before the conference Cameron witnessed 20 abalone smugglers operating untroubled and in broad daylight. - Alec Hogg

BRICS has taken a “dangerous political direction” with the admittance of new members like Iran and Saudi Arabia. That is the view of the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Emma Louise Powell. She speaks to BizNews following the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa today (Thursday 24 August) that BRICS has decided to invite the Argentine Republic, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to become full members. Powell says, until this week, the BRICS grouping has been “rather innocuous”, but given the inclusion of countries like Iran and Saudi, she thinks that BRICS is headed in “a rather dangerous political direction that does not serve South Africa's economic security or democratic interests”.  That means that DA “would certainly make representations towards reviewing our membership when the time came”. - Chris Steyn

Mmusi Maimane, former Leader of the Opposition and the founder of Build One SA, is ratcheting up his organisation’s Plan ahead of South Africa’s critical 2024 national election. This month BOSA unveiled an impressive first batch of candidates to fill positions it expects to be elected into in the National Parliament and Provincial governments - a well-qualified, highly motivated corps of young leaders. In this interview, Maimane explains why BOSA has not joined the Moonshot Pact and why he is confident young voters will turn out in their millions next year to eject the ANC from power. - Alec Hogg

This enlightening interview explores the partnership of Ruda Landman and Derek Watts, two iconic co-hosts of South Africa's leading actuality television show, Carte Blanche. Ruda talks about a nearly 20-year collaboration, their impact on journalism during a transformative period in South Africa's history and the unique bond that made the duo synonymous with investigative reporting - plus a heartfelt glimpse into Derek Watts's final days.

After more than three decades as the face of the most potent investigative programme on South African television, Derek Watts (74) was one of the most recognisable of any face in his homeland. Watts passed away from cancer yesterday morning. Judging by the spontaneous public response, the nation truly appreciated this gentle giant. For almost 20 years, John Webb had been Watt's friend, confidant and boss. He shared how the late broadcaster was exactly the same - either in front of or away from the camera. RIP Derek Watts. - Alec Hogg

In the daring world of Fantasy Fund Manager, the powerhouses of profit aren't where you'd expect. The resource sector is conspicuously absent from the top ten winners' circle, leaving room for unexpected stars like Truworths, soaring 25%. Step into the spotlight and find a diverse top ten roster: three retail titans, four financial juggernauts, a resilient Rand hedge, a dynamic mid and small cap, and a lone tech and communications marvel. But as inflation's fiery pace begins to cool - July's local figures a surprising 4.7% below expectations - can we anticipate a grand performance shuffle? Tune in to this week's podcast, hosted by BizNews' Stuart Lowman. Joining the stage are Grant Morris, the strategic portfolio maestro at ClucasGray Asset Management, and the astute independent financial adviser Brett Rubin. Holding their own within the top echelons - third and sixth, to be precise - both Grant and Brett unveil their blueprints for triumph and what it takes to unseat the reigning maestro, Rene Zietsman. Remember, each dawn of Monday is your chance to pitch your winning stocks. With enticing prizes awaiting, the game is on. Rally your comrades and head over to www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za to register—gratitude to our platinum sponsors, Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and Money Better. And mark your calendars: Subscribe now to our podcast to keep pulse with every riveting episode. Rest assured, the stock prices discussed remain spot-on from the time of the podcast's riveting recording.

In another hard-hitting keynote, his trademark, Action Society's Ian Cameron highlights deep-rooted issues within the criminal justice system in South Africa, expressing frustration at double standards, corruption, and a lack of vision. He also suggests some practical steps to fix a disastrous situation where more South African civilians are murdered than their Ukrainian counterparts are killed by invading Russians. Cameron calls for a comprehensive, action-oriented approach to reforming the police service, addressing poverty as a root cause of crime, and restoring ethics and integrity. He also rejects the efforts by Corporate South Africa which, he believes, have failed the nation and making things worse by companies supporting the "criminal syndicates" that control the ANC and the SA Police Services. - Alec Hogg

Zimbabwe is going to the polls today (Wednesday August 23) amid fears that the “securitised” State will hijack the election - despite facing a weak opposition. The International CEO of Good Governance Africa (GGA), Chris Maroleng, speaks to BizNews following his deportation from Zimbabwe last week. Maroleng and his team were “illegally” ejected within days of arriving in the country to do field research. “I think it is really emblematic of a society that is trying to shield and blinker the eyes of the international community from what we suspect are attempts by ZANU-PF to basically hijack this election.”Maroleng says while criticisms of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) are valid, the political environment in Zimbabwe is skewed in favour of ZANU-PF. He predicts an “illegitimate outcome”.

ISANCO is perhaps the lowest profile of the seven political parties joining together in the Multi Party Charter of SA, but potentially it is one of the most potent. Deeply embedded within communities, the newly formed party scooped 14 councillor seats after only a few months of campaigning ahead of the November 2021 Local elections. It performed creditably in two subsequent by-elections (4-5% of the vote) suggesting ISANCO may prove an unexpected trump card for the Opposition Coalition in the 2024 National Election. Leader Dr Zukile Luyenge is confident he’s part of 2024's winning team - and in this interview, explains why. - Alec Hogg

The BRICS group of economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — is convening for its 15th heads of state and government summit in Sandton this week. What could have potentially turned into a nightmare for South Africa had President Vladimir Putin attended, has now become an occasion for President Cyril Ramaphosa to shine on the international stage. The agenda includes discussions on the potential expansion of BRICS, with 40 countries expressing interest, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Egypt. On the eve of the summit, President Ramaphosa expressed support for the expansion, stating that it will represent a group of nations with a common desire for a more balanced world order. However, Dr. Christopher Sabatini, a Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, has warned that there is a real risk that the weight of democracies in BRICS could be further diluted if it is expanded. He said that citizens of India, Brazil, and South Africa should ask themselves if they want to align with what is essentially a rogue's gallery of countries. In an interview with Biznews, Dr. Sabatini questioned the viability of a common BRICS currency, asking how a common currency can be created among countries that have shown little currency stability. He also said there is a need for trade protections for certain industries in peripheral BRIC economies to prevent them from being locked in providing raw materials to China, the 800-pound gorilla in BRICS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mr Ghaleb Cachalia, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister for Public Enterprises has called for Transnet Chief Executive (CE) Portia Derby to be sacked. He speaks to BizNews after Ms Derby’s recent remarks at a business conference that there could be catastrophic job losses in the road transport sector when rail operations improved. Mr Cachalia says that instead of focusing on fixing what is wrong with Transnet's freight rail system, Ms Derby is focusing on shoring up the trucking industry, which is not part of her mandate. He calls her “seemingly incompetent” and accuses her of moving the focus away from the much-touted Road-to-Rail Strategy, “which has never been properly implemented, which has resulted in huge failures…which has affected our economy massively…” - Chris Steyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zimbabwe is going to the polls again this week in a mixed atmosphere of despair, apathy, hope, disappointment in the lack of service delivery by the opposition in urban areas, and talk of reform and transformation from the long-ruling ZANU PF government. This has emerged from an interview with Ringisai Chikohomero, a political analyst with The Institute for Security Studies (ISS). He speaks to BizNews from Bulawayo. He lists the reasons for the shift in support towards the ruling ZANU PF government in urban centres that have traditionally been “the backbone and the strongholds” of the opposition. He says the central business districts of Harare and Bulawayo have an “awful sense of dilapidation” - and does not in itself show the potential of the opposition in terms of managing and governing. “So this is what the citizens who are more perceptive could be looking at going into this round of elections.” Although there are also fears of election manipulation, people do feel they are better prepared to counter it, with “the young ones” saying: “But this time we're going to defend our vote; this time I'm not leaving the polling station until all the votes have been counted.” Meanwhile, there has been some “recognition and realisation” in the ruling party that for the country to move forward, it needs to reengage with the international community. - Chris Steyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s no doubt that the Independent Electoral Commission will be under more pressure than ever in the run-up to the 2024 elections. Expectations are high with the opposition hoping to unseat the ANC and the ruling party hoping it can cling to power. It could be a watershed moment for South Africa. The IEC is grappling with legislative changes and three ballot papers, which is a first for South Africa. There are a mind-boggling 540 political parties registered with the IEC in the country with 340 parties eligible to contest nationally which is an indication of how fragmented politics in South Africa is. In this interview with Biznews, Deputy Electoral Officer Mawethu Mosery said the IEC has made substantial progress in preparation for the election next year and was making more use of online registration. Mr Mosery said the commission was creating a platform for businesses and citizens to support political parties financially. He also revealed that the IEC has initiated an investigation in the first case of undisclosed foreign funding to a political party. He said it was brought to the IEC’s attention by a whistleblower. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During the second part of James Lorimer’s keynote address at BizNews@10, he is quizzed on the scale of and challenges to SA’s impending oil and gas boom. Lorimer admits it’s the first ‘good news’ story he’s probably been able to tell during almost a decade and a half as a Member of Parliament - but it’s one he says desperately needs to be exposed to a discouraged nation. Hard to disagree. Investors, too, will be taking note. For instance, real estate on the Cape’s Western and Southern coasts - and in the Karoo around Beaufort West - require more than a cursory glance. JSE-listed HCI too. - Alec Hogg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The most astonishing part about this hugely bullish keynote to the BizNews@10 event, is that it was delivered by a politician who has no inventive to talk up the country's immediate economic potential. James Lorimer is the official opposition's shadow minister of Mineral Resources, and hot favourite to land the portfolio's cabinet position should the Multiparty Charter for SA prevail in the 2024 national election. Yet here he is, telling the BizNews tribe that a massive oil and gas resource is about to be unlocked, catapulting the country's economic prospects. I guess his journalistic background kicked in - news as good as this simply cannot be kept under wraps. - Alec Hogg   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

South African Police Services (SAPS) Whistleblower Patricia Morgan-Mashale was taken into court in leg irons today (Thursday, 17 August 2023). This after she came out of hiding after 17 months to appear in the Bloemfontein Regional Court in the hope of having the warrant of arrest issued against her on 3 March 2023 cancelled. That warrant was withdrawn, but not until she had been arrested, taken to the cells - and into court shackled. In her reaction, Morgan-Mashale told BizNews: “My children were at court today to support me and they saw me in the leg irons. And I didn't want them to see that…I wouldn't have allowed them to go to court if I knew that I was going to be shackled.” Despite yet another harrowing experience, she remains defiant: “They can still open cases against me. I don't regret anything. I will do it over and over again. I don't regret speaking out about corruption.” Veteran police- and violence monitor, Mary de Haas, called the shackling of Morgan-Mashale "barbaric" - Chris Steyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The choppy nature of markets is playing itself out in the Fantasy Fund Manager game, with this week seeing a 23% difference between the best-performing stock Shaftesbury (7.14%) and worst-performing Impala Platinum (-15.24%). In this week's podcast, BizNews' Stuart Lowman was joined by Corion Capital's David Bacher and Ann Sebastian, head of equities at Terebinth Capital. Fantasy Fund is built on six specific sectors, and Ann looked at which sectors may offer value. She also offered some tips on which stocks may be offering value in the financial services, resources and tech space, spoiler alert, it's not gold. Ann's investment tip for the week was ‘try not to be emotional when making your selections’. David also reveals a market tip after picking Shaftesbury as his Rand hedge this week. Remember to make your picks each week by the market open on Monday to have a chance to win any of the prizes up for grabs. And invite your friends. Register at www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za—thanks to our platinum sponsors Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and Money Better. Remember to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode. Stock prices were correct at the time of the podcast recording. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The star of Cape Town’s young executive mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis continues to rise - with his leadership abilities seen to good effect during the adept handling of the city’s potentially debilitating taxi crisis earlier this month. Like the city’s water crisis between 2015 and 2018, lessons appear to have been learnt from the challenge. Hill-Lewis reckons these include the need for Pretoria to devolve decision-making power on rail services; and find ways to address the working conditions under which taxi drivers operate - an arrangement which incentivises them to break the law. In this interview, the 36-year-old mayor also provides an update on the city’s progress towards fulfilling his campaign promise of ending loadshedding. He celebrates the role of an innovative power supply agreement to secure for Cape Town the first AWS Skills Centre outside of the USA, launched today. It brings Amazon’s seven-year investment commitment of a further R40bn on top of the R16bn already injected by the multinational. - Alec Hogg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final part of his keynote address to the BizNews 10th celebration, author and informal economy expert GG Alcock engages with delegates, answering their questions and enlightening the audience about massive advances in Sa’s informal sector. He also attacks the army of myths that is anchoring South Africa’s economic potential. Don’t miss his missive at the end where he reminds us of what he could - and could not - get across to fix the homesickness of a then London-based expat. - Alec Hogg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In one of the most powerful interactions of the BizNews@10 conference, ’Kasinomics expert GG Alcock unpacks South Africa’s informal economy, booming entrepreneurship and out-of-touch government policies. He says this illustrates the massive disconnect between the ANC’s socialist beliefs and the capitalist reality evident everywhere in the country’s townships. It’s a wake-up call for the ANC leadership, its Blue Light Brigade whose distance from voters has caused them to act and legislate as though the country were still in the pre-1994 era. - Alec Hogg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

South Africa’s globally respected futurist Clem Sunter rates GG Alcock as one of the most important of all South African voices. Like Sunter, this White Boy raised Zulu in a Msinga mud hut is a champion of entrepreneurship. We have seen on numerous occasions that whenever GG Alcock gets the opportunity to engage with local audiences, he leaves them thinking differently about their country, uplifted and inspired. It happened again at the BizNews@10 conference. Can’t wait for BNC#6 in March 2024 where both GG and Clem have agreed to deliver keynotes. – Alec Hogg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The civil rights campaigner is calling for a ban on bail for the perpetrators of violence against children - after Action Society attended five “harrowing” cases last week involving the rapes and murders of children - and “in the last 24 hours, we’ve got five violent cases of which two out of the five involve children”. Cameron reveals how many victims were killed by the same perpetrator that was previously charged with hurting them. He speaks of how criminals are granted many second chances, while “victims never get a second chance” , and says: “I honestly believe we've got monsters that literally hunt children and we need to treat them in the same way.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second part of his contribution to the BizNews@10 event, former Eskom COO Jan Oberholzer answered questions from delegates, focusing on the electricity utility's future, emphasising the necessity for organisational transformation. He advocated for a diversified approach, including a coalition with private sector energy suppliers. Oberholzer believes older power stations can be opened to independent power producers, also that the system requires substantial investment in transmission infrastructure. He also pointed to the critical role of storage solutions and addressed concerns about Eskom's ageing assets and the potential increase in electricity tariffs. - Alec Hogg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women face more challenges than men in wealth creation, particularly in South Africa, where the gender pay gap ranges between 23 and 35%, exceeding the global average of 20%. Alongside women taking breaks from the workforce for childcare, this results in lower lifetime earnings and significantly less wealth upon retirement than men. Furthermore, women often invest in low-return vehicles such as savings accounts or money market funds. However, studies, including a comprehensive investigation by Fidelity, reveal that women's investments tend to outperform men's, with a 0.4% annual advantage. In an interview with BizNews, Julie Anderson, a wealth manager at Overberg Asset Management, attributed women's investments' success to behavioural characteristics unique to them. Despite being less risk-tolerant, women are responsive to facts and make considered decisions. In contrast, men tend to be overconfident regarding investments and tend to overtrade. Moreover, Anderson noted that contrary to prevailing beliefs, women are far less emotional than men in making investment decisions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There seems to be a real prospect that coalitions will become a new reality at all levels of government in South Africa. It is not just the polls indicating that the ANC could receive less than 50% of the vote; a flurry of activity on both the government and opposition sides of the political spectrum is currently unfolding. An all-party workshop was convened by Deputy President Paul Mashatile to discuss national coalitions and opposition leaders - the Economic Freedom Fighters have not been invited - are holding a national convention this week to try to find agreement on a coalition that could shift the power balance in the country.In an interview with Biznews, TK Pooe, a senior lecturer, called for the establishment of a Kenyan-style coalition mechanism or vehicle with an all-star cabinet predetermined before the 2024 elections. Pooe says that South Africans are cynical; they want to know what a coalition would entail before casting their votes. Regarding the matter of who within the ANC would decide on potential coalitions, Pooe says that President Ramaphosa holds the cards and is in the camp that does not favour governing with the EFF. However, the ANC in Gauteng seems to be operating on a different planet and would do anything to survive. If the ANC receives less than 50% of the vote in 2024, Pooe believes that it would mark the end of Ramaphosa's presidency and pave the way for Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who is not opposed to collaborating with the EFF. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) Leader says “we know they have a deal…everything has been agreed, they are just working out the lobola…” He warns, “Both of them are gonna pay dearly because it will be the end of the DA - and it will be the near-end of the ANC." McKenzie also predicts an imminent three-way split in the ANC between the faction of President Cyril Ramaphosa, ousted Secretary General Ace Magashule and former President Jacob Zuma, saying: “I just think that they've pushed Jacob Zuma too far…I think he's going to teach them a lesson.” He reveals that there’s a “Black Pact” rising amongst political parties to form one party. McKenzie calls the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), McKenzie “the wild card” of the coalition of 2024 - and calls for a ban of the song “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer”. He also gives the low-down on his close friendship with billionaire businessman Rob Hersov, and divulges what they agree on - and what they don’t agree on. And he shares the details of his recent visit to Israel. - Chris Steyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Missing bodies, missing body parts, bodies piling up, bodies being handled by unqualified personnel, bribes to view bodies…These are just come of the ways in which the rights of deceased people and their families have been violated in South Africa’s State mortuaries. BizNews speaks to Professor David Mc Cuoid-Mason, a lecturer in Medical Practice at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He has been fighting for the control of Forensic Mortuary Services to be removed from the Department of Health and placed under the control of an independent body to ensure that the rights of both the deceased and their relatives are respected. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pandemic has accelerated the shift towards digital healthcare. However, digital healthcare is still in its infancy in South Africa, with fewer than 100,000 patients using digital services. There is huge potential for expansion, and one of the companies aspiring to revolutionise healthcare in South Africa through technology-driven solutions is HealthDart. HealthDart has been selected to be part of the Google for Start-ups Black Founders Fund 2023 cohort. In an interview with Biznews, HealthDart CEO Njabulo Skhosana said that the company wants to use technology to streamline the patient journey to primary healthcare which is characterised by inefficiency and fragmentation. He said that they would be working with Google to improve their products and were interested in establishing partnerships with medical aid organisations within the country to make healthcare cheaper and more accessible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a recent interview with Rish Tandapany, Chief Operating Officer of the Purple Group, Alec Hogg delved into the intriguing story of Purple Group's expansion into the Philippines and its partnership with GCash. The conversation shed light on the motivations behind this strategic move, the synergies between the two entities, and the potential impact on the Filipino and global investment landscape.*EasyEquities and GCash make investing Easy with the innovative platform “GStocks Global".*For more information visit - https://bit.ly/3CkBJNz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four weeks after Alec Hogg’s fascinating interview with then Eskom consultant and former COO Jan Oberholzer, the electrical engineer returned to the same venue to provide an update at the 10th BizNews birthday celebration. Having only recently departed Eskom, well ahead of the expiry of his contract, Oberholzer explained the reason for the sudden departure and shared his views on how long South Africa will be plagued by scarce electricity - extensive power cuts which the nation knows by a more polite title of ‘load-shedding’. This is the first part of his contribution, an interview with the BizNews founder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Attorney Christopher Bean, who specialises in the recovery of stolen monies and assets, says: “We want to have it frozen in terms of local freezing orders which apply in those different countries. And then we want to bring the money back. It's that simple. However, says Bean, “there are people who don't want us to do that because it will expose who are the beneficiaries” of that money. And without a mandate, either from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) or a State Owned Enterprise (SOE), Bean can’t go after State Capture loot stashed across the world. He is now challenging CEOs of Public Enterprises to “have the cojones to stand up and have a conversation with us and see if we can help recover the money that belongs to this country so that we can all benefit”. Civil Attachment Orders a.k.a Freezing Orders, Mareva Injunctions and Magnitsky Attachment Orders are currently being used very successfully to attach millions of US$ in Putin Oligarch funds all over the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pandemic uprooted the majority of office workers from their 9-to-5 workdays. Work from home (WFH) became the new normal for millions of people around the world and some took the opportunity to move to other cities or the countryside. However, there has been a slow march back to the office, with even Zoom, the video conferencing company that became synonymous with WFH, joining a parade of companies requiring employees to show up in person. In an interview with Biznews, Anne Rutledge, the Executive Director of Talent Solutions at Resourgenix, said that the workforce is asking for flexibility and that companies need to embrace hybrid work, as it is here to stay. Rutledge said companies need to have conversations with their workforce and put measures in place to address issues particular to South Africa like loadshedding. The world has changed from the 9-to-5 model, she says, and talent will look for opportunities that embrace that change.Sponsored by Resourgenix Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The recorder was a popular instrument 400 years ago inspiring renowned composers like Monteverdi, Vivaldi, and Bach to write concertos for these small whistle-like instruments. Over time, it has become synonymous with primary and elementary schools worldwide. In South Africa, it is something that is also taken for granted in many private schools but underprivileged children do not have access to recorders. Roland Moses, a musician, and senior lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology wants to change that and introduce recorders and formal music teaching into underprivileged schools. He has just launched a pilot programme to introduce recorders into the Love Trust’s Nokuphila School in Tembisa on the East Rand. Moses told BizNews about the recorder craze at the school and the benefits of music training in early childhood development. – Linda van Tilburg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Three of Herman Mashaba’s keynote to the BizNews 10th birthday celebration, the leader of Action SA engaged with the 200 delegates, answering questions about his political views, leadership, and his concerns for South Africa. He expresses trust in Gayton McKenzie over the DA, discusses the integration of spirituality into governance, outlines plans for his party’s structure, and shares strategies to tackle unemployment. He also highlights his fight for justice, concern for the country’s future, and the challenges and threats he faces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a recent interview on BizNewsTV, Martin Strauss, a wealth manager at Sharenet, discussed the emerging challenges in the South African retail sector posed by international digital retailers, particularly Shein and Temu, along with the potential impact of Amazon’s entry into the market. The interview shed light on the profound changes occurring in the industry, the structural threats to local retailers, and the need for strategic responses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quilter and Thungela Resources jumped more than 10 percent this week (at the recording time) to shake up the Fantasy Fund Manager standings. But the big moves highlight that a week is a short investment time. In this podcast, BizNews' Stuart Lowman was joined by Corion Capital's David Bacher and Rene Zietsman from Portfolio Metrix. Rene is leading the overall Fantasy Fund Manager game; she gave us insights into what's working for her, including a weekly Monday morning meeting with a fellow Fantasy Manager to discuss the week ahead's strategy. Remember to make your picks each week by the market open on Monday to have a chance to win any of the prizes up for grabs. And invite your friends. Register at www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za—thanks to our platinum sponsors Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and Money Better. Remember to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democratic Alliance (DA) Leader John Steenhuisen on why 2024 could be the year of change…Many people see South Africa’s national election next year as a “hinge-of-history moment”. That is the belief of Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen who speaks to BizNews from Clarens in the Free State where has been engaging with local communities. Steenhuisen hopes that the upcoming historic National Convention of Opposition Party leaders will result in the setting aside of petty differences; egos being left at the door - and a blueprint for building a new majority. As for the recent National Dialogue on Coalition Governments lead by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Steenhuisen says: “I think it's a startling admission from the ANC that they are going to lose the majority next year.” However, he says there is consensus that coalitions have to be stabilised so that large parts of government are not paralysed because of poorly crafted or messy coalitions that are standing in the way of service delivery. Highly motivated by his journey through the Free State, he says: “…as heartbreaking as it has been, it's also been absolutely inspiring to see how communities are stepping in where government has retreated”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During his interview with Alec Hogg at BizNews@10, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba laid into the cosy relationship between Big Business and the ANC - accusing corporate South Africa of feathering its own nest at the cost of society. Never one to shrink from controversy, Mashaba believes this unholy alliance is based on a determination of many executives to retain the status quo and keep disadvantaging small and medium-sized companies. Mashaba says he is also driving an agenda to bring spirituality back into South African life, attacking atheist-by-conviction SACP, which he says has, through its ANC partner, created a situation where a tiny fraction of non-believers (Mashaba puts it as 2%) dictates to the vast majority who profess to be Christian, Hindu, Moslem or Jewish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Self-made entrepreneur and Action SA founder and president Herman Mashaba delivered a stirring keynote at the BizNews@10 conference, re-iterating a consistent message – his young political party was created to eject the ‘criminal’ ANC from power, and he will never serve in any coalition that includes them. Mashaba’s lessons from his entrepreneurship journey and running the country’s biggest city shaped his approach to life and politics. In short: work hard, trust God and fight evil – and you will win. As Mashaba believes Action SA will do in next year’s watershed national election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The third and final section of global entrepreneur and Harvard MBA Rob Hersov’s keynote address at the conference to mark the BizNews 10th anniversary. Hersov answers questions from assembled members of the BizNews tribe, including pointed issues raised by famous podcaster Penuel ‘The Black Pen’ Mlotshwa. This section covers issues from socialism and Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership through to BRICS, Russia’s involvement in SA and how the ANC is likely to react after losing its majority in the South African Parliament next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During the interview section of his BizNews@10 keynote, Rob Hersov applied his mind to the likely political coalitions after the 2024 National Election. His preference - and that of the international investing community - is clearly for a Moonshot Pact victory, but with other permutations possible, Hersov offers his best ideas on their consequences. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When handed a microphone and offered a podium, global entrepreneur turned business activist Rob Hersov rarely disappoints. Some deliveries, however, are better than others and his ad-libbed opening address at the conference to celebrate the 10th BizNews anniversary was a tour de force. Hersov took no prisoners, castigating SA business leaders whom he believes are colluding with the ANC government – and sharing his dream of a country fulfilling its undeniable potential after the 2024 National Election. Potent. Inspirational. Visionary. If this doesn’t fill you with hope, nothing will. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ronan Wordsworth of Geopolitical Futures - based in Prague in the Czech Republic - tells BizNews that while there's “this idea that perhaps South Africa had shifted quite far towards the Russian camp”, the African National Congress (ANC) has recently actually been “softening” towards the West, and is possibly bringing their stance back “more towards the middle ground”. He says if the ANC needs a coalition partner after next year’s general election, it would have to pick parties that would promote the growth of the South African economy, “which is desperately needed at the moment”. He explains why Kenya - as an African country - and India - despite being in BRICS - have managed to find a workable middle ground between East and West. And he points out that too much focus on Russia at the upcoming BRICS Summit in South Africa “will really upset the balance of South Africa's economy and trade and foreign policy interests compared to the other BRICS partners”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BizNews has received a photograph of a soldier with a Wagner Group badge taunting Poland with his arrival on its border. Another photograph shows a Wagner badge being held up next to the “Polenska” sign. BizNews has also received Flight Tracker maps showing a private plane, believed to belong to Wagner’s Yevgeny Prigozhin flying from St. Petersburg to Belarus and departing again a day later. We ask Andrei Kebkalo, the founder of the Omega Consulting Group (OCG) in Ukraine, for his take of these developments. He speaks about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s long-term goal of building a Russian Empire, Wagner’s big appetite for Africa, and Ukraine’s lack of manpower in a long war which he sees as only the beginning. - Chris Steyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Economic Freedom Fighters leader, Julius Malema, has consistently voiced his support for a socialist form of government, often citing Cuba as an example of the direction he envisions for South Africa if his party were to gain a majority. Malema’s tweets have described Cuba as a successful socialist state, and he seems drawn to the idea of enduring leadership akin to the Cuban communist leaders who have held power since the 1959 revolution. To gain insight into Malema’s vision of a South Africa modelled after Cuba, we sought the expertise of Dr. Christopher Sabatini, a senior Research Fellow for Latin America and the Americas program at Chatham House. In an interview with Biznews, dr. Sabatini refutes the notion of Cuba’s success as a socialist state, describing it as an economic basket case that primarily relies on tourism and the export of doctors for survival. He reveals that a significant number of Cubans, 100,000, have fled the country this year alone due to poverty and malnutrition, and that the perception of good Cuban health care is false. Cubans have to bring their own bed sheets to hospital and there is no medicine. Just this week, a Cuban legislator named Carlos Miguel Pérez, who is the only businessman in the country to sit in the communist National Assembly, highlighted the Cuban economy’s inability to provide enough food for all. Pérez said that even a basic item like Gouda cheese costs more than what a state worker is paid in a month, roughly 4,000 Cuban pesos or $20.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A ghost Container Park and empty sites where others should have been erected for Small, Medium, and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) are symbols of the mismanagement of Local Economic Development (LED) funds in some Free State towns. BizNews speaks to Irene Rügheimer, a PR Councillor for the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Dihlabeng in the Free State. She reveals the reasons for this, the challenges faced by the municipality - and the profound impact on the local communities. It is a tale of unscrupulous tactics to abscond with funds; unfinished projects; lack of accountability; the urgent need for reforms; and a glimmer of hope amongst all these challenges. - Chris Steyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

South Africa will need all the cool heads it can access over the few months as the country moves towards the watershed 2024 National Election, where its long-time rulers are likely to lose their Parliamentary majority. One-time Robben Islander and former MD of News at the national broadcaster Dr Snuki Zikalala, weighs in with a hopeful message to counter those predicting chaos. Zikalala was this week re-elected president of the ANC Veteran’s League, which he explains is the most important of the movement’s three fundamental structures. In this powerful interview, Zikalala argues that popular opinion and even pundits like RW Johnson are wrong about the far-left EFF being the ANC’s “natural partner” - explaining why, post-2024, it would be impossible for the two parties to enter into a governing coalition. On the other hand, provided pre-conditions are met, he is confident a coalition between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance, the official opposition, would work in the national interest. Controversial within some quarters, but Zikalala has never been afraid of rocking the boat. His message offers an inside track into thinking within the ANC, and is sure to be welcomed by moderates hoping for a post-2024 turnaround in the country’s flagging fortunes. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Naspers share price moved from a low of around R1450 in May last year to R3465 at the time of recording the podcast. This is as the group looks to close the door on its complex cross-holding structure at the AGM later this month. In this week's podcast, BizNews' Stuart Lowman was joined by DMA One's quantitative analyst Charlotte van Tiddens and Sharenet’s director of operations, Fran Blom. Charlotte tackled the Naspers question, expecting more growth in the Naspers' share price run. At the same time, Fran picked up where Banyana Banyana left, announcing an extra R5000 Fantasy Fund Manager prize for August’s winning woman, and gave us the stats behind women in finance. Remember to make your picks each week by the market open on Monday to have a chance to win any of the prizes up for grabs. And invite your friends. Register at www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za—thanks to our platinum sponsors Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and Money Better. Remember to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Unbridled” corruption, poverty - and poor governance are fuelling coups in Africa. BizNews speaks to Professor Humphrey Asamoah Agyekum of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark following the most recent coup, this time in Niger. He lists some of the main reasons behind the many coups - specifically in West Africa. He also discussed the link between coups in West Africa and coup leaders trained in the West. Commenting on one of the coups whose leader was US-trained, Professor Asamoah says: “So that, of course, also led to lots of discussions about what exactly was he trained in. Was he trained to overthrow the government or was he trained in something else, right? - Chris Steyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our monthly recap of the markets, David Bacher of Corion looks back at a month when the Rand outperformed, helping South African shares post a rare performance victory over their global counterparts. Bacher highlights the importance of a long-term perspective and diversification in investment strategies, offering examples of the fruits this delivers. The interview also touches on the significance of Women’s Month and promoting greater female participation in financial markets. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The activities of Cyber Mercenaries are becoming an increasing threat to peace and security in South Africa and the rest of the African Continent. They are willing to fight a Cyber War for anyone who is prepared to pay for their highly specialised services, including: Denial of Service Attacks, Surveillance, Espionage, Malware ‘kits’, Hacking, Social Engineering, Information Gathering, Spam/Scam Distribution, Social Media Bots, The Sale of Stolen Information; and the Generation of Deep-Fakes. BizNews gets taken into their world by Noelle Van der Waag-Cowling, the Cyber Programme Lead at the Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (SIGLA) at Stellenbosch University. She talks about their capabilities, their clients, their motives, their modus operandi - and shares details of some of the damage they have inflicted already. "Any type of cyber activity that you'd like to execute can be at your fingertips if your money is right,” she says. - Chris Steyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Gauteng government has been rocked by corruption scandal after corruption scandal for nearly three decades. Veteran Democratic Alliance (DA) politician Jack Bloom, who has served in the Gauteng government since 1994, has witnessed it first hand. He gives BizNews the details of case after case in a province where three of the “Top Seven” in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) came up through the ranks. He describes how some corrupt officials simply got re-elected while others have never been held accountable because of never-ending investigations. “It's quite clear there's an utter lack of shame and utter lack of accountability…And I'd like to see some justice and accountability finally. These cases need to come to court, you know, and people need to be found guilty.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not long ago, global mining entrepreneur Neal Froneman’s was the only name worth mentioning when asked about SA business leaders calling out its incompetent, corrupt government. Of late others have joined the Sibanye-Stillwater CEO, with the common view among SA business leaders is the country has fallen so far that it’s in a place where there is no longer any downside for those speaking truth to power. In this interview, Froneman explains why, for the first time in his long entrepreneurial career, he has joined into an organised business initiative with the government. He shares the progress so far and what he expects to achieve alongside Remgro’s CEO Jannie Durand in the Crime and Corruption workstream - and leaves us with a message of hope. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

William Saunderson-Meyer, author of SA’s longest-running political column, revisits a kite he first flew six months ago - the potential national presidency of 52-year-old Freestater Fikile Mbalula. In recent weeks. Mbalula has been calling out his ANC colleagues from the councillors at Umsunduzi and supposedly powerful cabinet incumbents through to president Cyril Ramaphosa. WSM applies his mind to the question of whether self-proclaimed ‘Mr Fixit’ will ascend from ANC secretary general to the corner office in the Union after the 2024 election. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This interview explores the 25-year success story of Peregrine Capital with its co-founder and executive chairman, David Fraser, and CEO, Jacques Conradie. They share insights into their investment philosophy and strategies, emphasising the importance of backing strong franchises and conducting thorough fundamental research. They also highlight the need for disciplined selling and avoiding emotional attachments to investments. There's also valuable advice to aspiring investors, encouraging lifelong learning and the importance of understanding management teams as it can lead to rewarding opportunities to buy - or short-selling prospects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A former Security Branch (SB) informer who defected to the African National Congress’ armed wing uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) as an intelligence operative - and who left the ANC after 32 years to form his own party - is one of the opposition leaders who will be at the upcoming national convention of “pact” members. He is Neil De Beer of the United Independent Movement (UIM). He speaks to BizNews about what he fought for in the past and what future he is fighting for now. De Beer gives his reasons for joining the “Moonshot Pact Coalition”, and says the 2024 election is about “numbers” and “logistics” - not politics. De Beer also speaks about what drives him, his epic cancer battle, and his relationship with God. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Cyril Ramaphosa and other African leaders have gathered in St. Petersburg for the second Russia-Africa summit. The previous summit took place in Sochi in 2019. Amid Russia's deepening isolation from the West due to the invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin has increasingly turned to Africa. However, Independent Journalist and Foreign Policy Analyst, Peter Fabricius, told Biznews that only 17 out of the 43 African leaders who attended the 2019 Sochi summit indicated their willingness to participate this time. Fabricius emphasised that Putin's hosting of the African leaders is an attempt to demonstrate that he is not as isolated as the West perceives him to be following the invasion. African leaders, he said, are hoping to reinstate the export of Ukrainian grain. Fabricius also shared that despite being accredited as a member of the press for the summit, his accreditation was unexpectedly withdrawn at the last minute—a move he suspects may have been initiated by the Russian embassy in Pretoria - Linda van TilburgYour early morning brew of the BizNews Insider keeps you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here - https://bit.ly/3lfVRYP.---Timestamps00:09 - Introductions00:47 - Peter Fabricius on being withdrawn accreditation to attend the summit02:29 - If any of the pledges from the last summit materialised03:08 - On the drop of African attendees04:01 - On what Putin is trying to get from the summit04:53 - What the African leaders are hoping to gain06:06 - On the Russians bumper crop of grain from the Ukraine07:36 - On if African leaders will mention the influence of the Wagner group in Africa08:35 - On if the peace initiative that Ramaphosa and some African leaders initiated might be on the table10:14 - How the West sees this11:34 - On the human rights violations in Ukraine and if they will be discussed14:35 - On if Jacob Zuma will attend the summit15:40 - Any new developments on the BRICS Summit16:41 - Conclusions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martin Wolf, the esteemed chief economic commentator at the Financial Times, requires little introduction. Regarded as the gold standard of financial and economics journalism, Wolf’s latest book, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism, serves as a wake-up call for democratic nations. In it, he highlights the faltering marriage between democracy and the market economy, exposing democratic nations to the perils of profoundly anti-democratic forces. In an exclusive interview with Biznews, Wolf delves into his background and how it has shaped his perspectives, illuminating the concerning backsliding of democracy and proposes remedies to reverse this decline ‘before it is too late’. Reflecting on South Africa, a country for which he penned his “saddest but perhaps best column” in the early 2000s, Wolf laments the predatory and non-productive elite that is not creating new wealth. The leadership’s unbelievably difficult task, he says, has deteriorated. He emphasises that South Africa’s path to success necessitates the economy to grow at 5% a year and the incomes of the poorest should grow at 7 or 8%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amid the mounting political uncertainty in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, coupled with the persistent volatility of the Rand and unsettling discussions on the term 'failed state,' South African investors are increasingly turning their gaze towards foreign shores in pursuit of financial security. Julian Adshade from Sable International says that the depreciation of the Rand stands out as the primary impetus driving South Africans to contemplate offshore investments. The Rand, he said, has depreciated 6.5% per annum against the dollar since 1994. Furthermore, the looming political risks associated with the upcoming elections and the notion of securing assets abroad for the benefit of future generations contribute to the growing discourse on safeguarding funds by investing them overseas. During this interview with BizNews, Julian Adshade delves into the advantages of offshore investments for South Africans, explores the various investment vehicles worth considering, and provides insights into the potential tax implications of overseas investments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is rising concern in Europe as soldiers of the Wagner Group are on the move again. BizNews gets news of the latest developments from the Omega Consulting Group’s (OCG’s) Andrei Kebkalo who describes the Wagner Group as “Putin’s Shadow Army”. He counted 13 Wagner columns crossing the border with Belarus, with the last one arriving this morning (Friday 28 July). There are also 3,000 to 4,000 personnel and 800 vehicles in the Wagner field camp 200 kilometres from Ukrainian border. Another 10,000 personnel is expected to arrive. As for fears that they could soon be heading to Poland, Kebkalo says it is a “possibility” as the Russians are trying to drag NATO countries into the war. He also gives an update on the “very difficult counter-offensive”, and reveals that the military is in a “terrible state” while corrupt Government officials are crossing the border with suitcases full of US dollars, and people are buying golden chairs, golden tables, and “everything made of gold”. Kebkalo says: “It’s very embarrassing because for some people, a war in Ukraine is a tragedy. And on the other hand, for other people, it's like a free ticket to a dream life.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

South Africa has emerged as a formidable force in fighting wildfires all over the world, with firefighters from the job-creation program "Working on Fire" gaining international recognition. In June, a team was dispatched to Edmonton, Canada, to bolster firefighting efforts against raging blazes that had consumed homes for over a month. What sets the South African team apart from others is their tradition of singing, which has gone viral. Trevor Abrahams, Managing Director of "Working on Fire," told Biznews that the program is providing employment and fostering cohesive teams that are sought after overseas. He said with climate change predicting worsening wildfires, their services are increasingly in demand and their "business is going to boom." Commenting on the wildfires in Europe and parts of Northern Africa, Abrahams said the increased exposure of some countries to wildfires necessitates preventative work, governments should be shifting more resources to forestall wildfires. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been two years since Altvest burst onto the South African investment scene, promising to democratise private equity by offering a way into private companies for small investors. The challenge, however, was more daunting than anticipated and only two listings have been concluded to date - far from the ‘one a month’ that had been anticipated. But founder and CEO Warren Wheatley says lessons have been absorbed - and this week Altvest announced the appointment of a new chairman and three fresh directors which is likely to give the visionary concept fresh impetus. In this interview, Wheatley, new chairman Stafford Masie and one of the new non-executive directors GG Alcock share their excitement. They spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The South African Rand hit a record level of 19.92 against the United States Dollar in June. And despite returning to the mid-17s this week, the longer-term trend is weaker. But what does this mean for Fantasy Fund Managers? In this week's podcast, BizNews' Stuart Lowman was joined by Corion Capital's David Bacher and Simon du Plooy. Simon, the head of asset allocation at the fund manager, broke down internal and external events that drive the local currency but, more importantly, how these movements impact the shares in the game. Stock rotation has been spoken about on the podcast before, and the currency trend, whether up or down, is at the heart of this rotation. David also pulled out the benchmark return of the 60 shares and explained how 64% of managers are currently beating the index. Remember to make your picks each week by the market open on Monday to have a chance to win any of the prizes up for grabs. And invite your friends. Register at www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za—thanks to our platinum sponsors Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and Money Better. Remember to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After months of diplomatic and legal drama over the attendance and then the non-attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the focus is now on the agenda at the BRICS Summit in South Africa next month. There is much hype over speculation that this BRICS Summit could open the door to a new world order with a move towards “de-dollarisation” and the induction of powerful new members like oil-rich Iran and the UAE. BizNews asks Sanusha Naidu, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Global Dialogue, what outcomes can realistically be expected. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Presidency budget, known as Budget Vote 1, stands at R625 million but notably lacks a Parliamentary oversight committee—a matter of ongoing concern for several political parties advocating for increased scrutiny of the Presidency. Judge Zondo's state capture report has also underscored the need for an accountability-focused committee. While the ANC has been dragging its feet on appointing an oversight committee, they agreed to examine similar committees established in the United Kingdom Parliament to oversee the British Prime Minister. Members of Parliament’s Rules Committee, including Chief Whip of the Freedom Front Plus, Corné Mulder, have just returned from this visit. Mulder told Biznews that he would like to see the robust interaction with the head of government in the UK replicated in South Africa’s Parliament with the opposition chairing committees, and told Biznews that it was "unthinkable" that the President was spending taxpayers' money without adequate legal oversight, especially as President Ramaphosa is consolidating power in his office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this final episode of the Kagiso Trust campaign, we explore the inspiring story of the Makana Circle of Unity, a collaborative civic coalition. In this interview, Paul Smith, the Local Government Support Head for Kagiso Trust, and Sisesakhe Ntlabezo, the Programme Manager at Makana Circle of Unity, share their experiences in fostering radical collaboration to improve service delivery and governance at local level. Discover how they navigate challenges, build trust, and bring together stakeholders to work towards a common purpose, providing valuable insights into replicable models of community-driven development.Join us for this 6-part series with Kagiso Trust as we explore ways of being a part of the solution and not part of the problem.Sponsored by: Kagiso Trust - https://bit.ly/3N4FZ9eIn case you missed it:Epi 1: https://youtu.be/k7NlmMGUzXYEpi 2: https://youtu.be/P3Xrn_VfBgYEpi 3: https://youtu.be/ppMCtp5KanEEpi 4: https://youtu.be/C5dQy6U0M-QEpi 5: https://youtu.be/XD6p8CFlP5U Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Opposition party leaders gathering at next month's national convention will aim to agree how the coalition would constitute a “pact” government. This emerges from an interview with Dr Leon Schreiber, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Public Service and Administration. Also on the agenda will be a minimum programme that, should a government be constituted out of this pact, it would be looking to implement. That would be a set of policy solutions to the five or ten biggest problems in South Africa. Meanwhile, one or two more parties may still join the six already involved: those being the DA, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the Freedom Front Plus (FF+), Action SA, the United Independent Movement (UIM), and the Spectrum National Party. Parties that are not part of the pact process include GOOD, the Patriotic Alliance (PA), and Al Jama-Ah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RW Johnson, the most popular columnist on BizNews Premium, exhibits his trademark ‘take-no-prisoners’ approach in this powerful interview where he explains the ANC-SACP’s seemingly illogical pursuit of long discredited economic policies. He says the ruling party’s policy blueprint, the National Democratic Revolution, has even been disavowed by the Soviet Union bureaucrats who created the destructive template in the 1950s. Persistence with this failed plan speaks of a political leadership bereft of ideas and out of touch with the destruction their decisions have wrought. Such an approach is sure to deliver the sticky end that always follows extended periods of low economic growth with continued accumulation of national debt. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this in-depth interview, Dr. Frans Cronje of the Social Research Foundation offers detailed insights into political dynamics across South Africa's provinces with particular emphasis on the Western Cape where the SRF has just concluded in-depth research. Cronje examines shifting voter sentiments in the DA-run province, concluding that newcomers Action SA and the Patriotic Alliance are attacking the wrong target - they would do better by focusing on former ANC voters whose support in the Western Cape is down from a recent 30% to just 10%. Cronje, currently engaging with movers and shakers in Washington also shares excellent news on AGOA and the US's renewed interest in Africa after realising the gains made on the continent by Russia and China. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russian President Vladimir Putin “really wanted to show up” at the BRICS Summit in South Africa next month - “and he really wanted to show the world that the rules imposed by the international community, as he perceives it, don't apply to him because that's what he does; he always gets away with things that are somewhere written or deemed undoable”. These are the words of the Czech Deputy Minister of Defence, Dr. Tomáš Kopečný, who is also the Governmental Envoy for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. He speaks to BizNews following the decision by Putin not to attend the summit next month to avoid getting arrested in terms of an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for war crimes in Ukraine. Dr. Kopečný says there was absolutely no chance that Russia would have gone to war with South Africa if Putin were arrested - as was argued by President Cyril Ramaphosa - because 96% of all its troops are in Ukraine, and they even use equipment that countries from Africa sent to Russia for maintenance overhauls. Dr. Kopečný also speaks to BizNews about the Wagner Group’s renewed focus on Africa under a new commander who “comes from the structures that are much more closely linked with the faithful”. And he gives BizNews the inside track on the Ukrainian counter offensive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s alarm about a new intelligence bill that targets religious institutions, private security companies and non-governmental organisations for vetting in a way that could possibly be unconstitutional. If the bill became law, those wishing to establish and operate a new non-governmental or religious organisation, or establish a private security company, would have to undergo a vetting investigation in order to determine their security competence for clearance. Such vetting would give intelligence officers access to one’s most sensitive personal information. BizNews finds out more from a member of the 2018 High-Level Presidential Review Panel (HLRP) that investigated the State Security Agency (SSA). He is Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, Professor of International & Diplomacy Studies at Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs at the University of South Africa. (UNISA). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In her new book “Countdown to Socialism”, Anthea Jeffery removes scales from the eyes of those who have ignored the ANC’s pursuit of a blueprint for SA economic disaster - the National Democratic Revolution plan devised by Soviet Union bureaucrats in the 1950s. Jeffrey, head of policy research at the Institute of Race Relations, explains how the NDR originated from Soviet ideologies aimed at shifting newly independent African and Asian, primarily capitalist countries, to socialism. Despite the Soviet Union’s dissolution three decades after the economic collapse, Jeffery asserts that the ANC and its supporters remain in an obsessive pursuit of the NDR, despite its now well-exposed pitfalls and record of economic destruction and creating misery. She also warns those in the private sector rallying to the government’s call to support the failing SA economy that they are being misled and will be dispensed with as soon as it suits Pretoria’s socialist agenda. She spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this insightful discussion, three business leaders share their perspectives on the critical need for radical collaboration to address the challenges of local government infrastructure in South Africa. Alan Mukoki, CEO of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Richard Gayba, Chair of the Makana Business Forum, and Ken Clark, CEO of Twizza Beverages Eastern Cape, shed light on the urgent requirements for quick turnaround times, proper maintenance, and efficient service delivery. Despite the discouraging state of many municipalities, these leaders discuss their efforts to bring about positive change through initiatives like radical collaboration and the circle of unity.Join us for this 6-part series with Kagiso Trust as we explore ways of being a part of the solution and not part of the problem.Sponsored by:Kagiso Trust - https://bit.ly/3N4FZ9e Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crooked South African Police Service (SAPS) members are “filling up” court rooms with malicious prosecutions to silence their competent colleagues who are investigating politically sensitive cases - as well as the honest ones who are trying to expose corruption. Long-time violence- and police monitor Mary De Haas - who has fought tirelessly for decades to hold the police accountable for abuses of power - gives BizNews the inside story of a force “riddled with criminality”. She describes how one officer is being maliciously prosecuted with no evidence at all, but simply to take him off a case that is a “political bombshell”. She recalls how the Nationalists still had a sense of shame when exposed, but says the current government has “no sense of shame”. De Haas lists the urgents police reforms that could be implemented immediately if there were political will - and she calls on big business to do read the Riot Act to the Presidency. Meanwhile, she is fighting all the way to Parliament on behalf of SAPS whistleblower Patricia Morgan-Mashale who is still in hiding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Less than half of South African university students complete their degrees, a stark contrast to the 30% rate seen in OECD countries. However, Excel@Uni, a pioneering South African startup, is determined to change this trend. Focused on keeping students on track throughout their academic journey and preparing them for the workplace, the company has recently received recognition from Google as a recipient of the 2023 Google for Startups Black Founders Fund. Co-founder, Lungelo Gumede, told Biznews that Excel@Uni has achieved remarkable results, boasting an impressive success rate of 90% for their students in a pilot programme, with certain years recording zero drop-outs. Gumede said that black founders often found it difficult to secure investors, but Excel@Uni adapted their business model and managed to make it more attractive for their preferred investor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Veteran money manager Nick Downing specialises in a highly profitable niche - carefully selected global investment trusts from hundreds whose equity is listed on London Stock Exchange. In this fascinating interview, the co-founder of Overberg Asset Management explains his process, and how he can regularly acquire offshore assets at significant discounts. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.Your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider keeps you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here - https://bit.ly/3lfVRYP.---Timestamps00:00 - Introductions00:48 - Nick Downing on starting his own business03:18 - Why he chose the town of Greyton to start his business04:42 - On moving to South Africa after graduating from Cambridge06:25 - On Overberg's unique approach to investing and the London Stock Exchange10:03 - Why investment trusts are not popular in South Africa13:17 - On the ins and outs of investment trusts14:29 - On the success of Overberg Asset Management17:13 - How Downing and Overberg approach investment19:58 - On Overberg's biggest holdings in the LSE22:49 - Concludes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BizNews founder Alec Hogg put Gosolr to the ultimate test - and says SA’s leading provider of residential renewable energy solutions passed with distinction. In this interview, Gosolr CEO Andrew Middleton, a qualified actuary, explains how the mushrooming company's business model is built on a discipline of a simply month-by-month commitment from clients - and installations completed within a single day. He also unpacks the direct correlation between demand for Gosolr's services and Eskom's load-shedding schedule and explains how the company is engaging with rural municipalities to assist them in overcoming seemingly intractable problems with supplying electricity to their ratepayers. - Alec HoggSponsored by:GoSolr: https://bit.ly/3q0jk6n Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Volatility is still the name of the Fantasy Fund Manager game, as Richemont and Pick n Pay are down more than 10 percent for the week. But what is this signalling? On the Fantasy Fund Manager podcast, BizNews' Stuart Lowman was joined by Corion Capital's Garreth Montano and Dylan Bradfield, a portfolio manager at Sharenet, to dissect the current rotation happening in the local market. But where does the opportunity lie, Dylan points to a potential rotation into insurers. The pros and cons of company share buybacks were also discussed, with both leaning towards the former, potentially better use of capital than dividends. Remember to make your picks each week by the market open on Monday to have a chance to win any of the prizes up for grabs. And invite your friends. Register at www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za—thanks to our platinum sponsors Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and Money Better. Remember to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The roots of South Africa’s Construction Mafia reach all the way back to the extensive site disruptions around payment issues at the Madupi and Kusile projects for ESKOM. This emerges from an interview with Construction lawyer Euan Massey who says regulations released in 2017 opened up a door for illicit organisations to use what had happened previously in terms of site disruption to demand payment from contractors and from developers and subcontractors in the construction industry on the premise that it was a government requirement that they be paid 30% of the contract value. Their modus operandi involve extortion, violence, and even murder. Meanwhile details about the alleged involvement of government officials and crooked cops in the Construction Mafia emerged at a webinar this week with the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala and industry experts. The Minister says a special task force to  deal with the Construction Mafia is being established - and at least 605 suspects have been arrested. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Settas, chairman of the Free Market Foundation’s Health Policy Unit, sheds more light on the National Health Insurance (NHI) project in South Africa raising widely held concerns. Settas says universal health coverage already exists in the country, emphasizing the need to address issues of cost and quality rather than completely overhauling the system. He is concerned about the lack of pre-implementation feasibility studies and engagement, potential disinvestment in the private sector, and the tax implications of the proposed reforms. Settas argues collaboration with non-State stakeholders, ignored thus far, is crucial for NHI to stand any chance of success. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A two seat gain by the Democratic Alliance in yesterday’s by-elections has given the party an outright majority in the George municipality, which is currently runs in coalition with Moonshot Pact partner, FF+. But there celebrations had a hard edge as the DA Western Cape leader Tertius Simmers explains in this interview, alleging that Gayton McKenzie’s Patriotic Alliance used booze and food parcels to buy the votes that secured the PA the other seat. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For six years, a couple of entrepreneurially seasoned CAs trading have been delivering Alternative Investment goods for clients. Their firm, Innovate Alternative Investments and Assets, uses its independence effectively by spreading clients’ funds among the most appealing private equity, venture capital, 12J and other alternative investment classes. In this interview, co-founder Anil Govind explains how Innovate outperforms - and why the tax-incentive 12B funds are so appealing right now. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Asia's economic success stories have been extensively documented in numerous books, attracting a steady stream of visitors to countries like China, Singapore, Vietnam, and South Korea who seek to witness their remarkable growth. Naturally, this prompts the question: What lessons can Africa learn from these experiences, and who should serve as an inspiration? In an interview with Biznews, political analyst, Moeletsi, presents a fresh perspective, suggesting that South Africa should redirect its focus away from the East and instead look to the New World, particularly the United States that we should emulate. In an interview with Biznews, Mbeki draws parallels between the American experience and South Africa's emphasising the need for South Africa to break free from its neo-colonial economic structure imposed by the British, which heavily relies on the export of raw materials. He says that the big mining companies show little interest in beneficiation, instead focusing on excavation and calls for a revolutionary shift to proper industrialisation which includes a fundamental overhaul of South Africa’s education system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Ghaleb Cachalia, shares the details of a conversation he had with former ESKOM COO Mr Jan Oberholzer following his sudden departure from the beleaguered power utility. And he gives his very frank verdict on the move. He also hails the government’s first step towards privatisation at Transnet, another struggling SOE - and says public-private partnerships are needed to fix the State’s non-delivery at all SOEs. He is very upbeat about the outcome of next year’s national elections, and says that while the African National Congress (ANC) is “scrambling” to hold onto votes, the coalition is “looking stronger by the day”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Judging by the vociferous comments on social media after my interview with Dr Nicholas Crisp, middle-class South Africans are almost universally camped against the concept of national health insurance. But most South Africans DO agree the status quo is disastrous. While corruption, cadre deployment and incompetence are blamed, deep structural issues inherited from pre-1994 were never addressed. South Africa’s solution surely lies outside those provided in often-referenced First World countries like the UK and France. Among the global success stories is Indonesia, a developing country with an efficient universal healthcare system serving a widely dispersed population four times SA’s. The President of Indonesia’s national health insurance body is Dr Ali Ghufron Mukti. He is a university professor and serves as the director general of Indonesia’s Ministry of Research Technology and Higher Education. We met during his visit to SA last week. - Alec Hogg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Crime Intelligence section is “sleeping” while transnational organised crime syndicates loot billions - and rampant lawlessness sabotages the economy. This has emerged from a BizNews interview with veteran crime fighter Yusuf Abramjee, who is also the founder of Tax Justice South Africa (TJSA). Every day, an estimated R250 million is looted from South Africa by the illicit economy - often with the help of corrupt officials - with “very little action” from government to counter it. Abramjee says South Africans should be “very, very worried” about the corruption in the ranks of government, civil servants, and politicians - and urges civil society to fight back and put pressure on the government to act. He warns that the new Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill will help illicit cigarette barons loot even more. He calls the recent spate of torching of trucks “economic sabotage” and asks: “Where was Crime Intelligence in the first place - before the first truck was set alight? Perhaps they're still snoring. We know Crime Intelligence has been sleeping for years…” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into an insightful discussion with Andrew Vintcent of ClucasGray about the current volatile landscape of South African stocks. Andrew defies the bearish outlook by advocating for JSE-listed stocks, offering an intriguing take on investing in a South African-only balanced fund. The conversation delves deep into key issues like load shedding, inflation, and the cyclical versus structural nature of current financial difficulties, all framed within an overarching optimism for the future of South African investing. This candid conversation is not to be missed by any investor. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Francois Nortje, director of NT55 Investments and developer of the Port of Gauteng, unpacks the watershed public-private partnership deal announced yesterday by Transnet. Nortje, the parastatal’s most vocal critic, is full of enthusiasm lauding Transnet’s selection of ICTSI, a reputable Filipino company which is one of the world’s leaders in this field - and valued at R135bn on the Manila Stock Exchange. He is not as excited about the second leg in the process, a similar partnership opportunity on rail connectivity, but reckons improving South Africa’s port infrastructure is a positive step towards levelling out the downward economic spiral of recent years. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2024 national and provincial elections are seen as a realistic opportunity for opposition parties to wrest power away from the ruling ANC. With every single vote making a difference, the DA is gearing up to woo overseas voters who have in the past overwhelmingly voted for the party. The DA Abroad’s Global Chair, Ludré Stevens, told BizNews that voting overseas is much easier for this election, as the IEC has agreed to allow online registration for overseas voters. Stevens said this is a huge game changer and the party is also pushing for more voting stations in locations where South Africans are based, rather than just capital cities, and for the use of only one form of identification. He said the DA has started a process of mobilising South Africans abroad as this is the election where a single seat can make a difference. Your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider keeps you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here - https://bit.ly/3lfVRYP.---Timestamps00:00 - Introductions00:28 - Ludré Steven discusses the DA's drive to secure overseas voting for the 2024 national election 01:00 - Steven gives the ins and outs of overseas voting04:50 - On the number of overseas voters the DA aims to secure06:56 - On the need to get votes away from the ANC10:57 - On difficulties with securing passports for overseas voters12:07 - On the importance of the 2024 national election Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would crime fighter Ian Cameron do if he were the Minister of Police? Cameron would start by fixing the top structure of the South African Police Service (SAPS): a national commissioner who understands that he is a CEO of an entity that is providing a service to 60 million clients; a skills audit of the “Top 10” to get rid of political appointments and incompetents; a polygraph process to weed out the corrupt; the recruitment of officers with integrity who can service with transparency; as well as better training, more detectives - and the return of reservists. He also gives BizNews an update on the latest developments around the recent assault by members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's VIP Protection Unit detail on unarmed civilians forced off the N1 highway. - Chris SteynYour early morning brew of the BizNews Insider keeps you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here - https://bit.ly/3lfVRYP.---Timestamps00:00 - Introductions00:22 - Ian Cameron gives an update on the N1 VIP Police scandal08:14 - Cameron on how would fix policing in South Africa11:39 - Ian Cameron provides words of hope for South Africans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dylan Bradfield, portfolio manager at Sharenet, provides some excellent investment pointers, basing his view on the strong potential for a rotation of investment from US assets to Emerging Markets - including South Africa. Bradfield highlights the recent popularity of the JSE, driven by the weakening dollar and increased interest in retailers, insurers, and banks. He believes that South African stocks are highly attractive value propositions, with cheap fundamentals and the potential for a significant upward move as global markets allocate more capital to the country. Bradfield also provides the case for buying Telkom and Blue Label. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews from the Latitude Aparthotel studio in Cape Town. - Alec HoggYour early morning brew of the BizNews Insider keeps you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here - https://bit.ly/3lfVRYP.---Timestamps00:00 - Introductions00:39 - Dylan Bradfield on Fantasy Fund Manager01:57 - Bradfield gives his overall view of the South African market04:18 - On cheap SA stocks and the trajectory of the market04:49 - On Telkom07:50 - On Openserve10:02 - On Blue Label12:45 - On his approach to investing14:01 - On the US inflation rate and its impact on US stocks16:28 - How the US economy may affect the SA market17:52 - On being patient with your investments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would Glynnis Breytenbach do if she were the Minister of Justice? In a face-to-face interview from the Latitude Aparthotel studio in Cape Town, BizNews asks her for solutions. Breytenbach, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Justice, says that her first priority would be to ensure that the functionality of the criminal justice system was restored. “The entire system needs a serious overhaul, and that includes the police, the prosecution, the judiciary and correctional services.” Currently, Breytenbach is working hard towards the establishment of an Anti-Corruption Commission that would relieve the overburdened National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of the task of prosecuting very high-level corruption- and organised crime cases. She is optimistic that the bill will sail through Parliament - with the expected support from the African National Congress (ANC) - and that the Commission could be set up within about a year - and that this completely independent Chapter 9 institution could start prosecuting these complex cases within 18 months so that South Africans can start seeing accountability and consequences. - Chris SteynYour early morning brew of the BizNews Insider keeps you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here - https://bit.ly/3lfVRYP.---Timestamps:00:00 - Introductions00:28 - Glynnis Breytenbach on the state of the Justice Deparment in SA and what changes she would make if she were Justice Minister06:35 - On if the dire state of the Justice Department can be turned around timeously07:22 - On the National Prosecuting Authority11:20 - On the public scepticism toward the Justice Department and NPA12:49 - On the safety and protection of whistleblowers in SA15:59 - On the Anti-Corruption Commission Bill18:40 - On the endemic corruption in South Africa20:27 - On the timeline for the Anti-Corruption Commission Bill21:16 - On what drives her passion for justice22:51 - On her relationships with the Ministers of Police and Justice and the Thabo Bester debacle24:11 - On President Cyril Ramaphosa24:42 - On the state of justice in South Africa25:52 - Concludes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Kevin Trenberth, a highly regarded climate scientist whose work on several IPCC reports has made him a leading voice in the field, sat down with BizNews to discuss the current state of climate change. Dr Trenberth did an exemplary job of explaining how, while climate change is primarily caused by greenhouse gases, it also amplifies natural weather patterns like El Niño. Both those on the climate change alarmist and sceptic sides of this critical debate are sure to follow the interview keenly as Trenberth provided detailed explanations of complex climate science concepts and responded to statements made by climate scientists in the opposing camp. Dr Trenberth was forthcoming and informative with his beliefs and arguments – a fresh and very welcome level of professionalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

United States inflation fell to 3% in June, the lowest in three years, as increased interest rates started to bite. This easing in CPI has lifted hopes that the current trend of rising interest rates will be cooled. But what does all this mean for a South African investor? This week on the Fantasy Fund Manager podcast BizNews' Stuart Lowman was joined by Corion Capital's Garreth Montano and Grant Morris, a portfolio manager at CluclasGray Asset Management to try to answer this ever-changing scenario. With a big scope on which sectors and stocks may benefit from a dovish interest rate environment and a stronger Rand. Education is one of the cornerstones of Fantasy Fund Manager and this week dividend ratio was explained, and how it is used in investment decision-making. Remember to make your picks each week by the market open on Monday to have a chance to win any of the prizes up for grabs. And invite your friends. Register at www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za—thanks to our platinum sponsors Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and Money Better. Remember to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martin Wolf, the esteemed chief economic commentator at the Financial Times, requires little introduction. Regarded as the gold standard of financial and economics journalism, Wolf’s latest book, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism serves as a wake-up call for democratic nations. In it, he highlights the faltering marriage between democracy and the market economy, exposing democratic nations to the perils of profoundly anti-democratic forces. In an exclusive interview with BizNews, Wolf delves into his background and how it has shaped his perspectives, illuminating the concerning backsliding of democracy and proposes remedies to reverse this decline ‘before it is too late’. Reflecting on South Africa, a country for which he penned his “saddest but perhaps best column” in the early 2000s, Wolf laments the predatory and non-productive elite that is not creating new wealth. The leadership’s unbelievably difficult task, he says, has deteriorated. He emphasises that South Africa’s path to success necessitates the economy to grow at 5% a year and the incomes of the poorest should grow at 7or 8%. - Linda van TilburgYour early morning brew of the BizNews Insider keeps you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here - https://bit.ly/3lfVRYP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many whistleblowers in South Africa end up on the run. Some even end up dead. Others have to live in hiding in fear of their lives. One of those is South African Police Service (SAPS) whistleblower Patricia Morgan-Mashale, a former Senior Administration Clerk in the Firearm Registry in the Free State. Patricia has been in hiding since February last year (2022) after repeatedly trying to expose “massive” corruption in SAPS. She tells BizNews of threats to her life and liberty; how Police Minister Bheki Cele tried to get her to meet him alone; and how President’s Cyril Ramaphosa has ignored her pleas for protection. Still, she says: “…my children have told me they’d rather have a mother who died because of a truth than a mother who's still alive because she was afraid to speak out and tell the truth.” This is her story… - Chris SteynSign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Western Cape government's "Growth for Jobs Strategy" is being launched later this month. Western Cape Premier Alan Winde gives a sneak preview – and details a raft of positive developments in the province. He discusses the latest plans to counter the "biggest blockage" to the economy – electricity and energy. And he tells BizNews how the province's residents are being made safer with "boots on the ground" in murder- and crime hotspots. Meanwhile, new schools are being built fast, with one for 500 learners completed in just 65 days. Premier Winde also gives optimistic feedback on his recent trip to the United States (US), where talks were held with big investors and the US Government on AGOA, amongst other matters of bilateral interest. – Chris Steyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

South Africa is home to one of the world’s foremost scenario planners - an Oxford PPE and erstwhile top business executive who played a huge role in the late 1980s in steering the nation towards the High Road of negotiation, rather than a widely anticipated civil war. Now in his late 70s, futurist Clem Sunter’s passion for the country is undimmed. But he fears that today’s political and business leaders are not appreciating the arrival of the second watershed that was highlighted in the original High Road Low Road scenarios three decades back. In this absorbing interview he explains to BizNews’s Alec Hogg what’s really at stake in Election 2024. In short, that it’s “the economy, stupid...” and without a 1980s-type refocus, this time to promote entrepreneurship, all of the Young Democracy’s gains since 1994 will be lost Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this latest episode of the Radical Collaboration series with Kagiso Trust, experts discuss the pressing issues of social justice and corruption in South Africa. The conversation centers around the concept of social justice as enshrined in the country’s Constitution, emphasizing equal access to basic necessities such as clean water, which is a fundamental right. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story, with disparities in the quality of services between different communities. The guests, Zukiswa Kota from the Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM) and Wayne Duvenage, CEO of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), shed light on the detrimental effects of corruption and the challenges faced in achieving social justice and equitable service delivery.Join us for this 6-part series with Kagiso Trust, as we explore ways of being a part of the solution and not part of the problem.Sponsored by:Kagiso Trust - https://bit.ly/3N4FZ9e Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Lings, Chief Economist at Stanlib, has added a lot of Eskom-related data to the weekly pack of graphs he distributes to the company’s clients - and in this interview, unpacks the key information, cutting through the complexity and technical jargon that often makes it inaccessible for many. Lings presents the information digestibly, allowing for a clearer understanding of the energy sector’s overall situation. His conclusions point to there being hope - thanks to the successful renewables programme and the huge and growing role now being played by the private sector, which was only recently allowed to enter the sector. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Police Andrew Whitfield says President Cyril Ramaphosa should take responsibility for the state of safety and security in South Africa because he has refused to get rid of Police Minister Bheki Cele. He speaks to BizNews as Cele seems to have gone “underground” while the furore over VIP Protection Unit members assaulting unarmed civilians, rages on. The exposure of that has now resulted in an apparent death threat to an ex-cop in the security industry for sharing footage of the ”Blue Light Mafia” assault last week. That threat read: “Goodday we don't take kind (sic) to the footage that you supplied to the media. You made a lot of enemies in specialized units, we will deal with you…” Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa “unfortunately appears dead set on keeping Minister Cele in this position”. But Whitfield warns that as long as Cele stays in his job, the country’s safety and security environment will deteriorate. He also slams SAPS’ use of spy grabber technology to illegally intercept communications from ordinary South Africans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Magnus Heystek, a fiercely independent financial advisor and founder of Brenthurst Wealth, wrote a piece for BizNews this week where he argues why South Africa has reached the “suddenly” stage of a financial crisis. In this interview Heystek went into greater detail on his article, discussing various alarming trends, including the collapse of the residential property market, the depreciation of the currency, poor stock market performance, and declining consumer confidence. So what would it take for SA’s arch bear to switch sides? Quite a bit, as you might imagine - but it’s not impossible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chief protagonist for universal healthcare in South Africa, Dr Nicholas Crisp, has been taking plenty of punishment from private sector commentators. He believes this public debate has been missing the point because SA’s healthcare system is uneven, broken and needs massive restructuring. While criticism of NHI comes mostly from those in companies serving the middle class, Crisp says the bulk of the NHI Bill targets complete reform of the public sector, on which 80% of citizens rely. The Deputy DG at the Department of Health put his case to Alec Hogg of BizNews.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is “extremely likely” that the tentacles of the Wagner Group reach all the way to South Africa - and that its propaganda division has already been meddling in the country’s politics with a view to influence the outcome of national elections next year. This has emerged from an interview with Dr Bohumil Doboš of Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. “It is extremely likely that they are (in South Africa) and they are doing this for quite some time right now. The Internet Research Agency (IRA) of Yevgeny Prigozhin, which is based mainly in St. Petersburg, is operating worldwide…it is quite obvious that the Russian elites have their interest in the outcome of the upcoming general election… If African National Congress remains to be the unchallenged leader in South Africa, this is definitely something that Moscow can make use of.” Dr Doboš also speaks about Yevgeny Prigozhin’s IRA operations elsewhere in Africa; the difference between its modus operandi on the African continent and in the West; how their propaganda operations have shaped the views of African countries on the East-West conflict; as well as Wagner’s origins, its funding, and its military operations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the studio this week BizNews' Stuart Lowman was joined by Corion Capital's David Bacher and Anthony Hall. Hall, a portfolio manager at Corion, won the competition for June with a 13.26% return, this against the worst performance of -5.81%. Hall unpacked the strategy that got him to the top of the podium, but how not having Naspers in his picks almost caught up with him in the final week of June. He also stressed the important difference between how the game is played and how he manages portfolios. A big focus of Fantasy Fund Manager is education, and this week David explained what a PE ratio is and how it can be used in decision-making. Remember to make your picks each week by the market open on Monday to have a chance to win any of the prizes up for grabs. And invite your friends. Register at www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za—thanks to our platinum sponsors Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and Money Better. Remember to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The civil rights group Action Society has issued WANTED posters for six of the VIP Protection Unit members who assaulted unarmed civilians - and repeatedly kicked an unconscious man at the side of a highway in full glare of the public. Action Society’s Ian Cameron is outraged that the officers involved in the unprovoked attack have not been arrested and charged, but have just been put on administrative duty. “I mean, if you and I pointed a gun at someone, then kick them, beat them until they're unconscious, carried on beating them after they had lost consciousness, then we'd be behind bars. You and I would be begging for bail.” Cameron also describes the ordeal suffered by the victim, Lvaughn Fisher, who thought it was a hijacking. - Chris SteynYour early morning brew of the BizNews Insider keeps you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here - https://bit.ly/3lfVRYP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

South Africans have reacted strongly to the video of a SAPS VIP policy protection unit dragging and gang-beating a motorist on the side of a major highway. Rory Steyn, who was the co-head of the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) that looked after Nelson Mandela, answers the key questions and shares how PPU alumni view the actions of deputy president Paul Mashatile’s security detail. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The dysfunction of ESKOM and Transnet has sent South Africa’s economy into the emergency ward. That has emerged from an interview with Ghaleb Cachalia, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises. “ESKOM, if you like, is the heart of our economy. Transnet is the spine of our economy. We have destroyed the heart of the economy. It's in ICU. Our spine needs to be looked at by every possible surgeon, to continue that metaphor, in sight, because of course it's broken.” Cachalia also shares his views on the state of other SOEs including SAA which he says is flying on a “shoestring”, and DENEL which was once the “darling of the investor community and now is the skunk of the investor community”. He singles out SAFCOL as the “only” SOE that's “holding its head vaguely above water”. However, he warns that there are “huge land claims about to derail SAFCOL over time”. - Chris SteynYour early morning brew of the BizNews Insider keeps you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here - https://bit.ly/3lfVRYP.Timestamps00:33 - Ghaleb Gachalia on what's fixable and unfixable regarding Eskom05:50 - On the lack of skills11:45 - The ticking time bomb that is Eskom is far from being diffused13:30 - On if the gaps between what should be done, what can be done and will be done are reachable at this point14:44 - On How much time we have for these issues to be fixed15:58 - On the Transnet disaster16:37 - The broken spine that is Transnet24:08 - Ending with words of hope 25:23 - Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vice President Paul Mashatile has been in the crosshairs of late - not least of all because his VIP Protection officers assaulted unarmed civilians. BizNews now takes a look at his ascendency to power. Veteran Gauteng Democratic Alliance (DA) politician Jack Bloom gives his take on Mashatile’s talent as an “internal” politician, his lack of “external” political achievement, his ambitious climb of the rungs of power, as well as the persistent allegations about his lavish lifestyle, his “fishy” associates, and the ‘Alex Mafia’. Bloom says that everything that's been alleged about Mashatile is true, he was a pioneer of State Capture. - Chris SteynYour early morning brew of the BizNews Insider keeps you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here - https://bit.ly/3lfVRYP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a crisis of leadership amongst South Africa’s ego-driven politicians who are not serving the people with “character, caring, competence, commitment, and connectedness”. This has emerged from an interview with Leadership Diagnostician Dr. Albert Wort of the University of Johannesburg (UJ). He gives BizNews his take on the leadership abilities of some of the country’s past and current politicians. He describes ActionSA’s Herman Mashaba as a “very, very good leader”; expresses disappointment in President Cyril Ramaphosa who has “lost authenticity”; questions whether EFF leader Julius Malema’s authenticity is adding value; and says SA was at the pinnacle of leadership when Madiba was president, but then the “wannabes” stepped in… - Chris SteynYour early morning brew of the BizNews Insider keeps you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here - https://bit.ly/3lfVRYP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once hailed as the beacon of democracy in Africa, South Africa's municipalities are grappling with significant challenges related to governance lapses and accountability. Part 3 of the 6-part series with Kagiso Trust, Professor Sam Koma from the University of Limpopo and Mankodi Moitse, CEO of Kagiso Trust, shed light on the pressing need to professionalize local government in South Africa and address critical issues such as corruption, service delivery, and improved governance. The discussion delves into the importance of promoting high professional standards and ethics in the public sector, the challenges faced in recruitment and appointment processes, and the alarming accountability regressions highlighted by the Auditor General's report. These expert voices advocate for radical collaboration between local government and communities for a better future.Join us for this 6-part series with Kagiso Trust, as we explore ways of being a part of the solution and not part of the problem.Sponsored by:Kagiso Trust - https://bit.ly/3N4FZ9e Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Civil rights group Action Society’s Ian Cameron has launched a petition for a ban on the South African Police’s “Blue Light Mafia”. This after a video went viral on Twitter showing SAPS VIP Protection officers violently assaulting unarmed civilians on the N1 highway. Deputy President Paul Mashatile has now confirmed that those officers are attached to his detail. “Paul Mashatile criticising an incident like this is the same as (Colombian drug lord) Pablo Escobar condemning drug trafficking. It makes no sense,” Cameron says. He says the incident is part of a culture that has been engraved in the very being of VIP Protection Services - and that has been a problem for years on end. - Chris Steyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Corion Report, now in its sixth year, is a superb reference tool for the past month’s performance of asset classes. Compiler David Bacher, Corion’s CEO, explains why the big losers in May turned into the hardest runners in June, unpacks the unit trust sector’s winners and losers and shares his thoughts on what lies ahead. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 The IFP steamroller appeared to be gathering irresistible momentum since SA’s November 2021 Local Elections. In one by-election after the other, the IFP posted huge increases in the share of the vote and won an unprecedented eight wards off the ANC in the ruling party’s strongholds. So last week’s loss to the ANC in Estcourt’s Ward 14 was a shock, causing commentators to predict a rejuvenation for Ramaphosa’s beleaguered organisation. Not so, says IFP president Velinkosini Hlabani who puts the reverse down to ANC dirty tricks, not a sudden surge in popularity. Hlabani, tipped by the Freedom Front + as SA’s most likely next president, shares details with Alec Hogg of BizNews. He also looks ahead to the opposition party codesa next month - and explains why any IFP post-2024 election coalition with the ANC would be “very, very difficult for us”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eskomite Jan Oberholzer, an electrical engineer who retired as the utility’s COO at the end of April, spent Friday evening in Hermanus answering nothing’s-off-limit questions from BizNews’s Alec Hogg. Here are the highlights of that lengthy interview, providing the inside track on burning issues like why loadshedding has improved lately and when will it end. Plus the inside track on Oberholzer’s two year consulting job; his lengthy one-on-one meeting with the SA president; SA’s desperate need for a ‘crystal ball’ - and how to turn currently destructive transformation policies into a positive. The interview was in a large hall and in parts the recording is not good. But given the content, it's is worth persevering with. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you belong to the group of South Africans that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has referred to as "mobile higher-income earners" and you're contemplating leaving the country or are already part of the large pool of South Africa's emigrants, it's crucial to take into account the tax implications of emigration. The finance minister and the South African Receiver of Revenue are eager to retain as many South African residents as possible within their tax net. Therefore, they expanded tax laws in 2021 to include South African citizens' worldwide income and assets. In an interview with BizNews, Sable International's William Louw suggests that prospective and current emigrants carefully consider the concept of tax emigration, which involves altering their residency status. Louw outlined the necessary steps for tax emigration to BizNews and provided insights on assets that may trigger capital gains tax. He also highlights the rules for individuals who may wish to return to the country.- Linda van Tilburg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Head of equities at Terebinth Capital, Ann Sebastian, is having lots of fun participating in its co-sponsored Fantasy Fund Management game. But her day-to-day work is to select the right stocks to invest in. She does so through a model that applies mathematical formulae to bring together many disparate factors, creating a “wholistic” selection process that turns the old ones on their heads. She explained this - and the excellent returns from Naspers - to Alec Hogg of BizNews.Interview sponsored by:Terebinth Capital: www.terebinthcapital.comProud sponsor of:Fantasy Fund Manager: https://bit.ly/43pn8fMTimestamps:00:00 - Introductions01:01 - Ann Sebastian on Fantasy Fund Manager01:35 - Sebastian on her passion for Mathematics and numbers02:15 - On her transition into investment and finance03:34 - How Terebinth looks at investment05:34 - On using AI and machine learning07:09 - On where the South African market finds itself08:59 - On how to approach investing in the current market11:32 - On Naspers14:09 - On her move from Stanlib to Terebinth16:06 - On Terebinth's woman-dominant business environment17:11 - On what Terebinth stands for17:45 - On Terebinth sponsoring FFM18:38 - On her FFM portfolio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a world where encounters with Holocaust survivors are few, and most have surpassed their 90s or 100s, Ella Blumenthal stands out as an extraordinary individual. Her journey that she penned in her book, “I am Ella” with author Joanne Jowell, goes beyond mere survival, for she carries within her a remarkable absence of hatred and refusal to be defined by her suffering. At 101 years old, Ella, who lives in Cape Town, exudes a fiery, gracious, and humorous spirit, at times even taking on the role of the interviewer. In an exclusive Biznews interview with Ella, her daughter Evelyn Kaplan and Jowell, her captivating presence makes this a must-listen, hosted by Linda van Tilburg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The growing power of Russia’s Wagner Group in Africa is believed to be behind the sudden termination of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali. BizNews speaks to Dr. Robert Zuber, director of the UN-based Global Action to Prevent War and Conflict. He was at the UN Security Council meeting on Friday last week to ratify a plan for the drawdown. He feels the Wagner Group was “partially responsible” as they were able and are able to promise - if not deliver - security to Mali without the pressure that the UN is putting on Mali to return to democratic government, to hold elections, and to fully honour the peace agreement. US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has accused Wagner of using its operations in Mali both to obtain revenue for the group and its leader, Yevgeniy Prigozhin, as well as to procure weapons and equipment to further its involvement in the war in Ukraine. The US has now sanctioned Wagner’s Mali “facilitator” Andrey Nikolayevich Ivanov who has worked “closely” with Prigozhin’s entity Africa Politology and senior Malian government officials on weapons deals, mining concerns, and other activities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the rural regions of South Africa, an astonishing number of schools continue to rely on pit toilets or latrines, which essentially consist of 3-metre-deep holes in the ground. Pit toilets not only strip pupils of their dignity and compromise hygiene, but they also pose significant risks to their safety. Tragically, there have been cases of young children losing their lives after falling into these treacherous latrines including a four-year-old Eastern Cape girl, Langalam Viki that was found in a pit toilet in June this year. Seeking to address this pressing issue, Breadline Africa, a non-profit organisation, has taken up the mission to install 4000 flush toilets in schools across South Africa. Johan Nel, Marketing Manager from Breadline Africa told Biznews that they wanted to place 4000 toilets in rural South Africa helping 120 000 children. – Linda van Tilburg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The value versus growth debate has been a common theme across the Fantasy Fund Manager podcast, hosted by BizNews’ Stuart Lowman. Corion Capital’s Garreth Montani and Cuan Sauter from Moneybetter look behind the lens at the psychology and personality traits driving a value or growth investor. And on the subject of growth, Richemont is put under the microscope, a share that recently went through consolidation but continues to shine despite the cost-of-living crisis. There's also a tough match-up for June’s top spot, as 0.27% separates the top two (at the time of the podcast recording). Remember to make your picks each week by the market open on Monday to have a chance to win any of the prizes up for grabs, be sure to have those picks in to take part in July's competition. And invite your friends. Register at www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za—thanks to our platinum sponsors Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and Money Better. Remember to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite a recent ratcheting up of “negative campaigning” by its detractors, the Patriotic Alliance is shaping up as a potent force in South African politics - evidenced by yesterday’s comfortable victory over the ANC incumbent in a well contested by-election in Johannesburg. Co-founder Charles Cilliers explains how the victory was crafted, and how it will send a message to the other free enterprise-supporting political parties. Especially the Official opposition, the Democratic Alliance, which also performed well in yesterday’s by-elections, retaining four wards, growing its share of the vote by well into double figures in two of them. Voters are pointing towards a clear path to victory in 2024 for opposition parties - but only if they start behaving in a manner that reflects the enormity of what is at stake for the country. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

South Africa’s estimated 13 million unregistered voters hold the power to change South Africa's future as the kingmakers in next year’s watershed national elections. This emerges from an interview with Werner Horn, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) member on the Party Liaison Committee of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). He tells BizNews why the votes of new voters are needed by “coalition” parties to surge past an estimated 40% of the vote to build a strong post-election pact for an “alternative” government. Horn also speaks about the “massive instability” that has been created by coalitions-gone-wrong in big Metros - and says the DA and the ANC are in agreement that strict coalition, management, legislation and institutions are needed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Irina Filatova is a Russian history and political science professor who moved to SA in 1992 to take up a post at the University of KZN - but remains closely in touch with her homeland and fellow Moscow University faculty and students. Author of half a dozen books, including acclaimed The Hidden Thread: Russia and SA in the Soviet Era (with Apollon Davidson), she is our go-to expert on all things Russian. Once again she delivers a rivetting interview here, providing superb context on the ructions in Russia and what impact the weakening of Putin will have on his South African acolytes in the ANC, EFF and SACP. After the interview, the Prof noted that had she said any of this in her former motherland, she'd have broken many laws and probably been jailed. She spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been challenged to visit Clarens in the Eastern Free State to be given advice on the implementation of poverty-relief programmes. The invitation comes from Garth Brook - an implementing agent for the past 16 years - who says: “And what we'll do is we'll explain very carefully to Mr. Ramaphosa what it is we need in order for his poverty relief projects to work. It's not difficult and it's very easy work.” Brook’s public appeal to the President comes after threats to blacklist him if he spoke out about his latest battles with officialdom. “They have told me that if I talk to you and I report this to you on your programme, I will be blacklisted.” According to Brook, the poorest of the poor are left even poorer by non-payment for projects; interference by municipal officials in projects funded by national government; and exploitation of workers by greedy implementers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

South Africa needs a professional diplomatic service to mitigate the damage caused by its foreign policy based on the ideological world view of the ruling African National Congress (ANC). That is the view of Terence Corrigan of the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) who speaks to BizNews about the ANC’s pro-Russia stance; the diplomatic debacle in Poland; President Cyril Ramaphosa’s “pathetic” performance in Paris; and the lingering questions over allegations that arms and ammunition were supplied to Russia in defiance of sanctions; as well as the “self-delusion” of BRICS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 In a rational world, the Democratic Alliance would be a shoo-in at South Africa’s National election next year. The only province where it has a majority, the Western Cape, proves the benefits of clean and efficient governance: crime is lower, property prices much higher, 98% of SA’s new jobs are created there - and public structures work in a country where big chunks are increasingly taking on the look of a failed state. But unseating SA’s Party of Liberation is no easy task. In this interview, DA leader John Steenhuisen explains how the DA expects to prevail. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BizNews spoke to Dr Susan Wadia-Ells, author of Busting Breast Cancer, Five Simple Steps to Keep Breast Cancer Out of Your Body to discuss various factors contributing to breast cancer and shed light on the controversial practices and regulations surrounding its prevention and treatment. A fascinating discussion on mammograms, metabolic therapies and other critical issues related to the cancer industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices