Claim OwnershipBizNews Radio
Subscribed: 6,940Played: 138,866
Subscribe
© BizNews
Description
Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.
4869 Episodes
Reverse
Tonight’s BizNews Briefing starts with Dawie Roodt’s warning that South Africa’s public-sector wage bill is crowding out growth. We then track a market update led by Standard Bank’s strong full-year result, softer numbers from Montauk Renewables and progress funding at Southern Palladium. Donald MacKay argues motorists are effectively paying for SA’s vehicle-industry subsidies through higher prices, before Bloomberg reports escalating Middle East risks after Oman evacuated a key oil terminal and tankers were hit in Iraqi waters.
In this morning’s episode, we lead with the Trump administration’s massive 172-million-barrel oil release as conflict in the Strait of Hormuz continues. From the BNC#8 stage, Rob Hersov delivers a blunt warning on South Africa’s geopolitical positioning, arguing the country has "chosen the losing side" in a reset world order. Dawie Roodt joins the conversation to explain why the Reserve Bank's shift to a 3% inflation target is sparking capital inflows and a stronger Rand. Plus, we look at Meta’s plan to deploy four generations of custom AI chips to challenge Nvidia’s dominance.
Tonight’s BizNews Briefing opens with new US Ambassador Brent Bozell’s candid message from BNC#8, urging reciprocity and warning that policy uncertainty and geopolitical alignment choices shape investor confidence. We then run through a results-heavy market update led by Harmony, Rainbow Chicken and OUTsurance. Bloomberg follows with Ed Yardeni’s bullish gold call — $6,000 this year — before Sean Peche’s Wealth Building tip: focus on risk management, diversification and “getting rich slowly”.
Today’s Daybreak covers the IEA's historic proposal to release 182 million barrels of oil as "Operation Epic Fury" intensifies with over 5,000 US strikes inside Iran. From BNC#8, US Ambassador to South Africa Brent Bozell warns that American patience with South Africa is running out, while Eskom Chairman Mteto Nyati labels the nation’s 1.6% GDP projection a "survival rate" rather than true growth.
Oil prices swing sharply as President Trump signals the Iran war could end “very soon”, with markets watching for a peace off-ramp, potential strategic reserve releases and safer passage through the Strait of Hormuz. We then track pockets of strength in South African results from Absa, Attacq and Weaver Fintech. UBS’s Adrian Zuercher says the main macro “transmission” from the conflict is through energy prices, before 36ONE’s Cy Jacobs shares a Wealth Building tip: stay defensive and don’t be brave in uncertain markets.
In his first public address since arriving in South Africa, new US Ambassador Brent Bozell delivered a candid keynote that mixed optimism about the country’s economic potential with sharp warnings about the direction of bilateral relations. Speaking to the BizNews Conference audience and later in a short Q&A with Alec Hogg, Bozell praised South Africa’s entrepreneurial depth, financial sophistication and strategic importance to Washington, while arguing that policy uncertainty, BEE-related ownership requirements, expropriation fears, rural safety concerns and Pretoria’s alignment with adversaries such as Iran are undermining investor confidence. He pointed to major recent US investments by Visa, Google, Microsoft and Amazon as proof of America’s long-term commitment, but stressed that stronger ties will depend on reciprocity, clearer rules and a more level playing field. His core message: the US still sees South Africa as a potentially important partner, but patience is wearing thin and the moment calls for candour, reform and renewed non-alignment.
In this episode, we break down President Trump’s latest strategy in Iran, including his plans for the US Navy to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz to stabilize global energy. We also examine the escalating regional tensions following NATO's interception of a ballistic missile over Turkey and Lebanon’s urgent plea for a truce with Israel.
On the tech front, we dive into the unprecedented legal battle as Anthropic sues the US government over "supply chain risk" labels. Finally, Henry Blodget joins us to discuss the AI software selloff and whether OpenAI is facing its "Yahoo moment" as competitors like Google Gemini close the gap.
In tonight's episode: Patriotic Alliance MP Juliet Basson describes a "hostile" oversight visit to Normandien Farms, where she found no evidence of illegal operations. Global markets react as oil prices jump above $100 due to ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and escalating Middle East tensions. Plus, a heavy day of corporate results features gains for African Rainbow Minerals, Grindrod, and Santam, while Merafe struggles amid difficult ferrochrome conditions. Finally, Piet Viljoen shares why a diversified "cockroach" portfolio is the best defense against unpredictable geopolitical black swans.
Crude oil prices have jumped above $100 as the US and Israel intensify military operations in Iran, effectively halting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. While President Trump touts military successes, he faces a growing "philosophical break" with a MAGA base wary of new "forever wars". Oracle and OpenAI have scrapped plans for a flagship AI data center expansion in Texas as financing negotiations stalled. Tensions rise as Colonel Chris Wyatt argues President Trump’s "3D chess" is isolating the ANC by removing its international allies. Meanwhile, back home, MP Juliet Basson details a "hostile" oversight visit to Normandien Farms that saw a factory shuttered over a dust mask dispute.
In the latest NdB Sunday Show with Chris Steyn, US intelligence analyst, retired Colonel Chris Wyatt describes how the African National Congress' “friends are disappearing”. He says US President Donald Trump is “playing 3D Chess while everyone else is playing Checkers. Trump has a long-term strategy here… the rogue states… the friends of the African National Congress have been taken off the chessboard one piece at a time. Nicolas Maduro wanted for criminal acts and for supporting terrorism and drug trafficking was extradited back to the United States. That regime has been hobbled. Cuba is being strangled. They no longer have any ability to influence things. Now it's Iran. So that's three of the ANC's friends. That really just leaves Russia, China and Brazil still on the map. Brazil will be dealt with eventually. The leader of that country is a convicted felon. He will eventually be dealt with by his own people. In the meantime, they're no threat to anyone. Russia is engaged in a war it cannot win because it's a foolish approach. China is doing nothing...” Col Wyatt adds that the three Iranian ships that participated in South Africa's BRICS exercise recently “are now at the bottom of the Arabian Gulf”. In his update on the raging war, Col Wyatt says: “I'm not sure we have an end state here. It seems like unconditional surrender and regime change are what it's going to be.”
Patriotic Alliance MP Juliet Basson explains what really happened during the controversial parliamentary oversight visit to Normandien Farms in Newcastle. She describes a chaotic and hostile scene, distancing herself from aggressive actions taken by others on the committee. Basson says she supported the farm, questioned the shutdown over dust masks, and called for an investigation into the incident.
South Africans are facing an impending and massive R8-a-litre fuel price shock when prices are adjusted next month. This spike is a direct consequence of the prolonged war in Iran, which has driven the Rand cost of oil up by 40%, jumping from R954 to R1,328 a barrel.
The higher oil price - now above $80 a barrel from below $60 a week ago - is significantly impacting global inflation expectations, triggering nervous trading on Wall Street overnight.
Also in Today's Daybreak: Global and local markets are under pressure, with the JSE down 0.75%, mainly due to a 2.5% fall in resource stocks. The Rand opened at R16.60 against the US dollar. Gold and Bitcoin remain steady at $5,150 and $71,250, respectively.
SA's Geopolitical Tightrope: ANC Top Seven member Nomvula Mokonyane visited the Iranian Embassy in Pretoria to sign a condolence book for the assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Professor Edward Minnie discusses how this brings South Africa's delicate position on the war into sharp focus.
Iranian Succession & Trump: Donald Trump is insisting on being involved in the selection of the new Iranian leader and strongly opposes a "North Korean style" succession by the Ayatollah's son. However, the FT's Tehran correspondent reveals that Mojtaba Khamenei has already emerged as the leading candidate in highly confidential initial voting.
Investment Strategy Insights: Piet Viljoen discusses his worldwide flexible 'Cockroach' fund. He shares his protective strategy of holding a high exposure to previously inexpensive energy assets to guard against unpredictable global events. He also unpacks Warren Buffett's approach to geopolitics and explains his allocation to cryptocurrency.
Tonight’s BizNews Briefing opens with Piet Viljoen’s case for South African assets, despite what he calls political irrationality, arguing that resilient business people, strategic minerals and geography still matter. We then move to a market update led by Firstrand’s strong interim numbers, Implats’ mixed reaction, Treasury losing budget-office DDG Edgar Sishi, and STADIO’s upbeat growth signal. Peter Major follows with the view that Iran cannot shift global minerals markets and that South Africa has gained little from the relationship, before Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon says markets are still trying to work out the Iran endgame.
With war talk rattling markets, investor Piet Viljoen explains why forecasts are pointless and diversification is everything. From Bitcoin as a modern “hard asset” to why South African shares remain deeply undervalued, Viljoen shares how he prepares portfolios for chaos rather than predictions.
In today’s Editor's Desk, Alec Hogg highlights a new investigation by James Myburgh that deconstructs the historical "myth" regarding the ANC’s relationship with the Iranian regime. This is followed by a deep-dive discussion from the Financial Times featuring Gideon Rachman and Emile Hokayem, who examine the escalating "battle of endurance" in the Middle East. They explore the strategic implications of the recent US combat operations in Iran, the resilience of the Iranian regime, and the growing anxiety among Gulf states and Western allies as the region faces the prospect of protracted instability.
In his latest interview with Chris Steyn, former South African diplomat to both the NP and ANC governments, Dr Eddie Mienie, now the Executive Director of Strategic & Security Studies at the University of North Georgia (UNG) in Atlanta, gives his analysis on the war in the Middle East; US President Donald Trump’s long-term strategy and popularity challenges; the effect of the Epstein Files; South Africa’s relations with the US and Israel; the personal sanctions risk of ANC leader’s unwavering loyalty to Iran; and whether a Patrice Motsepe Presidency can save the party. As for South Africa's stance, he warns: "I cannot see any positive outcome from hanging on to an Iranian regime that is now quite frankly, on their knees.” On the possibility of sanctions, he says: “... this is always an option and we can expect that to be considered if the belligerence remains and personal sanctions, even freezing of financial assets that are abroad, is a possibility as well.” Meanwhile, he predicts: “... the bombing campaign (on Iran) is absolutely going to step up until there's complete capitulation…”
Welcome to BizNews Daybreak with Alec Hogg—your essential morning update for Thursday, 5 March 2026.
In today's episode, we bring you the sharp, actionable news you need to stay ahead of the curve. Wall Street experienced a major rebound last night, driven largely by tech giants such as Palantir, Tesla, and Amazon. Meanwhile, Bitcoin continues its massive rally, surging over 7% to $72,500—a spike reportedly fueled by Iranian citizens utilising the cryptocurrency as a safe haven amidst the escalating war.
Also in today’s episode:
Global Conflict: The U.S. Senate has voted down a resolution to halt President Trump's military campaign against Iran. We also share insights from Antony Blinken on how this sustained conflict could wear down America's munitions stockpiles.
A System in Crisis: Action Society unveils its first Criminal Justice Trust Indicator, revealing a dismal reality: a staggering 96% of South Africans no longer trust the country's criminal justice system.
Political Interference: We feature a shocking, firsthand account from the management at Normandien Farms, detailing how politicians and labour inspectors stormed their sawmill and shut down operations without providing proper documentation or valid hygiene reports.
Global & Local Investments: We cross over to Beijing for a breakdown of China’s 15th five-year plan and its adjusted economic growth targets. Plus, mining expert Peter Major weighs in on Anglo American's recent restructuring and discusses whether the stock is finally a buy.
Grab your coffee and tune in to get fully briefed for the day ahead!
As the world grows more uncertain, clarity matters more than ever. BNC#8 brings together some of the smartest and most experienced minds to help you cut through the noise and navigate the turbulence with greater confidence. Tickets are selling out fast, with only 40 left. Don’t waste time, book your place at BNC#8 now - https://www.quicket.co.za/events/347022-bnc8-the-2026-biznews-conference-in-hermanus/#/
Tonight’s BizNews Briefing opens with Normandien Farms’ Sean Hoatson, who describes what he says was an unlawful and intimidating incursion at the group’s Newcastle operations. We then move to a mixed JSE update, with Woolworths, Quilter and Cashbuild showing resilience while AfroCentric swings to a heavy loss. Dr Iraj Abedian follows with a sharp critique of MTN’s continued Iran exposure, before Bloomberg reports on President Trump’s plan to support tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
In this episode of Mining Weekly, investment master Peter Major joins Alec Hogg to dissect a volatile resources landscape. Major argues that while geopolitical strikes rattle markets, gold’s strength stems from central bank demand rather than just conflict. He offers a "stock picker’s" perspective on the PGM recovery, copper’s overvaluation, and why he’s eyeing pullbacks in Afrimat and Orion Minerals while remaining cautious on a fully rerated Anglo American.
Action Society’ first Criminal Justice Trust Indicator shows that public confidence in justice has collapsed to 4 out 100. In this interview with Chris Steyn, Action Society's National Spokesperson, Juanita Du Preez says the score of four out of 100 should be such a wake up call for the whole criminal justice system. “People do not believe that if a crime is committed against them, they will get justice. So we have a skewed picture of crime happening in the country because it's not reported because people believe there will be no justice. So we can think it's getting better, but it's actually just getting more underreported. And that is very, very worrying.” Du Preez outlines the goal of the survey, the key findings, and a practical reform agenda. “So it's a complete system overall that we need, and we believe decentralising it so that we can do public-private partnerships is the first tangible thing to be implemented - and it will bring results.”
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States