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Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.
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From representing Zimbabwe in rugby to flying high as a successful safari operator, Rusty Labuschagne’s life came crashing down when he was wrongfully convicted of murdering a poacher in December 2000. In this interview with BizNews, he shares his harrowing journey through a decade in Zimbabwean prisons, where he was crammed into a cell holding 79 men, each allotted barely 33 centimetres of sleeping space. He recounts the unimaginable conditions, watching thousands of inmates die from starvation, disease, and cholera outbreaks while he survived. Rusty relives the cruelty, the loss, and the unexpected clarity that emerged from the darkness, and the lessons he drew about hope, forgiveness, and gratitude. Today he shares those lessons with audiences worldwide, and his memoir, Beating Chains, is now being adapted for film.
In today’s Editor’s Desk, Alec Hogg unpacks Davos’ shifting centre of gravity — from Elon Musk’s surprise debut to Donald Trump’s blunt warning that global pharma pricing is about to change. He then brings it back to home truths: what rising medicine costs could mean for South Africa’s NHI ambitions, and why Uganda’s “election” exposes the ugly reality of power politics in Africa.
From the World Economic Forum, here’s Elon Musk in a wide-ranging Q&A — his first appearance at Davos — in conversation with the chief executive of BlackRock. Musk argues there’s a single thread running through his companies: maximising the odds of a “great future” for civilisation — from making life multi-planetary, to using AI and robotics to drive abundance. He also flags the big constraint in the AI era: power — and points to solar and even space-based infrastructure as possible answers.
Today on BizNews Daybreak, Alec Hogg unpacks the key stories shaping your day:
Musk at Davos: Despite past criticism, Elon Musk makes a surprise appearance at the World Economic Forum, declaring full self-driving a "solved problem."
Political Earthquakes: The Democratic Alliance faces shock by-election losses as the Patriotic Alliance surges in George and the Freedom Front Plus makes major gains in Tshwane.
Market Moves: Sasol jumps 14% on higher oil prices, Mr Price gets a vote of confidence from Allan Gray, and Investec continues its massive share buyback.
Tech & Trade: GinsGlobal's Anthony Ginsberg on the US tech rally and how South Africa can secure better trade deals with a booming American economy.
Start your day with the context you need to win.
Listen now for the full insights.
In this BizNews Briefing, Donald Trump’s Davos appearance wrong-footed allies with fresh talk on Greenland and NATO burden-sharing. SA-born US-based asset manager Anthony Ginsberg unpacks Washington’s “America-first” mindset — and what it means for South Africa’s trade and diplomacy. Mining veteran Peter Major weighs in on record gold prices and whether we’re drifting into bubble territory. And to close, independent financial advisor Magnus Heystek warns viewers about the hidden downsides of retirement annuities — including loss of control and a potential long-term tax trap.
Behind the political theatre, the US economy is surging. Anthony Ginsberg warns that South Africa’s foreign and trade policy lag reality.
In his keynote at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, US President Donald Trump touted what he called a rapid US economic turnaround, defended tariffs and an energy expansion, and weighed in on NATO, Ukraine and Greenland.
In the latest edition of the Electoral Roadshow with Analyst Wayne Sussman and Chris Steyn, last night’s by-election results are dissected for important political party trends in this Local Government Election year. It was a big night for the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and its leader Gayton McKenzie as his party were able to win not just one, but two seats off the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape, with PA support growing from 1% to 60% in the one ward. “…the DA will be worried that they lost these two seats. They should be greatly worried. The PA…just continues to grow.” The DA also had a bad night in Tshwane where the Freedom Front came very close to beating the DA and causing “another major political shock…” The FF+’s support grew from 16% to 44% in the contested ward. Sussman also comments on the probable reason for the Pan-Africanist Congress’ (PAC’s) withdrawal from its working arrangement with the African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng. Lastly, he previews the most important upcoming by-elections.
Today I’m digging into why Pretoria is finally ditching the ideological "Kool-Aid" to put our own energy security and jobs first. From the Davos backstory to the survival of our steel industry, it's time we played by the new world order: putting South Africa’s national interest before anything else.
Trump Takes Over Davos: In a wide-ranging address at the World Economic Forum, US President Donald Trump dominated the agenda. He doubled down on his interest in purchasing Greenland, although not using force to acquire it, cheered the markets (proposing a "Golden Dome" missile shield for it), attacked the "green scam," and touted US economic growth as the solution to the country’s $36 trillion debt.
Police Capture & The "Can of Worms": Following yesterday’s parliamentary drama, Juanita du Preez of Action Society discusses the Madlanga Commission. She weighs in on whether these new revelations of police corruption are just a "circus" or if they will finally deter the syndicates embedded within law enforcement.
Long-neglected mining sector is carrying the JSE (and the Rand): Veteran analyst Peter Major reveals that the mining sector now accounts for a massive 38% of the JSE All Share Index—a multi-decade high. He argues the sector is single-handedly pulling the SA economy forward and generating record tax revenues, despite government inefficiency.
Market Movers:
Teledyne Technologies surged 10% overnight after beating Q4 earnings estimates, driven by strong defence and aerospace sales.
Orion Minerals jumped another 10% (now 33 cents/share), with Peter Major noting that, despite copper price volatility, the counter offers significant value.
The Rand: Strengthening to R16.27/$, reflecting a 12% gain over the last year.
In today's BizNews Briefing, Mark Carney's Davos message to “middle powers”: the old rules-based order is fracturing, and countries like South Africa need strategic autonomy without retreating into fortresses. Locally, a reported letter linked to former President Jacob Zuma raises fresh questions about South Africans recruited for “training” in Russia and ending up near the Ukraine front line. We also hear Iraj Abedian’s warning on Iran’s unrest — and Magnus Heystek’s contrarian take: Cape Town looks bubbly, Johannesburg offers value.
There have been dramatic scenes in Parliament where the Ad Hoc Committee has resumed hearing testimony of police and political capture. In her latest interview with BizNews, Juanita du Preez of Action Society speaks to Chris Steyn about Crime Intelligence (CI) Chief General Dumisani Khumalo’s warning that criminal organisations survive by their connections to politicians, law enforcement officials and business leaders who leak sensitive information to derail investigations. She also comments on the heated exchange between the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Glynnis Breytenbach and the Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF’s) Leigh Ann Mathys; former IPID boss Robert McBride gunning for General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi; and the Committee's decision to compel forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan to appear in person - despite his fears for his life.
In today’s analysis, we explore Mark Carney’s powerful address at the World Economic Forum, where he urges middle-ground nations like South Africa to "name reality" and act together against the rivalry of global giants. We also examine why right-wing parties in France and Germany are increasingly distancing themselves from Donald Trump to protect their own domestic standing. Finally, we look at the potential end of an era for the town of Davos itself as new WEF leadership considers moving the annual event.
In this episode of BizNews Daybreak, Alec Hogg breaks down the context you need to win the day:
Markets in Turmoil: US tech stocks take a hit with Nvidia and Tesla down 4%, while Gold roars to a fresh record of over $4,800/oz.
Trump vs. The World: Investor sentiment sours as Donald Trump’s latest moves regarding Greenland and NATO spark fears of a trade war.
Netflix Plunge: Shares drop another 5% as investors continue to reject the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition plan.
Prosus at Davos: CEO Fabricio Bloisi speaks from the World Economic Forum on the future of the tech giant.
The BEE Debate: NEASA CEO Gerhard Papenfus issues a blistering response to Minister Gwede Mantashe’s claim that white South Africans hate BEE due to "white supremacy".
JSE Movers: Gold shares soar, Sasol breaks its slide, recovering to over R100/share, while Orion bounces back 7%.
Business History: The fascinating story of how Warren Buffett bought Berkshire Hathaway not for love of the business, but out of pure spite over a 12-cent dispute.
Get the full context at BizNews.com
In his latest interview with BizNews, MKP Founder Jabulani Khumalo warns that former President Jacob Zuma could be trying to build his own military wing. He spoke to Chris Steyn about a leaked letter purportedly written by Zuma to the Russian Defence Minister in which he stated that the 18 men were sent there with the singular purpose of receiving advanced military training not to fight in the war with Ukraine. “I think he's got some sinister thinking of what he wants to do. Maybe it's a coup or something else, but I'm afraid the State needs to look at him more carefully…because that letter shows that he knows very well why those men went there - and if he's trying to make his own army in the country, then the government must take actions…What are they afraid of?” Khumalo also responds to recent statements by former President Thabo Mbeki that the 2021 riots were a test of strength to see whether South Africa could be paralysed.
Gold is surging past historic extremes, silver is back in the conversation, and Donald Trump is reshaping global power plays. Peter Major unpacks what the boom really means for investors, why South Africa risks squandering a once-in-a-generation mining windfall, and where real value may still be hiding.
Value investor Piet Viljoen explains why South African assets are outperforming Big Tech, why US markets are over-owned, and why emerging markets may be on the brink of a long bull run.
In today's BizNews Briefing, NEASA CEO Gerard Papenfuss takes aim at mining minister Gwede Mantashe in a pointed open letter on BEE. Veteran money manager and RECM founder Piet Viljoen argues that South African assets remain undervalued relative to an overowned US market, while the bearish Magnus Heystek urges caution amid a "false dawn" on the JSE. Plus: Dr Iraj Abedian explains why Iran's latest uprising could prove fundamentally different.
1In this candid and hard-hitting interview, Alec Hogg speaks to Gerhard Papenfus, CEO of the National Employers’ Association of South Africa, about his open letter condemning Black Economic Empowerment. Papenfus argues that BEE has distorted markets, damaged entrepreneurship, and entrenched elitism rather than broad-based upliftment. He challenges prevailing political narratives, questions the sustainability of empowerment through ownership transfers, and calls for merit-based economic reform to restore growth, accountability, and genuine inclusion.
In today’s Editor's Desk, Alec Hogg dives into the shifting tides at the World Economic Forum, where entrepreneur Fabricio Bloisi is redefining the Naspers/Prosus playbook. As the group pivots from selling Tencent shares to offloading underperforming assets, Alec asks the pointed question: is the South African media portfolio next on the chopping block?
The episode also explores the "hostile takeover" of Davos by Donald Trump’s influence, Mariana Mazzucato’s scathing critique of current global power politics, and the questionable democratic outcomes in Uganda. Finally, Alec previews a fiery interview with Gerard Papenfuss of NEASA, who takes a direct swing at Minister Gwede Mantashe over the weaponization of BEE rhetoric.
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