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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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Following the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that a National Dialogue will be held next year to determine the path the nation will take, BizNews spoke to former Statistician-General Dr. Pali Lehohla. He says: “So the solutions are in leadership. It must be a two-month discussion, ensuring what leadership it is. It must be led by people who are not government. It must be led by people who don't have any interest in political occupancy and all that kind of thing. It must be led by people who are forthright and upright and then they must hold the mirror to South Africa and say, are these ones in power the kind of leaders that deserve the country. If we say yes, then we don't need an election, we continue with them…But if…we don't like them, then the answer is very clear. And then we go for an election.” Dr Lehohla warns: “..this is a monumental space that South Africa faces. It is probably the last opportunity to avoid an Armageddon.”
The Eastern Cape in South Africa was once home to lions, black rhinos, and elephants. Early British settler records describe frequent encounters with these animals, but much of the land was later converted into farmland. Adrian Gardiner sought to reverse this trend, spearheading efforts to rewild the region by founding the Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Now, his son, Paul Gardiner, a conservationist and entrepreneur, is pursuing an even bolder vision: to create a “mega-biosphere” spanning 5 to 6 million hectares, transforming the Eastern Cape into the next Kruger National Park. Speaking to BizNews during a fireside chat in England, Gardiner outlined plans to connect private reserves via natural corridors, allowing wildlife to roam freely. Inspired by the success of similar projects near Kruger, he acknowledged challenges such as roads, railways, community involvement, and costs, noting that his vision could take decades to realise. Gardiner also highlighted the Eastern Cape’s potential to become home to the Big Seven—not only lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo but also whales and great white sharks.
In a year of historic elections across the world, one of the most unforgettable moments in a debate was Donald Trump saying “they're eating the dogs, they're eating the cats”. But it took a South African musician David Scott, AKA The Kiffness, to turn that into a viral hit viewed about 100 million times already. However, he has become embroiled in another international political storm after objecting to statements made by Gift of the Givers Founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman. This after he had previously been labelled a racist for his parody of the National Anthem after Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma banned cigarettes during COVID. In this interview with BizNews, he shares the stories behind these parodies. He also reminds Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) President Julius Malema that he has broken a big promise. Meanwhile, The Kiffness remains defiant in the face of daily threats as he prepares to tour the UK, the US, Europe, and Australia next year.
On the last Sunday Show of 2024, Neil de Beer, the President of the United Independent Movement (UIM), issues a stern warning to Julius Malema, the re-elected President of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), over his latest “derogatory, violent and revolutionary speech”: “Ons sal jou moer. We will not allow you to destabilise this beautiful country. Law enforcement, Defence Force and Intelligence, they know they have absolutely our support - and we will have their back.” De Beer once again slams President Cyril Ramaphosa’s handling of the BELA Act. However, he has praise for three African National Congress (ANC) Ministers: Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. He also hails the work of Democratic Alliance (DA) Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber. Furthermore, De Beer speaks about the “Green Communists” in the ANC, sketches two options for the future of South Africa’s struggling SOEs, and explains why he regards Bitcoin as an “emotional currency”.
At the end of a dramatic election year, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie gives BizNews an insider’s view of the Government of National Unity (GNU) and its future - and reminds viewers of what an alternative government with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and MKP would be like right now. He speaks candidly about his relationships with some of the country’s top leaders and politicians, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Chair Helen Zille, and African National Congress (ANC) Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. His mantra is one of “country first, party second”, but he is hugely proud of his Patriotic Alliance (PA) being the fastest growing party with three by-election wins in a row. The Minister also shares his plans for bringing some of the world’s top sporting events to South Africa. Lastly, the former prisoner - who has been voted the third most popular politician in the country and whose army of supporters on social media wants to see him as South Africa’s next president - leaves the nation with a deeply inspirational message for the festive season.
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The seventh BizNews Conference, BNC#7, is to be held in Hermanus from March 11 to 13, 2025. The 2025 BizNews Conference is designed to provide an excellent opportunity for members of the BizNews community to interact directly with the keynote speakers, old (and new) friends from previous BNC events – and to interact with members of the BizNews team. Register for BNC#7 here.
In this episode of the BizNews Briefing, the last one of 2024, host Alec Hogg shares highlights of tonight’s two Premieres - Another dodgy deal attempted by the DiData executives lambasted in the recent judgement on a big BEE transaction that wasn’t; Stafford Masie (and Rob Hersov) are engaging with top government officials to help prepare for Donald Trump’s massive move on making Bitcoin part of the US’s official reserves (potentially replacing gold); Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille stick at OR Tambo; Trump gets friendly with XI and more.
Stafford Masie, a technologist and Bitcoin advocate, explores the global shift towards digital currencies and what it means for South Africa’s economic future. Is Bitcoin the key to national prosperity or a missed opportunity?
At the same time former Didata chairman Jeremy Ord and fellow ‘protagonists’ were trying to push through a BEE transaction that wasn’t - according to Judge Denise Fisher - the same actors were conducting ‘lawfare’ against the owners of the RandView Datacentre. In this explosive interview, small businessmen Gerry Comninos and Graham Roy explain how they were forced to spend millions - and three years - fighting an unjustified court action against Ord and his partners. It only ended when DiData’s Japanese owner NTT settled after realising the duo were targets and ‘not part of a scheme’.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille described the “absolute chaos” at O.R. Tambo International Airport, where flights were delayed due to aircraft refuelling problems during South Africa’s peak tourism season, as both very disappointing and worrying. In an interview with BizNews, De Lille criticised the Airports Company of South Africa for failing to ensure adequate preparedness for the peak tourism season. She has called for a meeting with the Transport Minister to convene all stakeholders and establish a robust contingency plan. The minister, who has just returned from a trip to India, highlighted significant progress in unlocking the vast potential of the Indian market for South Africa. This includes visa reforms for India and China, set to commence in January next year, as well as ongoing negotiations to re-establish direct flights between India and South Africa.
Reflecting on tensions within the Government of National Unity—particularly around controversial policies such as the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill and the National Health Insurance (NHI) plan—De Lille expressed optimism about achieving “sufficient consensus,” a principle that underpinned South Africa’s democratic transition.
In today’s BizNews Briefing: Bitcoin’s transformative potential takes center stage, Israel decisively eliminates Syria’s military capabilities, and Donald Trump signals his intent to steer U.S. economy on X.
While stock exchanges and marketplaces have embraced digital transformation, it’s hard to believe that some sectors have yet to follow suit. One such sector is the cattle market, which has remained largely unchanged since the 1990s. It still features familiar personalities—agents and brokers—alongside the bustling atmosphere of on-the-ground livestock auctions, complete with the mooing of cows in the background. Enter South African Murray Roos, a former executive at the London Stock Exchange, who is spearheading a digital transformation in the UK’s cattle market with his innovative platform, LiveStockEx. In an interview with BizNews, he shared that farming runs in his blood; his family’s history in cattle farming in Southern Africa spans several decades. While working in the UK, he acquired a farm in one of England’s southern counties and quickly recognised that the existing cattle market was “very antiquated.” This inspired him to create an online trading exchange for cattle in the UK. Murray envisions LiveStockEx initially focusing on cattle but also sees potential for expanding into sheep and pig markets on a similar exchange platform.
Financial Compliance expert Paul Nel of Prisma says the solution to collecting the R92 billion owed to ESKOM by municipalities and the billions owed to Water boards is to liquidate dysfunctional municipalities in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act after all the intervention processes of provincial and National Treasury have failed. “…it’s more of a business rescue. It's not the same as what we understand on the liquidation with the private sector or any other business or private person where all the assets are sold. Not with a municipality. It is only the non-essential assets that must be sold and the full amount of that should be provided for full settlement for all its obligations, which is basically ESKOM and Water Boards." Nel says, in terms of the MFMA, a court order could also be obtained to get rid of the whole council as well as of all officials that are not adding value to the municipality. “…the big advantage of such a drastic step is that you will have a Metro or municipality with a clean sheet with no obligations.” Nel also provides figures on how ESKOM has overcharged the consumer since 2009, and gives his take on the reasons behind the continued high tariff increases. He was one of those who made a presentation to The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on the proposed 66% tariff hikes over the next three years.
In today's episode of the BizNews Briefing, Golf legend Gary Player shares insights on his friend, US President-elect Donald Trump. We explore Google’s groundbreaking quantum chip, China’s investigation into Nvidia for anti-competitive practices, and the latest developments in Syria’s uprising. Stay informed with the stories shaping our world.
Gary Player, the legendary South African golfer, has long been an ambassador not only for golf but also for the social and economic potential of his home country. At nearly 90, Player continues to inspire with his resilience, global perspective, and unwavering commitment to fostering positive change. In a wide-ranging conversation with BizNews, he offered powerful insights into South Africa’s challenges, his relationship with U.S. President elect Donald Trump, and his vision for the future.
Wood, Iron and Steel is the title of a first-of-its-kind book in South Africa on 60 - known and unknown - shipwrecks that reflect the maritime history of the Western Cape. In this interview with BizNews, authors Bruce Henderson and Kelly Graham of Wreckless Marine, share their three-year-dive to map the seafloor. They describe how using cutting-edge scanning technology enabled them to view wrecks as never before, while on-site dives and extensive research helped them to provide a complete picture of these vessels. Covering the period 1698 to 2009, each entry incorporates technical data, history, the circumstances of loss, and a description of the wreck in its current resting place, accompanied by photographs or paintings, and vivid multibeam sonar images of the wrecks on the seafloor.
Despite a tough start, Phil Craig and the Referendum Party are determined to reshape South Africa’s political landscape, advocating for greater autonomy for the Western Cape in the face of national challenges.
In this episode of the BizNews Briefing, host Alec Hogg and his guests provide context on how the ANC’s alliance with the Iranian regime is backfiring big time after the Teheran-supported Syrian dictator flees to Moscow. Plus, Neil de Beer shares his forthright opinion on his erstwhile MPC partner Helen Zille, Trump’s new SA-born crypto and AI tzar, and Phil Craig explains why Cape Independence is still on the table.
In a lively conversation with BizNews editor Alec Hogg, Rory Steyn unpacks a thrilling weekend of rugby. From the Blitzboks’ Cape Town Sevens victory signalling a return to form, to South Africa’s challenges in the Investec Champion's Cup, Steyn emphasises rugby's cyclical nature and the need for adaptability. He highlights standout teams like Bordeaux and Leinster while calling for greater crowd engagement and strategic scheduling. A celebration of rugby's global evolution, Steyn’s insights illuminate the sport’s growing vibrancy and South Africa’s enduring legacy.
The weekend’s collapse of a 54-year Syrian dictatorship has dramatically altered Middle Eastern politics - and it is now clear that South Africa’s largest political party and mobile phone operator MTN backed a losing horse. Iranian-born and raised Iraj Abedian provides context on the dramatic collapse of the Assad family’s Syrian dynasty, which for over a decade had been propped up by Tehran and Moscow. The changes have implications for the ANC and MTN, both of whom profited greatly from their links to the Iranian regime and its Syrian ally. Although recently MTN exited Syria, its investment into and 15-year involvement in the dictatorship is sure to carry consequences - as are its continued operations in Iran.
This week, South Africa assumed the Presidency of the G20, comprising many of the world’s largest developing and developed economies. It is the first time an African nation chairs the bloc. Ramaphosa said at the launch in Parliament in Cape Town that inclusivity would be a key feature of South Africa’s leadership of the G20 and that he would continue the developmental agendas of the previous G20 presidencies of India, Indonesia, and Brazil and bring the development priorities of Africa and the Global South to the fore. The G20 is “extremely prestigious, says Dr. Jakkie Cilliers, Head of the African Futures and Innovation Programme at the Institute of Security Studies in Pretoria and it is an opportunity to showcase South Africa and ensure it is visible on the international stage. The newly re-elected US President could, however, take a bit of the shine off Ramaphosa’s G20 Presidency, according to Dr. Cilliers. President-elect Trump, he said, is not committed to climate change or sustainable development or multilateralism—the issues that are important to South Africa. South Africa will hand over the G20 Presidency to the US in November at a G20 summit next year, and Dr. Cilliers said there is a big question mark over Trump’s attendance. The newly elected US President has in the past lumped African countries into a basket of “shithole countries.”
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Libertarian scares me. Liz Truss and Kwarsi Karteng call themselves 'libertarians'. Look how they are trying to destroy the UK economy!!