BizNews Radio

In this debut edition of the BizNews Bulletin, host Alec Hogg takes us through the business news of the day, markets and contributions from David Shapiro, Mteto Nyati and more.

Some 27 years after they introduced business radio to the country, South Africa’s favourite stockbroker, Sasfin Securities’ chief global equities strategist David Shapiro, reunites with Alec Hogg in the debut of the new BizNews Briefing. Here’s the full interview, where Shapiro explains why he aligns with BNIC#1 keynote speakers Piet Viljoen and Cy Jacobs, who maintain JSE-listed small and medium-cap shares are the place to invest money today.

The skills shortage in the United Kingdom has created opportunities for South African businesses to hire and recruit staff locally and relocate them to the UK. According to Saskia Johnston from immigration specialists Sable International, the British government is particularly interested in entrepreneurs and tradespeople, especially bricklayers. “Why bricklayers?” you might ask. Johnston explains, “The average South African bricklayer lays about a thousand bricks a day, compared to the average British bricklayer who lays around three hundred.” Additionally, South African bricklayers can earn three times what they make at home. Cable layers are also in high demand. In an interview with BizNews, Johnston outlines the route entrepreneurs should follow to establish businesses in the UK, the challenges they may encounter, and the steps they should take.

In his latest Sunday Show with BizNews, United Independent Movement President Neil de Beer gives his take on the political dramas of the past week: Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen’s failed blackmail attempt of President Cyril Ramaphosa over the signing of the BELA Bill, and having to get rid of his Chief of Staff; Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s public collapse, possibly because of food poisoning, and many ANC supporters clamouring for Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to take his place; the torrents of opposing sentiment unleashed by the death of former Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and his controversial legacy. He also speaks about how Economic Freedom Fighters CIC Julius Malema is being politically slaughtered by former President Jacob Zuma’s MKP. And before he weighs in on the latest Presidential debate in the US, De Beer names the Flop of the Week and the Hero of the Week.

Pravin Gordhan, who passed away this week, was a respected ANC Cabinet Minister renowned for his battle against state capture and his two terms as Finance Minister. Tributes have poured in, highlighting his pivotal role in strengthening the South African Revenue Service against state capture, with whistleblower Johann van Loggerenberg dubbing him a “superhero.” In the heady days of the nineties, following Nelson Mandela’s release from prison and amidst the negotiations for a new Constitution at Kempton Park, Gordhan was entrusted to lead the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) and the Transitional Executive Council (TEC), which set the stage for the country’s first democratic elections in 1994. Working closely with Gordhan at that time was Theuns Eloff, who served as the head of administration for the multiparty negotiation process. Eloff described Gordhan in an interview with Biznews as a principled negotiator and facilitator who understood compromise in order to reach the best solution. “There were three individuals during the negotiations who, behind the scenes and not in the public limelight, really made the process work: Mac Maharaj, Fanie van der Merwe, and Pravin Gordhan.” Regarding the criticism levelled at Gordhan over his handling of state-owned enterprises, Eloff said that what he accomplished during the negotiations and as Finance Minister overshadows “any rightful criticisms one might have regarding his time at Public Enterprises.” He concluded that Gordhan’s legacy is “largely positive.”

Action Society, the former home of crime fighter Ian Cameron, who is now the Chair of the Portfolio Committee on Police in Parliament, is continuing its fight for justice for victims and their families. In this interview with spokesperson Juanita du Preez, she describes how former Police Minister Bheki Cele was an “obstacle” in the fight against crime. Discussing the official crime statistics for between April and June this year when 6 228 people were murdered, she says “…we often say that it's a war zone or a bloodbath and we keep coming back to those. We are suffering to find new synonyms for that, but it is appropriate… I think the legacy of Cele, unfortunately, we will still see for quite a while.” However, the new Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, “does seem like a better fit”. Du Preez lists the urgent reforms needed not just in law enforcement, but in the justice- and parole systems as well. Praising new Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald for the measures he is taking, she says currently “40% of people out on parole just go out and re-offend…not just stealing an apple or something like that: serious crimes: murder, rape, sexual offenses…It’s just a pause before they can commit the next crime.” Meanwhile, she hails Cameron for bringing “urgency” to his new role.

ME Electmetal, a global mining supply company based in Chile, has acquired the Prima Foundry located in Benoni, South Africa, recognising the country’s potential as an investment destination in the mining sector. Eduardo Munoz, the Group Head of International Business told Biznews in an interview that the acquisition aligns with ME Electmetal’s strategic objectives to expand globally amid the rising demand driven by the electric vehicle revolution and the green economy. This economy will according to Munoz provide the mining industry with new opportunities. Elecmetal, he said was encouraged by South Africa’s drive for investment and the improvement of loadshedding, calling it “encouraging news for a new foreign investor.” He expressed optimism about South Africa’s future and said he was pleased by technical skills the company had found at the Benoni Prima Foundry. Elecmetal was planning to export the Prima’s products globally. Munoz reassured stakeholders that job retention is a priority.

A French multinational company has become embroiled in a third tender controversy, this time to produce “smart driving licence cards” at an inflated cost of R898,597 million - nearly double the budget. In this interview with BizNews Wayne Duvenhage, the CEO of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), describes how the findings of its investigation into the tender led to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s decision to refer it to the Auditor-General (AG) for further investigstion. The same company recently had its R115-million contract with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) terminated. And there have been delays in its delivery on a Home Affairs contract. Meanwhile, more whistleblowers are coming forward with inside information on the latest tender awarded to the company. “So the more evidence we gather, the more we'll pass over to the Auditor General. Hopefully then to the police and what we're actually asking for the authorities and the Minister is don't only cancel this tender, find out who in your department is involved, have disciplinary hearings, fire them if need be and then don't stop there, have them charged for the criminal conduct that they have instituted.”

In this week’s Sunday Show with Neil de Beer, he dissects the coalition battles between the DA and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba in Gauteng, where Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink is becoming “cannon fodder”, and between the FF Plus in the Western Cape where Corné Mulder “is not standing back and has decided to continue removing the DA out of power”. De Beer asks: “..what the hell is going on in the spirit of the GNU. Because everything that is happening on the top shelf is absolutely collapsing on the bottom end…it seems we're going for a full blown war in 2026 between the parties.” De Beer describes how ANC Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Vice-President Paul Mashatile are positioning themselves towards the ANC elective conference. “…Lesufi is 100% making himself politically relevant. You can clearly see that Paul Mashatile is dreading either the knock of The Hawks or the people just staying calm so that he can take that seat.” De Beer also speaks about the battle for the soul of the judiciary with Justice Minister Thembi Simelane and former judge John Hlophe in the firing line. And PA Minister Gayton Mckenzie gets a thumbs up from him for his handling of a Parliamentary war-of-words with EFF CIC Julius Malema. 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.

Political scientist and chairman of the SRF, Dr Frans Cronjé, described SA’s post-election choices as taking the high road to prosperity or the Chernobyl Option. Three months on, the outcome most South Africans wanted is becoming ever more firmly entrenched. In this interview with BizNews editor Alec Hogg, Cronjé explains why the GNU is sustainable until at least next year - and identifies two significant obstacles thereafter, which, if surpassed, will define responsible governance for a generation.

In this BizNews interview, market expert David Shapiro breaks down the latest market trends, highlighting the surprising challenges faced by the telecommunications sector and the ongoing strength of luxury brands like Richemont. Shapiro shares key insights on why telecoms are struggling to maintain profits amid intense competition, while luxury goods continue to thrive despite economic turbulence. Discover what this means for investors and the future of these industries.

In Episode Five of the BizNews NewsWrap - a tale of two very different coalitions - Hersov on the GNU; Mayor Brink on Tshwane; plus Universal healthcare in SA IS affordable (Friedland); Political mergers (Zibi); Bringing plunderers to account (Trollip; De Beer); RIP Greg Krumbock; and the week’s news that matters.

Not quite a year and a half into recovery, the Tshwane Metro is again on the brink of descending into chaos. In this interview, Tshwane’s executive mayor, Cilliers Brink, unpacks why this is happening. He says the national leaders of Action SA, specifically its founder/president Herman Mashaba, are imposing their will on the party’s members in the capital city. Action SA, with 19 seats, is currently in coalition with the DA (69), Freedom Front Plus (17) and a few smaller parties in the group governing the 214-member council. Taken to its logical conclusion, Mashaba’s decision to withdraw Action SA from a functional alliance will re-introduce an ANC/EFF “doomsday coalition”. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Political activist and commentator Phapano Phasha worked on the election communication strategy for MKP after resigning from the African National Congress (ANC), but didn’t join the party. In this interview with BizNews, she says many of the people who have joined MK ”are wounded…are running to the next best thing”. However, it is a “formidable force because unfortunately those who control the politics of this country haven't learned anything. They haven't learned anything from funding the president of the ANC. The ANC is as rotten and as bankrupt as before.” As for the Government of National Unity (GNU), she charges that it’s not “premised on any morality”. On the power held in MKP by former President Jacob Zuma’s daughter Duduzile, she says: “…you cannot touch her, neither can you question her”. As for why Floyd Shivambu left the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to join MKP, she comments: “…he’s just saving his political skin. Whether he will survive, that's another thing”. Ultimately she believes that if capital invested in black talent, “we will see a different type of voter who does not run to a new party every season, but a voter who looks at the philosophy of a party, who looks at the meritocracy; if the party has the right people who can serve”.

In her first chat with BizNews since the election, Democratic Alliance (DA) Justice spokesperson Glynnis Breytenbach comments on Justice Minister Thembi Simelane’s alleged links to the VBS Bank scandal, saying: “…the issue is that it's untenable for her to continue as the Minister of Justice if there is in fact a matter being investigated against her.” She also gives an update on her party’s legal action to stop former Judge - and MKP MP - John Hlophe from sitting on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). Meanwhile, she is pressing ahead with the proposed Anti-Corruption Commission Bill - despite President Cyril Ramaphosa signing into law the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Bill, which makes the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption a permanent entity in the NPA. Breytenbach says the ID is not the “corruption-busting panacea that people want us to believe that it is.” As for the Government of National Unity (GNU) in which she now serves, Breytenbach says the African National Congress (ANC) is no longer “able to ram things through Parliament as they choose”.

ActionSA Leader Herman Mashaba has the country talking as the residents of the capital Tshwane are anxiously awaiting his call on a possible coalition with the African National Congress (ANC) - after it entered into a working relationship with the ANC in Joburg, and is eyeing a similar deal in Ekurhuleni next. Speaking to BizNews from New York, Mashaba describes how - when he became aware of the Democratic Alliance (DA) trying to get the ANC to work with it in Tshwane, and remove ActionSA, he realised he was dealing with “very dangerous people”. On the other hand, he says the ANC is committed to the two parties holding each other accountable. “I know I'm dealing with a DA that will stab me without any doubt. So I've got to protect myself. Let me try other options available to me. But one thing is certain… if I don't really protect myself from being eliminated by the DA, I've got to look at other options. They might not really be ideal, but at least they're not going to look me in the face, but stab me at the back.”

It’s been three months since entrepreneur and political activist Rob Hersov shared his perspectives with the BizNews tribe. He does so here with trademark frankness in a thoughtful interview with BizNews editor Alec Hogg. The straight-shooting canary in SA’s political coal mine shares insights gleaned from his own experience and wide range of contacts. As always, when Hersov talks - it’s a must-watch. 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

Catch the recording of our recent discussion with Richard Haller from Sable International about Mauritius' residency-by-investment program as an alternative to Portugal's Golden Visa. Unlike Portugal, Mauritius requires a $375,000 property investment for residency, including the investor's spouse, children, and, recently, parents. The program offers flexibility, allowing for multi-family investments and no language tests or visitations. Richard explored the practicalities of living in Mauritius, including connectivity and lifestyle, and addressed concerns like "cabin fever" due to the island's size. The session ended with a Q&A on detailed queries about living and investing in Mauritius. For more information, visit https://www.biznews.com/residency-citizenship-investment-opportunities.

Maye Musk, the mother of South African-born entrepreneur Elon Musk, has established a scholarship to support students pursuing Master's degree studies in nutrition and dietetics at the University of the Free State (UFS). The initiative, aimed at addressing the critical issue of malnutrition, will partly fund two full-time master’s students researching the link between the effect of mother’s nutrition on the birth outcomes and growth of their newborn children. Prof. Corinna Walsh from UFS explained that Musk’s involvement stems from her understanding of the impact of nutrition on health and her efforts in promoting healthy eating. As an alumnus of UFS, Maye Musk’s journey in dietetics began with a hospital diploma, progressed through a bursary-funded master’s degree, and culminated in an honorary doctorate awarded in 2023. The $15,000 scholarship, allocated as $7,500 per student per year, supports these students’ full-time study. Prof Walsh highlighted that malnutrition in South Africa leads to high rates of stunting, affecting up to one in every three children—a condition linked to an increased risk of obesity later in life.

South Africa's Justice Minister Thembi Simelane is expected to appear before Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional development on Friday to be questioned over an alleged link to the VBS Bank scandal. In this interview with BizNews, ActionSA’s Parliamentary caucus leader Athol Trollip lists all the “red flags” in her case - and says: “She needs to be held to account in a court of law. That's the only place that's going to have any credibility.” He also gives an update on in-depth discussions over the coalition future of Tshwane.  He gives the assurance that although “the people of Tshwane have found it very difficult working with the DA”, ActionSA is “not going to be pushed into a motion of No Confidence (in DA Mayor Cillier Brink) because the ANC wants to do it today so that they can get their hands on Tshwane”. Trollip also renews his call for lifestyle audits to fight corruption - and gives examples of cases that make it imperative for “a couple of tall trees to be blown over”. 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.