BizNews Radio

In today's BizNews Briefing, Alec Hogg explores South Africa's rare earths opportunity with Steenkampskraal CEO Graham Soden. As global powers clash over strategic minerals essential for chips, drones and defence tech, this little-known mine in the Western Cape could become a major player - generating hundreds of millions in foreign exchange and reigniting SA's mining potential.

In the latest edition of Electoral Road Show with Analyst Wayne Sussman, he talks to Chris Steyn about the group of high-profile defectors that have just abandoned the African National Congress (ANC) for the Democratic Alliance (ANC) in the Western Cape, with the Western Cape's “Fikile Mbalula”, ANC Provincial Secretary Neville Delport, leading the pack. Sussman dissects the leadership crisis at former President Jacob Zuma's MKP with Chief Whip Colleen Makhubele out-and-in and former “Weekend Special” Finance Minister Des van Rooyen in-and-not as well as the suspension of former Judge John Hlope. Sussman further analyses the results of last night's by-elections, and speaks about his recent engagement with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) as it targets next November (2026) for critical elections.

In this week's Miningweb Weekly, veteran analyst Peter Major joins Alec Hogg to unpack the latest in the global commodities rollercoaster. From gold and Bitcoin's cooling rally to South Africa's rare earth jackpot at Steenkampskraal, Major explains why investors should brace for a three-year plateau in precious metals - and why America's growing interest in rare earths could rewrite South Africa's mining future. A sharp, grounded look at where the smart money's heading next.

In this explosive Director's Cut interview, DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach tells Alec Hogg why South Africa's criminal justice system remains deeply captured - and what it will take to clean it up. From her years at the NPA to her current seat on Parliament's ad hoc committee, Breytenbach pulls no punches: corruption isn't just at the top, it's systemic, starved by design, and shielded by politics. Her message to those in power is blunt - act boldly, or the rot will consume everything.

Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.

In today's BizNews Briefing, Alec Hogg speaks with DA justice spokesperson and former prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach, who's been sitting through weeks of testimony before Parliament's ad hoc committee and the Madlanga Commission. Breytenbach unpacks the deep fractures inside South Africa's criminal justice system, offers a rare skeptical view of General Mkhwanazi's July bombshell, and weighs in on whether the costly commissions of inquiry are delivering any real accountability - eight years after Zuma's exit.

A variety of vehicles have been at the centre of some of the most dramatic developments in the police and political capture saga that is playing out at the Madlanga Commission and at the Ad Hoc Committee in Parliament. Chris Steyn talks to Juanita du Preez of Action Society about the bullet-ridden clapped-out car used in the allegedly staged assassination attempt on former African National Congress (ANC) election fixer Brian Mogotsi. They also discuss Crime Intelligence (CI) Chief General Dumisani Khumalo's return to the Madlanga Commission with more jaw-dropping evidence, including footage of a Toyota Hilux driven by suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya during the raid on his home, a vehicle that turns out to belong to a man who has had 34 criminal cases against him, and who accompanied the General to Parliament when he went to testify before the Ad Hoc Committee. Footage has also been shown of another vehicle, allocated to General Sibiya's office, and used by a Sergeant to go and pick up a bag with mysterious contents from the home of alleged murder mastermind, KT Molefe.

Alec Hogg speaks with Graham Soden, CEO of Steenkampskraal Mine , about the growing geopolitical significance of rare earth elements and South Africa's potential role in this global race. Soden reflects on his journey in mining, the promise of the Steenkampskraal project, and the rising demand for thorium and radium. He also addresses misconceptions about radioactivity, the challenges of attracting investment, and the importance of strategic partnerships in navigating a politically sensitive environment.

Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.

Financial strategist and American analyst Matt Chancey joins Alec Hogg to unpack the significance of Donald Trump's pick for US ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell. Known for his fierce media criticism and conservative influence, Bozell's arrival could mark a turning point in US-SA relations. Chancey explains what Bozell's appointment means for trade, diplomacy, and the ideological balance between Washington and Pretoria — and why South Africans should pay close attention.

In today's BizNews Briefing: Donald Trump reshapes his diplomatic team, media mogul Brent Bozell is poised to become America's new ambassador to South Africa. Alec Hogg speaks with Washington insider Matt Chancey about Bozell's background, Trump's Africa strategy, and how this appointment could redefine Pretoria–Washington relations amid a growing global power divide.

Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.

In today's BizNews Briefing: Ahead of next week's medium-term budget, economist Dawie Roodt joins Alec Hogg to unpack South Africa's fiscal tightrope - from government overspending and tax fatigue to the limits of squeezing more revenue out of a struggling economy. A reflection on why bread-and-butter issues are finally starting to outweigh political loyalties for voters.

South Africa's fiscal alarm bells are ringing again. With debt soaring, growth stalling, and the Minister of Finance running out of tax options, economist Dawie Roodt lays out the hard truth: “You can't tax a broken economy back to life.” In this frank conversation with Alec Hogg, Roodt explains why VAT hikes are political suicide, how inflation quietly steals from citizens, and why he believes only bold reform - or a new government - can stop the looming financial cliff.

Millions of private gun owners are living in fear that they will be disarmed and left defenceless by legislation in the making. In this interview with BizNews, Jonathan Deal, the founder of Safe Citizen, tells Chris Steyn that the proposed legislation would be “unenforceable” - and warns that it “would invite public disobedience on a large scale”. Deal says the proposed amendments amount to “saying self-defense is not a valid reason to possess a firearm”. Commenting on the possible agenda behind the amendments, Deal charges: “They want to have every single private person, including the security industry, hobbled and disarmed as much as possible so that they can basically do what they like. We all know in history that a disarmed populace is at the complete and utter mercy of the government.” He further warns that “they will turn millions of currently law-abiding South Africans into criminals….There are millions of South Africans who are more scared of being murdered by criminals than they are scared of what the police will do to them - even if the police have the will and the resources to enforce such a ridiculous notion.”

In the latest edition of the NdB Sunday Show, Political and Policy Analyst Professor Theo Venter tells Chris Steyn why former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's position is “fatal”; where things went “very wrong” for suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya accused of massive corruption by tenderpreneur “Cat Matlala”; why KZN National Commissioner General Nlhanhla Mkhwanazi continues to impress; why President Cyril Ramaphosa - accused of blocking further investigations into health tenders linked to Thembisa Hospital looting kingpin Hangwani Maumela (his nephew by previous marriage) - is a good diplomat, but a bad politician; how State Capture is still continuing; why former President Thabo Mbeki maintains that there are still Apartheid spies high up in African National Congress (ANC) leadership; and why it has taken almost 60 years for a court to find that former Nobel Prize laureate, Chief Albert Luthuli, was not killed by a freight train but was beaten to death by the Security Branch. “…what needs to happen in the police is we need to get some guys that we can trust and that is absolutely what you see, is what you get - and I think Mkhwanazi is definitely one of them,” Professor Venter says.

South Africa's next generation of investors has outpaced the broader market in this year's JSE Investment Challenge, delivering returns that eclipsed the All-Share Index's 23% gain during the competition period. The top-performing team in the schools' income portfolio category was “Cheslin Kolbe 1st Try” from Hoërskool Birchleigh in Kempton Park. Behind their success and that of three other winning teams stands Giba Mahlangu, a maths teacher with a knack for turning classrooms into incubators of financial savvy. In an interview with BizNews, Mahlangu shared his investment philosophy, his methods for sparking student interest in the stock exchange, and his deeper mission: nurturing entrepreneurs from a young age. “We have a serious problem with unemployment,” he said. “That's why I expose my learners to the stock market. I believe entrepreneurship is the only sustainable solution to South Africa's unemployment crisis.” His biggest challenge? The enthusiasm of his students. “They're so keen,” he said, “they sign up for everything.”

US-South Africa relations stand at a pivotal moment, shaped by the arrival of a new US ambassador and the shifting balance of power between Washington and Beijing. Meanwhile, Mozambique's embattled gas projects face mounting terrorist threats, raising urgent questions about South Africa's regional influence, economic resilience, and the growing pressures of migration across southern Africa.

Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.

In today's BizNews Briefing: Mozambique's $50 billion gas project - touted to double the nation's economy - hits new turbulence as ExxonMobil withdraws, despite TotalEnergies lifting a years-long force majeure. Donald Trump and China's President Xi strike a surprisingly positive tone in their long-awaited meeting, calming global trade fears, while Wall Street cheers strong AI-driven earnings from Microsoft, Meta and Alphabet.

Another week of startling allegations of police and political capture by crime bosses have South Africans glued to their screen. Chris Steyn speaks to Juanita Du Preez of Action Society about testimony by Witness C who told the Madlanga Commission that tenderpreneur “Cat” Matlala told him that he had given suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya millions in cash and that he secretly paid R500,000 towards former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's presidential campaign. They also talk about the former Police Minister's alleged “friendship” link to “TK” Molefe, who is controversially on bail - despite being linked to at least 18 murders; the former Minister's move to disband the very unit involved in his arrest; the failure to arrest Tembisa Hospital looting kingpin Hungwani Maumela, the nephew by previous marriage of President Cyril Ramaphosa; Brian Mogotsi, the African National Congress “fixer” all the way back to the CR17 campaign seemingly on the run after being disavowed by the party; as well as Economic Freedom Fighters Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema once again being suspiciously absent from the questioning of an allegedly friend at the Ad Hoc Committee.

Nigerian confraternities operating in South Africa have become mired in transnational organised crime. In this interview with Chris Steyn, Dr. Christian Ani of the ENACT programme at the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja, describes their modus operandi in South Africa - and reveals their links to law enforcement officials. "There are...five dominant ones, with the Black Axe the most prominent... But you need to know that the group is highly connected. They have highly-connected members who have been able to compromise key security teams. So sometimes, they get police officers to do their bidding...they have a way of having a sway on security officials when necessary.” Cybercrime is one of the prominent crimes that the group is linked to. Dr Ani describes the targeted interventions needed to unravel the complex criminality association with these groups that were originally university-based movements advocating for liberation and social justice, but has now become entrenched with violence.

Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.

South African entrepreneur and filmmaker Ronnie Apteker joins Alec Hogg to reflect on Ukraine's transformation from vibrant tech hub to war-torn nation. In this deeply moving conversation, he shares the inspiration behind his documentary Kiev of Mine, exploring the country's resilience, trauma, and fragile hope amid devastation - and why the world must not look away.

In today's BizNews Briefing, Alec Hogg unpacks the fiery showdown between Helen Zille and Herman Mashaba as the battle for Johannesburg's mayorship kicks into gear a year ahead of the elections. The war of words between the DA and ActionSA leaders signals an intense contest ahead. Also in the spotlight, mining expert Peter Major tears into the ANC's proposed 25% Chrome export tax - calling it one of the government's “worst ideas yet.” Plus, updates on Glencore and Renergen.

In a fearless conversation with Alec Hogg, IRR strategist Hermann Pretorius tears into the myths behind South Africa's empowerment policies, calling BEE a system of legalised theft that enriches elites while bankrupting the state. He reveals the IRR's Value for Money Bill - a blueprint to end race-based procurement, restore accountability, and save billions lost to inflated tenders and cadre contracts. From Eskom to education, Pretorius argues that only honesty, merit and competence can rebuild South Africa's future.

South Africa's long-awaited Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system takes effect on 1 December 2025 in 69 municipalities, including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, with smaller regions to follow in April. Barry Berman, CEO of traffic fine platform Fines SA, says he expects the current fine settlement rate, currently as low as 20%, to rise to over 90% with the introduction of the new demerit points system. In an interview with BizNews, Berman warned that unpaid fines could become a logistical nightmare for companies with vehicles, affecting not just the driver or fleet manager but the business itself. Under AARTO, traffic fines for company vehicles will now be linked directly to a business's Registration Number (BRN), rather than an individual. This means unpaid fines could block the company's BRN on the Electronic National Administration Traffic Information System (eNaTIS), halting vehicle licence disc renewals, new registrations, and suspending driver licences. Berman urged businesses to sign up with Fines SA to track and settle outstanding fines in time and cautioned motorists to be wary of clone sites and fraudulent apps.

In this conversation, Alec Hogg and Peter Major discuss the current state of the mining industry, focusing on gold prices, long-term investments, and the risks associated with mining ventures. They explore the importance of timing in mining decisions, the impact of government policies, and the strategic significance of minerals like antimony. The discussion also covers the proposed chrome tax and its implications for the industry, the challenges of exploration in South Africa, and the contrasting roles of small miners versus large corporations. The conversation concludes with a look at the controversy surrounding Zunaid Moti and Mike Miller, highlighting the complexities of corporate governance in the mining sector

Balwin Properties founder and CEO Steve Brookes joins Alec Hogg to unpack how his company defied South Africa's economic odds - growing revenue by 44%, profit by 33%, and headline earnings by 29% in just six months. Brookes shares why he believes optimism and hard work still pay off in a struggling economy, credits disciplined debt reduction for their success, and highlights how green building innovations are saving homeowners years on their bonds. He also calls out poor governance and infrastructure decay beyond the Western Cape, warning that South Africa's growth hinges on municipalities that “deliver, not debate.”

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba sits down with Alec Hogg in an unflinching interview about political ambition, betrayal, and the battle for South Africa's biggest city. Fresh off a surprise by-election win, Mashaba fires back at Helen Zille's claim that his “veneer is fading,” accuses the DA of trying to erase his legacy, and outlines how he plans to reclaim Johannesburg by building a people-first coalition. “They can call me whatever they want,” he says, “but I've got unfinished business - and it's called fixing this city.”

Today's BizNews Briefing covers WeBuyCars' profit surge despite a share drop , Herman Mashaba's hint at a possible one-term run for Johannesburg mayor , Balwin Properties' CEO Steve Brooks on strong results and the importance of good governance, the escape of 41 South Africans from human trafficking/scamming in Myanmar, and the Argentine market boom following Javier Milei's election victory.

Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.

41 South African men and women were among about 1,000 human trafficking victims who made a dramatic escape in Southeast Asia the past week. In this interview with BizNews, Emma van der Walt, the Founder of Brave to Love, the Counter Trafficking NGO that is working to bring them home, tells Chris Steyn how they were lured to Thailand with false job promises, forcibly transported across the border into Myanmar, and held inside the KK Park scamming compound where they were trained to conduct online romance, cryptocurrency and investment scams. “…And then people start investing and once they're investing they lose all their money because it's fake cryptocurrency sites and…it is definitely, I believe a weapon of war that is targeting specific groups for financial war…” Van der Walt says some of the victims were badly assaulted, while some were even raped. Following their escape, one group of South Africans was also held hostage by corrupt military officials - and three other victims are in prison for overstaying the visas. “They are victims of trafficking, but these mafia groups work with the military in Myanmar and have actually given them over to the corrupt officials.”

Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.

As South Africans brace themselves for another week of revelations about police capture and political capture, Chris Steyn speaks to Professor DQ Mabunda, a former police officer, now lecturing in Police Practice at the School of Law at UNISA. He says if a lower-ranking officer had tried to stand up and speak up against corruption, he or she would have been sanctioned or even suspended. “But we thank General Mkhwanazi for what he has come out to tell the society that there is a rot somewhere. And it's a good opportunity for us to identify that rot and fix it and move ahead as a developing country.” Professor Mabunda says it would take time, political will, determination, and good leadership” to clean out of the whole criminal justice system - and he warns that if recommendations coming out of the enquiries were regarded as “just recommendations”, the country would be doomed. “But hopefully, the men and women of integrity in this country will stand up and say, we will not allow corrupt officials to rule this country.”

In a fiery right of reply, businessman Zunaid Moti hits back at Mantengu Mining CEO Mike Miller, calling him “a game ranger turned corporate poacher” and likening him to “another Markus Jooste.” Moti dismantles Miller's fraud allegations, accusing him instead of misrepresentation, insider dealing, and “running a penny-stock circus.” From chrome mines to the JSE, this interview pulls back the curtain on a corporate war laced with accusations of deceit, inflated valuations, and high-stakes revenge.

In today's BizNews Briefing, Helen Zille reveals her blueprint to rescue Johannesburg - from stabilising finances to eradicating corruption. Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers reports major progress in his turnaround strategy, with losses sharply reduced and optimism returning to investors. Zunaid Moti comments on Mantengu allegations, and Javier Milei wins big in Argentina. Plus, a reminder from Ronald Reagan on tariffs - and why protectionism still comes at a heavy cost.

In this conversation, Sean Summers, CEO of Pick and Pay, discusses the significant turnaround the company has experienced over the past two years. He highlights the improved energy within the stores, the financial performance, and the importance of community engagement through sponsorships. Summers emphasises the strategic vision for Pick and Pay, focusing on quality over quantity, and outlines future plans for sustainability and growth.

Helen Zille, former Cape Town mayor and Western Cape premier, has entered the Johannesburg mayoral race, pledging to restore service delivery, tackle corruption, and stabilise fragile coalitions. In an interview with Alec Hogg, she outlined her plan to boost voter turnout, strengthen governance, and rescue South Africa's economic hub - calling it her “last big political challenge.”

On this edition of the NdB Sunday Show Rory Steyn, the former Chief of Security for the late President Nelson Mandela, calls for special legislation that denies any police officer a political affiliation. Steyn is speaking in the wake of another week of increasingly jaw-dropping evidence heard at the Madlanga Commission and Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee. Steyn outlines why the political ambitions of former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and suspended Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya have been dashed. “I'm not sure I have the words to express the revulsion that I feel towards the leadership of the police, certain of…we need more Mkhwanazis”. He hails “brave witnesses, A, B, and C, investigating this, who are strong and courageous enough and have sufficient integrity to say, not on our watch”. He also gives his take on the Nine Lives of “Cat” Matlala and other players in the triad of cartel bosses, crooked cops, and captured politicians. Meanwhile, Steyn calls for NPA resources to be bolstered to ensure consequences for those implicated. “Put it in the hands of the private sector. There's enough legal expertise out there. Put it in the hands, even possibly of private investigators…”

A first-of-its-kind operation targeting terrorism financing has led to 83 arrests across six African countries and the identification of 160 persons of interest. In this interview with BizNews, Willem Els of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) shares details of the two-month Operation Catalyst, jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL, during which authorities screened more than 15,000 persons of interest and entities, uncovering around USD 260 million potentially linked to terrorism-related activities. “ it was a very, really big event…it made a huge impact on Africa”. Els explains why tackling terrorist financing is particularly complex for law enforcement, as it often cuts across diverse criminal activities, including fraud, kidnapping for ransom, illicit trade, online scams, Ponzi schemes and the misuse of virtual assets. Els also recalls how he and the late President Nelson Mandela were on the Blue Train - along with scores of foreign dignitaries and premiers and heads of state - when their train was targeted by local terrorists. “…just think what would have happened…”

A rural school in Mpumalanga, Mpumelelo Secondary, has repeatedly performed in the JSE Investment Challenge, a national competition where young people engage in simulated trading using virtual portfolios valued at R1 million. The challenge runs from March to September and attracts more than 66,000 participants from 859 schools and universities. Behind Mpumelelo's success is Sizwe Mtsweni, a teacher at the school who teaches business studies and tourism. In an interview with BizNews, Mtsweni spoke about his investment strategies and how he mentors his students. He explained that beyond the usual challenge of balancing academics and the competition, many of his learners live far from school and don't have devices, and even if they do, they often don't have data. As for the mindset he tries to instil. Mtsweni, who returned to teach at his alma mater, says he's not interested in wearing expensive brands, he's more interested in owning one.

Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.

As gold prices tumble and China cements its rare-earth dominance, veteran mining analyst Peter Major joins Alec Hogg to cut through the noise. In this hard-hitting episode, Major explains why gold's fall could spark opportunity, how America and China's minerals war is reshaping the world, and why South Africa's leaders still don't get it. From Orion's quiet copper comeback to Kinetiko's gas promise, Miningweb Weekly dives into the deals, the drama, and the danger of being left behind.

There are those in the South African Police Force who are prepared to kill to hide the truth. And then there are those who are prepared to die to expose the truth. And one of those is Witness A, who delivered chilling evidence to the Madlanga Commission this week. In this conversation with Chris Steyn, Action Society's Juanita du Preez discusses the damning testimony of Witness A: including underworld kingpin and alleged murder mastermind TK Molefe allegedly paying R2,5 million to ensure he got bail - after being implicated in at least 18 murders; how certain police bosses were unhappy about his last arrest - and tried to prevent it; and Economic Freedom Fighters Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema's alleged close friendship with suspended Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, something that has added fuel to speculation about Malema's absence from the Ad Hoc Committee when MP's questioned Sibiya. Du Preez expresses concerns about the criminal conspiracies that could be continuing during these enquiries. “Will we see the end of all the corruption and all the things that happened, the capturing? ...I think there are already new plans made and getting into action… Are we going to have to wait for another commission to investigate the stuff that's happening while there is a commission going on now? It's frightening.”

In this conversation with Chris Steyn, BizNews Founder and Editor Alec Hogg addresses rumours on social media and in Parliament that forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan has undue influence over BizNews - as well speculation that he might be funding the news outlet. He also sets out the reasons for BizNews accepting a banner advertisement from the controversial billionaire Zunaid Moti. Describing how BizNews strives to retain independence in the media landscape and avoid bias in coverage, Hogg says: "We don't take sides. We don't play favourites..we serve our community, we serve the BizNews tribe, we do not serve any other interests. And that's because we are driven by a higher purpose."

In his latest interview with BizNews, veteran Crime Activist Yusuf Abramjee gives his take on testimony of staggering corruption and deep rot being led at two high profile enquiries. “What we are seeing playing out, both at the Madlanga Commission and at the Ad Hoc Committee, is something that we as South Africans, each and every South African, should be very, very scared about…The kingpins are making money. They are bribing their way right to the top. They are manipulating the criminal justice system.” Abramjee calls it a “sad indictment” that it shows the government and the authorities “cannot get to grips with lawlessness” in the country. “And I think we as ordinary South Africans, each and every one of us… should be worried and we should be very, very worried.” Abramjee comments on the testimony of former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, the role of whistleblowing Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the moves by “operator” Brown Mogotsi, and the bail granted to alleged Murder Mastermind KT Molefe. “I hope the minute the findings are made, the President will act with speed.”

Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.

From flipping a coin that landed him in Botswana's Okavango Delta to co-founding two of Africa's most successful conservation-driven tourism empires, Colin Bell has built a business model that proves saving nature can also create jobs. In this episode, he tells Alec Hogg how Natural Selection is redefining eco-tourism - empowering communities, restoring wildlife, and showing why the “business of conservation” might be South Africa's greatest untapped goldmine.

In this conversation, Alec Hogg interviews Mat Cuthbert, the DA's head of policy, discussing the contentious issue of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) in South Africa. Cuthbert critiques the current BEE policies, arguing they have failed to uplift the majority of Black South Africans and instead benefited a small elite. He proposes an alternative approach focused on economic inclusion for all, emphasising the need for structural changes to the economy to foster growth and reduce unemployment. The discussion also touches on public sentiment towards BEE and the DA's vision for a more prosperous South Africa.

Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.