BizNews Radio

Today I unpack the growing shareholder backlash against Mr Price's German deal — and how misaligned incentives echo across SA's politics and investment landscape.

Seize the day with the freshest news you can use to help you conquer another active business day - from the team at BizNews and our global partners. This episode features a terrorist attack on Sydney's storied Bondi Beach, where 16 Jewish celebrants of Hannukkah were killed; Hopes for Ukraine peace after Zelensky's marathon session with American negotiators will be followed by another one today; Chile elects a Trump/Milei lookalike; why Wall Street hammered Oracle - and more.

In the last NdB Sunday Show of 2025, United States Intelligence Analyst, retired Colonel Chris Wyatt gives Chris Steyn his take on major political developments involving South Africa over the past year: from internal upheaval to military disaster on the Continent and diplomatic warfare on the international front. Commenting on evidence led at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, Wyatt says: “…there's a niché market for criminality in South Africa. And it all starts…with BEE. It all gets linked to that and then the lack of law enforcement.” Giving a blow-by-blow account of the breakdown in SA-US relations, Wyatt slams accusations that the US is “attacking” South Africa. “The US hasn't attacked South Africa. You want us to attack South Africa? …There's a lot that could be done to South Africa. And what the US could do to South Africa today is far greater than sanctions…If the US wanted to hurt South Africa, we could crush the country overnight. That's not the goal of America, but that's what South African politicians keep telling everybody. Stop that. It's not helpful.” Col Wyatt, who has advised the National Security Council on SA, reveals what his current recommendations would be. He also has some words of advice for the African National Congress (ANC), and gives a damning verdict on SA's lack of defence capabilities. “The South African military cannot perform its primary mission, and that's to patrol the waters around South Africa. They can't do that. The US Navy has a better presence around the Horn of Africa…”

South Africans abroad who lost their citizenship after acquiring another nationality can now breathe a sigh of relief. Following a landmark Constitutional Court ruling, the Department of Home Affairs has launched an online portal to help restore citizenship rights. In an interview with BizNews, Mary Paccard, the DA's global project manager, says that despite some early technical glitches the system is working well. She notes, however, that serious challenges remain at South Africa's embassies and consular services overseas, with the most pressing complaints being unanswered phones, slow responses to queries, and the very limited hours available to collect passports and other identity documents.

In South Africa, countless businesses still rely on outdated systems—like paper timesheets and manual tracking—for wage management. Yet millions of workers carry smartphones in their pockets, unlocking a prime opportunity for innovation. Enter Allwage: harnessing mobile tech to streamline payroll, boost accountability, and revolutionise wage-earner oversight. Co-founder Cilliers Geldenhuys explains how they rebranded from Agrigistics to Allwage amid expansion into construction and manufacturing—beyond their agricultural roots—now serving 40,000–50,000 workers, with plans to double that next year. He also reveals ambitions to tackle these workers' financial woes, offering fair alternatives to loan sharks who prey on low-paid earners.

Reform UK's surge exposes how establishment politics and media misread the world. I unpack the UK shock, South Africa's parallels, and key portfolio shifts.

Seize the day with the freshest news you can use to help you conquer another active business day - from the team at BizNews and our global partners. This episode features the latest from the US, where market participants are generally divided into two camps; everybody, though, loves the new obesity drug from Eli Lilly, and in SA we take a closer look at the firmer Rand, Mr Price's wipeout and gold's "bubble". Also, our partners at the FT give their assessment on what the Fed rate cut actually means.

Eskom has given ferrochrome smelters a three-month stay of execution, but Peter Major warns that the real battle is only beginning. In this explosive MiningWeb Weekly, Major breaks down why SA industry is collapsing under electricity costs, what China is doing right, and why government must choose competitiveness over ideology if it wants mining, PGMs and beneficiation to survive. He also sounds a serious alarm on the gold price bubble — and explains why platinum still makes more long-term sense for investors.

Retail giant Mr Price tanks 13% after its surprise Germany deal. Eskom's showdown with Glencore, Merafe and smelters raises fresh questions despite government cheerleading. The Bank for International Settlements warns gold may be entering bubble territory, and Allan Gray shakes up the market with new global ETFs on the JSE. Alec Hogg unpacks it all with Piet Viljoen and Peter Major, including why markets don't buy the hype.

I unpack Mr Price's R10bn German gamble, misaligned executive incentives, and why OUTsurance and Famous Brands stay on his watchlist – not yet in the BizNews portfolio.

In the latest edition of the Electoral Road Show with Chris Steyn, Elections Analyst Wayne Sussman dissects the results of last night's by-elections. The African National Congress (ANC) was hit by a significant loss of voter support in its traditional stronghold of Ekurhuleni, the home of the looted Tembisa Hospital and the focus of damning allegations of corruption and even murder involving the EMPD following which Witness D was assassinated. The party suffered a “stunning drop” from 69% to 37% in the Etwatwa Minnie Mandela ward. “All these negative stories about Ekurhuleni…have now hurt the ANC Ekurhuleni by-election and are likely to hurt them all in other Gauteng by-elections,” Sussman warns. The party also felt the wrath of voters in Villiersdorp in the Theewaterskloof municipality where it won only 33% of the vote, down from 49%. Sussman comments on allegations of vote-buying at the recent ANC Jo'burg conference, as well as a radical motion at its National General Council (NGC) to clamp down on the distribution of money and gifts during leadership contests. Sussman previews next week's last round of by-elections for 2025.

Seize the day with the freshest news you can use to help you conquer another active business day - from the team at BizNews and our global partners. This episode features the latest from the US, where the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the third successive FOMC meeting, buoying the stock market - but that won't help the mood of Oracle and Uber shareholders, both stocks falling overnight. Locally, it's all gloom in the Mr Price boardroom after the market smashed the share price on the news of the retailer's R10bn European acquisition. More on Eskom's new template for dealing with industry and the Aussie social media ban for under 16s.

Value investor Piet Viljoen breaks down Mr Price's German gamble, Spar's costly EU exit, Famous Brands' offshore stumble, and why HCI's buybacks make far more sense than chasing “expensive fairy tales” abroad. From Eskom's industrial rescue talks to Transnet's slow turnaround and the ANC's political bluster, Viljoen gives Alec Hogg a brutally honest roadmap for where South Africans should – and shouldn't – put their money.

Security expert Rory Steyn reacts to Australia's groundbreaking move to ban under-16s from social media, explains why tech firms must be held responsible, and argues that protecting teenagers now is as essential as seatbelts once were for road safety.

Eskom Distribution boss Agnes Mlambo joins Alec Hogg to explain the emergency power deal with Glencore, Samancor and Merafe that halted mass retrenchments, the brutal economics behind smelter shutdowns, the tense negotiations with Nersa, and why this high-stakes rescue could become a new template for keeping heavy industry alive in South Africa.

Fund manager Kokkie Kooymans warns of looming global market risks as Mr Price places a bold R9.6bn offshore bet, Eskom's last-minute deal with Glencore saves 15,000 smelter jobs, Grindrod surges as a Transnet alternative, HCI buys back R650m of its shares, Uzbekistan's SOE playbook raises eyebrows, and thousands of SA expats regain citizenship through the new online portal.

Eskom's talks with Glencore point to a new path for SA industry — but ideology still threatens growth. I unpack what it means for your money.

Seize the day with the freshest news you can use to help you conquer another active business day - from the team at BizNews and our global partners. This episode features an early morning crossing to Rory Steyn in Brisbane who has big social media news; the freshest overnight developments from our partners at Bloomberg - SpaceX share sale; Fed rate cut - and locally a reprieve for thousands of workers (and ferrochrome smelters) as Eskom and Merafe reach a deal plus another foreign adventure for Famous Brands and the end of a disastrous one for Spar.

SPAR CEO Angelo Swartz joins Alec Hogg to explain the R4.8bn write-down, the exit from Europe, sharp debt reduction, the renewed focus on SA independents, and how SPAR's “2.0 strategy” aims to rebuild growth in one of the world's toughest grocery markets.

Eskom's deal with Glencore halts ferrochrome retrenchments, Famous Brands targets Malaysia growth, Spar swallows a R4.8bn European exit, Thungela beats coal guidance, MultiChoice completes its JSE delisting, and the BIS raises fresh bubble warnings over gold and US stocks.

My insurance quote dropped 56% with one call - and it sparked a deeper look at what complacency costs us in business and investing.

BizNews editor Alec Hogg speaks to Terry Boardman, Famous Brands' head of QSR, about the group's strategic leap into Malaysia with Steers and Debonairs, why the right local partner matters, lessons learned from past international setbacks, and what Famous Brands' sales data reveals about green shoots — and ongoing pressure — in the South African consumer economy.

Seize the day with the freshest news you can use to help you conquer another active business day - from the team at BizNews and our global partners. This episode features the odds on Paramount's fresh $108bn hostile bid for Warner Brothers beating Netflix's board-supported $82bn offer; Nvidia securing a Trump deal on selling new chips to China; traders nervous about tomorrow's rate cut won't happen; and on the local front, we feature the latest info from Absa, Spar, Amazon SA and more.

Veteran mining analyst Peter Major joins Alec Hogg to unpack Glencore's aggressive JV spree, why copper may be running ahead of fundamentals, what's driving asset sales at Robex, Tungela and Aveng, and why he's sticking with gold ETFs but staying cautious on mining shares at current prices.

Amazon Sub-Saharan Africa head Robert Koen tells Alec Hogg how the company's South African launch has exceeded expectations, how nationwide delivery is working even into remote towns, why customer obsession beats competitor watching, and why he's bullish on SA's long-term retail growth despite political noise.

Amazon SA boss Robert Koen says online retail has “knocked it out the park,” Absa confirms economic green shoots as bad debts ease, MTN Zakhele collapses toward zero, Spar posts a R4.8bn loss, G20 gains scrutiny from Michael Louis, and Ray Dalio warns global debt is driving investors back to gold.

In his latest interview with BizNews, Safe Citizen Founder Jonathan Deal tells Chris Steyn that the assassination of Madlanga Commission Witness D is “a perfect illustration of where on the one hand the government has completely and utterly lost control of the security environment in which South Africans must live and work and raise their children every day, while on the other hand, they are obtusely pushing an outdated ideology.” Slamming the African National Congress (ANC) over proposed changes to firearm ownership legislation, he quotes a colleague writing that “the State has become predatory with the left hand feeding on its own citizens, while the right is seeking to disarm those same citizens.” Giving an update on the Nedlac consultation on the Firearms Control Amendment Bill, Deal shares this feedback from a member of the gunowners fraternity that attended the latest engagement : “Government walked in, expecting compliance. They left, understanding resistance. The takeaway is blunt. They are not ready for this fight. We are.”

Here's my take on why I'm not returning to Davos after 19 years, what it signals about the new WEF era, and the investment insights that matter today.

Seize the day with the freshest news you can use to help you conquer another active business day - from the team at BizNews and our global partners. This episode features the latest in the Netflix takeover for Warner Brothers Discovery (Trump isn't a fan); European kickback to the US on Ukraine; SpaceX's stellar valuation and on the local front, a BEE leverage warning via the disaster called MTN Zakhele Futhi.

In the latest edition of the NdB Sunday Show, Chris Steyn hosts Dr. Michael Louis, the Chairman of the Independent Candidates Association and close friend of the late Neil De Beer. They talk about the shock assassination of Witness D, Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, who had delivered such damning evidence at the Madlanga Commission - and who was also on a mission to expose State officials involved in illegal mining; the plot to oust President Cyril Ramaphosa, the presidential prospects of his deputy Paul Mashatile; the possibility of an outsider as future president; Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen's leadership woes; the state of the Government of National Unity (GNU); US-SA relations after the G20, and the battle for electoral reform. Dr Louis also shares what he believes the late Neil de Beer would have had to say about another brutal week in South African life.

Insights from my exclusive interviews with the local heads of Amazon and Walmart on why "customer obsession" trumps competitor focus. Plus, we analyze Meta's stock surge, Aveng's confusing restructuring, and the facts behind John Steenhuisen's background.

Vodacom heats up the African telecoms battle with the acquisition of an additional 20% of Safaricom for over R30 billion, aiming to consolidate the major Kenyan operator and M-Pesa. Meanwhile, FirstRand CEO Mary Vilakazi encourages businesses to look past headlines, citing constructive signs like corporate-led credit expansion and structural reforms. Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, discusses new interventions against the foot and mouth disease epidemic, including a planned mass vaccination campaign. Plus, former Springbok Flip van der Merwe shares his strategy consulting insights from France.

Former Springbok lock Flip van der Merwe has taken the lessons of high‑performance rugby into the boardroom, now working as a strategy consultant for business leaders. Living in Biarritz, France, he is also a co‑founder of the Lekker Network, which connects South Africans wherever they are. In an interview with BizNews, van der Merwe said many South Africans abroad share “a hunger to make South Africa work” and you don't need to be an Elon Musk or Johann Rupert to make a difference. He draws on personal experiences from elite teams to guide leaders, citing role models such as Simon Sinek and Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, whom he calls ahead of his time. Van der Merwe believes the Springboks are not only building a world‑class team but shaping great people off the field. And when it comes to rugby talent, he says, the Springboks we see winning matches today are only the tip of the iceberg, with even more talent emerging from Craven Week and the under‑21s.

Seize the day with the freshest news you can use to help you conquer another active business day - from the team at BizNews and our global partners. This episode features the latest from US stock markets including how investors loved a strategy change from Meta; Vodacom's massively positive mega deal; FirstRand CEO Mary Vilakazi explains that data she's seeing shows SA's economy is finally moving ahead again - and much more.

FirstRand CEO Mary Vilakazi joins Alec Hogg for a wide-ranging conversation on booming ROE, business confidence turning the corner, the UK regulatory headache, and why corporate cash is finally starting to move. From competition at home to opportunities across Africa, Vilakazi explains why she believes South Africa is entering a new growth phase despite the political noise.

Today, I reflect on Marco Rubio's G20 broadside, unpack Poland's rise, and share why a conversation with FirstRand's Mary Vilakazi left me hopeful.

The Trump administration's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas that came into effect in September has raised fears that it has shut the door on South African students who dream of following the path from American university sports scholarships to post-graduation jobs. However, Tyler Hollingsworth from Sable International says that, according to the latest clarifications from US authorities, students who complete their degrees in the US and transition from a student visa to an H-1B are exempt from the new levy. In this interview with BizNews, Hollingsworth says 2025 has been the agency's busiest year yet for placing South African sporting talent. He also tackles the perception that only provincial or Springbok-level players qualify for scholarships and urges students to plan as early as Grade 9 or 10 if they want the best shot at the top universities. And with the Springboks' dominance in rugby, he says European universities are now actively trying to lure young talent with free education – and possibly a future cap for their own national sides.

Seize the day with the freshest news you can use to help you conquer another active business day - from the team at BizNews and our global partners. This episode features a strong attack on "ANC-led South Africa" from the US Secretary of State; Wall Street's overnight performance; John Steenhuisen's response to RW Johnson; Walmart's aggressive entry into South Africa and more.......

Walmart Africa COO Dries D'Hooghe explains why the global retail giant is doubling down on South Africa, launching new stores, backing local suppliers, rolling out everyday low pricing, and plotting aggressive expansion in a fiercely competitive retail market.

In his latest interview with Chris Steyn, US Intelligence Analyst Retired Colonel Chris Wyatt describes how - and why - the US President has lost patience with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and Venezuela's Nicholás Maduro. He says every time Ramophosa had a chance to be diplomatic during the G20, “he mocked or made fun of Donald Trump” and “when you attack him personally or people close to him, you will regret it because Trump doesn't forget when you attack him and he comes after you”. Listing all the measures the US government could still take to “harm” South Africa, Wyatt notes: “At the end of this, whether people like it or not, America is the 800-pound gorilla and South Africa has very little maneuver space here.” Wyatt also gives an update on the US Refugee Programme as Trump stops immigration from 19 other countries “of concern”. Wyatt details the reasons why Trump is “very frustrated” with Zelensky, and why he “has had enough” of Maduro. “People think this guy's messing around…He has a plan.” Wyatt further describes how Trump uses tariffs “as a weapon to affect geopolitical change”.

DA leader and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen answers R.W. Johnson's blistering personal attacks, sets the record straight on his career and finances, explains recent cabinet reshuffles, and outlines how he plans to steady both the party and the farming sector during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Today I reflect ahead of my interview with John Steenhuisen as he's set to respond to RW Johnson's scathing critique, plus key market insights.

Seize the day with the freshest news you can use to help you conquer another active business day - from the team at BizNews and our global partners. This episode features Wall Street's overnight performance, a Trump slump (and determination to rid the Fed of Powell), FirstRand's fight, David Shapiro's wisdom and more…..

Veteran stockbroker David Shapiro reflects on Warren Buffett's exit, the dominance of Nvidia and ASML, why SA bonds and property suddenly look attractive, and where real investment opportunities lie in today's volatile markets.

Jay Naidoo reflects on COSATU's 40-year legacy, South Africa's democratic journey, and the sacrifices that shaped the nation. He speaks candidly about corruption, failed leadership, collapsing services, inequality, and the urgent need for values-driven renewal. Naidoo calls on citizens, business, and unions to reclaim integrity, rebuild trust, and drive meaningful change.

In his latest interview with BizNews, Jabulani Khumalo, the real founder of MKP, tells Chris Steyn that there could be more to the alleged human trafficking of South Africans to Russia. “This one for me is a coup. These people were sent to be trained so that when they come back, they can have a coup against our government.” Khumalo is speaking out following the resignation of former President Jacob Zuma's daughter, Duduzile, following claims that she was the mastermind behind the “trafficking” of 17 South Africans. However, Khumalo says: "...it will never happen that Duduzile will do anything without…her father giving her instructions or coaching her what to do…" He warns: "They think they are the government themselves. They failed us as MK to get the two-third majority to govern the country. Now they want to govern in a very wrong way. We need to stop this woman…If the government doesn't stop them, then the petition must be done and people must start rioting against her." Giving an update on his legal battles to reclaim the party from Zuma, Khumalo says “…we are still waiting for a (new) court date…. The unfortunate part is that I am getting some threats now that January I won't see because of this case.” Meanwhile, Khumalo expresses concern that party funds are allegedly being used for personal spending by Zuma and his daughter. "Today MK is making millions and they're taking those millions for themselves....MK always has no money because when the money comes in, they just take it as if it's their tuck shop. "

I unpack RW Johnson's assault on John Steenhuisen, Bidvest's backlash over the Paris Olympics, and introduce our new BizNews Daybreak show.

In this episode of the BizNews Daybreak show, BizNews and its global partners bring you up to date with all the news that you need to know this morning - ensuring you are positioned to seize the business day.

As Sasol gas dries up by 2028, GasHub CEO Jaco Human explains how private industry is racing to secure new supply, develop pipelines, and unlock West Coast gas to keep South Africa powered before the lights go out again.

Lack of service delivery has spawned a new multi-million illegal industry run by Waste Lords. In this interview, Keith Elliott, the Director of the Kya Sands Burning Wasteland Community Forum, tells Chris Steyn how the illegal waste management industry got off the ground and how the Waste Lords operate. He describes lengthy battles with authorities, as well the current legal battles to try and save communities from the devastating effects. As for the link to corruption, he reveals: “…we've been approached by parties in the past. And the approach has been, if you come up with 100,000 Rand, we're quite sure that this problem can go away. So that's an indication at least that at some level, there may be political involvement or people in politics who are involved in this.” Meanwhile, the long-suffering community has managed to raise sufficient money to launch a pilot project for private security to help the authorities with enforcement. “..it is a disgrace that citizens have to resort to the court to get the authorities to do their job, but it's also a disgrace that the citizens have to resort to private security to get the enforcement right,” Elliot says.

With Sasol's fields running low, the formation of "Gas Hub" and the PIC's new stance mark a major shift for energy. We also discuss the "Lamberti Law" - a principled refusal to grease the wheels of bureaucracy, even when it costs you time.