BizNews Radio

South Africa's crypto crackdown has sparked outrage among investors - but economist Dawie Roodt says Treasury is fighting technology it doesn't understand. In this wide-ranging interview, he unpacks stablecoins, tax fears, oil shocks, inflation risks and why the future of money could reshape banking, government control and the economy itself.

AfriForum has asked the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Andy Mothibi, for an urgent update on the much delayed extradition of the Guptas who allegedly benefited from State Capture to the tune of between R50 and R70 billion. In this interview with Chris Steyn, Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum's Chief Spokesperson: Community Safety, says it is possible that the Guptas still enjoy protection from South African politicians. “And I think the main reason for that would be that there are other people who are still implicated in their misdeeds as well. People who aren't hiding in the UAE, but people who are still living within the borders of our country.” Broodryk goes on to vow “...this is definitely something that we're not going to let go. Even if it takes us years…I think we've proven ourselves, that we don't let matters go. Look at the Julius Malema case, for instance, the firearms case that took us eight years of continuous pressure and continuous following up to ensure that justice was served and it was eventually - and we're planning to do the same with this Gupta matter.”

In today's BizNews Daybreak, Nvidia delivers an upbeat sales forecast and multi-billion-dollar buyback plan, while SpaceX prepares for the world's largest ever IPO. Meanwhile, Anthropic reports surging Claude revenue, and Fed minutes signal potential interest rate hikes. In global affairs, Middle East tensions cause oil market volatility, raising economic risks for South Africa's rand. Plus, experts discuss South African infrastructure decay and the growing identity crisis within BRICs.

The South African rand looks resilient - but George Glynos warns that appearances are dangerously deceiving. In this interview with Irakli, ETM Analytics Co-Founder and Head of Research lays out exactly why the risks are building asymmetrically against the rand - and why complacency could prove costly. On the scale of the current oil shock, Glynos is unambiguous: "You're talking about a hit of in excess of 20-odd percent of the world's oil supply. Compare that to the 1973 embargo or the 1979 Iranian revolution — those removed 6 to 7%. This is categorically different." On why the rand hasn't moved yet — and why that itself is the warning sign: "The Rand hasn't responded strongly to it yet, which ultimately means that it is a little vulnerable. Should the shock extend, the greater the likelihood that the Rand will come under some pressure." And on South Africa's fuel supply specifically, Glynos raises an alarm few are talking about: "If we're not able to source that refined fuel from the Persian Gulf, then all of a sudden I think we're going to find ourselves in a more stressed environment — with vast implications for the economy. How mines run, how high-energy sectors run." The verdict is stark: either this war ends quickly and the terms of trade recover — or the rand adjusts sharply to reflect the damage already done to South Africa's trade balance. There is, Glynos says, no third option.

Martin Freeman and Justin Clarke unpack why US industrial real estate — particularly “shallow bay” facilities linked to manufacturing and logistics — is emerging as a standout opportunity. They discuss the impact of AI-driven data centre investment, America's onshoring push, interest rate dynamics, and Accretiv's latest Alabama acquisition tied to aerospace and renewable energy supply chains. The discussion also covers investor returns, risks, liquidity concerns, and the evolving outlook for US commercial property.

BRICS is suffering an identity crisis — and its foreign ministers' gathering in New Delhi has done nothing to resolve it. In this interview with Irakli, Platform for African Democrats custodian Ray Hartley asks the defining question: "What is the point of BRICS?" He warns that the bloc has become little more than pageantry: "The summit in India will be high-profile — guards of honour, jets flying overhead, the full spectacle. And then at the end of it, there will be no serious results, because they simply can't agree on much." On BRICS claiming to represent the Global South, Hartley is blunt: "Two of these countries — China and Russia — are not really part of the Global South. China is one of the most developed economies in the world. And then you have the giant oil states: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran. These are super-rich countries with vast resources. They don't represent the Global South. They simply claim to." And while BRICS foreign ministers were exchanging pleasantries in New Delhi, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump were holding a bilateral summit — a contrast Hartley says speaks for itself: "It's really just a sideshow. It has no real-world effects — not economically in terms of trade or investment, and not politically either. It simply lacks coherence."

Infrastructure failure has become a core business risk in South Africa. In this interview with Chris Steyn, international ISO standards and systems implementation specialist Muhammad Ali warns: “...infrastructure is not just decaying, it's going down the drain to its limit'. He notes that while systems and standards exist, “it's just up to the right leadership, the right party to acknowledge and implement effectively”. Ali describes how Barcelona, for instance, has optimised service delivery with an App that connects citizens to municipalities “...they take a picture of that particular pothole and then the smart cameras verify and validate that that pothole is there. That particular ticket that gets logged in gets quickly sent out to the relevant community, the SMMEs and QSEs or contractors-to-be who are approved and vetted and validated to give a quotation on exactly who can do this work with the best price, the best quality, the best time. And automatically, without any human intervention, it denotes through a criteria of selection who the vendor is and issues them with an order. They are given three days to be able to complete this exercise with a picture and the camera validating this, and they are paid within seven days.” Meanwhile, back here “these syndicates and extortion in South Africa has become a movie. We're living in Hollywood and I think Hollywood is actually getting scripts from South African day-to-day lifestyles….So we've got a long way to go in terms of having the right leadership, having the right… accountability.”

In today's BizNews Daybreak we cover the finalized EU-US trade deal text and the Senate's push to withdraw from hostilities in Iran. Meanwhile, South African farmers warn that the regional foot and mouth disease rollout is failing, urging a shift to mass vaccination campaigns. Finally, we examine political maneuvering surrounding the GNU in South Africa and a serious, undetected Ebola strain outbreak in the DRC.

South African farmers are furious with the State's failures in its handling of the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak and vaccination programme. In this interview with Chris Steyn, Andrew Morphew, the spokesperson for FMD Response SA says: “We are seeing the virus is continuing to spread. There's Foot and Mouth outbreaks being reported regularly. But the more concerning thing for us now is that we are finding vaccinated herds… are now being infected even post vaccination. And that is an indication as to the failure of the roll-out plan and purely because we're not covering complete areas at the same time…And we're allowing unvaccinated animals to stay in areas around vaccinated populations.” Morphew says the only way to stop the spread is for the entire South African population to be vaccinated in six to eight weeks. Morphew details the severe financial losses being suffered by farmers. “We are desperate to engage with the Minister… we don't fully understand why there's now a barrier to taking the next step and doing what needs to be done to actually fundamentally fix the problem and put a system in place or a plan in place with dates and timelines and vaccine schedules…it is fundamental that the government and the private sector now start to talk and get around the table and figure out how we actually make this happen”.

Today's BizNews Daybreak covers the latest global and local shifts, beginning with President Trump delaying an impending strike on Iran following appeals from Persian Gulf allies. In tech news, a jury has swiftly dismissed Elon Musk's high-profile lawsuit against OpenAI on a statute of limitations technicality. Turning to South Africa, entrepreneur Rob Hersov delivers a blunt assessment of the country's political future, arguing the business community is desperate for Cyril Ramaphosa to stay out of fear of a radical successor, while declaring the ANC "as good as gone". Finally, we unpack why top law firms are legally fighting aggressive new BEE ownership codes, and Action Society breaks down whether the latest high-profile arrests signal a genuine cleanup within the South African Police Service.

The fight over transformation policy in South Africa is intensifying as four of the biggest law firms legally challenge the new legal sector codes. Currency News Senior Editor Tim Cohen joins Irakli to discuss the deeper fault lines exposed by this clash, questioning whether the push for 50% black ownership and 25% black women ownership in five years is a realistic goal or a miscalculation. Cohen highlights the absurdity of a sector-wide transformation policy that exempts 95.07% of legal practices, leaving the burden on a tiny fraction of the industry. He further explains why the unique structure of equity partnerships - rooted in long-term professional development, client confidence, and risk - cannot be transformed overnight like a standard corporation. Cohen likens the government's approach to an extreme guru-prescribed diet, arguing that applying a failing policy with even more vigor will only lead to disastrous unintended consequences.

Five years after his explosive Voetsek ANC speech, global entrepreneur Rob Hersov returns to BizNews with a wide-ranging update on South Africa's political and investment landscape. Speaking to BizNews editor Alec Hogg, Hersov weighs in on Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala troubles, the ANC's decline, the GNU's coming reckoning, Prince Mashele's political ambitions, Gayton McKenzie's rise, the 2026 municipal elections, and the global impact of the Ukraine and Middle East wars.

The deepening crisis in the South African police force has seen generals toppled either through suspension or arrest. In this interview with Chris Steyn, Action Society's Juanita du Preez comments on the suspensions of the National Commissioner, the Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner, and the Head of Supply Chain Management, as well as the arrests of the Gauteng Head of the Hawks and a Crime Intelligence boss - all following the Minister of Police being placed on special leave, and a deputy national commissioner being suspended. Other arrests include an MP and member of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police as well as a former African National Congress fixer. Du Preez also details the battle to get child rapists held to account as Action Society launched a national campaign for the release of the Sex Offenders Register as well as a PAIA application into failed prosecutions of cases involving very young children. Speaking from court today, Du Preez describes the despicable court rooom behaviour of accused Stephan Pretorius who is on trial for setting alight his estranged wife, Charlene, in front of their teenage daughter, causing her death.

In today's BizNews Daybreak, the US and Iran's clash over the Strait of Hormuz continues, while the White House details a massive $17 billion agricultural trade agreement with China. Locally, Johannesburg faces a severe financial and governance crisis, risking a major Moody's credit downgrade over unfiled audited statements and billions owed to creditors. Additionally, Solidarity advocates for an end date to race-based BEE policies due to high GDP growth costs, and a Soweto youth empowerment initiative successfully expands its reach far beyond squash.

In this edition of the NdB Sunday Show with Chris Steyn, Connie Mulder, the head of Solidarity's Research Institute (SRI) shares its comprehensive roadmap to gradually transition South Africa from race-based legislation to real empowerment, based on need, economic growth and job creation by 2030. It includes practical suggestions on BEE, employee share ownership programmes, foreign investment and a more realistic approach to employment equity. “... our history has shown the only way the ANC does the right thing is if we force them in that direction. So it's not just a plan on paper. We've got levers, court action, public pressure, international pressure that we apply on each of these points.” He is confident that the implementation of the roadmap would also close the corruption opportunities created by empowerment and procurement regulations. “I suspect you would find that the breathing room for your tenderpreneurs who have successfully transformed tax money into Maseratis in South Africa is going to dramatically decrease.” Meanwhile, Solidarity has lodged a formal complaint with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) of the United Nations against the South African government over its breach of an agreement reached with Solidarity that racial laws should be temporary in nature, that no one may be dismissed based on race, that race may not be the sole criterion for appointment to a position, and that skills must be considered. Solidarity is also pursuing legal action in South Africa over the contempt of court order.

Egoli Youth Empowerment started with squash courts in Soweto and grew into a holistic youth development programme spanning sport, academic support, life skills, leadership, entrepreneurship and urban farming. Director Glenn Lazarus and Programme Director Sharon Sibanda tell BizNews how EYE is creating safe spaces, developing young talent, and helping vulnerable youth in Soweto and Johannesburg's inner city build confidence, resilience and opportunity.

In this interview with Irakli of BizNews, Currency co-founder Giulietta Talevi unpacks the April 23 letter from Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to Joburg Mayor Dada Morero, which laid bare the city's "shocking" financial picture: just R3.9bn in cash against R25bn owed to creditors. "Technically, you would say that it's bankrupt now, and cannot afford an excessively expensive wage deal," Talevi says of the R10.3bn SAMWU agreement at the heart of the dispute. She explains why Moody's downgrade watch is really about governance — not just numbers — pointing out that the city's failure to produce its audited financial statements "indicates serious deterioration in governance, and not just Joburg's financial health." Two deadlines loom: audited financials owed to the JSE by May 31, and a R1.4bn bond repayment due June 22. Talevi explains that because the debt is unsecured, all creditors "are treated equally" — meaning a single default event could trigger every lender to call in their loans simultaneously. She also raises the spectre of moral hazard, citing Chartis Asset Management's Ian Scott on what he calls a "treasury-funded put" — the idea that bailing out Joburg signals to leadership that they "can mess up, you can collapse the financial situation of the country's biggest Metro… and we'll bail you out because you're too big to fail." When Irakli draws a parallel to the e-toll saga, Talevi agrees taxpayers are "on the hook again" — paying their taxes only to face additional costs for the basic services those taxes were meant to fund.

In today's BizNews Daybreak, President Trump discusses China's role in Iran negotiations and a major Boeing deal, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses Taiwan tensions. The S&P 500 hits record highs fueled by Cerebras Systems' massive IPO and Nvidia's growth, contrasting with a strained partnership between Apple and OpenAI. Locally, Wayne Sussman examines the complexity of South Africa's upcoming municipal elections and Gary Power urges the need for personal accountability to combat institutional corruption.

In the latest edition of the Electoral Road Show with Chris Steyn, Elections Analyst Wayne Sussman dissects this week's by-election results: The Patriotic Alliance (PA) makes history by winning its first ever ward in the Upington area. It took the ward off the Democratic Alliance, and grew its support from a paltry 1% to an “astonishing” 37% of the vote, while the DA fell from 47% to 29%. The African National Congress (ANC) did not have a bad night either: it won a ward off a local party in the Siyathemba Municipality with its support growing from 39% to 51%. The ANC also had a big night in another by-election, this one in North West. “There are people who write off the ANC. There are people who say that the ANC is done. But here in a key township… in a gold mining town in the Northwest, the ANC's vote share is climbing from 72% to 81%.” Sussman notes that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were not able to capitalise on their Phala Phala victory over President Cyril Ramaphosa. He also 9comments on the engagement of the Independent Electoral Commission's (IEC) with former President Jacob Zuma's MKP in Nkandla as part of its preparations for the Local Government Elections in November.

Another victim has come forward to share her experience of allegedly being scammed by FXSI, a company accused of using sophisticated online tactics and deepfake-style advertising to lure victims into fraudulent investments. In this follow-up interview with BizNews, the victim explains how she first encountered the scheme through social media adverts that appeared credible and professionally produced, creating the impression of a legitimate investment opportunity. The victim shares details how scammers built trust over time through persistent communication and promises of significant returns, before allegedly pressuring them into depositing more money. The interview also explores the emotional toll of the ordeal, the difficulties victims face after realising they have been deceived, and the steps she has taken to report the matter to authorities, including the South African Police Service. As AI-generated scams and impersonation fraud become increasingly sophisticated, this interview highlights the growing risks facing ordinary South Africans online. The victim's decision to speak publicly adds to mounting concerns around deepfake financial scams exploiting trusted public figures, media brands, and the credibility of online investment advertising.

Gary Power lifts the lid on corruption, ethical collapse, and the fight to rebuild South Africa from the ground up. In this powerful conversation, the CEO of Unashamedly Ethical shares how his father transformed a major construction business, why integrity is a survival strategy, and how collective action, faith, and courageous leadership can change communities, businesses, and nations.

In today's BizNews Daybreak, we feature President Trump's high-stakes Beijing summit alongside tech titans Elon Musk and Jensen Huang. We show also analyses a sharp spike in US wholesale inflation and Cisco's major AI-driven restructuring. Piet Viljoen and Magnus Heystek discusses their million-rand investment challenge and South Africa's surprising market outperformance. Finally, another pensioner shares a sobering cautionary tale about falling victim to FXSI's sophisticated AI deepfake scam.

Offshore versus local investing goes head-to-head in this gripping real-money showdown between Magnus Heystek and Piet Viljoen. Four and a half years after the challenge began, the results are sparking fierce debate about political risk, market timing, diversification and South Africa's undervalued stocks. With millions at stake and emotions running high, both investment heavyweights reveal the hard lessons learned, why sentiment drives markets, and whether South African equities still offer the best long-term returns despite the country's economic and political turmoil.

In today's BizNews Daybreak, President Trump heads to Beijing for a trade summit alongside Nvidia's Jensen Huang and Elon Musk. The Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh to the Fed's Board of Governors, while analysts debate an "AI bubble" amid Anthropic's $30 billion funding talks. Plus, South African retailer Boxer discusses its expansion against Walmart, and we take a look at the impact of AI on global labor productivity.

On this episode of BizNews Daybreak, President Trump rejects a "garbage" peace deal from Iran as tensions escalate in the Strait of Hormuz. Domestically, Boxer CEO Marek Masojada outlines the retailer's aggressive expansion into the liquor market despite economic pressures. We also cover Kevin Warsh's nomination to lead the Federal Reserve, Trump's high-profile trade mission to Beijing, and critical safety advice for South African whistleblowers.

Discount retailer Boxer is accelerating its expansion strategy with 50 new stores added over the past year and a growing focus on liquor outlets attached to supermarkets. In an interview with BizNews, Marek Masojada says the retailer remains confident in its low-cost model despite mounting pressure from rising energy costs and intensifying competition. With a new KZN distribution centre now online, strong cash generation and plans for 60 more stores, Boxer is betting big on value-conscious South African consumers.

Fresh pressure builds for President Cyril Ramaphosa as a Constitutional Court ruling on the Phala Phala matter sparks talks of a constitutional crisis and potential impeachment. Globally, President Trump labels Iran's latest nuclear proposal "totally unacceptable" while the UK and France prepare a defensive naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, whistleblower Cynthia Stimpel shares the heavy personal cost of exposing corruption at SAA, and fintech founder Ryan Passmore highlights the "missing middle" crisis in South African student funding.

In his latest interview with Chris Steyn, US intelligence analyst, retired Colonel Chris Wyatt comments on the latest developments in the trouble-hit presidencies of South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump. With African National Congress (ANC) officials in crisis meetings this weekend over the possibility that he could be impeached for Phala Phala, Col Wyatt charges: “... somebody should be in prison for this. This is bigger than Watergate in America. This is money laundering by a sitting president, potentially.” As for Trump stuck in a war he started: “Col Wyatt says: “...the answer here now is…rendition. It's Delta Force. Seal teams…grabbing these guys and rendered…that's the only way this is going to end, I think. They're not going to come to the table…this ceasefire has become a farce.” Col Wyatt also shares what he believes will be on the agenda for private discussions when Trump visits China soon. Lastly, he reveals that some South African refugees have suffered racist abuse which he vows to expose.

In this edition of the NdB Sunday Show, Chris Steyn hosts the iconic whistleblower, Cynthia Stimple who, as Group Treasurer, blew the whistle at SAA. Now the director of Courage Hub, a new group to support whistleblowers, Stimpel recalls her own traumatic experiences as a whistleblower, and outlines all the ways in which her group offers support to past, present, and future whistleblowers. With the extreme risks involved, Stimpel gives potential whistleblowers detailed advice on how to protect themselves. “We will give you guidance on how to report, who to go to, which mechanisms to use….You don't want to lose your livelihood. You don't want to put your life at risk.” Stimpel also recalls the epic walk she did in remembrance of 40 whistleblowers over 40 days over 700 kilometers along the Cape Camino.. Meanwhile, shel calls on South Africans to become part of the solution. “And although we've had the Zondo Commission, we've had many commissions already, but with the Madlanga Commission, we are seeing how deep and entrenched and embedded the corruption is....my own mantra is that if it is to be, it is up to me.” Courage Hub will also be doing ethics training in schools “to coach them in a way that they stay on the moral pathway and cannot be easily swayed to do the wrong thing”.

In this interview with BizNews, Ryan Passmore – Durban-based fintech founder of ZenFund Connect – unpacks why he believes South Africa's student funding system is broken, and how he proposes to fix it. Passmore points to the "missing middle": households earning between R350,000 and R600,000 a year, who are too well-off to qualify for NSFAS but cannot afford the R19,000 a month the University of Pretoria says it costs to put a child through an undergraduate degree. He cites stark 2026 figures – NSFAS received over 900,000 first-time applications, with more than 100,000 rejected outright, while of 500,000 continuing students assessed, only 100,000 were approved. Passmore says: "I believe the missing middle is South Africa's policy blind spot." He outlines how ZenFund Connect – a nonprofit student life ecosystem associated with the Chad le Clos Foundation, spanning South Africa's 26 public universities – aims to plug the gap through three integrated modules: finance, DHET-verified student accommodation, and career placement. Passmore argues that bursaries and loans alone will not solve graduate unemployment; only an end-to-end ecosystem that walks with the student from matric through to a job placement can shift the trajectory of the working-class families he calls the country's invisible backbone – the nurses, teachers, civil servants and small business owners whose children South Africa cannot afford to lose.

In today's BizNews Daybreak we cover a volatile morning as crude oil prices climb following a military exchange between the US and Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz. While a federal court strikes down President Trump's global tariffs, South African attention turns to a "rogue polling" warning and Johannesburg's financial collapse. With a 25 billion rand debt and failing services like water and infrastructure, the city faces a potential national government takeover that could reshape the upcoming local elections.

In the latest edition of The Electoral Roadshow with Chris Steyn and analyst Wayne Sussman, he warns of “rogue” polling that could give voters false indicators. He takes viewers through some of the recent by-election result shocks. He further analyses the mayoral contests in the big Metros, including the bankrupt Jo'burg. Sussman gives an overview of the prospects of the major parties in the November 4 Local Goverment Elections. He also comments on the execution-style murder of an African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape, as well as the poor state of infrastructure at polling stations in that province.

In today's BizNews Daybreak: Global markets soared to record highs as the US and Iran move closer to a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Domestically, South African industry experts warn that a shift to modular firearm training could quintuple costs and leave security personnel "supply prohibitive" due to increased classroom hours. Financial Mail Editor-in-Chief Rob Rose unpacks the "total arrogance" behind PepsiCo's ProNutro rebranding, which sparked a massive consumer backlash after the company admitted their new machinery simply cannot produce the original formula. Meanwhile, local SA ports struggle to capture rerouted shipping traffic amid ongoing operational and weather-related constraints.

Civil rights group, Safe Citizen, has launched an urgent campaign to interrupt plans for drastic changes to South Africa's firearms training system that could make obtaining a competency certificate so expensive and time-consuming that people are likely to resort to buying fake certificates. In this interview, Nikki Pretorius, the spokesperson for the Lead Service Provider Forum, says: “... previously… training would take place over a day, day and a half at maximum and would cost the person about 1800 to 2000 Rand… now…. for the purposes of competency…a five day minimum period in a classroom and on a shooting range…and you're looking at four thousand, six thousand rand... And over and above the expense, you're looking at five days away from work…And even worse for the security officers…before they could get their competencies done within three, four, five days, they're now looking at three weeks.” Pretorius warns that it could lead to otherwise law-abiding citizens turning to corruption: “... it's simply going to drive that need (for firearms licences) underground. And then we have a situation where the proliferation of illegal firearms expands, whereas proper law abiding citizen firearm usage and ownership declines.”

President Trump has paused "Project Freedom" in the Strait of Hormuz to evaluate a potential agreement with Iran, causing oil prices to retreat as US equities reach record highs. Meanwhile, the SEC proposes shifting to semiannual earnings reports, and AMD reports surging revenue driven by AI demand. Locally, BizNews editor Alec Hogg defiantly rejects legal threats from a deepfake scam syndicate, and intelligence analyst Chris Wyatt discusses the "painful" reality of South African fuel price hikes.

In this episode of Boardroom Talk, BizNews editor Alec Hogg exposes the AI-powered FXSI scam that used deepfake footage of him and President Cyril Ramaphosa on a fake Carte Blanche set to lure unsuspecting South Africans into a fraudulent trading scheme. After BizNews interviewed an anonymous victim who lost more than R24,000, lawyers claiming to act for FXSI demanded the article and podcast be removed. Hogg's response: no.

In today's BizNews Daybreak, US-Iran clashes in the Strait of Hormuz, driving crude oil prices upward and sparking global supply chain concerns. Financial Mail Editor-in-Chief Rob Rose joins the program to discuss why South African brands are misreading their customers, citing a "degree of arrogance" and a failure to learn from the "New Coke" era. Additionally, intelligence analyst Chris Wyatt provides a provocative outlook for South Africa's upcoming local elections, predicting the ANC could suffer a major blow and potentially drop below 30% support. Plus, we explore the limits of US power in the Middle East and the White House's potential move to vet AI models before release.

Are multinational giants and massive local retailers losing touch with the South African market?. In this episode, Alec Hogg sit down with Rob Rose, Editor-in-Chief of the FM Group, to explore the harsh realities of corporate bullying and executive arrogance. They dissect the recent ProNutro public relations disaster, the devastating consequences of the Woolworths supplier squeeze that killed a local chocolatier, and the ongoing danger of foreign executives ignoring local consumer wisdom.

In his latest interview with Chris Steyn, US intelligence analyst Retired Colonel Chris Wyatt responds to breaking news developments in the Iran war, with claims that a US ship has been hit by missiles for approaching the Straits of Hormuz to escort out trapped ships while ground battles are breaking out between Hezbollah and Israeli Defence Force troops in Lebanon, as well as Iran's difficulties in reviewing the “excessive” demands in US President Donald Trump's peace plan. Col Wyatt comments on the war heralding yet another steep fuel price hike in SA. He also assesses the likely fates of major political parties in the recently announced Local Government Elections. Col Wyatt analyses China's car manufacturing plans and marketing strategy for SA. Lastly, he hails the bravery of the South Africa policeman involved in that dramatic crocodile mission over the Komati River.

For the first time in six decades, Warren Buffett is no longer leading the charge at the "Woodstock for Capitalists". Alec Hogg reflects on Greg Abel's first AGM as CEO, exploring Berkshire Hathaway's impressive $11.3 billion in operating earnings and their staunch refusal to deploy capital into sub-par opportunities. This is essential listening for rational investors who understand the power of extreme patience in a hyped-up market.

In today's BizNews Daybreak: A sobering first-hand account of a deepfake investment scam that cost a BizNews community member over R24 000. We also analyse the latest earnings from Google, Meta, and Amazon, where artificial intelligence is driving both massive revenue growth and a historic surge in infrastructure spending. Finally, we cover President Trump's "Project Freedom" initiative to guide neutral ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions in the Persian Gulf.

This interview tells the cautionary story of a South African victim who lost over R24,000 after being drawn into a sophisticated online trading scam run through a platform called FXSI. What began with a convincing video advert and seemingly professional “account managers” quickly turned into a high-pressure scheme, with the victim encouraged to make larger deposits and then pressured to pay more to recover losses. The interview highlights how manipulative and believable online investment scams can be, the emotional toll they take on victims, and the importance of verifying any platform before committing money.

In this episode of Boardroom Talk, BizNews editor Alec Hogg unpacks a blockbuster night for global tech investors, with Alphabet, Meta and Amazon all reporting quarterly results. Held in the BizNews Ricardo US dollar portfolio, the three tech titans reveal how artificial intelligence has shifted from promise to hard infrastructure — and hard spending. Hogg explains what booming cloud revenues, massive AI capex, inflated paper gains and resilient core businesses mean for South African investors with offshore exposure.

In today's BizNews Daybreak, we look at the "Magnificent Seven's" earnings, where Amazon's cloud growth shines despite heavy AI spending. Anthropic weighs a massive valuation leap to $90 billion, while Fed Chair Jay Powell commits to his term amid a controversial building investigation. Economist Iraj Abedian provides a harrowing look inside a sanctioned Iran, describing a nation facing public executions, food shortages, and a total "net blockade" designed to cut off all global connectivity for 90 million people. Additionally, the UAE's exit from OPEC signals a major shift in oil market influence, while experts highlight the accessibility of UK property mortgages for South African investors.

Economist Iraj Abedian delivers a stark, insider view of Iran's deepening crisis - economic collapse, internal power struggles, and rising global tensions. As conflict reshapes alliances, he warns of unpredictable fallout and missed opportunities. With sharp insight, Abedian connects the dots to South Africa, urging urgent policy reset to navigate risk, seize investment potential, and stay grounded in national interest.

In today's edition of BizNews Daybreak, we dive into President Trump's strategic move to sustain an economic blockade on Iran over military alternatives. The global market faces further upheaval as the UAE announces its departure from OPEC following decades of membership. Meanwhile, King Charles III delivers a historic address to the US Congress, emphasizing the critical importance of the Atlantic partnership and unyielding support for Ukraine. In local news, environmental activists challenge Eskom's nuclear expansion in the Eastern Cape, citing threats to unique biodiversity and water security. Plus, Alec Hogg analyzes Tesla's $25 billion gamble on the "Optimus" robotic future and unpacks the latest quarterly tech earnings.

Is South Africa about to repeat its most expensive infrastructure mistakes? Ten years after a corruption-laden Russia/Zuma initiative was shelved, the controversial proposal for a nuclear power plant at Thyspunt near St Francis is back on the table. Communities in the Eastern Cape are sounding the alarm at a siting decision rooted in a 'homeland-distant' priority of a fearful Apartheid Regime. In this interview, Alec Hogg speaks with Trudi Malan, a passionate local activist and leader of the Thyspunt Alliance. She exposes Eskom's flawed scoping reports, the deadly lack of evacuation routes for residents, and the devastating threat to a global heritage site recognised as the cradle of modern humankind. Capping it all was the shocking arrogance displayed by officials at the required 'town halls' required as part of the public participation process. This is a must-listen for anyone concerned about South Africa's energy future and the protection of its heritage.

The United Kingdom remains a stable and attractive property investment destination for South Africans, says Mikayla Morkel-Brink from immigration specialists Sable International. She explained to Biznews in an interview that rental demand is driven by a chronic undersupply of housing and consistently high tenant demand. For South Africans, the appeal is reinforced by realistic net yields of 7–8% and mortgage rates of around 4–5%, far lower than in South Africa. Asked whether the upcoming Renters' Rights Act will affect landlords, MorkelBrink says the shift toward more openended leases, rather than fixed 12month contracts, is unlikely to have a significant impact in the regional university university cities such as Leeds and Birmingham where Sable operates. The company is also highlighting new opportunities in Reading, a regeneration hotspot on the Thames within easy reach of London. – Linda van Tilburg

In today's BizNews Daybreak we break down a morning of seismic shifts, starting with the federal court appearance of Thomas Allen, the man charged with the attempted assassination of President Trump. We examine a high-stakes standoff in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran proposes a nuclear trade-off to end the naval blockade. Plus, Goldman Sachs gives an analysis on oil, and a massive industry shakeup as Microsoft and OpenAI end their exclusive partnership.

Stellenbosch student‑turned‑founder Veer Gosai built an edtech platform serving millions of school pupils with free past exam papers – and he's not only a tech entrepreneur. A stolen ID led him to uncover fraud in the SASSA grant system. In this BizNews interview, Gosai talks about how his exam‑prep platform Taptic has expanded to seven African countries, with another eight in his sights; why he believes AI is detrimental to the youth in a country where more than 80% of Grade 4s cannot read for meaning; and, in an interesting titbit, how his data shows that Grade 9s are the “laziest” learners in South Africa. – Linda van Tilburg

Download and read the BNC#8 post-conference PDF here: https://bit.ly/4eB6uCi In a candid address to the Hermanus Rotary Club, BizNews editor Alec Hogg reflects on the key takeaways from BizNews Conference 8, unpacking South Africa's economic stagnation, governance failures, and the growing realisation that “Pretoria will not provide.” Drawing on insights from global and local thought leaders, he highlights both the risks of a “parasitic state” and the opportunities for renewal through civic action, investment discipline, and self-reliance—offering a sober yet ultimately hopeful outlook for the country's future.