Podcasts about biznews

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.

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…”

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

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."

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

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.

African countries lag significantly behind G20 nations in digital infrastructure, a gap that threatens to deepen economic inequalities across the continent. Bruce Owen, the South African-born EMEA President of Equinix, one of the world's largest digital infrastructure companies, is determined to change that. In an interview with BizNews, Owen reflects on his journey from backpacking through Europe to leading one of the UK's most secure data centres. Now based in London, he oversees Equinix's operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and is spearheading efforts to expand the company's footprint on the continent. Equinix opened its first International Business Exchange (IBX) data centre in Germiston, South Africa, in October 2024, a strategic move to strengthen local connectivity and support digital transformation. “As a proud South African, there's nothing I want more than to bring robust digital infrastructure to the continent,” Owen said. He also expressed renewed optimism about South Africa's energy future, citing improved governance and a more stable outlook for the national grid.

Every day Alec Hogg shares a rational perspective on the latest developments locally and globally with BizNews Premium members.

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

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

An estimated half a billion rands worth of damages have been caused to the historic Fort Hare University following violent protests and arson. In his latest BizNews interview, Grant Abbott, the General Secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union, tells Chris Steyn why Fort Hare cannot be rebuilt with VC Professor Sakhela Buhlungu still in place. “It is clear not just from right now, but for five, six, seven years of this VC's tenure that there is gross irregularities and corruption going on. As in very recent, right in the middle of all of the corruption, he appoints someone who is implicated in the SIU report as being possibly corrupt…He has a history of surrounding himself, unfortunately, with dodgy characters. And we know that by the fact that all of the 24, 25 people who stand accused at the moment were all appointed while he was the Vice Chancellor…" Abbott adds that the VC's management style is to "hold all stakeholders at arm's length and not to engage..He runs the university like it's his own private company. He thinks it's his own spaza shop, whatever it is, and he can do what he wants.”

Mantengu CEO Michael Miller fires back at Paul O'Sullivan, calling him a “sellout” to a criminal enterprise linked to controversial businessman Zunaid Moti. In this explosive interview with Alec Hogg, Miller claims O'Sullivan took money and shares to withdraw sworn affidavits — and accuses the Johannesburg Stock Exchange of covering up share manipulation. With death threats, legal battles, and accusations flying, this is one of the most explosive BizNews interviews yet. Zunaid Moti has requested a Right of Reply to allegations made in this interview. We will conduct the interview with him next week.

Ukraine's first Military Ombudsman, Olha Reshetylova, has been hosted by South Africa - along with Military Ombuds from across the world. In this interview with BizNews, she speaks about President Cyril Ramaphosa's role as mediator - and says: “…this war won't end without South Africa. We need your participation. We need your understanding…” As for US President Donald Trump, she says: “his role is crucial, not only for Ukraine, [but] for the whole world”. In a message to NATO, she reversed the membership invitation by saying: “…it is not a joke, my invitation to the NATO countries to join Ukraine. This is absolutely what I mean. We can share our experience, we can prepare you for a new war…This is something that I'm not sure that different armed forces all over the world understand. This is about understanding the new way of war. This is something that Ukraine can provide to our partners, because nobody except Ukraine and Russia has experience now.”

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

In a historic leap for biotech in Africa, Pretoria-based Altera Biosciences has secured R29 million in pre-seed funding to develop a universal donor cell platform aimed at revolutionising transplant medicine. The technology could enable off-the-shelf cell therapies to overcome one of medicine's greatest challenges: donor–recipient matching - a problem particularly acute in Africa given its unmatched genetic diversity. While this makes Africa a natural proving ground, Altera's ambitions are global, with the platform designed to expand access to advanced cell therapies worldwide. Led by biotech entrepreneur Alexandra Miszewski and Professor Michael Pepper, director of the Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Pretoria, Altera is positioning South Africa at the forefront of global medical innovation. In an interview with BizNews, the founders shared their vision to tackle one of medicine's toughest challenges and elevate South Africa's role in international biotech. Professor Pepper noted, “If Altera develops the technology to solve this problem here, it could be solved for the rest of the world.” Miszewski added that the funding signals growing confidence in South Africa's biotech sector and the depth of expertise within the country.

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

Alec Hogg's daily update which is embedded in the BizNews Premium newsletter - covering the day's news you need to know.

Whistleblowing Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi continues dropping bombs, this time at Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee - following his explosive testimony before the Madlanga Commission. In this BizNews interview, Action Society's Juanita Du Preez tells Chris Steyn that the general comes across as “believable and credible” and is staying “cool and calm”. In contrast, former allies of President Cyril Ramaphosa are turning on another with SG Fikile Mbabula brutally dumping CR17 campaign organiser Brian Mogotsi who retaliated with allegations that caused the SG to threaten to sue him for defamation. More skeletons are also tumbling out of the closet of former Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa who died from a hotel room fall in Paris after being fingered by General Mkhwanazi. “…everybody is running around and covering their backs because...they might not know when what is going to come out…A lot of people are very nervous.” She also slams Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema - fresh from his criminal conviction for firearm offences - for delaying the committee hearing by hours.

The African National Congress (ANC) has unveiled its Economic Action Plan in the wake of the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) Plan to Turbocharge the Economy. In this interview with BizNews, the DA's Head of Policy Mat Cuthbert speaks about the similarities and the differences. He further describes how - despite the best efforts of many of his colleagues in their departments as ministers of the DA - they have been unable to contribute towards growth and jobs in the way that they would have wanted to. “And the reason for that is because ANC ministers have acted as handbrakes on growth and failed to implement the kind of reforms that are required…” Thus he remains “highly skeptical” that his colleagues within the ANC and its partners within the GNU “have the ability to be able to implement the required reforms at the necessary speed or depth”. He calls on voters to strengthen the DA's hand in the upcoming elections “so that we are able to do more and we are able to do more quicker”. He adds: “I think that it's only a matter of time, particularly in light of next year's local government election, as well as the 2029 election, before the ANC are a thing of the past.”

Alec Hogg's daily update which is embedded in the BizNews Premium newsletter - covering the day's news you need to know.

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

In recent years, numerous European countries have begun to phase out or significantly modify their golden visa programmes. This shift is primarily driven by concerns over housing affordability, money laundering, and the need for stricter immigration controls. Following a European court ruling, Malta was compelled to close its golden passport scheme. However, recent revisions to its Permanent Residence Programme (PRP) now present attractive pathways for investors. In an interview with BizNews, Sarah Young from Sable International highlighted that Malta's PRP offers lifetime residency for a €500,000 investment, with the added benefit that investors can earn rental income from properties purchased. She also noted that this programme features a faster residency process with lower costs. For South Africans seeking warmth and sunshine, Malta stands out as a desirable year-round destination, especially since English is one of its official languages.

Alec Hogg's daily update which is embedded in the BizNews Premium newsletter - covering the day's news you need to know.

Swys de Bruin, head coach of the Springbok women's rugby team, guided his team to a historic quarterfinal at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England. In an interview with Biznews, the former Lions and Springboks coach said the strength of the team lies in their diversity. He highlighted the growing professionalism within the women's team and outlined ambitious plans for the future, including a professional six-team domestic league and an increase in international matches. De Bruin said the men could learn from the women's attitude, as “they never moan” and he said he could write a book about how tough women are. Committed to the stay until the next World Cup, De Bruin believes the team has firmly established itself with the elite and is now "barking with the big dogs."

Alec Hogg's daily update which is embedded in the BizNews Premium newsletter - covering the day's news you need to know.

The dark triad of criminal tenderpreneurs, crooked cops and captured politicians has not only cost the country billions, but has led to the loss of lives of an untold number of people. Following the latest revelations about the R2-billion looting of Tembisa Hospital, Jack Bloom, the Democratic Alliance Shadow MEC for Health in Gauteng, tells BizNews he believes that the syndicates are still busy in other hospitals. “The vultures are still there.” Bloom warns that unless people at the top of the Gauteng Health Department were replaced, “this looting is just going to continue”. He also laments the “immense implications… about political connections…and political protection”. And, commenting on the death from a mysterious fall in Paris of former Police Minister Minister Nathi Mthethwa - just a week after being named at the Madlanga Commission, Bloom says: “… you can't help but sort of make an inference that perhaps it was what was coming up at the Commission and that you know he was possibly implicated….the tentacles are all over the place. They really are. We have a Mafia State. You get rid of one criminal syndicate, another takes over, but they seem to work together.” As for the still unanswered question as to who ordered the hit on whistleblower Babita Deokaran, Bloom says: “I think we can have our suspicions now because now we see people who are embedded in networks and the police are implicated as well because none of this could have happened without high-level collusion."

Alec Hogg's daily update which is embedded in the BizNews Premium newsletter - covering the day's news you need to know.

Cybercriminals are using sophisticated AI deepfakes and cloned websites to scam unsuspecting South Africans out of their savings. In this revealing interview, forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan joins Alec Hogg to unpack a recent scam, explain how these syndicates operate, and share practical tips to protect yourself. If it sounds too good to be true - it probably is.

In this in-depth BizNews interview, Sasol CEO Simon Baloyi reflects on South Africa's energy turnaround, why business must partner with government to fix power, logistics and crime, and how Sasol is balancing coal-based production with renewables in its decarbonisation journey. From cutting debt to tackling Joburg's visible infrastructure collapse, Baloyi shares his long road from Secunda engineer to the top office — and why his legacy must be one of restoration and significance

In this interview, BizNews editor Alec Hogg takes a deep dive into lessons learned during the incredible journey of Blue Label co-founder and co-CEO Brett Levy. At 28, he was once the youngest CEO of any JSE-listed company when he and brother Mark too the company public. Now worth R11 billion, Brett's journey has been defined by Blue Label's R5.5bn acquisition of debt-laden CellC SA's third-largest mobile company. This deal caused acute indigestion, lasting seven years, and required the entire purchase price to be written off. An older and wiser Levy shares how both Blue Label and Cell C have emerged stronger from the challenges - and are poised for a magical future.

Alec Hogg's daily update which is embedded in the BizNews Premium newsletter - covering the day's news you need to know.

Fraudsters using AI to scam investors with a fake BizNews interview featuring Helen Zille and Chris Steyn. The inside story of almost two weeks of testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry from former police officer Willem Els who is now with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). And Renaldo Gouws on his re-entry into politics. These are the topics on today's NdB Sunday Show with Chris Steyn. Els hails KZN Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for doing a “good job” in the presentation of his evidence. He notes the huge pressure National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola was under when he arrived to testify. He calls the “very direct” testimony of Major-General Petronella Van Rooyen, Head of Governance at SAPS Legal Services, a “game changer”. As for the propaganda war raging around the key players, Els says: “I think the gloves are off…after…a week and a half of testimony, some damning evidence was tabled. And I think now it's going to heat up.” On the possible outcome, Els says: “…at the end of the day, I think the hope of South Africa is that we get to the bottom of this and that this can be the first step in starting to take back our streets from criminals and the restoration of the rule of law.”

Betway SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith tells BizNews how the latest auction broke records with Brevis and Markram fetching millions, while more than R22m was spent on under-23 talent. With sold-out stadiums, global broadcast deals, and 700 schools now in the pipeline, Smith says SA20 is more than a tournament — it's the engine driving cricket's revival in South Africa

If the Democratic Alliance (DA) icon Helen Zille is elected Mayor of Jo'burg, she will have to overcome huge obstacles to achieve the turn-around promised. In this interivew with BizNews, independent commentator Jonathan Katzenellenbogen says if the DA gets the projected 35% in the local elections, it would have to form a coalition with probably the African National Congress (ANC) that is projected to get 23%. If Zille then starts cutting staff "dramatically", the ANC could turn to the “fellow comrade parties” like the Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) and MKP. “And the ANC can very easily form a Doomsday Coalition with them…” Katzenellenbogen warns that it's going to be “a very hard push” for Zille because of the ANC's “vested interests...the City of Johannesburg is a Patronage Machine". However, should Zille overcome these obstacles and the necessary massive budget is sourced, it would still take about 10 years to restore the City of Gold to its former glory. And if Zille fails to get elected, “big business will have to come in…and confront the council, confront the Mayor, confront the ANC and the Cabinet and say basically this can't continue, it's gone too far. We have got to come and play a role, we'll set up this body and we'll basically run the city. We will make sure that these departments run well….”

Alec Hogg's daily update which is embedded in the BizNews Premium newsletter - covering the day's news you need to know.

Many South Africans have stories of driving into a cow or hitting a kudu driving at night in rural areas causing extensive damages to vehicles and it can turn into personal tragedy. Motivated by personal loss, a young South African, Memphis Kaotsane started working on a solution to make animals visible at night. He invented Moonshine reflective spray that can make animals visible up to 200 metres away. In an interview with Biznews, Kaotsane said he is now ready to scale to wildlife and cyclists and his vision is to export first to Africa and then further afield. With a homegrown solutions with global potential, Kaotsane is keen to shine a light towards better road safety.

Remgro CEO Jannie Durand tells BizNews why the group's five-year strategy is finally paying off, with earnings and dividends up more than 30% and a special payout for shareholders. From taking Distell private with Heineken, to navigating Vodacom's massive deal, to sitting on a cash pile while SA Inc struggles, Durand explains how Remgro is positioning for long-term growth - and why property rights and pro-growth policies remain critical for South Africa's future

In this exclusive BizNews interview, Helen Zille opens up about her return to frontline politics as the DA's Johannesburg mayoral candidate. She discusses the city's critical challenges, coalition complexities, and her vision for restoring effective governance. Drawing on her leadership experience, Zille outlines her 100-day plan and makes a compelling case for decisive action to rescue Johannesburg.

Alec Hogg's new daily update which is embedded in the BizNews Premium newsletter - covering the day's news you need to know.

Stanlib chief economist Kevin Lings tells BizNews why Johannesburg's collapse is stifling growth, how Helen Zille's mayoral run could change the city's fortunes, and why South Africans are raiding retirement savings to splurge on clothes and shoes. With inflation steady at 3% but long-term savings under threat, Lings warns the two-pot system is becoming embedded in the economy - a short-term sugar rush with dangerous long-term costs

In his latest appearance on BizNews, Elections Analyst Wayne Sussman dissects the results from the last two rounds of hard by-elections. In Soweto (Emdeni Naledi) the ANC fell sharply from 56% in 2021 to only 34%. “This is an astonishing result, and one which would really worry the ANC greatly,” Sussman says. Over in Durban, the DA won all three of Montclair voting districts, which uMkhonto we Sizwe won just over a year ago - and grew from 56% to 63%. “This is one of the best results they've had.” The PA achieved an historic result by winning their first ever ward (Kou-Kamma) in the Eastern Cape with 48% of the vote. The EFF gave the ANC a “major fright” in the Free State township of Kgotsong where the ANC fell from 54% to 50% while the EFF surged from 25% to 47%. Sussman also previews upcoming by-elections.

In this interview with BizNews, one former ESKOM CEO, Jacob Maroga, responds to the interview last week with another former CEO, André de Ruyter. He discusses the use - and cost - of coal, solar, gas, and nuclear - and shares outcomes elsewhere in the world. “…the reality that we're going to have to deal with: we're going to have to keep our coal much longer. And we're going to have to do a lot of things to clean up our coal so that from an air quality it's much cleaner,” he says. As for whether load shedding was likely to return, Maroga says: “…I'm confident that we're not going to see the crisis that we've seen with Stage Six load shedding almost every day, but you cannot never say that it will never come back. There may be other reasons that cause it, but I think...we are beyond the worst.”

Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana yesterday proposed anti-ANC legislation in the US's ‘Upper House' which closely mirrors the Ronny Jackson Bill working its way through the House of Representatives. Breitbart senior editor Joel Pollak, the one-time front-runner to be the US ambassador to SA, provides context on this major development while offering a ray of light for Pretoria on the US/SA trade negotiations. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Piet Viljoen, fund manager of the Merchant West Value Fund, shares his insights into the trend illustrated by today's takeover offer for Metrofile, whose 30-year JSE listing looks to be coming to an end. Viljoen says many JSE-listed companies, especially those worth under R20bn, are “not undervalued….…….in the bargain basement bin” and explains why he expects the growing takeover trend to accelerate. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg

Tipping car guards or paying street vendors in South Africa still relies heavily on cash. But many people no longer carry cash, and some vendors don't have bank accounts to accept electronic payments. Street Wallet offers a practical workaround: traders receive a QR code that links to a web-based payment page. Founder and CEO Kostas Scholiadis told BizNews the company has raised R6.3 million to scale the solution, with plans to expand to Durban and Port Elizabeth. Each trader's profile on the app includes a “Hire Me” option, offering a pathway to more stable work. One of the biggest challenges, he says, is initial distrust—but once traders and guards start using the system, “they're very sticky.”

The once-illustrious University of Fort Hare has been in the headlines for Capture by a Corruption Mafia. But despite a spate of arrests, there has been no return to normality at the institution with governance being "almost non-existent". In this interview with BizNews, Grant Abbott, the General Secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union, and suspended SRC President Aphelele Khalakahla lay bare the culture of intimidation that now persists. “There is a prevailing sense of fear on campus…victimisation that continues against staff and against students. You would think that by now, with things at an advanced stage in terms of the court processes, with all the people that have been arrested that things will start normalising at the university, but it's actually not. It's continuing - and I would even say it's getting worse… Anyone who wants to speak out gets silenced,” charges Abbott. Khalakahla says: “We knew that obviously, even if we use university processes and escalate matters within the sector, we are going to be victimised. I am going to be the first victim. Calling for the head of Vice-Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, Abbott says: “…he needs to be relieved of his position with immediate effect. And if that doesn't happen, then the Minister needs to act.”

From Cape Town's booming Table Bay Mall to Johannesburg's struggling Hyde Park, Hyprop boss Morné Wilken tells BizNews why well-governed cities are pulling ahead — and why his company is betting big on the Western Cape and Eastern Europe. With R1.6bn cash ready for deals, solar and water backup in place, and distributable income set to rise 10–12%, Wilken says Hyprop is cleaning up where municipalities fail, while still delivering growth to shareholders

Attacq CEO Jackie van Niekerk tells BizNews why Waterfall City is defying South Africa's property gloom. With distributable income surging 25%, Mall of Africa nearly full, and new logistics hubs breaking ground, Attacq is building where municipalities fail. Van Niekerk says global brands see Waterfall as the safe bet for SA - and the blueprint for the country's urban future.

South Africa's education system faces significant challenges, with Grade 5 pupils ranking last globally in mathematics and science, and an alarming 81% of children unable to read for meaning by age 10. Yet, Queen's College Boys' High School in Komani, where 94% of students are Xhosa-speaking, defies the odds in a province that lags behind its neighbour, the Western Cape. In an interview with BizNews, Headmaster Janse van der Ryst attributed the success of Queen's College to six pillars: daily excellence, upholding identity, active participation—where no one is allowed to sit out and everyone attends sports matches until the final whistle—mutual support, community service, and solution-finding. Van der Ryst, a former Boland cricketer, believes this blueprint could be replicated to improve education in the Eastern Cape and other rural areas, such as the Transkei.