Podcasts about biznews

In this interview with BizNews, energy expert Thomas Garner looks at the reasons behind the warning in ESKOM's Medium Term Adequacy Report that loadshedding could return in 2029. He describes the various challenges ESKOM would have to overcome to prevent that, and shares what is possible to achieve in new grid capacity with different technologies: coal, nuclear, gas, solar and wind. He stresses that the challenges are “systemic and it comes a long way” and is also as a result of “the monopolistic nature of the animal ESKOM”. Commenting on President Cyril Ramaphosa's SONA statement that the National Transmission Company will be independent being contrary to what ESKOM and the Minister of Electricity had wanted, he says: “There's different factions within ESKOM. There's the faction that wants to see privatisation, a market, and full unbundling and then there's a faction that doesn't want to see it and wants to see the monopoly stay intact as it has been for the last hundred years. So it depends who's the management and it depends who's allowed to have the loudest voice.”

Since the last South African Grand Prix was raced at Kyalami in 1993, the country has made several attempts to bring Formula One back. The circuit has been upgraded to FIA Grade 2 standards, and various promoters, including the Kyalami owners and international partners, have tried to secure a deal with Formula One Management. Most recently, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie conceded that the 2027 race “will not take place now,” but said government remained committed to landing a future Grand Prix. Anton Roux, a former member of motorsport's governing body, the FIA Senate, and a trustee of the FIA Foundation, says South Africa's real obstacles lie elsewhere, in strained ties with Washington and a lack of political commitment at home. Roux told BizNews that South Africa has not done the diplomatic groundwork needed to convince Liberty Media, the American company that owns Formula One. His advice to the sports minister was blunt: start by backing, and showing up at, the international motorsport events South Africa already hosts, to prove the country can deliver an event that other African nations, like Rwanda, are now openly keen to host. But first, the interview dives into a question many motorheads are asking: Why are electric vehicles so ugly? Is Italian design the answer?

CityMenderSA was created by KwaZuluNatal engineering student Keyuren Maharaj to help residents report and track local infrastructure problems, an idea sparked by his experience chairing a ratepayers' association in Durban. He told BizNews that the app began as a simple tool for documenting servicedelivery failures but has since grown into a national platform covering 36 categories of issues across South Africa.Reports logged on the app are escalated directly to municipal councils, with updates and followups managed through features like WhatsApp integration to encourage faster responses. Maharaj stresses that user privacy is central: the platform collects no personal data beyond the WhatsApp phone number. With AI now built in, CityMenderSA can estimate realtime water loss from leaks and analyse patterns across municipalities. When Maharaj ran the algorithm on seven months of Johannesburg data, even the small sample of issues logged on the app revealed hundreds of thousands of litres of water lost. Bootstrapped from the start, CityMenderSA is already available in Afrikaans, Zulu and English, with more African languages on the way. Maharaj describes it as a “virtual butler for service delivery.” Once an issue is logged, he says, users know it's being tracked, increasing the chances it will eventually be fixed.

In South Africa, high earners face a 45% marginal rate with limited deductions, making Section 12B of the Income Tax Act a powerful tool to ease the tax burden while investing in renewable energy. In an interview with Biznews, Mitchel Fieldgate, wealth manager and alternative investment lead at Pangea Wealth, revealed they have facilitated R1 billion in deductions over the last two years. He noted that while this provides relief for high earners, it has also mobilised billions into commercial solar projects, reducing reliance on Eskom and alleviated load shedding. Fieldgate explained who might not benefit from the tax relief, clarified that it is not a tax loophole, and stressed that the 12B opportunities are not a one-size-fits-all solution. He suggested the government introduce similar tax breaks for repairing other infrastructure, such as water systems or roads, “because it mobilises money and there's no leakage.”

Tonight's BizNews Briefing spans infrastructure, energy, markets and global tech risk. Stephen Moore argues Gauteng's water crisis needs urgent, ring-fenced funding. Dylan Bradfield outlines why Blue Label's non-Eskom power route into municipalities could be a breakthrough. We then track a bumper SENS day led by Glencore's copper pivot and gold-sector windfalls, before Bloomberg explains how AI disruption fears are hitting stocks beyond tech. And we pay tribute to Clem Sunter (1944 - 2026), renowned South African scenario planner and one of the BizNews tribe's most loved contributors.

Following talks between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the South African men sold into combat in Russia are being processed for their return. In his latest interview with BizNews, the real founder of MKP, Jabulani Khumalo - who has been supporting the families - calls for the arrest of those among the “hijackers” of his party for their alleged involvement in the trafficking “…we are saying to the government of South Africa they must punish these people because they are known who they are. There are five that went to court, but it's not all of them….I don't know why they are still not behind bars…And they are still continuing to make a lot of problems within the communities because they are thugs.” Slamming former President Jacob Zuma, Khumalo says: “Jacob Zuma is allowing all these shenanigans because remember, the government has allowed him for very long to fool the government to abuse our money in going to courts just for him to stay away from jail. And because of that, thinks he's above the law…”

South Africans looking to work or settle abroad, whether for a few years or permanently, are increasingly trapped in a bureaucratic maze created by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and National Treasury. In an interview with BizNews, immigration tax specialist William Louw of Sable International argues that these authorities operate with overlapping mandates and conflicting definitions of “residency”, leaving ordinary people confused and exposed. The result, he says, is damaging with expats severing all financial ties with South Africa, extract every cent and asset they can, and abandon any intention of returning with their skills or capital. According to Louw, the system even discriminates against South African ID holders living abroad, granting them fewer rights than foreign non‑residents, a contradiction that raises constitutional concerns. Far from protecting the economy, Louw contends, these policies accelerate capital flight, deter future investment and ultimately undermine South Africa's long‑term economic prospects.

South Africans looking to work or settle abroad, whether for a few years or permanently, are increasingly trapped in a bureaucratic maze created by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and National Treasury. In an interview with BizNews, immigration tax specialist William Louw of Sable International argues that these authorities operate with overlapping mandates and conflicting definitions of “residency”, leaving ordinary people confused and exposed. The result, he says, is damaging with expats severing all financial ties with South Africa, extract every cent and asset they can, and abandon any intention of returning with their skills or capital. According to Louw, the system even discriminates against South African ID holders living abroad, granting them fewer rights than foreign non‑residents, a contradiction that raises constitutional concerns. Far from protecting the economy, Louw contends, these policies accelerate capital flight, deter future investment and ultimately undermine South Africa's long‑term economic prospects.

Gold's Wild Ride: Gold prices experienced extreme volatility this week, surging past $5,600 before dropping back to $5,200. The Rand strengthened to R15.83 against the Dollar. Tech Giants Diverge: Meta: Surged 10% after strong results, defying market expectations. Microsoft: Plunged 10% in a single day, a massive move for the tech giant. Apple: Reported record holiday sales driven by the iPhone 17 and a rebound in China, with revenue jumping 16%. Crypto Slump: Bitcoin struggled, dropping 6% to trade around $83,500. New Fed Chair: President Trump is expected to nominate Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chair, replacing Jay Powell. The "Taco" Trade: Financial Times columnist Rob Armstrong explains the "Taco" acronym ("Trump Always Chickens Out"), suggesting markets now bet that Trump will retreat from extreme policy threats (like 25% tariffs) once markets react negatively. Local Movers: JSE miners like South32, Glencore, and BHP tracked commodity prices higher, while BizNews portfolio members Afrimat (+6%) and Sabvest (+5%) enjoyed significant gains. AI and Jobs: Contrary to fears of mass unemployment, experts argue AI may increase the need for human workers to manage growing system complexity.

CapeNature, the Western Cape agency tasked with protecting its nature reserves, is confronting two threats: destructive summer wildfires and a surge in wildlife crime as international syndicates target everything from abalone to rare succulents and reptiles. In one case, a 126 kg shipment of succulents was intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport. In an interview with BizNews, Pierre de Villiers, CapeNature's Senior Manager for Marine and Coastal Operations, outlines the scale of the crisis. He says that succulents now fetch prices that rival rhino horn and explains how a coordinated, intelligence-led enforcement model, drawing in the Police, private sector partners and local communities and the navy, is beginning to turn the tide in the Overberg.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted the Interim Report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and its recommendations, and he has ordered Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to form a special task team to investigate those identified thus far by the Commission for Investigation. His move is hailed by Juanita Du Preez of Action Society in her latest BizNews interview with Chris Steyn. However, she slams former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu for showing no sign of wanting to resign. “He should really just give up. It's so overwhelming, all of the evidence against him. I don't know how he thinks he can get away with it.” As for the elusive Brian Mogotsi's refusal to appear before the Ad Hoc Committee unless Parliament pays for seven days of private security, she reminds him: “…those people who protected you, they're not there anymore.” Meanwhile, some politicians are believed to be celebrating the shock death of the infamous Goolam,who drove certain political narratives so forcefully on X. He was found dead in a Sandton hotel room and their is a debate raging over whether he committed suicide or was murdered. “I would really like to know who made the call to take him out, because I think that's what happened,” Du Preez says.

From representing Zimbabwe in rugby to flying high as a successful safari operator, Rusty Labuschagne's life came crashing down when he was wrongfully convicted of murdering a poacher in December 2000. In this interview with BizNews, he shares his harrowing journey through a decade in Zimbabwean prisons, where he was crammed into a cell holding 79 men, each allotted barely 33 centimetres of sleeping space. He recounts the unimaginable conditions, watching thousands of inmates die from starvation, disease, and cholera outbreaks while he survived. Rusty relives the cruelty, the loss, and the unexpected clarity that emerged from the darkness, and the lessons he drew about hope, forgiveness, and gratitude. Today he shares those lessons with audiences worldwide, and his memoir, Beating Chains, is now being adapted for film.

In this episode of BizNews Daybreak, Alec Hogg breaks down the context you need to win the day: Markets in Turmoil: US tech stocks take a hit with Nvidia and Tesla down 4%, while Gold roars to a fresh record of over $4,800/oz. Trump vs. The World: Investor sentiment sours as Donald Trump's latest moves regarding Greenland and NATO spark fears of a trade war. Netflix Plunge: Shares drop another 5% as investors continue to reject the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition plan. Prosus at Davos: CEO Fabricio Bloisi speaks from the World Economic Forum on the future of the tech giant. The BEE Debate: NEASA CEO Gerhard Papenfus issues a blistering response to Minister Gwede Mantashe's claim that white South Africans hate BEE due to "white supremacy". JSE Movers: Gold shares soar, Sasol breaks its slide, recovering to over R100/share, while Orion bounces back 7%. Business History: The fascinating story of how Warren Buffett bought Berkshire Hathaway not for love of the business, but out of pure spite over a 12-cent dispute. Get the full context at BizNews.com

There have been dramatic scenes in Parliament where the Ad Hoc Committee has resumed hearing testimony of police and political capture. In her latest interview with BizNews, Juanita du Preez of Action Society speaks to Chris Steyn about Crime Intelligence (CI) Chief General Dumisani Khumalo's warning that criminal organisations survive by their connections to politicians, law enforcement officials and business leaders who leak sensitive information to derail investigations. She also comments on the heated exchange between the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) Glynnis Breytenbach and the Economic Freedom Fighters' (EFF's) Leigh Ann Mathys; former IPID boss Robert McBride gunning for General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi; and the Committee's decision to compel forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan to appear in person - despite his fears for his life.

In his latest interview with BizNews, MKP Founder Jabulani Khumalo warns that former President Jacob Zuma could be trying to build his own military wing. He spoke to Chris Steyn about a leaked letter purportedly written by Zuma to the Russian Defence Minister in which he stated that the 18 men were sent there with the singular purpose of receiving advanced military training not to fight in the war with Ukraine. “I think he's got some sinister thinking of what he wants to do. Maybe it's a coup or something else, but I'm afraid the State needs to look at him more carefully…because that letter shows that he knows very well why those men went there - and if he's trying to make his own army in the country, then the government must take actions…What are they afraid of?” Khumalo also responds to recent statements by former President Thabo Mbeki that the 2021 riots were a test of strength to see whether South Africa could be paralysed.

In this edition of BizNews Daybreak, Alec Hogg unpacks the global and local stories moving the markets this morning: Diplomatic Friction: Tensions between the US and the EU escalate while South Africa's own relationship with Washington deteriorates over Iranian participation in naval exercises. Retired US intelligence analyst Col. Chris Wyatt weighs in on whether Pretoria should "dig in" or repair relations to protect trade. More on the "Madman" Theory: Piet Viljoen provides another perspective on historian Niall Ferguson's argument that Donald Trump's erratic behaviour—including his aggressive bid for Greenland—is a calculated strategy. Market Movers: On a relatively quiet JSE while the US takes a holiday, Sibanye Stillwater jumps 3% on news of a strategic pivot at its Keliber lithium project in Finland, while Sasol falls below R100 on lower oil and a stronger Rand. Investment Outlook: Counter-cyclical investor Piet Viljoen explains why 2026 could be another banner year for South African assets. Sign up for the BizNews Conference in Hermanus (March 10-12) as seats are filling up - details at BizNews.com.

The fight against abalone poaching along the Nelson Mandela Bay coastline is a growing issue that requires innovative solutions. Dark-Water Ops, with its unique approach of utilising trained dogs, has made significant strides in combating this illegal activity that involves international syndicates. Leading the pack is Zeus, a Belgian Malinois shepherd that is so good at his job that he can sniff out abalone in frozen cow offal. In this interview with BizNews, Operations Director Rassie Erasmus explains how this elite private security unit that has had successes including a massive 100-ton bust aims for prevention over pursuit to combat a lucrative illegal trade second only to sardines in value that is driven by demand from East Asian markets.

ETFs and mandates are reshaping markets. In today's Editor's Desk, BizNews editor Alec Hogg explains why $1 of inflows can move $5 of market value—plus what SA's foot-and-mouth vaccine fiasco says about state capacity. R10k prize for your best 800-word investment idea.

In this morning's edition of BizNews Daybreak, Alec Hogg breaks down the market-moving news that Donald Trump has drawn a "line in the sand": an immediate 25% tariff on any country trading with Iran. While South Africa trades "peanuts" with Tehran, the local economy ships billions in vehicles and minerals to the US—putting the auto and mining sectors at immediate risk if Pretoria does not cut ties. We analyse the "binary choice" now facing the Government of National Unity: a symbolic friendship with Iran or the survival of our export economy. Also in this episode: Market Wrap: Resources stocks are going "gangbusters" with Harmony, Impala and Northam Platinum surging over 7%, while "SA Inc" stocks like Outsurance and Remgro come under pressure. US Crisis: Escalating threats to the US Federal Reserve's independence. Iran Unrest: The FT's Andrew England on the defiance of Iran's mullahs despite growing civil unrest. Washington View: Josh Meservey of the Hudson Institute explains how the US views Pretoria's defence of Venezuela and Iran.

Alec Hogg unpacks a developing crisis in South Africa's agricultural sector, where farmers describe the uncontrolled spread of Foot-and-mouth disease as a "state-enabled disaster." With the outbreak being called the worst hit to livestock since the Rinderpest of 1897, we hear from experts on the ground who say current government regulations are like "denying water to a burning house." Also in this broadcast: Global Shock: Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jay Powell regarding headquarters renovations—a move Powell calls a political pretext. The "Melt-Up" Market: Investment strategist Magnus Heystek breaks down an extraordinary year where "everything made money," from a 50% jump in the SA market to a staggering 180% rise in gold shares—offering a powerful counter-narrative to the doom-mongers. Iran Erupts: Analysis on the mass protests in Tehran driven by historic inflation and economic collapse.

Former ATP doubles star John‑Laffnie de Jager, who turned a birth injury that damaged a nerve in his leg into what he calls his “greatest gift,” recently guided Team World to victory in the inaugural World Tennis Continental Cup in Shenzhen, China. In an interview with BizNews, the South African who grew up on a farm in Ermelo reflects on the resilience he built overcoming his disability, his partnerships with legends like Martina Navratilova, and organising the Match in Africa between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in Cape Town, which drew a world‑record 51,954 spectators. And he's far from done. De Jager is now partnering with Stellenbosch University to build a state‑of‑the‑art tennis facility to nurture emerging talent across Africa and revive the South African Open. He has also launched a new leadership venture, Beyond the Baseline, translating tennis‑honed grit, resilience, and mental conditioning into powerful tools for business leaders, teams, and high performers.

In this edition of BizNews Daybreak for Friday, 9 January 2026, Alec Hogg breaks down the market-moving stories you need to win the day. A massive deal is back on the table as Rio Tinto and Glencore revisit a potential mega-merger. We also feature insights from "The Big Short" legend Michael Burry, who joins author Michael Lewis to warn of an overheated stock market and share a bearish take on high-flyer Palantir. Closer to home, David Shapiro explains why South African companies are stuck in "survival mode" and argues that fixing basic infrastructure matters more than new government white papers.

Join Alec Hogg for BizNews Daybreak, your early morning briefing on investment markets and the world's biggest stories. We unpack President Trump's controversial proposal to manage Venezuelan crude to fund reconstruction, and hear analysis from The Economist around China's surprising silence on Maduro's removal - something which will doubtless be carefully analysed in the Union Buildings. Locally, the Rand strengthened to R16.36/$, and JSE portfolio stocks rallied, with a spectacular surge by BizNews Ricardo portfolio member Orion Minerals. However, new data suggests further economic contradiction: November's massive R37.7bn trade surplus was driven by plunging imports and December saw a fresh 11-month low in PMI . Get the context you need to win the day.

In today's episode: The Venezuela Crisis: The latest from Bloomberg, historian Niall Ferguson argues Trump's intervention was telegraphed months ago, while the FT provides critical context on the situation. Global Markets: Bitcoin hits $93,800, Gold holds near $4,500, and US oil stocks react strongly. Local Movers: The Rand strengthens to R16.32. On the JSE, Lewis hits a new high while Arcelor Mittal drops to a trough. Tech Watch: Updates on Nvidia and the overnight action on Wall Street.

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 insights into the game-changing weekend capture of Nicolas Maduro by US forces with details of the operation and US President Donald Trump sharing his next move with reporters on Air Force One; also the FT's US correspondent Gillian Tett shares her insights into what 2026 has in store for investors in Wall Street's Magnificent Seven stocks; and some good news for BizNews portfolio member Orion Minerals. This is the first episode of BizNews Daybreak for 2026. It is published at dawn, Monday through Friday.

Part 2 brings the BizNews tribe more of BNC#7's most compelling voices — from Chris Pappas's sharp governance lessons and Gayton McKenzie's bold convictions to a memorable address from the late Neil de Beer.

Recap the highlights of the BizNews tribe's favourite economist Dawie Roodt, in 2025, including analysis of South Africa's budget standoff, rising debt, political risk, and the urgent need for economic reform.

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 rundown of the best (and worst) performing SA stocks for 2025; an overnight rebound in tech stocks on Wall Street; Donald Trump's downgrading of cannabis laws didn't go far enough for disappointed investors; the battle for weight drug supremacy between Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly - and more. This is the final episode of BizNews Daybreak for 2025 - it returns on Monday, January 5.

When you're filling in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, the idea of an international competition testing those skills is probably far from your mind. Yet Excel has become an esport, with competitors from around the world solving high‑pressure challenges on a major stage in Las Vegas. This year, University of Pretoria student Pieter Pienaar became the world champion in the 2025 Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge. Pienaar, who is currently completing his chartered accountant articles with PwC, told BizNews that for him Excel is a powerful problem‑solving tool, and that is exactly what the championship tested. When it comes to future developments in Excel, he strongly supports the role of AI because it democratises problem‑solving, provided companies act responsibly and ensure proper auditing. But, he adds, it should definitely not be used by the National Treasury to do your taxes.

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 analysis of the Tshwane 2025 financial report released on the JSE Stock Exchange News Service yesterday. Donald Trump takes to the US national airwaves to praise Donald Trump; Institutional cash holdings at a record low (Buffett's is at a record high); hope for Arcelor Mittal and Hulamin shareholders; and more.

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 eruption of anger between Actov Asset Managers and HCI's CEO Johnny Copelyn; a 'foot shooting' decision by the socialist Mozambican Government which will lose an economic engine that feeds 50 000 people; Warner Brothers board backs Netflix as Trump's son in law lwaves the hostile bidders; Kinetiko hits gas gold in Mpumalanga; the FT on why hedge funds are going big on physical commotities...and more.

South Africa has been rocked by the second assassination of a private security company owner. In his latest interview with BizNews, Willem Els of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) speaks to Chris Steyn about the assassination of DJ Warras who was gunned down brazenly yesterday (Saturday) in the Johannesburg CBD under a CCTV camera in front of a hijacked building. He was killed on the eve of the memorial service for Witness D. Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe who had testified at the Madlanga Commission and had vowed to expose links of State officals to illegal mining, but was gunned down in front of his family. “If you have a problem, you're making a lot of money, you wanted to remove a problem, you call in the inkabi. The inkabi gets paid a few thousand rand and it just removes your problem.” Els charges that the organised crime syndicate king pins are “very often in government, in a political sphere, because they need to be able to afford protection for these syndicates. And these syndicates won't be so brazen if they don't know that they are being well protected.” Els warns that if government does not get the message and step up to change the status quo and come up with real good strategies to reclaim “our cities and our country…we might not have a country to work for and to live for”.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

South Africa's exchange‑traded fund (ETF) industry has just marked its 25th anniversary, with assets under management climbing from R165 billion at the end of 2024 to R285 billion by September 2025 - a surge of more than 70% in nine months. Nerina Visser, co‑owner of ETFSA and South Africa's leading ETF strategist, says the milestone underscores the industry's growth potential. “There is a lot of runway left,” she told BizNews in an interview. Despite the rapid expansion, ETFs still account for less than 7% of South Africa's overall investment universe, according to the Associations for Savings and Investments in South Africa. (ASISA). Visser expects that to change in 2026 as more active managers launch listed funds, income‑focused ETFs attract capital, and smartphone platforms remove barriers to entry. She highlights the appeal across investor groups: younger investors are drawn to instant diversification and the ability to start with as little as R300, while institutions and experienced investors value the transparency, speed, and low fees. With the launch of actively managed ETFs on money app, Shyft from Ninety One, investors can now combine professional portfolio management with the ease of digital trading. The platform offers access to more than 1 200 global and local shares and ETFs, available regardless of where investors bank. Visser believes this combination of innovation and accessibility means many more South Africans will begin treating ETFs as a core part of their portfolios rather than a niche alternative in the year ahead.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.