Podcasts about biznews

In an interview with BizNews founder Alec Hogg, Ryan Smith, the DA's new Spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation, discusses his challenging roles and South Africa's foreign policy 'follies'. He criticises ruinous 30% Trump tariffs, citing negotiation failures. Smith strongly condemns Ronald Lamola's "ridiculous decision" to downgrade the Taiwanese embassy. He highlights Taiwan's crucial role as the sole supplier of vital semiconductor chips (TSMC), arguing this alienates essential trade, hindering SA's manufacturing and job creation efforts. Smith advocates for a truly non-aligned, South Africa-first foreign policy driven by economic development, not ANC party interests, stressing the need for career diplomats. The DA seeks new agricultural markets to offset these challenges.

More than a century of mining in the Witwatersrand has left behind vast mine dumps stretching from Randfontein to Springs. But at the Brakpan tailings facility, wildlife is making a comeback. Mining company DRDGold has rehabilitated the site by cladding mine waste with soil, allowing natural vegetation to return spontaneously. This, in turn, has attracted wildlife back to the area—prompting the company to reintroduce zebras, blesbok, and wildebeest. In an interview with BizNews, CEO Niël Pretorius said the initiative is part of a broader effort to reverse the environmental legacy of over a century of gold mining. Next on his rehabilitation list: the Russell Stream, which runs from Braamfontein to Orlando. Pretorius also shared how DRDGold has benefited from the financial windfall of soaring gold prices, which have climbed from R65,000 to R1.9 million. This surge, he said, is enabling significant capital investments.

Billions of rands are being sent out of South Africa annually to fund terror activities. In this interview with BizNews, Willem Els of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) dissects the nexus between organised crime and terror funding. “Organised crime can do without terrorism. They can live without terrorism, they can survive without terrorism, but terrorism cannot survive without organised crime and using them.” He notes that neither group can operate with impunity without high-level protection either. “And in South Africa, the prevalence of your State-embedded actors on a very high political level and on operations level is way above the average for Africa.” Nel lists poor governance, limited resources, and limited use of technology as the reasons why Africa has become such a hub for terror financing. He outlines what measures South Africa will have to take to get off the Grey List later this year - and what it would have to do to prevent relisting. He also gives a run-down on recent terror-related cases, and describes the implementation of Sharia Law in Johannesburg, and the use of assassinations and extortion by an ISIS-linked to raise funds for terror.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has put an end to speculation around the resignation of International Relations spokesperson Emma Powell who cited threats and intimidation. Speaking to BizNews, the party's National Spokesperson Willie Aucamp read out a message in which she denied a lack of support. It read “This is complete and utter nonsense. I've had nothing but support from the party and took the decision to step back for purely personal reasons.” Aucamp commented: “You can imagine the amount of pressure that was applied on Emma Powell to find out that you are being surveilled by the State Security services…” Aucamp also addresses charges that his party has sold its liberal soul for power. Listing all the DA wins in the Government of National Unity (GNU), he stated: “… to say that the DA or to imply that the DA has been co-opted and that we are a rubber stamp for the ANC is simply just not true”. Commenting on the African National Congress (ANC) NEC's move to “reset” the GNU and is talking to other parties, Aucamp states: “that (Sufficient Consensus) clause is very clear that there must be sufficient consensus when decisions are made and that sufficient consensus only occurs when parties within the GNU representing at least 60% of the votes in the National Assembly agrees. So there's no way that the ANC, together with all the other parties within the GNU currently, reaches that threshold. The only way that sufficient consensus can be reached is if the ANC and the DA at least agrees on something.”

Businessman and BizNews regular Rob Hersov has changed his tune on the so-called Dimension Data Six, once damning in his critique of the executives accused of fraud in a scathing High Court judgment. In this follow-up conversation with Alec Hogg, Hersov urges caution, arguing the case was unfairly decided on affidavits alone and deserves to be aired properly in open court. He says reputations, justice and the integrity of South African business are all on the line.

Julia Jansch's filmmaking journey began in London and Los Angeles, where she worked on major reality television productions including Idol and The X Factor. Seeking to tell more personal and socially grounded stories, she returned to South Africa and founded her own production company, Southern Point Pictures. Her documentary My Father the Mover won the Best Documentary Short award at the Tribeca Film Festival. Jansch's work drew the attention of Disney, which commissioned her short documentary The Academy, now streaming on Disney+. The film follows Azile Arosi, a young woman from Khayelitsha who joins a sailing programme at Cape Town's Royal Yacht Club. Through sailing, Arosi finds healing and a sense of empowerment. In an interview with BizNews, Jansch said she is committed to telling South African stories of transformation. She described townships like Khayelitsha as places marked by hardship but also by profound resilience and hope. “There is hope,” she said, “for girls everywhere, no matter what their background.”

Economist Dawie Roodt warns that looming US tariffs on South African exports are politically driven and could significantly damage the country's fragile economy. In a BizNews interview, he criticises government inaction, highlights geopolitical risks, and calls for urgent reform. With economic growth stagnating, Roodt stresses the need for a new political direction and smarter international alignment.

Following the resignation of Emma Powell, Ryan Smith has been announced as the Democratic Alliance's spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation. In his first interview since his appointment, Smith speaks to BizNews about the chances of South Africa cutting a last-minute deal with the United States to avert the 30% export tariffs due to come into effect on Friday. He reacts to US President Donald Trump's latest utterances in which he reiterated that he has had a “lot of problems with South Africa” and once again cited “some very bad policies”. Describing what it would take to reset the US-SA relationship, Smith urges non-alliance and a foreign policy that is “no longer the ambit of political whims”. On the resignation of Powell - who cited harassment, threats and intimidation - he says “it became far too heavy a personal toll for her”. As for what he now faces, Smith says: “… there are allegations across every government department of collusion, political interference, of corruption, and when you take your oath of office and you take a seat as a Member of Parliament in South Africa, certainly on the DA's benches, you are well aware that you're going up against all of this and that it can get very, very ugly”.

BizNews founder Alec Hogg checks in with Piet Viljoen and Magnus Heystek as their four-year Million Rand investment face-off nears its conclusion. Viljoen's local-value strategy holds a narrow lead, but Heystek's offshore picks are closing fast. With 16 months to go, the race reveals hard truths about markets, fund managers and the surprising resilience of SA equities.

ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip has laid criminal charges against forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan after a barrage of threats and accusations. Trollip says he was simply calling for urgent investigation into police corruption, but won't be intimidated from doing his job as an MP. Trollip spoke to BizNews' Alec Hogg.

Behind successful films is an army of people creating the magic we see on screen. In the case of animated films, that means 24 painstaking frames per second to bring characters to life — ones our kids and we have come to love. One of those creators is a South African born in Pretoria who moved from satellite imagery at CSIR to become a digital effects artist at Pixar. Ferdi Scheepers has worked on The Incredibles, Toy Story, and most recently, Disney's sci-fi adventure Elio. Now on his 19th film for Pixar, he told Biznews in an interview that he was also part of the team behind Piper, the Oscar-winning short that took home Best Animated Short Film in 2017.

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) scored a shock win last night over the Democratic Alliance (DA) in a Paarl in a ward where it got 43% of the vote after getting only 1% there in 2021. Elections analyst Wayne Sussman tells BizNews: “…this means that Gayton McKenzie and the Patriotic Alliance are edging closer and closer to the City of Cape Town. If they can win seats off the DA in the DA stronghold of Mossel Bay, in places like Amstelhof Paarl, what can they do to the Democratic Alliance in the City of Cape Town? So, I would sense that there's great concern for the DA at DA headquarters today.” The PA win came despite the suspension of PA Deputy President Kenny Kunene after he was found at the Sandton home of a murder suspect. Sussman says: “ I think that this will have no impact on the PA in the Western Cape or the Northern Cape or the Eastern Cape. However, in Gauteng, this could present a challenge… …to the PA amongst its Black voters.” In other by-election results, Sussman comments on the African National Congress (ANC) seeing its vote share fall to 37% in a ward in the traditional stronghold of Sebokeng. “So this is major turbulence, major upheaval in a core Gauteng township. And I believe that this basically could be a harbinger of things to come in the next local government elections.”

The US's punitive Jackson Bill, which threatens harsh punishment for South Africa including personal financial sanctions on leading ANC members, has taken another big step towards becoming law. Its sponsor, former White House medical chief Ronny Jackson, celebrated its passing through the committee stage by tweeting that it will give President Trump “the tools necessary to hold their corrupt government accountable.” Joshua Meservey, a senior fellow at Washington's prestigious Hudson Institute, provides context in this interview with BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Former SAPS General Johan Booysen, the honest cop who was publicly harassed and then suspended for doing his job too well, shares his insights into the long-overdue suspension of political-appointment Adv Andrew Chauke. He also provides context on fellow KZN top cop Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's bombshell disclosures of abuses by criminals and their puppet politicians that have numerous parallels to Booysen's own experiences. Gen Booysen spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been slammed for the “unacceptable inconsistency” he shows in firing members of his Cabinet. In this interview with BizNews, Wayne Duvenage of OUTA says: “… you look at our President and you ask him: do you understand what you do to the trust in government?” Duvenage was commenting on the sacking of Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane over her handling of controversial politically-linked appointments to CETA boards. Duvenage points out that while the sacked minister is not corrupt, others accused of corruption like former Justice Minister Thembi Simelane - who was just moved to Human Settlements, is still in the Cabinet. Yet, The Democratic Alliance's Andrew Whitfield was sacked as Deputy Trade Minister for failing in his efforts to get permission from the President to travel abroad. “So we have a compromised president with his political party members who actually do not want to see a highly effective criminal justice system. They don't, it's not in their favour.” Meanwhile, Duvenage warns that the new Higher Education Minister, Buti Manamela, is taking over “probably the most corrupt network in government in this country”.

Springbok forward Nomsa Mokwai doesn't just hit hard on the rugby field for the Women rugby team - she also resuscitates patients in a Cape Town emergency room. With 13 Test caps to her name and a gruelling schedule that sees her swapping scrums for 12-hour ER shifts, Mokwai is one of many women juggling full-time work with national duty. At 32, she's gunning for a spot in the squad heading to Twickenham for the 2025 World Cup - even if that means sacrificing family time and sleep. In an interview with BizNews, Mokwai shares how she balances life on the frontlines of medicine and sport, and why she hopes to trade her stethoscope for a full-time medical degree once her rugby career winds down.

In the most recent annual assessment of trade relationships, the US listed three pages of ‘non-tariff barriers' imposed by South Africa, whose exports currently enter America duty-free. From August 1, Trump Tariffs will make SA goods 40% more expensive for Americans. Trade expert, former WTO senior official Johann Human rates the chances of SA avoiding Trump Tariffs at ‘zero' and in this powerful interview, says unless Pretoria starts to take US objections, SA goods will soon be priced out of the world's biggest marketplace, with a devastating impact on employment. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

There have been “very, very few signs of a military coup or a revolution in South Africa” , says Elections Analyst Wayne Sussman in his latest interview on BizNews. He was reacting to a coup being one of the key threats listed in the National Security Strategy report for 2024 - 2028. “I can't think of an actor in our Defense Force who'd be positioned to be able to lead a coup,” he says. However, Sussman agrees that some of the other key threats identified are real challenges. He says the assassinations of key figures in the lead-up to elections “means that we won't attract good people into politics, won't attract good people to stick their heads up and get involved with business leaders or civil society leaders”. He agrees that sabotage too is a big threat that has “metastasised through the mafias we see over the country, blocking economic growth, blocking infrastructure spend, blocking service delivery”. Sussman further gives an in-depth analysis of the latest by-election results and previews upcoming by-elections that could set the tone for the 2026 municipal elections.

A new report from the Middle East Africa Research Institute (MEARI) warns that South Africa's deepening relationship with Iran carries significant consequences—undermining democratic values and threatening strategic interests, particularly with the United States.In an interview with BizNews, MEARI's Benji Shulman expands on the report's findings, raising the alarm over what he sees as a troubling alignment with an authoritarian regime. He argues that South Africa's engagement with Iran risks damaging its constitutional integrity and jeopardising trade with the US, where Iran is increasingly viewed as a hostile actor. Shulman also details the ANC's historical and financial ties to Iran, including alleged funding linked to South Africa's International Court of Justice case against Israel, and MTN's business interests in Iran's cellular market. While Iran gains a rare ally in the Global South, Shulman questions what South Africa stands to gain—suggesting the relationship may be less about diplomacy and more about the Ramaphosa government being part of a strategic alignment against Israel and the United States.

With just two weeks to go before 30% tariffs are likely to come into effect on the 1st of August, it has emerged that President Cyril Ramaphosa's Special Envoy Mcebisi Jonas has not even been able to get into the US because his diplomatic visa was denied and his credentials rejected. In this interview with BizNews, Emma Powell, the Democratic Alliance's spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation, warns that South Africa is “hurtling towards disaster at a rapid rate” while “once again, the “Presidency and the President's Envoy are missing in action”. Powell charges that President Cyril Ramaphosa is most likely saving face by retaining this Special Envoy despite the diplomatic visa having been rejected, despite the US having informed the Presidency that they will not engage with Jonas. “So, it's my contention here that President Ramaphosa is more invested in saving face than he is in acting in the national interest in ensuring that we get a deal across the line by the 1st of August.” Powell examines the possible reasons for the US' rejection of Jonas, as well his appointment in the first place. Meanwhile, she warns, “hundreds of thousands of jobs are on the line”.

National Business Chamber chair Melanie Veness, whose day job is CEO of the PMB & Midlands Chamber, says whistleblowing Gen Nhalnha Mkhwanazi is fully supported on the ground in KZN. She says efforts by the provincial head of SAPS have been successful in turning the tide against crime and corruption - and that his disclosures of corrupt MPs being in cahoots with criminals is no surprise in a province wracked by the consequences of endemic corruption. She also shares suggestions for exporters struggling to see a future with 40% export tariffs looming. Veness spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

In a wide-ranging and provocative address to the Rotary Club of Hermanus, BizNews founder Alec Hogg unpacks why 'First Principle Thinking', championed by Elon Musk, is the key to solving South Africa's biggest challenges in governance, media, and the economy.

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is “not scared of all types of bombs”. So says former police commander Willem Els, who is now with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) as Senior Training Coordinator in the ENACT organised crime programme. Els tells BizNews that the “bomb” dropped by the General last Sunday took “tremendous courage”. Els, who trained the General in Bomb Disposal, described him as a”disciplined officer, a straight talker, a straight shooter, a straight walking” officer who is doing “the right thing as a policeman in his heart, in his actions…”, stressing: “He's a policeman in heart and down to the bone.” Apart from training the General, Els also worked with him on s number of foreign missions, and the two even had to “hot extract” former President Thabo Mbeki and then Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma from a coup in Haiti. They also worked together in Mozambique “where we lifted arms caches and destroyed huge, huge numbers of arms and munitions”, as well as in Equatorial Guinea in preparation of an African Union Summit. Els warns that it would “hurt” President Cyril Ramaphosa “very much” if he deals with the general's allegations of police-underworld links by using the “old playbook that the ANC (African National Congress) has been using ever since they came to power”. As for threats that black and white citizens could even riot together if the KZN general is not treated right, Els notes there are people who say “we might see a repeat of 2021 if people feel that they're not being listened to…”

Centuries ago, the French Huguenots sowed the seeds of winemaking in South Africa. Now, the tables have turned—South Africans are bringing a taste of their own culture back to French soil. One of them is South African businessman Christo Lindeque, who, along with his wife Elbe, breathed new life into Château de Montfleur, a 15th-century turreted château that had stood uninhabited for decades. The manager of Château de Montfleur, Carel Nolte, told BizNews in an interview that there are now about 30 South Africans living in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, including artists and entrepreneurs who have opened shops. Although French bureaucracy can be challenging, Nolte says the community has been exceptionally welcoming—and the South Africans have even introduced their beloved tradition of ‘le braai' to the locals.

South Africa's sluggish economic growth since 2010 has left its citizens 40% poorer than the global average. Osagyefo Mazwai, investment strategist at Investec Wealth & Investment International told BizNews in an interview that the country's GDP per capita decoupled from global peers in 2010, with growth averaging just 1% annually compared to 4.5% for emerging markets. This has resulted in a nominal GDP of R7.4 trillion today, versus a potential R11.5 trillion had growth kept pace. The R5 trillion shortfall in government revenue could have reduced national debt and funded critical infrastructure, like Eskom's R400 billion transmission network expansion. He said key barriers to growth are energy shortages, logistics inefficiencies, crime, and an under-skilled workforce and called for urgent government action to stabilise electricity, improve logistics, reduce crime, and enhance workforce skills and to foster a business-friendly environment with less red tape.

In his latest interview with BizNews, Elections Analyst Wayne Sussman explains why KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's Press Conference was “absolutely devastating”. He says the General's claims “go to the heart of the challenge of the ANC, that President Ramaphosa was going to reform the ANC and course correct after the devastating years of Jacob Zuma leading the ANC”. Intead, “here you have one of his trusted lieutenants, one of his right-hand men, one of the people in the party he's extremely close to, being fingered with the most damning of evidence with ties to the underworld”. He notes that the implicated Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was going to play “a key role in the next election for the ANC to recover all that lost support in KwaZulu-Natal”. Sussman also laments the assassination of African National Congress (ANC) councillor Thabang Masemola in Ward 10 in Mamelodi, saying that “this is becoming too common a feature of Gauteng politics”. Dissecting the latest by-election results, Sussman says the “the DA will say that they are on track on the road to Tshwane, which will be a battleground metro in 2026; uMkhonto weSizwe make inroads in ANC heartland, in Xhosa-speaking heartland; the Freedom Front will say…that they have some hope in the Free State”. He also gives a preview of upcoming elections that could be “really narrative forming on the road to the 2026 local government elections”.

The pot-boiling strategy of destructive ANC economic policies is typified in its approach to employment equity, a quota-based employment system that SA businesses are obliged to implement from September. Sakeliga executive director Russell Lamberti explains why his organisation and Neasa are approaching the courts to block the ANC's most granular racial policy yet attempted. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Ninety One, managing £130.8bn, released a white paper, “The Unstoppable Dollar Meets the Immovable Mr Trump,” predicting the end of a 14-year US dollar upcycle. Sahil Mahtani, Head of Macro Research, told BizNews the dollar faces an inflection point driven by geopolitics, interest rates, investment trends, and currency interventions. He forecasts a potential 25% decline, signalling a multi-year bear market with implications for asset allocation. Mahtani notes investors are diversifying from US equities, potentially boosting non-US assets in emerging markets and Europe. He says the Chinese renminbi's global reserve status hinges on China easing capital controls.

Evidence-based insights into the latest Trump Tariffs from California-based Bheki Mahlobo, economist and partner at Frans Cronjé Private Clients. His conclusion: South Africa is a mountain of missed opportunities, the result of own goals scored through poor decisions. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Derangement describes the detached armchair observers who judge those in the arena. Capitec CEO Gerrie Fourie and Kasinomics author GG Alcock have had their fill of these critics - and explain why to BizNews editor Alec Hogg in this forthright interview about the unappreciated slug of South Africa's economy. The two champions of SA's Emerging Sector explain why the official data is badly wrong - and how the country's unemployment rate is closer to 10% than the widely quoted 30%. Hitting back at the hand-wringers with a message of hope - and reality.

South Africa was singled out for special mention by US President Donald Trump in the White House last night when he announced an extension of its ‘reciprocal' tariffs deadline by three weeks. Trump said SA goods would be hit by a 30% tariff from 1 August. Breitbart senior editor Joel Pollak, whose knowledge of both countries saw him widely tipped to be Trump's SA ambassador, provides context. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

The primary focus for South African trade this week is on United States policy and tariffs. In this interview with BIzNews, Wandile Sihlobo, the Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), warns that South Africa “cannot just substitute the US” and that “it's really about listening to what the US puts on the table, about what they demand, and see what South Africa can continuously improve on the offer that we have”. He lists all the reasons why China should not be seen as a replacement for the US market. He further cautions that trade with BRICS countries should also not be viewed as a replacement for the US or other markets. "We can't because…the US is about 4% of our agricultural exports, but the African continent, which is largely not part of the BRICS, accounts for about half of South Africa's agricultural exports. The EU accounts for about 19% of South African agricultural exports.” Sihlobo also gives an overview of major developments in the agriculture sector over the past 31 years, and lists all the steps needed to keep the sector on a positive footing.

In today's BizNews Briefing, South Africa faces a 30% US tariff, among 14 countries, despite President Ramaphosa's claims of a successful White House meeting. Plus a potential BRICS surcharge. Joel Pollak told BizNews' Alec Hogg that tensions stem from South Africa's land reform policies and its ICJ case against Israel, fueling US perceptions of anti-Americanism. A proposed US bill threatens aid freezes and Global Magnitsky Act sanctions to pressure Pretoria's foreign policy. The DA's Ian Cameron demands that Ramaphosa address Police Commissioner Mkhwanazi's allegations, highlighting a national security crisis. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's “America Party” proposal raises questions about his rift with Trump, potentially impacting Tesla shareholders further. This, as US markets continue to breach record levels.

There has been a swell of public and Parliamentary party political support for KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi after he made explosive allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya. In this interview with BizNews, Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on Police, Ian Cameron says: “..all the political parties are at one that they must come to Parliament to account…I would find it very shocking that a provincial commissioner like General Mkhwanazi would take the risk, both physical and in terms of his job, his entire career, would take the risk that he took yesterday if he didn't have something to back it up with”. Cameron - who once had high hopes for the new Police Minister - adds: “I can't defend the Minister in any way. He hasn't answered substantially to any significant corruption matters that were reported to him by the committee, by myself as well.” As for the response from President Cyril Ramaphosa, Cameron says: “The President (stated) that he would give urgent attention to the matter and that it is a matter of national security. And I agree, it definitely is…. It comes back to one, the President, it comes back to the Minister of Police and to the National Commissioner of Police. Those three people should be held accountable for the disaster that we're currently in. “

In the latest Sunday Show on BizNews, Neil De Beer, the President of the United Independent Movement, and journalist Chris Steyn talk about the latest political drama. De Beer charges that South Africa is in pseudo undercover dictatorship - despite the African National Congress (ANC) being “in ICU”. He comments on all the options ranging from a Vote of No Confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa to Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Chair Helen Zille dropping either the nuclear bomb or atom bomb “which she says she holds”. He weighs the strengths of the factions in the ANC and says, in the last NEC, there was such a stand-off between President Cyril Ramaphosa and SG Fikile Mbalula over the party staying in the GNU that rumour has it that the president actually got up and left. Meanwhile, word on the street has it that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is losing popularity. As for future elections, De Beer warns: “The ANC has an attitude with its gatherings, its giving of Kentucky, its giving of the T-shirt and the cap, and it wins those logistics every time. And until the DA and all of us don't get it that we've got to fight fire with fire, we will never get that power change in this country.” Turning to “murder by power', De Beer laments the assassination of the Ekhurhuleni Audit Chief, as well as the alleged involvement of Special Forces soldiers in a “hitsquad unit to kidnap and take people out”.

Croquet may conjure images of British lawns and cucumber sandwiches. Or, if you've read Alice in Wonderland, you might recall the phrase “Off with their heads!” - with the Queen using flamingos as mallets, hedgehogs as balls, and playing cards as hoops. These aren't images typically associated with South Africans, who are more known for their sporting prowess on rugby fields, cricket pitches, and in swimming pools. And yet, one of the world's greatest croquet players, Reg Bamford from Cape Town, who first picked up a mallet at the age of four in Rondebosch, has just claimed his 13th British Golf Croquet Open Championship title - adding to a glittering list of accolades that includes multiple world championships. Although he has lived in the UK for years, Bamford continues to represent South Africa on the international stage. Most recently, he captained the national team at the World Croquet Championships in Tasmania, securing their place in the sport's top tier. Bamford, who is also the founder of immigration specialists Sable International, told Biznews in an interview that he's becoming an inventor, developing a sleek, portable swing trainer designed to help players perfect their technique. A prototype, he tells us, will be available soon.

A dozen years after their accelerating exercise in State plunder began, former Transnet and Eskom bosses Brian Molefe and Anoj Singh are back in the spotlight after this week's court appearance. Civic society body OUTA played a major role in accumulating evidence that put them in the dock. OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage reminds us how the Gupta family used willing puppets like Molefe and Singh to fleece tens of billions from South African taxpayers through inflated contracts with Chinese suppliers. Duvenage spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

In his latest interview with BizNews, Ian Cameron, the Chair of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police, gives his take on the apparent assassination of the Head of the Ekurhuleni Forensic Audit Investigation Division, Mpho Mafole, saying: “…what happened with him, it unfortunately has become the norm, especially for people that work in these types of departments”. Commenting on the arrests of Crime Intelligence (CI) chief General Dumisani Khumalo and other high-ranking police officers, Cameron states: “…if cases are proved through this and successful prosecution does happen, it will stand as one of the biggest moves of its kind in South Africa, ever, from what I know.” He also has some good news about the latest SAPS budget: “I must tell you from all the annual performance plans, strategic plans that I've ever seen of the South African Police Service, this is really the best one.” One of the highlights is a “massive push” to better allocate resources to Public Order Policing. However, he expresses “huge concerns” about the integrity management of PSiRA where the very people being implicated in significant corruption just stay in their positions. “South Africans can't go without private security, but now the very people that need to police private security also need policing.”

In his latest interview with BizNews, US intelligence analyst, retired Colonel Chris Wyatt, dissects the latest visit by yet another Afrikaner delegation to the White House; reveals that more Afrikaner refugees have arrived in the US in recent days, but warns that people's expectations of this programme are “wildly unrealistic”. He also gives the backstory to US President Donald Trump threatening to pull subsidies to billionaire Elon Musk companies. On the military front he has high praise for the US strikes on Iran, but a scathing verdict on the state of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). “And this is a consequence of racist policies and underfunding. The two have played a major role in destroying the South African National Defense Force. And it's embarrassing, but the South African National Defense Force couldn't defeat Namibia right now, might even not be able to beat Lesotho or Eswatini.” He further warns that South Africa had “a dress rehearsal at a coup d'etat” in July of 2021 in KwaZulu-Natal and in parts of Gauteng - and says: “And I think there are elements inside the government that are disloyal to the government of South Africa. And we saw that play out in July 2021. And they're still there. No one has removed these people. And if the proverbial cow dung hits the fan, I think we'll see where people's true loyalties lie, which might frighten a lot of South Africans.”

Fresh from high-level meetings in Washington, Afrikaner leaders Corné Mulder, Theo de Jager, and Gerhard Papenfuss return with a warning: unless South Africa changes course on BEE, farm murders, land expropriation, and inflammatory rhetoric, US relations - and critical trade benefits - are on the brink. In this powerful BizNews interview, the trio reveals the four conditions set by the White House to reset ties with Pretoria and warns of the economic and political fallout if the ANC continues to double down.

Forensics for Justice founder Paul O'Sullivan has made it his mission to go after corrupt cops. In this interview with BizNews, he speaks about the ultimatum he has issued to Police Chief Fannie Masemola to suspend all the top cops arrested and charged last week by today or face an urgent High Court case. He also wants the Commissioner gone. “I've made it clear to Masemola…that I'm going for him. I want him out. I want him gone.” Speaking in the wake of the arrests of Crime Intelligence (CI) boss General Dumisane Khumalo and other top cops, O'Sullivan describes how the criminal justice system has been infiltrated by the underworld - and how it is being “played” by dirty cops and dirty lawyers. Meanwhile, O'Sullivan has spent at least R15-million of his own money on exposing dirty cops. He has had a hand in the downfall of two commissioners of police, one head of The Hawks, 15 generals and 17 brigadiers over the past 20 years. “…if you're a dirty cop and you're out there, my warning to you is watch this space because if you're a dirty cop and you're out there, we're coming for you.”

The African National Congress' (ANC's) collaboration with the IRGC (The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) “is akin to them being complicit in the mass murder and genocide of black Christians throughout Africa through IRGC funded terrorist entities”. That is the charge from Brooke Goldstein, the executive director of the Lawfare Project, who says black African Christians throughout the Middle East were also being slaughtered by Islamist terrorist groups funded by Iran. In this interview with BizNews, She warns: “…it's dangerous because again, ANC members can be sanctioned, their accounts can be sanctioned. I think that's really where we're going… And so the ANC really has to look long and hard to see what they're doing and at what cost their relationship with the IRGC.” She also warns that millions of dollars of funding from the United States for the University of Cape Town (UCT) is at risk because members of Hamas and Hezbollah have allegedly addressed students on campus. Giving an update on the war in the Middle East, she says: “All of the Iranian regime proxies are still active. They still have weapons. They still have declared war. There's Muslim Brotherhood sleeper cells, Hamas and Hezbollah sleeper cells around the world. They are continuing to threaten world stability and security. I don't think the '12 Day War' is really an accurate description of what's going on here.”

South Africans have developed inventive ways of tackling what the Automobile Association estimates to be a staggering 25 million potholes nationwide. Children have turned cavernous craters into makeshift swimming holes, and in Pretoria North, a local councillor planted trees in potholes as a form of protest. Across the country, private citizens and businesses alike have stepped up. One corporate player making a notable impact is Discovery Insure, which has helped fill 280,000 potholes in Johannesburg over the past four years. Discovery's Chief Commercial Officer, Precious Nduli, told BizNews the initiative is a partnership with the City of Johannesburg and the Johannesburg Roads Agency. Their mandate focuses on repairing smaller potholes, and they've even established a Pothole Repair Academy - yes, "pothole repairer" now appears to be an official trade. Nduli noted that beyond the physical improvements, initiatives like these speak to something deeper. Restoring what's broken restores a sense of collective optimism and perfectly embodies the South African spirit of tackling problems head-on. – Linda van Tilburg

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has shown huge gains in by-elections at the expense of both the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA). In his latest interview with BizNews, elections analyst Wayne Sussman describes how the DA and the ANC are being affected by the PA's performances “across the length and breadth” of the Western Cape. “And this is a huge marker on the road to 2026. And Gayton McKenzie and the PA will be celebrating this victory today.” He was speaking after the PA's shock win in Mossel Bay last night. Sussman also analyses the DA performance in Tshwane where it held a ward last night, as well as the ANC seeing “some recovery” in Mpumalanga. Sussman further dissects the latest dramatic developments in the City of Joburg where the ANC Mayor survived a Vote of Confidence, but the ActionSA Speaker was ousted.

The shock defection from the Democratic Alliance to the Patriotic Alliance of Liam Jacobs has opened a can of worms. In this interview with BizNews, interim DA Youth Federal Leader Ndipiwe Olayi describes the reasons Jacobs put forward as “really unfair and untrue”. He recalls being with Jacobs the day before he made the announcement when “he was actually celebrating how the DA has been performing”. Olayi notes that in Jacobs's live social media appearance “he was a bit manic - and it was hysterical to be very honest… And I think he will come to regret that decision.” Oyali also outlines what it takes to rise to the highest office in the DA Youth; his own track record in local government; his future politicas aspirations - and the vision of the DA Youth to deal with especially rampant youth unemployment. He has harsh words for the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) where “board members and individuals that are employed in the structure are employing cronies aligned to the ANC (African National Congress) Youth League. And we find that this billion-ran budget, if not more, because it gets a lot of investment from the private sector as well, it's mismanaged and misused.”

On today's BizNews Briefing, US airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities escalate Middle East tensions, with President Trump pushing for talks or regime change. South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa seeks to mediate, but UIM's Neil de Beer slams his “detached” stance on BizNews' Sunday Show. Treasury's Ismail Momoniat is optimistic about exiting the FATF greylist, while Sakeliga's Russell Lamberti warns that the new Employment Equity Act could choke businesses. Plus, Tesla's robotaxi hits Austin's streets, marking a driverless milestone

In the latest Sunday Show with Neil De Beer, the President of the United Independent Movement, and Chris Steyn of BizNews, a range of hot topics are on the agenda: President Cyril Ramaphosa telling Israel and Iran to enter into peaceful dialogue; Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana wanting full public funding for all political parties; the over R200 million spent on international travel by Cabinet members over the past year; Deputy President Paul Mashatile and his wife's accommodation in Japan costing R900,000 for four nights; military officials also splurging on world travel while the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) is sitting with a 41.2 billion Rand budget shortfall; the ongoing chaos at former President Jacob Zuma's MKP; the likelihood of Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Council Chair Helen Zille running for Jo'burg Mayor; the Eastern Cape African National Congress (ANC) denying that the regional office hid blankets destined for the victims of the recent disaster in Mthatha; the Bela Bill battle - and the need for a revision of the Constitution. De Beer also shares the results of his Twitter Poll in which 98.2% of respondents said “No” to the National Dialogue. And he delves into the feuds that may see former Zambian President Edgar Lungu buried on South African soil.

The real founder of the MKP, Jabulani Khumalo, has been reinstated as a Director of uMkhonto weSizwe Party NPO - along without others - after his “fraudently” removal. In his latest interview with BizNews, he describes how the urgent legal application had to be withdrawn after it emerged that they had already been reinstated by the Commissioner of Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). (Here is a link to the certificate issued by the Commissioner https://eu.docworkspace.com/d/sICWm4pDjAerXwcIG?lg=en-US&sa=601.1074&ps=1&fn=CoR39_60007187790.pdf . He now vows to clean up the party. “Because we are back as directors in the NPC, we are the majority. Those that parachuted themselves…we're going to take a decision on them. Because now we've got the power…very soon, those thugs will be out of our party, and will be out of our company. We don't want thugs within the leadership of uMkhonto weSizwe….After cleaning out all these people that wants to parachute themselves and become directors and founders of the organisation, we'll take the party and give it back to the original people and the people must start working freely without fear.” Meanwhile, Khumalo has this message for former SG Floyd Shivambo following his ill-fated time at MKP: “…whatever he does, he must not make a mistake of taking the style of Zuma to be a boss over the people. He must be a leader…And he must never think of enriching himself out of this party. Whatever he will be doing, but he must make sure that he puts the people of South Africa first.”

After 10 months of silence following Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen's instruction to make a “dignified exit”, Roman Cabanac has finally started to tell his side of the story. In a fascinating hour of unique insights, the DA Leader's former Chief of Staff shares first-hand experience of being on the sharp end of the unholy alliance between power mongers in politics and media. Cabanac spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

South Africa's famous Capitalist Activist Rob Hersov is determined to go out with a bang. In his fortnightly chat with BizNews editor Alec Hogg before announcing his retirement from the public spotlight, Hersov sheds light on the reasons for last month's roadshow on the US mega-podcast circuit; and throws bouquets and brickbats with some abandon.