As is customary for a Monday, Sasfin Securities David Shapiro talks to the BizNews team about all the action taking place within global markets. The South African Reserve Bank's decision to keep rates unchanged was one of the main talking points, with Shapiro outlining the need for the policy makers to keep rates as low as possible in order to stimulate economic growth. Shapiro touches on the energy crisis and supply chain issues affecting the Northern Hemisphere, with the veteran analyst stating that the disruptions will fade as Covid becomes a distant memory. Lastly, Shapiro discusses three JSE-listed heavyweights - Aspen, Capitec and Sasol - giving the pros and cons of each as an investment proposition.

In this episode of the BizNews Power Hour, Stuart Lowman is joined by David Shapiro speaking markets; Rob Hersov – unfettered and unafraid part two; co-founder of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group Phil Craig after formally handing over a request for a referendum today; TreasuryONE's Andre Cilliers unpacks local and international currency movements and the BizNews Team.

In this episode of the Currency Focus podcast, Bronwyn Nielsen discusses the local unit's movements with currency expert Andre Cilliers of TreasuryONE. Cilliers says that while the Evergrande situation and electricity issues in the Northern hemisphere could create more volatility for the rand, it is also not quite a 'crisis' either. He also says he does not expect an interest rate increase for SA until the first quarter of 2022.

News headlines:

*Department of Health Director-General Dr Sandile Buthelezi has been suspended over his alleged role in the department’s Digital Vibes scandal.

*The South African National Treasury’s succession planning is sufficient to ensure the exit of key personnel doesn’t disrupt plans to return public finances to a sustainable path, its top civil servant said.

*Investments of about $280bn will be needed to cope with the effects of climate change in 35 cities in South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia by 2050, new research shows.

On 23 August, Democratic Alliance Leader John Steenhuisen announced that Geordin Hill-Lewis would be the DA’s candidate for mayor of Cape Town in the upcoming local government elections. If elected, Hill-Lewis - aged 34 - will be the youngest mayor in Cape Town’s history. Hill-Lewis - who became a member of the DA when he was in high school - spoke to BizNews about his passion for politics, the area which he believes is the best place to make a positive change as ‘you can affect systemic change and even a 5% improvement at a systemic level can have a huge knock-on effect for society at large and for millions of people.’ While Hill-Lewis says he understands the emotional impetus behind the Cape Independence movement, he has a different view on how the issues that plague South Africa can be solved - ‘by devolving power to the lowest level of competent, strong, well-run government.’

After a viral talk given by the outspoken businessman at the BizNews Investment Conference, Rob Hersov rejoins Alec Hogg to discuss the feedback he's received since his speech - which has garnered over 100,000 views on YouTube. "I've got thousands of messages - vast majority positive - and they've come from [people] of all races. The general message is the following: This is something that needed to be said. No one has stood up and said it. Well done on you to say it." Hersov also tells Alec Hogg how another speech at the conference fired him up - and shares some regrets, too. "This is our government and if they're destroying the country, vote them out!"

Ntando Mahlangu, a double amputee from Pretoria, became an international sensation when he won double gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Ntando stormed to the finish, clinching gold in the Men’s 200 T61 and then not only managed to win another gold medal for the T63 long jump; he broke a world record with a final leap of 7.17 metres. What empowered this teenager to fly and succeed was Pretoria prostheses expert Johan Snyders, known as the Blades Doctor. Snyders not only gives mobility and athleticism to young amputees (through his charity Jumping Kids) but also enables them to get an academic qualification. BizNews caught up with him at his Pretoria residence and asked him whether he expected Ntando to do so well - and there is a surprise appearance of Ntando at the end of the conversation.

Rob Hersov was one of the keynote speakers at the BizNews Investment Conference (BNIC#2) in the Drakensberg earlier this month. After his presentation, the wildly outspoken billionaire sat down with BizNews founder Alec Hogg for a Q&A. The discussion which followed - which included questions posed to Hersov by delegates at BNIC#2 - is one you simply do not want to miss. While Hersov’s absolute candour is sure to rustle some feathers, it is hard not to find such unfettered frankness - at the very least - refreshing.

News headlines:

*South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accused developed countries of acting immorally by hoarding vaccines needed in poorer nations.

*South African-born biotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong will announce a plan to transfer technology for the manufacture of Covid-19 and cancer vaccines to South Africa.

*Mining companies in South Africa are considering spending as much as R40bn to construct 2,000 megawatts of power generation capacity.

Our Thursday market commentator Piet Viljoen joins Bronwyn Nielsen to talk through a host of pressing investment topics. Viljoen touches on China, noting that there's a risk factor that bears watching. "They've been telegraphing that they want to change the way their economy works [and] that they want to change the structure of their economy." Together with Nielsen, he also discusses the Remgro results and ESG investing.