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The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture - and Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader - Gayton McKenzie has made an impassioned plea for an end to the bickering and infighting in the Government of National Unity (GNU). In this interview with BizNews he describes the current discord in the GNU as a “gift” to former President Jacob Zuma and his MKP. “If they are not careful, Zuma is going to become the biggest party - and the GNU is the only thing that can stop Zuma, not the ANC, the GNU…” The Minister also takes BizNews viewers behind the scenes of the rugby equity deal talks; gives an update on the challenges and triumphs in his ministry; reveals details of his plans to put South Africa back on the world stage; and talks about his desire for social cohesion. “My biggest job as Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture is to make sure that we are one nation under God. We don't have this black, white, Indian, Coloured…We need to move away from that. We are South Africans…And if we can all think along the lines to say: put the country first before you put the party first.”

The Pestalozzi Trust - a civil rights organisation dedicated to protecting homeschooling and civil education - has warned President Cyril Ramaphosa in a letter that it will launch a legal challenge to the BELA Act. In this interview with BizNews, the trust’s Christopher Cordeiro says: “…once the President says what the date of its coming into force, the trust will, I think, be one of the first, if not the first, to serve its papers. And people can go and read those papers because I think they'll have an element of tragic comedy when you start going through and seeing really how poorly the process was conducted.” Cordeiro lists the principle and practical objections from homeschoolers, and outlines the procedural and substantive grounds for the legal challenge. “And…it would be a travesty of our constitutional processes if a court upheld the bill.” Meanwhile, he urges radical reform in the Education Sector.

The United Kingdom has long been a preferred destination for South Africans eager to expand their horizons by living and working abroad. In many areas, such as Wimbledon, it's common to hear Afrikaans spoken. However, under pressure to reduce migration numbers, the UK government has recently tightened its immigration rules. Mishal Patel, Director of Citizenship and Immigration at Sable International, identifies the escalating costs as the most significant change impacting South Africans. In an interview with BizNews, Patel said increases in the  Immigration Health Surcharge, stricter family visa requirements, and limitations on students bringing dependents to the UK have resulted in a 5-6% decrease in immigration interest. He says there has been a noticeable shift in the demographic profile of South Africans looking to emigrate, moving away from retirees towards younger professionals. Despite these changes, the UK continues to demand healthcare, hospitality, and construction professionals. To support individuals considering relocation, Sable International will host a series of Expos across South Africa in November. The immigration specialists have also introduced a new Refusal Review Service to assist people whose passport applications have been refused.

In an interview on this morning's BizNews Briefing podcast, Sasfin Wealth's chief investment strategist David Shapiro and BizNews editor Alec Hogg discussed the U.S. political climate, specifically concerns over a potential Republican "clean sweep" under Trump, Musk's alignment with Trump for business gains, and market volatility driven by tech short squeezes and inflationary pressures from U.S. tariffs.

In an enlightening discussion, political analyst Makone Maja from the Centre for Risk Analysis shares insights on the evolving political landscape in Southern Africa, particularly focusing on Mozambique's precarious situation and its implications for regional stability. As she addresses the challenges facing South Africa’s leadership amid shifting alliances and election controversies, Maja explores youth perspectives on democracy and the ANC's complicated relationship with historical allies like Russia. This interview delves into the dynamics of the current political coalition and what it means for the future.

A recent study by CGA by NIQ reveals that South Africans enjoy dining out, with 87% of those surveyed visiting bars or restaurants at least once a month. The study also highlights a growing preference for cocktails, with 60% of drinkers choosing them, and an increasing demand for premium beverages. Lifa Bakana, the senior brand manager of William Grant & Sons, says South Africans have developed a taste for premium brands like their Glenfiddich single malt whiskey. These customers, referred to as the “greatest showman” or “greatest show woman,” are the target market for Glenfiddich, according to Bakana. It is typically a 35-year-old and older consumer who enjoys premium whiskey. To tap into this market, Glenfiddich has released its 31-year-old Grand Chateau in South Africa, which has been aged in Bordeaux red wine casks. There are only 474 bottles available priced at R40,000 and Bakana says they are selling fast if you want to get your hands on something rare.

In this episode of the BizNews Briefing, host Alec Hogg speaks to David Shapiro, Makone Maja and Rob Futter to provide context on major developments in the investment field, politics and energy. The conversations range from Trump v Harris through to Mozambique’s contested election; Ramaphosa’s bromance with Putin and FirstRand’s inherited problems in the UK. The BizNews Briefing is broadcast live at 7am weekdays.

Controversy is raging over the credibility of the national election results in neighbouring Mozambique where Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo won by over 70% of the vote.   In this in-depth interview with BizNews, Tertius Jacobs, the Mozambique analyst for the private risk management company Focus Group takes viewers through the results; the claims of election manipulation; and the apparent assassinations of two opposition figures documenting electoral fraud and leading the team working on an appeal to the elections commission. He describes the ensuing nationwide unrest and the police response. Jacobs also gives a comprehensive update on the insurgency in Cabo Delgado. Meanwhile, the country is on a knife edge as it awaits the validation of the results by the Constitutional Council.

In this week’s episode of the Sunday Show, United Independent Movement (UIM) President Neil de Beer talks about the possibility of the African National Congress (ANC) regaining a majority in 2028 by taking credit for the good work being done in the Government of National Unity (GNU) by ministers, mostly of other parties. However, he also warns the ANC that it risks a “palace revolution” unless it deals with the corruption in its ranks. He referees the latest spat between Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen and President Cyril Ramaphosa who now has Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie jumping to his defence. De Beer talks about the high profile defections of people with “sensitive information” to the MK Party of former President Jacob Zuma, as well as the arrest of his benefactor, the diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg. And he describes the “dismantling” of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) as “the once rising revolutionary replacement of the ANC to something that will just be folding directly into the MK”.

Mining expert Peter Major discussed South Africa’s mining sector challenges and strengths, including Afrimat’s growth trajectory, Anglo American’s stability, and Kumba Iron Ore’s strategy for maximizing value despite infrastructure constraints. He also highlighted global economic impacts on commodities and the need for sustainable, well-managed mining operations amid geopolitical uncertainties.