BizNews Radio

In this episode of the daily BizNews programme, editor Alec Hogg taps into the hottest stories of the moment from an end date for loadshedding through to how former Group Five CEO Mike Lomas got sucked into corruption; plus the inevitability of the Big Four accounting firms splitting their businesses; to a potential nightmare for Google - and Neil de Beer on the Tshwane showdown.

In a recent interview with Alec Hogg and David Shapiro, they into the current dynamics of the U.S. economy and stock market, as American shares soar to record highs. Despite the positive market performance, David highlights the prevailing concerns about the economy's direction and the lingering political tensions impacting investor sentiment. As interest rates begin to fall, he believes this shift will provide much-needed momentum, particularly for commodities and small-cap stocks.

In this Q&A session with the BizNews tribe, Eskom chair Mteto Nyati addressed critical issues surrounding South Africa's energy crisis, particularly focusing on the ongoing challenges of loadshedding. He reflected on the company's past struggles, emphasizing the need for a data-driven approach to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs. Nyati acknowledged the complexities of leadership within Eskom, noting the importance of learning from previous management while prioritizing the identification and resolution of current problems. He also highlighted the commitment of Eskom employees to restore the utility to its former glory, underscoring a collective desire for positive change amidst a turbulent energy landscape. Nyati's insights offer a glimpse into future strategies aimed at stabilizing South Africa's electricity supply and rebuilding public trust in Eskom.

Mteto Nyati, Eskom chairman, discusses the challenges South Africa's power utility, has faced in addressing corruption, inefficiencies, and energy security. Nyati explains the steps Eskom has taken under the new board’s leadership, including the use of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to monitor and manage both internal operations and external factors, such as coal delivery to power stations. The interview sheds light on how Eskom is tackling long-standing issues by leveraging data analytics and innovative solutions, aiming to ensure energy stability while addressing corruption within the company.

South Africa’s efforts to build a circular economy for post-consumer packaging are in the spotlight with the country’s most experienced producer responsibility organisation, Petco, and recycling partner Extrupet’s new PET processing facility that represents a first-of-its-kind technology for Africa. When it comes on stream in 2025, the facility housing the new R300-million project, will bring PET bottle-to-bottle recycling capability to the Western Cape for the first time - and will add an extra 15 000 tonnes per annum of food-grade recycled PET (rPET) output capacity. In this interview with BizNews, Extrupet joint managing director Chandru Wadhwani and Petco Marketing Manager Kara Levy share the details.

In his latest “Sunday Show” with BizNews, United Independent Movement (UIM) President Neil de Beer names the Flop of the Week & the Hero of the Week; tells viewers why Angie Motshekga is not competent to be Minister of Defence; hails the extradition of Mike Lomas on graft charges; previews the looming vote for - or against - Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink; slams the huge tariff increases ESKOM wants to inflict on consumers; explains why the growing crisis of extortion is economic terrorism; and warns that the “Faceless War” now being waged in the Middle East - where exploding pagers and walkie talkies caused carnage in recent days - could also reach individuals in South Africa. “…what will happen if there are certain targeted individuals, they leave the Middle Eastern area to go to other places like South Africa…; they are then going into our societies, yet those devices are still methodologies of war and what would happen if they explode them here?

Ace forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has landed another big fish in a six year investigation into a R1.4bn Eskom fraud. One of the key facilitators of the heist, former Group Five CEO Mike Lomas, today landed at OR Tambo after losing his case against extradition from the UK. Lomas’s return to SA will accelerate the State’s criminal trial against massive Eskom tender winner Tony Trindade of Tubular Construction and his internal accomplice, Kusile contract manager Frans Hlakudi. O’Sullivan spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

In this interview with BizNews Ian Cameron, the Chair of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police, lists the reason why he has written to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to ask for a review of the appointment of Major General Patrick Mbotho as Divisional Commissioner: National Priority Offences in the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. Among the serious allegations against the general are that he posted various explicit and adult content to a Detectives Commander WhatsApp group on his official phone while he headed the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit; that he had meetings with individuals currently suspected of gang activity and extortion in the Western Cape; that he interfereed in criminal investigations and defeated the ends of justice. Cameron also gives an update on the other work of the committee which will tomorrow conduct an oversight visit to the Philippi Training College which “is renowned for corruption” - and where R114 million is alleged to be unaccounted for over a six-year period. And with the national Extortion Hotline going live tomorrow, Cameron shares details of the committee’s engagement with the police on the growing extortion crisis; gives his analysis of the latest crime figures - and slams the fact that that Vice President Paul Mashatile’s VIP bodyguards - who last year assaulted people next to the N1 - are still in service. However, he does have praise for the new Police Minister and his deputies.

In the last episode of its first week, BizNews Briefing covers today’s news that matters, ranging from how the Israelis created exploding pagers used by its enemies through to politics and business. The Briefing is hosted by BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Ranmore founder Sean Peche specialises in finding cheap shares, often among the neglected small and medium-sized listed companies. He pays little attention to the ‘big news’ like the surprise 50 basis point rate cut from the US Fed, preferring to focus on areas where he can see opportunities to buy low and sell high. Freshly returned to his UK base from BNIC#1, Peche identifies the star of that show (Mteto Nyati) and uses the advantage of fresh eyes to compare annual results just released by Discovery and Remgro. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.