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South Africa's Justice Minister Thembi Simelane is expected to appear before Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional development on Friday to be questioned over an alleged link to the VBS Bank scandal. In this interview with BizNews, ActionSA’s Parliamentary caucus leader Athol Trollip lists all the “red flags” in her case - and says: “She needs to be held to account in a court of law. That's the only place that's going to have any credibility.” He also gives an update on in-depth discussions over the coalition future of Tshwane.  He gives the assurance that although “the people of Tshwane have found it very difficult working with the DA”, ActionSA is “not going to be pushed into a motion of No Confidence (in DA Mayor Cillier Brink) because the ANC wants to do it today so that they can get their hands on Tshwane”. Trollip also renews his call for lifestyle audits to fight corruption - and gives examples of cases that make it imperative for “a couple of tall trees to be blown over”.

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Netcare CEO Richard Friedland, a medical doctor himself, is urging the ANC to dust off its original Healthcare policy which was a workable alternative to a polarising and unaffordable NHI - which will cost the country an extra R500bn a year (21% VAT anyone?). In an address yesterday to the Hospitals Association of SA, Friedland reminded the nation of the ‘mandatory cover’ approach, which has been used successfully elsewhere, including widely in  Africa. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

The one-time editor turned corporate executive and now political player has been a welcome addition to SA’s body politic. Through circumstances which were unimaginable just three months ago, Songezo Zibi chairs one of Parliament’s most important Committees - responsible for monitoring the trillions spent annually by the State. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Legendary British manager Bill Shankly famously told the world: “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.” For the South African nation, rugby plays an identical role. David Bacher proves the point in Corion’s analysis of investment markets in August - sharing a Bokke-based presentation relating top players with specific streams. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

In his weekly Sunday show with BizNews, Neil de Beer, the President of the United Independent Movement (UIM), gives his analysis of a wide range of controversies: the VBS Bank scandal that has spread from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) - and by extension MK - to the African National Congress (ANC) Minister of Justice; the “Walking Dead” like Shabir Shaik who was released from prison for being terminally ill 15 years ago; the latest gun battles between the police and wanted suspects; leaked info on the Mpumalanga military training camp - and the discovery of one in the Western Cape; the increasing crackdown on illegal immigrants; the battle of Tshwane’s Democratric Alliance (DA) Mayor to hold on to his job while there is dissent in the ranks of ActionSA and a huge backlash against the party for wanting to oust him; the silence over SA’s “moer toe” SOE’s; and how old political foes - who used so much “vile and poison” against each other before the election - are now cozying up...

Rhodes University Management and the SRC today (Friday) marched on the Makana Municipality - as the university was forced to temporarily suspend part of its academic programme, including formal undergraduate lectures, tutorials, and practicals, amid severe disruptions to its municipal water supply. The campus has been without municipal water since Friday, 23 August 2024, and the university has had to provide water via tankers to kitchens, residences, academic buildings, and offices. Speaking to BizNews after the march, the university’s CFO Kamlesh Riga describes the magnitude of the crisis, and the effect it has had on individual hygiene, health, and study conditions. He also reveals the real reasons behind the lack of water supply, and lists the contingency measures the university has put in place at great cost.

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A bumper episode features a spread of news on the political economy and business, seeded with developments on AI and the free speech debate - plus a cameo with a windswept mayor of the best municipality in the Western Cape. This weekly show is produced by the BizNews team, and hosted by editor Alec Hogg.

Among the 14 by-elections held on Wednesday, the DA won a critical vote in Tshwane’s Ward 92 thanks to support from partners in the Metro’s ruling coalition, which did not field vote-splitting candidates. But there was also a sharp warning for the Constitutionalists as the MK Party gave the ANC in Rustenberg Ward 45 - hundreds of kilometres away from its perceived KZN heartland. Freedom Front Plus Cape Leader Dr Corné Mulder provides the insider’s perspective on the results and other recent developments in SA’s fascinating political landscape. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

The United Kingdom has long been a favoured destination for South Africans seeking work or residency, thanks to shared language, time zones, and historical ties. However, according to JP Breytenbach from Breytenbach Immigration Consultants, the profile of South African migrants is evolving. “There is a significant increase in business migration, with companies aiming to expand into the UK as a gateway to Europe or the US,” he shared in an interview with Biznews. Many of these South Africans businesses feel they have reached a ceiling in their local markets or are tech entrepreneurs who believe their products are not yet viable in South Africa. This year, new UK immigration rules are set to take effect as the country seeks to limit net migration. These changes include increased visa costs and restrictions on care workers bringing their families to the UK. Despite these challenges, Breytenbach emphasises that there are still ample opportunities for South Africans looking to work, start businesses, or study in the UK, particularly in fields like accounting, plumbing, and electrical work, which remain in high demand. He also reminds South Africans currently residing in the UK to renew their biometric residence permit cards before they transition to an e-visa at the end of the year.

In this fascinating interview, the director of SA’s Free Speech Union Sara Gon examines examples of where applying that freedom landed protagonists in hot water - referencing Elon Musk and Pavel Durov and local examples Tim Noakes, Roman Cabanac, Chris Hart, Renaldo Gouws and Pretoria Girls High. Her suggestions are to identify yourself, take responsibility, and act respectfully, even if opposing ideas seem abhorrent. Ms Gon practised law for 17 years and is the head of strategic engagement policy at SA’s oldest think-tank, the prestigious Institute of RaceRelations. She spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.