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The Election’24 collapse of a once-impregnable ANC has thrown up numerous options for South Africa - and politicians entrusted by the electorate to turn around a country that has been sliding for over a decade. The longest serving Member of South Africa’s Parliament, Dr Corne’ Mulder of FF+, explains the options being presented to the newly elected lawmakers - and their parties - in the coming fortnight. With apologies to Winston Churchill, never before, in the young democracy, has so much depended on the actions of so few. Dr Mulder spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Among the major stories of Election’24 is a surging Patriotic Alliance, the ten year old political party which will now be sending its first MPs to the National Assembly - and also filling a significant number of seats in provincial parliaments. The PA’s strategist Charles Cilliers speaks to us from the Results Operating Centre in Gauteng, sharing insights into the major features of South Africa’s surprise-filled National and Provincial Elections. He reckons the over-riding conclusion is that this has been a triumph for SA’s young democracy. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

An “astonishing” performance by former President Jacob Zuma’s MK party means the ruling African National Congress (ANC) might lose its majority in KZN - and fail to reach a national majority. In this interview with BizNews, Ray Hartley of the Brenthurst Foundation says that - with about 13% of votes counted - the ANC is probably going to come in below 50%. “I think the ANC is taking a beating. It's losing hand over fist in KwaZulu-Natal and that's a very populous province. So that's going to play into the national results. It's going to have to improve its position substantially elsewhere to make up for that loss. And I'm not sure that it has the cards to play. I think that it's too much for them to make up given the hammering, the clear hammering they're taking in KZN, to get above 50.” Meanwhile, the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) is “kind of holding better than many expected”.

With around a fifth of the votes counted, Free Market Foundation CEO David Ansara offers some early conclusions on South Africa’s historic Election’24. With the ANC set to lose 60 of its 230 seats (of 400 in total), Jacob Zuma’s well funded MK and to a lesser extent the breakout Patriotic Alliance parties disrupting the status quo, the country well on the road to coalition politics. Ansara offers some thoughts on who the partners might be - and explains why Stateproofing is an even more appropriate strategy given the political turbulence which awaits. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

President Cyril Ramaphosa enacted the NHI law during the election campaign, representing the biggest shake-up in South Africa’s healthcare system since the dawn of democracy. Critics have warned that the scheme is hugely expensive and could fuel corruption, with opposition parties describing it as a "death warrant" for healthcare in South Africa. Group International Director of Sable International, Andrew Rissik, told BizNews that the policy has raised concerns among healthcare workers and those considering retirement, leading many to explore international options for alternative healthcare systems. He noted that South African private healthcare is relatively expensive compared to countries like Portugal and Malta, where supplemented private insurance is more affordable. Rissik also discusses the turbulent years of the investment migration industry, with several European countries clamping down on golden visas, but says there are still options for those looking for a plan B, including the US EB-5 visa, "which is still going strong," and countries like Portugal and Greece, which offer "attractive residency and retirement visas."

A 21% jump in Special Votes and near trebling of the out-of-country votes provides clear evidence of a surge in interest around Election’24. In this special broadcast, we hear from two Smart Alecs - the Financial Times’s foreign editor Alec Russell and his namesake, BizNews editor Alec Hogg. The FT looks at the global relevance while BizNews looks at the math via data drawn from the 2019 and 2021 election to conclude that surprises aplenty are in store when the results are counted.

President Cyril Ramaphosa enacted the NHI law during the election campaign, representing the biggest shake-up in South Africa’s healthcare system since the dawn of democracy. Critics have warned that the scheme is hugely expensive and could fuel corruption, with opposition parties describing it as a "death warrant" for healthcare in South Africa. Group International Director of Sable International, Andrew Rissik, told Biznews in an interview that the policy has raised concerns among healthcare workers and those considering retirement, leading many to explore international options for alternative healthcare systems. He noted that South African private healthcare is relatively expensive compared to that of countries like Portugal and Malta, where supplemented private insurance is more affordable. Rissik also discusses the turbulent years of the investment migration industry, with several European countries clamping down on golden visas, but says there are still options for those looking for a plan B, including the US EB-5 visa, "which is still going strong," and countries like Portugal and Greece, which offer "attractive residency and retirement visas." - Linda van Tilburg

We have passed 50 days without load shedding in South Africa, even as the cold of winter begins to bite when electricity demand normally increases. The CEO of the Energy Council, James McKay, told BizNews in an interview that the lack of load shedding is due to a partnership that the government formed with the business sector. While business “is not lifting the spanners” at Eskom, their involvement in capacity mobilisation, strategic planning, and accountability discussions has been instrumental, he said. McKay highlighted a significant shift from previous political resistance to private sector involvement in state-owned enterprises. This collaboration, he said, extends beyond the energy sector, encompassing transport, logistics, crime, and corruption. Progress is being made on a new transport master plan, which is advancing through Cabinet, and efforts are underway to modernise crime monitoring capabilities in South Africa, according to McKay. - Linda van Tilburg

At the halfway mark in the Local v Offshore investment challenge, Magnus Heystek’s foreign holdings have recovered from an appalling start to move into positive territory. Piet Viljoen’s SA-focused portfolio, however, still has a handy lead although is enjoying “a breather” ahead of a potential surge on the Election’24 results. They spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

After recording just 6 660 votes in the 2019 National election, Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie forecasts a massive breakthough in Election’24. The PA leader predicts his party will receive around 1m votes and secure 25 Members of Parliament in the National Assembly. McKenzie believes this will be a watershed with South Africans rejecting the status quo of dominant ANC and DA political parties, punishing both at the polls. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.