BizNews Radio

In an enlightening Q&A session at BNC#6 in Hermanus, Magnus Heystek delved into the world of investment strategy. From navigating market uncertainties post-elections to assessing the tech sector's valuation and exploring offshore investment opportunities, Heystek shared valuable insights backed by years of experience. Discover his views on gold investments, India's market potential, and the ongoing challenges of timing markets in a dynamic financial landscape. Gain actionable investment advice and a deeper understanding of risk management from one of South Africa's seasoned wealth managers in this engaging and informative session.

IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa took the stage at BNC#6 in Hermanus, outlining the party's strategic stance amidst challenges. Highlighting successes in recent elections and governance, Hlabisa addressed concerns about media bias, the Ingonyama Trust, and calls for secession, firmly advocating for unity and effective governance. With a focus on mobilizing voters and exploring post-election scenarios, Hlabisa's session showcased the IFP's proactive approach, resilience, and commitment to driving positive change in South Africa.

Regardless of the outcome of the 29 May 2024 Election, a “federal push is going to be more and more urgent”. So says David Ansara, the CEO of the Free Market Foundation (FMF) . Speaking to BizNews after the launch of the FMF’s campaign for Home Rule, he points out that the capacity of the State has been so fundamentally broken that it's going to take a “very, very long time” to fix. He also calls on the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) to “recognise its bargaining power” and adopt an “aggresive posture” - in the same way the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) would - before entering into a possible coalition. “And the campaign for Home Rule is suggesting that those demands should be aggressive spreading of political power and authority down to the provincial and local level”. As part of the campaign, the FMF has published a paper, ‘Ask Forgiveness, Not Permission: Practical Steps Towards Home Rule in South Africa,’ in which it sets out the legal allowance of a fully-realised federal dispensation.

In his Q&A session at BNC#6 in Hermanus, renowned investor Piet Viljoen shared insights on his nuanced approach to property investment during an engaging discussion with Bronwyn Nielsen. Viljoen emphasised the importance of strategic capital allocation, patience, and emotional control in navigating market cycles. Touching on various topics including ESG investments and activism, Viljoen's pragmatic perspective offered valuable guidance for investors amidst evolving economic landscapes.

In his Q&A session at the BNC#6 conference in Hermanus, Capitec CEO Gerrie Fourie shared insights on optimism, innovation, and South Africa's future, emphasising the importance of mindset, education, and seizing opportunities. He discussed challenges in reducing cash transactions, expanding business banking, and leveraging AI for growth. Reflecting on Capitec's journey, he highlights the pivotal moment when the company's flywheel began to gain momentum, leading to exponential growth and transformative impact.

Following a weekend marked by harsh criticism from Naspers-owned media outlets and disparaging comments from the DA’s leader, Patriotic Alliance president Gayton McKenzie is advocating for harmony among opposition parties. The influential political figure points to the irony of this discord between opposition political parties whose prime objective should be unseating the ANC on May 29. Undisturbed by the controversy surrounding his efforts to enlist a DA councillor in its razor-thin majority Saldanha council - citing a ‘leaked’ hour-long recorded conversation whose content he firmly stands behind - McKenzie emphasizes the need for opposition leaders to exhibit humility and unite to dethrone the ANC. BizNews’ Alec Hogg sat down with McKenzie for an exclusive insight into his perspective - and the surprise offer of an olive branch to his persecutor-in-chief.

In his Q&A session at the BNC#6 conference in Hermanus, crime fighter and DA MP candidate Ian Cameron reflected on his years fighting violent crime, particularly in South Africa's troubled areas. He emphasised the need for community mobilisation within legal frameworks to combat crime effectively. Cameron anticipated a shift from civil society to political engagement, aiming to influence policy directly. He discussed his potential entry into Parliament and highlighted the importance of accountability in governance. Cameron also addressed issues like illegal firearms, advocating for a comprehensive approach involving both community action and law enforcement reforms.

Cy Jacobs, co-founder of 360NE, offered a deep dive into investment strategies and market insights during the Q&A session at the BNC#6 Conference in Hermanus. Discussing various topics, Jacobs shared his perspectives on companies like Tencent, Yourplay, Prosus, and Naspers in relation to the Chinese market. He also delved into investment opportunities in emerging markets like India and cautioned about the expensive valuation of companies like Discovery. Jacobs highlighted the risks and opportunities in Chinese tech companies, the impact of geopolitical tensions on investments, and the challenges and strategies involved in managing a hedge fund for consistent returns. His insights provided a comprehensive view of navigating global markets amidst geopolitical uncertainties and market dynamics.

The water crisis in South Africa is “like a massive avalanche that is coming down the mountain”.  So says John Endres of the Centre for Risk Analysis. And he warns: “…I do not think that the government at the moment has a way to stem the avalanche”. Endres thinks that the current “urgency” being displayed by the government is “temporary” - and “a reflection of electoral panic”. He discusses concerns that water might become a national security issue ahead of the election. “…it's also relatively easy to disrupt…fiddling with the infrastructure, creating a bit of vandalism, creating a bit of chaos…” Endres says if the African National Congress (ANC) remains in charge after the election, “it needs a change of heart and…a bringing in of the private sector on honest and equitable terms rather than using it as a method of propping up the support levels in the elections”.

It is known that there is invisible gold, which consists of minuscule particles locked inside other minerals in the mine dumps found all over the Johannesburg and Witwatersrand area. What makes Chingwaru’s research noteworthy is that, as a Master’s degree student whose research was upgraded to a PhD, he is the first scholar to calculate that the six billion tons of tailings around the Witwatersrand mines contain up to 460 tons of gold. In an interview with Biznews, Chingwaru said that the tailing dumps in the Johannesburg area are being reprocessed by mining companies, but they are only achieving a 30% recovery rate. He set out to locate the remaining 70% and determine how to safely extract it from the pyrite. Chingwaru’s research has attracted the attention of major mining companies, and he has also received interest from China. Armed with his PhD, he plans to venture overseas to expand his knowledge of mining. However, he intends to return to Africa to promote sustainable mining practices for South Africa and the African continent. Chingwaru is the grandson of the legendary prospector, George Nolan who discovered lithium in Zimbabwe.