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Former Eskom COO Jan Oberholzer delved into the intricacies of Eskom's challenges and potential solutions during a dynamic Q&A session at the BNC#6 conference in Hermanus. From regional energy strategies to financial hurdles and personal reflections on leadership, Oberholzer's insights shed light on the complex landscape of South Africa's energy sector and the ongoing efforts to navigate its complexities.

A lot of bad blood” between President Cyril Ramaphosa on the one hand and Economic Freedom Fighters  (EFF) Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambo as well as MK leader Jacob Zuma is likely to prevent a coalition between the Radical Economic Transformation (RET) parties and the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Instead, the ANC is more likely to team up with the opposition Democratic Alliance-led Multi-Party Charter (MPC) for a post-election coalition government. So says Senior Africa Analyst Ziyanda Stuurman of the Eurasia Group in this election preview with BizNews. “…in a lot of conversations I've had with political leaders as part of my day job, a thread that's very clearly coming through is that none of them want the EFF anyway close to real power or authority. And I think that that's a pretty powerful kind of motivating force, particularly then when you add the MK into that sort of mix.” She also says that MK is not just an ANC problem, but “an everybody’” problem - and that its advent on the political scene is changing the campaign strategies of a number of parties.

Renowned investor and Peregrine Capital's Executive Chairman David Fraser delivered an electrifying keynote at the BNC#6 conference in Hermanus providing profound insights and strategies. Unveiling Peregrine Capital's 25-year journey and investment philosophy, Fraser emphasized disciplined research, flat structures, and equity alignment as cornerstones for consistent returns. His candid revelations on proactive risk management and strategic portfolio adjustments during market downturns captivated the audience, showcasing a visionary approach to investment. Fraser's bullish stance on South African and Chinese markets, coupled with a focus on small-cap gems and global diversification, provided a roadmap for navigating dynamic market landscapes. His speech was a beacon of innovation, setting a new standard for savvy investing.

The DA’s four year court battle to expose details on its rival’s destructive Cadre Deployment policy will reach bursting point at the worst possible time for the ANC. With service delivery collapsing as a direct result of State Capture, the court-enforced disclosures are set to come just one month from Voting Day. This week, in a ‘6-love’ victory for the DA, the Gauteng High Court ruled that the ANC must hand over computers and disclose gory details on how the Ramaphosa’s-led committee put party loyalists where and when. The ANC previously applied liberal use of koki-pens to ‘redact’ names and other details from 1 300 pages of documents the court forced it to hand over. DA shadow minister Leon Schreiber explained implications of the latest judgement to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

Songezo Zibi of Rise Mzansi is telling John Steenhuisen, the leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), not to be a “cry baby” over his decision to challenge the DA in the Western Cape. “This is not personal,” he says. Zibi has also assured the business sector that there is no need to fear land expropriation and BEE. In an interview with BizNews, he explains the party’s stance on land expropriation, stating that his position aligns with South Africa’s constitution, which allows for land expropriation with compensation, similar to cases involving mines or dams. He dismisses claims of supporting a land grab. Zibi dissects the party’s BEE policies and differentiates between the cronyism practiced by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and Rise Mzansi’s aim to empower those who have been left out. His party is aiming for at least 12 to 20 Parliamentary seats. Zibi also comments on criticism of his support for South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, stating that Rise Mzansi cares about the lives of all humans, whether they are Israeli, Palestinian, or Ukrainian.

In our regular recap on the past month’s investment market performance, Corion’s David Bacher puts the SA share market run in perspective. Like the China v India story for Emerging Market investors, to have won you needed to be on the right horse - resources - and avoided supporting the month’s donkey - financial services. Bacher spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

Stafford Masie's electrifying keynote at the BNC#6 conference in Hermanus delved deep into the transformative power of Bitcoin and the impending AI revolution. With bold insights, Masie challenged conventional notions of money and work, urging listeners to grasp the significance of these paradigms in the digital age. Masie's compelling narrative intertwined the rise of Bitcoin as a disruptive force in global finance, especially resonating with Gen Z's disillusionment with traditional banking systems. He painted a vivid picture of a future where Bitcoin, AI, and generational shifts converge to usher in an era of unprecedented opportunity and financial empowerment, leaving his audience inspired and reimagining their path to prosperity.

Over 2000 complaints of corruption were received by Corruption Watch last year (2023). In this interview with BizNews, Executive Director Karam Singh speaks about the large number of complaints received in the policing- and the private sectors, as well as basic education, and state-owned enterprises. He warns that “it's not clear that if a new state capture project were to emerge, that we have sufficiently learned and put safeguards into the system to protect us going forward”. He stresses the need to establish “a dedicated, fully capacitated, fully funded, independent anti-corruption agency to help drive governments' initiatives and to ensure that we have the best approach, particularly from a law enforcement standpoint, similar to what we had previously with the Scorpions when it comes to the fight against corruption going forward”. Corruption Watch released its annual report today. - Chris Steyn

David Ansara's keynote speech at BNC#6 in Hermanus highlighted the failing South African state and the need for state-proofing strategies. He emphasized the root causes like state capture and ideological perpetuation by the African National Congress. Advocating for federalism and decentralised governance, he encouraged active resistance against the status quo. Practical measures included minimising tax exposure and supporting civil society organisations. Ansara stressed the importance of coordinated efforts for change amidst the collapsing state.

Many South African companies are re-evaluating their remote work policies, favouring a return-to-office approach. However, Anne Rutledge, Executive Director-Talent Solutions from Resourgenix says the concept of hybrid work, which allows for a blend of office and home-based work, is a lasting trend. In this interview with Biznews, Rutledge maps out how companies can carefully transition their existing staff back to the office to find a balance between remote and in-office work. She suggests a redesign of the office space to encourage collaboration and provide flexibility, noting the prevalence of hot desking in South Africa. It does not need to be a huge revamp, she says. For a new generation of workers, she says an office environment is important for support and guidance from their peers to progress. Hot desking, she says, is popular in South Africa. Acknowledging the global talent shortage, particularly acute in South Africa, Rutledge recommends rethinking work practices and possibly supplementing permanent staff with flexible, contingent workers. She also observes a gender disparity in the desire to return to the office, with more men than women expressing interest, and underscores the need to prioritise mental wellness initiatives given the blurred boundaries between work and personal life. As for the future of what people wear in the office, she says suits and ties have been pushed to the back of the cupboard, with individuality and a relaxed dress code coming to the fore. - Linda van Tilburg