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In his riveting address at BNC#6 in Hermanus, renowned fund manager and wealth advisor Magnus Heystek delved into the intricacies of the financial world. With a keen focus on distinguishing independent advisory services from traditional fund management, the Brenthurst Wealth director and investment strategist emphasised the importance of navigating the vast array of investment options both locally and globally. Heystek's insights on offshore investments, economic cycles, and the evolving South African landscape provided valuable guidance for investors seeking to safeguard their wealth and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

In his keynote address at BNC#6 in Hermanus, FF-Plus chief whip Corné Mulder emphasised the need for coalition unity in challenging the ANC's power grip in South Africa. Mulder, a veteran opposition figure, highlighted the failures of the ANC and the importance of embracing diversity while advocating for decentralised decision-making. He stressed the significance of coalitions in achieving better governance and stability, particularly in the upcoming elections, where he anticipates the ANC's decline.

In a surprising turn at BNC#6 in Hermanus, Entrepreneur, activist and keynote speaker Rob Hersov ditched his meticulously crafted speech, opting for authenticity over rhetoric. Reflecting on advice from peers and family, he abandoned the scripted narrative to speak from the heart. Revealing hard truths about South Africa's political landscape, he challenged the status quo and called for urgent reform. With a candid approach, he bid farewell to political activism, prioritising family and truth above all else.

In his candid keynote speech at BNC#6 in Hermanus, Patriotic Alliance (PA) president Gayton McKenzie rejected aligning with the Democratic Alliance (DA), criticising their constant self-comparisons with the African National Congress (ANC) and asserting the need for a different political approach. McKenzie emphasised the need for accountability, highlighting successes in local governance and proposing solutions for South Africa - most prominently the mass deportation of illegal foreigners. His speech underscores a call for unity and self-accountability across racial lines to address South Africa's challenges.

Had he been able to see it, the perpetrator of South Africa’s biggest-ever corporate fraud would have enjoyed delivering his usual scathing criticism of the media. Initial reports on Markus Jooste’s death were wide of the mark - as often happens in cases like this as those delivering the news have to rely on “usually reliable sources” who are often not so. This morning BizNews editor Alec Hogg went to the spot where the one-time king of giant multinational Steinhoff took his own life. Here is Hogg’s report on what he found.

Photo credit: Sunette van Niekerk

When UCT student Alexandria Procter was seeking accommodation or "digs" in student parlance in 2018, she encountered significant challenges. Procter shared with Biznews in an interview that as a member of the university’s Student Representative Council, she discovered she was not alone; in fact, three-quarters of the university's students were facing similar difficulties. This predicament is reflective of a broader issue across universities in South Africa, where accommodation is only available for a fraction of the student population, typically between 5 and 20%. Faced with this dilemma, Procter conceived what she deemed a simple yet impactful solution: a website and app to connect landlords with students. Over the course of a weekend, she brought this idea to fruition. The app and website quickly gained traction, culminating in the founding of DigsConnect. In 2019, Procter set out to raise R2 million, a standard figure for a South African startup. However, the response exceeded expectations, with investments totaling R12 million. This marked the beginning of DigsConnect's journey of growth and expansion beyond South Africa's borders. Procter's entrepreneurial success also led to notable recognitions and opportunities. She was invited by President Cyril Ramaphosa to join the board of the National Redevelopment Agency and represented South Africa at international forums such as the G20, COP28, and BRICS summits. However, she encountered what Proctor describes as a classic founder mistake: The business grew too fast. In response, she made the decision to scale back operations, focusing on the South African and United Kingdom markets while prioritising long-term sustainability and her personal well-being.

Procter's journey is chronicled in her book titled "Upstart."

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has slammed The Draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 (IRP 2023) as “sloppy, inaccurate, out of date”. OUTA’s CEO Wayne Duvenage says it is so “inadequate that it makes a mockery of the public engagement process”. He warns that if it is not torn up and redone properly, OUTA will go to court. “We need our government to actually start applying the demands when it comes to what is in the best interests of this country, of business, of the economy and its people and the consumers. And they're not demonstrating that. So what we believe will happen going forward is if they don't demonstrate that on this specific matter, then they will be hauled off to court.”

In his keynote address at BNC#6 in Hermanus, Mmusi Maimane delivered a powerful message to delegates. He emphasised unity, vision, and values for a prosperous future beyond the ANC era. Drawing parallels from history and biblical narratives, Maimane urged leaders to transcend racial divides and focus on long-term solutions. Maimane highlighted the importance of education, healthcare, infrastructure, and electoral reform in building a better South Africa for all.

The saying ‘’n Boer Maak ‘n Plan’ is well-known in South Africa symbolising our inherent ability to improvise to solve problems. Currently, one of the most pressing issues confronting our farming community is the scourge of blackouts, which has had devastating consequences, particularly for poultry farms. The onset of record-breaking blackouts earlier this year resulted in the culling of millions of chicks, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable solution. In response, the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI) has embarked on an initiative, partnering with C5 Capital, a venture capital firm based in Washington, to spearhead advanced nuclear energy solutions for agriculture in South Africa. SAAI CEO, Francois Rossouw told Biznews that recent surveys indicate that 56% farmers suffered income losses due to blackouts, with 75% forced to adapt their farming practices to mitigate the impact. Some farmers have been compelled to abandon their livelihoods altogether, as the profitability of farming has been severely compromised. While solar energy has been embraced by farmers, he said nuclear energy is more sustainable and reliable with no downtime. Rossouw said the scalability of nuclear power is also very attractive. C5 Capital is raising R9 billion to build the first small modular reactor (SMR). This strategic partnership with the agricultural sector builds upon C5 Capital's existing plans to deploy SMRs for energy consumption by leading data centres in the Western Cape. South Africa has a rich history of nuclear innovation, with the pebble bed modular reactor development project being abruptly halted during the tenure of former President Jacob Zuma. The first unit is expected to be completed by 2029.

Arnie Witkin is a seasoned investment manager and private equity professional, has led a multifaceted career. After retiring, he transitioned into a speechwriter, executive coach, and mentor. For over six decades, he diligently recorded his thoughts, and around the age of 80, he decided to compile them into a book for his grandchildren. From there it gained momentum and he decided to self-publish a book, titled It's Not a Big Thing in Life, which is a guide on how to get from anxiety to action. The book caught the attention of Portia Smit from the Western Cape Education Department, who described it as a ‘genuine blessing’ for her parenting journey” and it is now part of the Department’s curriculum for Life Orientation .In an interview with Biznews, Witkin said that his main philosophy is that you are responsible for yourself, no matter what your circumstances are. His silver bullet to stop being like the Charles Dickens character, Miss Havisham is to put your thoughts down on paper to transform worries into tangible steps forward. Additionally, he shares strategies for navigating social media and emphasises the importance of humour in coping with challenges.