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OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage delivered an impassioned keynote speech at BNC#6 in Hermanus, highlighting the power of civil society in challenging corruption. He emphasised the need for co-governance, coalition governments, and active citizen participation to address critical issues like the failed E-toll scheme and the challenges facing cities like Johannesburg. Duvenage urged corporate South Africa to invest in communities and support civil activism, emphasising that constructive action is key to fixing the country's problems.

The BizNews Conference in Hermanus was kicked off by Annelie Rabie, Executive Mayor of Overstrand, who delivered a compelling opening address, showcasing the municipality's remarkable achievements and ongoing challenges. Despite facing rising Eskom costs, wage system constraints, and environmental disasters, Overstrand has maintained financial stability, receiving accolades for service delivery and sustainability efforts. Mayor Rabie emphasised the importance of prudent financial management, effective governance, and addressing broader issues like climate change and infrastructure funding. She highlighted Overstrand as a resilient and attractive investment destination, offering insights into navigating local government challenges while promoting sustainable development and economic growth.

At the BizNews Conference in Hermanus, Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen responded to some pointed questions from the audience, 500 of whom were in attendance. Delegates pressed him on the prospect of a post-election coalition between his party and the ruling ANC; the potential influence of Russia in the vote and many other issues of importance.

Local money managers are spoilt for choice in JSE-listed stocks with the ‘SA doom and gloom’ narrative and uncertainty about the pending National Election pushing prices to bargain basement levels. Among the most appealing is Fortress Fund, delivering a near 8% after-tax yield following its conversion from a REIT after its capital restructure in January. This is the kind of investment Warren Buffett tells us to look out for - one where a dollar in assets can be acquired for a quarter. Fortress CEO Steve Brown spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

In his keynote address to the BizNews Conference, leading South African entrepreneur Christo Wiese drew on the famous statement made almost a century back by then Prime Minister Jan Smuts who described SA as a country where things are never as good as they should be, but never as bad as they could be. In this inspirational address, the man who built Shoprite and Pep into massive corporations offers perspective on where SA sits in a troubled world, concluding that the depressing narrative is overblown.

At last week’s BizNews Conference, political scientist RW Johnson explained why, for South African voters, facts are finally trumping feelings. Drawing on developments post-1994, especially within the African National Congress, the long-time Oxford Don argued the country has now reached a point where its politics has become ‘secular’ - the old religious-type loyalty for the liberation party being replaced by focus on realities affecting our daily lives. The consequences are likely to be reflected when votes are tallied after May 29 - with potentially dramatic results awaiting the nation.

A “reverse take-over” of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) by former President Jacob Zuma’s increasingly popular MK party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is “emerging as a possibility”. So says Ray Hartley, the Research Director of The Brenthurst Foundation. He speaks to BizNews following the release of the foundation’s Survey of South African Voter Opinion. According to that survey, MK will rake in 13% of the vote in the upcoming National Election and the EFF will get 10%, while the ANC will be down to 39%, and the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) up to 27%. In this Interview, Hartley looks at the possible coalition formations that could result, and describes how that would determine the trajectory of the country. He also points out that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) faces a “really difficult situation” - and warns that if it excludes the MK Party, “there’s going to be chaos, certainly in KwaZulu-Natal, and possibly elsewhere”. - Chris Steyn

Alec Hogg and John Steenhuisen had a riveting interview after the DA leader's hard-hitting keynote speech at BNC#6, delving into South Africa's upcoming election chaos. The pair discussed the potential for socialist dominance, ANC discord, and the critical role of voter turnout. With global parallels and looming financial implications, this discussion is a must-watch for anyone invested in South Africa's future.

John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the opening keynote speaker at BNC#6, delivered a very simple message to delegates and attendees. It's the Multi-party Charter (MPC) versus the "Doomsday Coalition" of the ANC, EFF and MK party in South Africa's 2024 election. Steenhuisen highlighted the great work done and progress made by other MPC parties, lauding the IFP's recent manifesto launch, and emphasised the collaborative spirit of the MPC. But he also warned of the dire consequences of a "Doomsday Coalition" national government, citing the crisis in Knysna as a key example. The DA leader concluded his speech with a rallying call to vote against the "corrupt, maladministrators, crooks and cadres" and for the unity and good governance of the MPC. Steenhuisen's closing words, "On the 29th of May, vote soberly and vote like your life depends on it, because in this election it really does," underscore the watershed nature of South Africa's 2024 elections. - Patrick Kidd

The African National Congress (ANC) reacted with anger when their candidate list for the May elections leaked due to what the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) called an “internal glitch.” An ongoing investigation by the IEC aims to determine how this leak occurred. President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his concern, stating that it “undermined and brought the IEC into disrepute.” However, he remains confident in the IEC’s processes and is satisfied with the commission’s explanation. While ten prominent ANC leaders facing criminal charges have been blocked from the ANC’s candidate list, it still contains dozens of leaders implicated in state capture who could potentially return to Parliament. Despite the ANC’s assertion that it has “the best candidates” on the list, political analyst Dr. Piet Croukamp from North West University believes that it’s “business as usual” for the ANC. Voters in the national election on May 29 are fueled by their anger at the ANC, according to Croukamp. However, they may not yet view any of the opposition parties as a viable alternative. Croukamp emphasises that opinion polls, some of which predict that the ANC could fall below 39% of the national vote, should not be taken as raw data that definitively explains or predicts outcomes. “An opinion poll is a snapshot of a moment in time,” he asserts. Furthermore, Dr. Croukamp dismisses the likelihood of the ANC achieving only 39%. To fall to 50% of the votes, approximately 1.5 million people would need to stop voting for the ANC. Regarding the possibility of Julius Malema becoming the kingmaker in South Africa, Dr. Croukamp warns against underestimating Malema’s intention to unseat the ANC from power. If opposition parties manage to attract a substantial share of the votes in the national elections, they should carefully consider their choice for president, avoiding the nomination of John Steenhuisen, he said