BizNews Radio

In December, 317,000 international visitors landed in Cape Town, a record for a single month. The multiplier effect on the local economy of so many visitors spending hard currency is enormous, supporting a virtuous cycle confirming good governance’s dividend. The city’s executive mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis (37), fresh from a mini-speaking tour abroad at the invitation of his counterparts in New York and London, has just unveiled another initiative to support a campaign promise of making the city load-shedding free by 2026. The progress on electricity is one of numerous ways SA’s “City of Hope” has become a template for other Metros. GHL reckons it all begins with financial stability. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

The Portugal Golden Visa has long been a sought-after option for non-EU citizens, including several South Africans, looking for residency abroad. Launched in 2012 by the Portuguese government, the program aimed to attract foreign investment. However, concerns about escalating property prices led to changes in the Golden Visa's rules. In an interview with Biznews, Andrew Rissik from Sable International explained that despite fears that the program would be completely abolished, it remains available as a 'Plan B' or secondary residency option. Rissik clarified that while real estate investment is off the table, residency can still be achieved through private equity fund investments. He said that compared to golden visas for other Western destinations, Portugal remains "top of the pops." Regarding the percentage of a wealth portfolio that South Africans should consider for suitable overseas investments, Rissik said Sable's wealth advisors believe it should reflect South Africa's share of the global market, which stands at 0.8%. The immigration specialist will hold roadshows in Cape Town from 21 February to 23, Johannesburg from 27 February to 29, and Durban on 29 February. South Africans can engage in one-on-one discussions with Sable International immigration experts to explore the investment options and golden visas available.

After delivering double the stock market’s returns for investors last year, for 2024, South Africa’s oldest and largest hedge fund is excited about opportunities in its backyard. In this review of Peregrine Capital’s annual Investor Letter, CEO Jacques Conradie looks back to another stellar year (helped by Meta….) and looks forward to how the team intends to repeat those returns in the current 12 months. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Although best known nowadays for his investment prowess, Corion co-founder David Bacher also possesses a deep cricketing pedigree. In this month’s analysis of the markets, he applies analogies from the sport - and concludes by posing pointed questions to Cricket South Africa’s hierarchy over its “firing” of national Under19 captain David Teeger, because of threats from local activists linked to the Israel/Hamas war.

Join host Bob Skinstad in a captivating conversation with Ettienne Brandt, an accomplished telecom executive who made the leap from the UK to the U.S., now spearheading Frontier Communications in Dallas, Texas. Ettienne shares his incredible journey – from humble beginnings in Port Elizabeth to managing a $10.5 billion P&L at BT and his current role building Gigabit America. Learn how Ettienne navigates the complexities of the U.S. telecom landscape, adapts his South African braai culture to Texas, and his unique insights into Africa's tech evolution. An inspiring blend of personal anecdotes and professional wisdom awaits!

A young woman with a bucket shot dead in a queue for water at a communal water tank in a dispute over water….She will forever stand as a symbol of just how bad the water crisis in the Durban area has become. Speaking to BizNews, Democratic Alliance (DA) Councillor Nicole Bolmann says: “We've become the movies we watch so often. I mean, in every science fiction movie, we seem to be always searching for water, whether it's the Hunger Games or Star Trek or whatever…there’s always the search for water and it becomes the liquid Gold. It becomes the commodity everybody needs because it is our survival. So what we witnessed…what we know about the lady being shot at the water tanker, at the Jojo, that just simplifies and amplifies the actual situation that we're sitting in in Durban currently.”

Firefighters have been battling raging fires in multiple areas of the Western Cape. The worst hit are Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay, where the fires prompted precautionary evacuation notices. In an interview with BizNews, Overstrand Mayor Annelie Rabie recounted how overstretched firefighting teams in the area were as they battled fires in different locations. Rabie said it was the fire season and they are usually prepared for outbreaks, but she was not ruling out arson. Rabie mentioned that the fires that started on Tuesday ignited at six different points simultaneously. This meant that the fires began 120 kilometres apart, which severely stretched their resources. In another fire three to four weeks ago, she said there were signs that the fire was lit at different points in a circle. Rabie said she did not want to pre-empt the investigation and report that will come out, but, “We were promised that the Western Cape will be made ungovernable.” What stood out, she said, was how the community and surrounding areas rallied together and how firefighting services from as far as Cape Town answered the distress call from Pringle Bay. Thirty to forty farmers jumped in with their “bakkie sakkies” to help and work until late into the night. Regarding the source of some strife in coastal towns like Pringle Bay, the troop of 70 baboons, Rabie said, appeared to have all survived the wildfire, although some were injured.

Four times rated the world’s top investment analyst of financial companies, Kokkie Kooyman stands head and shoulders above his local peers, so he is our obvious go-to guy for context on accusations that three local banks have badly misbehaved. In this fascinating interview, Denker Capital’s co-founder provides context on the Hamas funding allegations - and explores why Sanlam’s investment in India is looking uncannily similar to Naspers’ game-changing early bet on Tencent. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.

Former SA president Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane is jumping into the political fray with a novel message for one from a hard-boiled ANC household - it’s business, not politics, that holds the key to a successful South Africa. Zuma Jr - who has formed his own party All Game Changers (AGC) - says business people should be protected and allowed to “throw their money where they want to”. In this interview with BizNews, the one-time Gupta associate preaches re-industrialisation, infrastructure development and regaining investor confidence; and explains why he did not join MK, his father’s new political party. He spoke to Chris Steyn of BizNews.

No-one shone a brighter light on the corruption at ESKOM than former CEO André de Ruyter who had to leave South Africa for his own safety. Speaking to BizNews from the United States, he says the corruption at ESKOM continues “by and large unabated” - enabled by the procurement policy in government departments and State-owned entities - and will come to an end only once some of the ringleaders are arrested and properly investigated. He dissects the Government's latest draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), and warns that South Africa will find itself “increasingly isolated from an export perspective” if it does not speed up its decarbonisation efforts. However, he believes South Africa’s problems are solvable with “appropriate political leadership” and policies that attract foreign direct investment that will create jobs and economic growth, and ultimately counteract the “prevailing African stereotype of failure, economic failure and corruption”. De Ruyter also shares his future plans - including his hopes to return home - and reveals the subject of his possible next book. - Chris Steyn