BizNews Radio

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

South Africa’s favourite stockbroker, David Shapiro, is in full flight here, providing context on the two big investment stories of the week - liquidation of China’s gigantic property developer Evergrande and continued rise of the world’s chipmaking colossus ASML. The discussion with BizNews editor Alec Hogg shows the stark contrasts between the corporations, something that can be expanded to the economic systems where they operate - the disaster of central control and sublime delivery of free enterprise.

As South Africa gears up for its national and provincial elections, which are set to take place sometime between May and August, global and local investors are closely monitoring their impact on the country’s policies. In an interview with Biznews, Langelihle Malimela, Head of Country Risk: Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted concerns about policy paralysis, particularly in key areas such as addressing the electricity shortage and broader infrastructure problems. Malimela said there is tension between the ruling African National Congress (ANC)'s electoral threat and the imperative for fiscal prudence. There was a potential risk of election-related violence, but he expects that to be localised and limited to Northern Kwazulu-Natal. One of the other ANC challenges that Malemela pointed out is that younger voters, which the IEC indicated are registering to vote in the election, are more concerned about enormous electricity prices and the cost of living than the issue of the past. Should the ANC drop below the 50% threshold in the coming elections, Malimela suggested it could potentially form a coalition with parties like the Good Party of Patricia de Lille, who is already serving in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet. Despite these challenges, he said, the ANC benefits from the lack of cohesion between opposition parties. According to Malimela, while these parties share a common goal of unseating the ANC, they have not articulated clear policy positions on key issues. Malimela warned that if the election results in the return of familiar faces and continued political involvement in key state-owned enterprises, resolving South Africa’s problems could take longer

It’s going to be “very difficult” for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to lose national power in the upcoming election; former President Jacob Zuma “is capable” of getting 5 to 10% nationally; and smaller parties in the Multi-Party Charter face an uncertain future. This has emerged from an interview with Political Commentator and Editor of the “Inside Politics” blog Gareth van Onselen. He also discusses the mixed fortunes of parties that have broken away from the ANC, and dissects the provincial battles in Gauteng where ANC support is on a knife-edge, and the Western Cape where the Democratic Alliance (DA) is under threat from smaller parties.

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) conducted an investigation into the riots of July 2021 and found no direct link to the incarceration of former President Jacob Zuma. The report indicates that the widespread looting and property destruction were orchestrated by well-resourced ‘primary actors’ whom they did not identify. The HRC highlighted a lack of coordination among security forces and the significant role of social media as major contributors to the unrest. The riots, which occurred from July 8 to 19, resulted in the loss of 350 lives and an estimated R50 billion hit to the South African economy. In a Biznews interview, Prof. Theo Venter described the report as ambivalent. He likened Zuma’s incarceration to the events of July 2021 with the saying, “If it looks, swims, and quacks like a duck, it is a duck.” However, in this case, he said the HRC saw all the signs but concluded it wasn’t a duck. Prof. Venter stated that most analysts of the July 2021 events would undoubtedly see a link. Regarding the unnamed ‘primary actors’ or agitators who planned and incited the violence, Prof. Venter suggested that the architects of the July 2021 riots are likely in the upper ranks of the ANC in Kwazulu-Natal, but it would be too uncomfortable for the ANC to deal with them. He also said that the Defence Force escaped the scrutiny of the HRC investigation

Alex van den Heever and Renias Mhlongo are world-renowned wildlife trackers. Their story of how they overcame trust issues and became a unit despite vastly different background, was penned in the book, Changing a leopard’s Spots. Since the publication of the book, they have been invited around the world to share their experiences. In an interview with Biznews, Van den Heever revealed that the duo had after working together for years, encountered trust issues because he suspected Mhlongo of being involved in rhino poaching. However, they managed to overcome their differences, rebuild trust, and are now using their experience to help businesses. Van Heerden said they established the Tracking Success team-building company, which offers virtual team adventures and on-site sessions at their new camp in Tshokwane in the Kruger National Park. Van den Heever describes it as the Rolls Royce version of their virtual adventures. The company helps corporates to get back on track when things go haywire, how to be resilient, show great adaptability and ‘reverence’, where there is greater care for c

The story on the ICJ judgement is taking on a life of its own which may not work out so well for four large South African businesses – MTN, Nedbank, Standard Bank and Absa. Over the weekend, the chief rabbi of South Africa, Warren Goldstein, made some serious allegations against the businesses.

The leader of Build One South Africa (BOSA), Mmusi Maimane, recently concluded his visit to the United States, where he engaged in discussions with senators, and esteemed institutions such as MIT and Harvard, and connected with South African expatriates in Boston. In an interview with Biznews, Maimane emphasised the US’s critical role as a trade partner for South Africa. He stated that his visit aimed to address the sustainability of this partnership with the US and the broader West, as the country approaches a pivotal election. Maimane conveyed the message that the views narrowly held by the ANC in terms of its position on Russia are not the view of all South Africans and certainly not the view taken by the South African Parliament. He said that South Africa’s foreign policy should be taken back to what Nelson Mandela stood for. On the ANC’s decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice, the BOSA leader says it polarised the issue and is not helpful in finding a quick resolution. He accused the ANC of hypocrisy in taking on this issue while building relationships with dictators who do not care for human rights. Maimane warned that if the ANC government continues to be seen as kowtowing to dictators, it could make the flow of capital into South Africa difficult. He said that a new government and a new generation of leaders who think in the interest of South Africa will fight to protect human rights and continue its partnership with the West while creating a strong Africa. He also assured his US audience that the capability of the state can be restored in South Africa. - Linda van Tilburg

In a first, South Africans living and working abroad can now register online to vote in this year’s provincial and national elections. This weekend, on 26, 37 and 28 January, they will also have the opportunity to register in person at diplomatic missions. However, Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said that in-person registration will not be available for South Africans in Israel, Ukraine and Israel as the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, which are their overseas partners, has indicated that these three diplomatic missions are not operational. In an interview with Biznews, Mamabolo said that he would however encourage voters in those countries to register online in the event of any changes to the security situation. He said Statistics South Africa has estimated that approximately 2 million South Africans are living abroad, but in the 2019 elections only 19,000 votes were cast ‘out of country.’ He expressed the hope that there are going to be many expats taking part in the coming elections more this election as it is now much easier to register for the elections. Overseas voters would still have to go to diplomatic missions to vote on the day and the IEC indicated that it would not be able to increase the number of voting stations, as requested by the Democratic Alliance, without legislative amendment. Mamabolo said he was encouraged by the trend of increased registration among young people, noting that 78% of new registrations during the registration weekend in November were from the youth. Despite some uncertainties, Mamabolo said the IEC was ready for the election which could for the first time have a two-page ballot. He also revealed that Elon Musk’s Twitter or X has “been a bit difficult” and have not signed a cooperation agreement that the IEC negotiated with other tech giants to combat misinformation.

In this captivating episode of 'Winning the Away Games' in collaboration with Elixirr, host Bob Skinstad welcomes Jon Flynn, Microsoft's sports visionary, on a journey exploring the intersection of technology and sports. From Jon's Southern African roots to his role at Microsoft, discover the transformative power of data and AI in modernising the business of sports. Jon shares insights into the NBA app rollout, revolutionising how fans experience games. Uncover why sports, recession-proof and pandemic-resistant, is now a serious business, with AI giving rise to the professional fan. Don't miss this dynamic conversation shaping the future of sports and technology.