BizNews Radio

This enlightening interview explores the partnership of Ruda Landman and Derek Watts, two iconic co-hosts of South Africa's leading actuality television show, Carte Blanche. Ruda talks about a nearly 20-year collaboration, their impact on journalism during a transformative period in South Africa's history and the unique bond that made the duo synonymous with investigative reporting - plus a heartfelt glimpse into Derek Watts's final days.

After more than three decades as the face of the most potent investigative programme on South African television, Derek Watts (74) was one of the most recognisable of any face in his homeland. Watts passed away from cancer yesterday morning. Judging by the spontaneous public response, the nation truly appreciated this gentle giant. For almost 20 years, John Webb had been Watt's friend, confidant and boss. He shared how the late broadcaster was exactly the same - either in front of or away from the camera. RIP Derek Watts. - Alec Hogg

In the daring world of Fantasy Fund Manager, the powerhouses of profit aren't where you'd expect. The resource sector is conspicuously absent from the top ten winners' circle, leaving room for unexpected stars like Truworths, soaring 25%. Step into the spotlight and find a diverse top ten roster: three retail titans, four financial juggernauts, a resilient Rand hedge, a dynamic mid and small cap, and a lone tech and communications marvel. But as inflation's fiery pace begins to cool - July's local figures a surprising 4.7% below expectations - can we anticipate a grand performance shuffle? Tune in to this week's podcast, hosted by BizNews' Stuart Lowman. Joining the stage are Grant Morris, the strategic portfolio maestro at ClucasGray Asset Management, and the astute independent financial adviser Brett Rubin. Holding their own within the top echelons - third and sixth, to be precise - both Grant and Brett unveil their blueprints for triumph and what it takes to unseat the reigning maestro, Rene Zietsman. Remember, each dawn of Monday is your chance to pitch your winning stocks. With enticing prizes awaiting, the game is on. Rally your comrades and head over to www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za to register—gratitude to our platinum sponsors, Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and Money Better. And mark your calendars: Subscribe now to our podcast to keep pulse with every riveting episode. Rest assured, the stock prices discussed remain spot-on from the time of the podcast's riveting recording.

In another hard-hitting keynote, his trademark, Action Society's Ian Cameron highlights deep-rooted issues within the criminal justice system in South Africa, expressing frustration at double standards, corruption, and a lack of vision. He also suggests some practical steps to fix a disastrous situation where more South African civilians are murdered than their Ukrainian counterparts are killed by invading Russians. Cameron calls for a comprehensive, action-oriented approach to reforming the police service, addressing poverty as a root cause of crime, and restoring ethics and integrity. He also rejects the efforts by Corporate South Africa which, he believes, have failed the nation and making things worse by companies supporting the "criminal syndicates" that control the ANC and the SA Police Services. - Alec Hogg

Zimbabwe is going to the polls today (Wednesday August 23) amid fears that the “securitised” State will hijack the election - despite facing a weak opposition. The International CEO of Good Governance Africa (GGA), Chris Maroleng, speaks to BizNews following his deportation from Zimbabwe last week. Maroleng and his team were “illegally” ejected within days of arriving in the country to do field research. “I think it is really emblematic of a society that is trying to shield and blinker the eyes of the international community from what we suspect are attempts by ZANU-PF to basically hijack this election.”Maroleng says while criticisms of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) are valid, the political environment in Zimbabwe is skewed in favour of ZANU-PF. He predicts an “illegitimate outcome”.

ISANCO is perhaps the lowest profile of the seven political parties joining together in the Multi Party Charter of SA, but potentially it is one of the most potent. Deeply embedded within communities, the newly formed party scooped 14 councillor seats after only a few months of campaigning ahead of the November 2021 Local elections. It performed creditably in two subsequent by-elections (4-5% of the vote) suggesting ISANCO may prove an unexpected trump card for the Opposition Coalition in the 2024 National Election. Leader Dr Zukile Luyenge is confident he’s part of 2024's winning team - and in this interview, explains why. - Alec Hogg

In part 3 of his contribution to the BizNews@10 birthday conference, DA shadow minister of mineral resources, James Lorimer fielded questions from BizNews Community members in attendance. An endless supply of good news, Lorimer doubled down on South Africa's untapped oil and gas potential and added to that the country's rich - and still largely unearthed - mineral resources, including gold, uranium and possibly lithium. When asked what South Africa needs to do to unlock its bountiful resources, Lorimer retorted, "Change the government" and on concerns about climate change, answered, "One thing I am confident of, is that global warming is not going to kill us... it's way overblown." A crusader for the renewal of South Africa, it's difficult not to be excited by the prospects he shares.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The BRICS group of economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — is convening for its 15th heads of state and government summit in Sandton this week. What could have potentially turned into a nightmare for South Africa had President Vladimir Putin attended, has now become an occasion for President Cyril Ramaphosa to shine on the international stage. The agenda includes discussions on the potential expansion of BRICS, with 40 countries expressing interest, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Egypt. On the eve of the summit, President Ramaphosa expressed support for the expansion, stating that it will represent a group of nations with a common desire for a more balanced world order. However, Dr. Christopher Sabatini, a Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, has warned that there is a real risk that the weight of democracies in BRICS could be further diluted if it is expanded. He said that citizens of India, Brazil, and South Africa should ask themselves if they want to align with what is essentially a rogue's gallery of countries. In an interview with Biznews, Dr. Sabatini questioned the viability of a common BRICS currency, asking how a common currency can be created among countries that have shown little currency stability. He also said there is a need for trade protections for certain industries in peripheral BRIC economies to prevent them from being locked in providing raw materials to China, the 800-pound gorilla in BRICS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mr Ghaleb Cachalia, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Shadow Minister for Public Enterprises has called for Transnet Chief Executive (CE) Portia Derby to be sacked. He speaks to BizNews after Ms Derby’s recent remarks at a business conference that there could be catastrophic job losses in the road transport sector when rail operations improved. Mr Cachalia says that instead of focusing on fixing what is wrong with Transnet's freight rail system, Ms Derby is focusing on shoring up the trucking industry, which is not part of her mandate. He calls her “seemingly incompetent” and accuses her of moving the focus away from the much-touted Road-to-Rail Strategy, “which has never been properly implemented, which has resulted in huge failures…which has affected our economy massively…” - Chris Steyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zimbabwe is going to the polls again this week in a mixed atmosphere of despair, apathy, hope, disappointment in the lack of service delivery by the opposition in urban areas, and talk of reform and transformation from the long-ruling ZANU PF government. This has emerged from an interview with Ringisai Chikohomero, a political analyst with The Institute for Security Studies (ISS). He speaks to BizNews from Bulawayo. He lists the reasons for the shift in support towards the ruling ZANU PF government in urban centres that have traditionally been “the backbone and the strongholds” of the opposition. He says the central business districts of Harare and Bulawayo have an “awful sense of dilapidation” - and does not in itself show the potential of the opposition in terms of managing and governing. “So this is what the citizens who are more perceptive could be looking at going into this round of elections.” Although there are also fears of election manipulation, people do feel they are better prepared to counter it, with “the young ones” saying: “But this time we're going to defend our vote; this time I'm not leaving the polling station until all the votes have been counted.” Meanwhile, there has been some “recognition and realisation” in the ruling party that for the country to move forward, it needs to reengage with the international community. - Chris Steyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices