BizNews Radio

In her new book “Countdown to Socialism”, Anthea Jeffery removes scales from the eyes of those who have ignored the ANC’s pursuit of a blueprint for SA economic disaster - the National Democratic Revolution plan devised by Soviet Union bureaucrats in the 1950s. Jeffrey, head of policy research at the Institute of Race Relations, explains how the NDR originated from Soviet ideologies aimed at shifting newly independent African and Asian, primarily capitalist countries, to socialism. Despite the Soviet Union’s dissolution three decades after the economic collapse, Jeffery asserts that the ANC and its supporters remain in an obsessive pursuit of the NDR, despite its now well-exposed pitfalls and record of economic destruction and creating misery. She also warns those in the private sector rallying to the government’s call to support the failing SA economy that they are being misled and will be dispensed with as soon as it suits Pretoria’s socialist agenda. She spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this insightful discussion, three business leaders share their perspectives on the critical need for radical collaboration to address the challenges of local government infrastructure in South Africa. Alan Mukoki, CEO of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Richard Gayba, Chair of the Makana Business Forum, and Ken Clark, CEO of Twizza Beverages Eastern Cape, shed light on the urgent requirements for quick turnaround times, proper maintenance, and efficient service delivery. Despite the discouraging state of many municipalities, these leaders discuss their efforts to bring about positive change through initiatives like radical collaboration and the circle of unity.Join us for this 6-part series with Kagiso Trust as we explore ways of being a part of the solution and not part of the problem.Sponsored by:Kagiso Trust - https://bit.ly/3N4FZ9e Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crooked South African Police Service (SAPS) members are “filling up” court rooms with malicious prosecutions to silence their competent colleagues who are investigating politically sensitive cases - as well as the honest ones who are trying to expose corruption. Long-time violence- and police monitor Mary De Haas - who has fought tirelessly for decades to hold the police accountable for abuses of power - gives BizNews the inside story of a force “riddled with criminality”. She describes how one officer is being maliciously prosecuted with no evidence at all, but simply to take him off a case that is a “political bombshell”. She recalls how the Nationalists still had a sense of shame when exposed, but says the current government has “no sense of shame”. De Haas lists the urgents police reforms that could be implemented immediately if there were political will - and she calls on big business to do read the Riot Act to the Presidency. Meanwhile, she is fighting all the way to Parliament on behalf of SAPS whistleblower Patricia Morgan-Mashale who is still in hiding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Less than half of South African university students complete their degrees, a stark contrast to the 30% rate seen in OECD countries. However, Excel@Uni, a pioneering South African startup, is determined to change this trend. Focused on keeping students on track throughout their academic journey and preparing them for the workplace, the company has recently received recognition from Google as a recipient of the 2023 Google for Startups Black Founders Fund. Co-founder, Lungelo Gumede, told Biznews that Excel@Uni has achieved remarkable results, boasting an impressive success rate of 90% for their students in a pilot programme, with certain years recording zero drop-outs. Gumede said that black founders often found it difficult to secure investors, but Excel@Uni adapted their business model and managed to make it more attractive for their preferred investor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Veteran money manager Nick Downing specialises in a highly profitable niche - carefully selected global investment trusts from hundreds whose equity is listed on London Stock Exchange. In this fascinating interview, the co-founder of Overberg Asset Management explains his process, and how he can regularly acquire offshore assets at significant discounts. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.Your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider keeps you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here - https://bit.ly/3lfVRYP.---Timestamps00:00 - Introductions00:48 - Nick Downing on starting his own business03:18 - Why he chose the town of Greyton to start his business04:42 - On moving to South Africa after graduating from Cambridge06:25 - On Overberg's unique approach to investing and the London Stock Exchange10:03 - Why investment trusts are not popular in South Africa13:17 - On the ins and outs of investment trusts14:29 - On the success of Overberg Asset Management17:13 - How Downing and Overberg approach investment19:58 - On Overberg's biggest holdings in the LSE22:49 - Concludes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BizNews founder Alec Hogg put Gosolr to the ultimate test - and says SA’s leading provider of residential renewable energy solutions passed with distinction. In this interview, Gosolr CEO Andrew Middleton, a qualified actuary, explains how the mushrooming company's business model is built on a discipline of a simply month-by-month commitment from clients - and installations completed within a single day. He also unpacks the direct correlation between demand for Gosolr's services and Eskom's load-shedding schedule and explains how the company is engaging with rural municipalities to assist them in overcoming seemingly intractable problems with supplying electricity to their ratepayers. - Alec HoggSponsored by:GoSolr: https://bit.ly/3q0jk6n Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Volatility is still the name of the Fantasy Fund Manager game, as Richemont and Pick n Pay are down more than 10 percent for the week. But what is this signalling? On the Fantasy Fund Manager podcast, BizNews' Stuart Lowman was joined by Corion Capital's Garreth Montano and Dylan Bradfield, a portfolio manager at Sharenet, to dissect the current rotation happening in the local market. But where does the opportunity lie, Dylan points to a potential rotation into insurers. The pros and cons of company share buybacks were also discussed, with both leaning towards the former, potentially better use of capital than dividends. Remember to make your picks each week by the market open on Monday to have a chance to win any of the prizes up for grabs. And invite your friends. Register at www.fantasyfundmanager.co.za—thanks to our platinum sponsors Sharenet, Terebinth Capital, ClucasGray Asset Management, and Money Better. Remember to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The roots of South Africa’s Construction Mafia reach all the way back to the extensive site disruptions around payment issues at the Madupi and Kusile projects for ESKOM. This emerges from an interview with Construction lawyer Euan Massey who says regulations released in 2017 opened up a door for illicit organisations to use what had happened previously in terms of site disruption to demand payment from contractors and from developers and subcontractors in the construction industry on the premise that it was a government requirement that they be paid 30% of the contract value. Their modus operandi involve extortion, violence, and even murder. Meanwhile details about the alleged involvement of government officials and crooked cops in the Construction Mafia emerged at a webinar this week with the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala and industry experts. The Minister says a special task force to  deal with the Construction Mafia is being established - and at least 605 suspects have been arrested. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Settas, chairman of the Free Market Foundation’s Health Policy Unit, sheds more light on the National Health Insurance (NHI) project in South Africa raising widely held concerns. Settas says universal health coverage already exists in the country, emphasizing the need to address issues of cost and quality rather than completely overhauling the system. He is concerned about the lack of pre-implementation feasibility studies and engagement, potential disinvestment in the private sector, and the tax implications of the proposed reforms. Settas argues collaboration with non-State stakeholders, ignored thus far, is crucial for NHI to stand any chance of success. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A two seat gain by the Democratic Alliance in yesterday’s by-elections has given the party an outright majority in the George municipality, which is currently runs in coalition with Moonshot Pact partner, FF+. But there celebrations had a hard edge as the DA Western Cape leader Tertius Simmers explains in this interview, alleging that Gayton McKenzie’s Patriotic Alliance used booze and food parcels to buy the votes that secured the PA the other seat. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices