BizNews Radio

In a world where encounters with Holocaust survivors are few, and most have surpassed their 90s or 100s, Ella Blumenthal stands out as an extraordinary individual. Her journey that she penned in her book, “I am Ella” with author Joanne Jowell, goes beyond mere survival, for she carries within her a remarkable absence of hatred and refusal to be defined by her suffering. At 101 years old, Ella, who lives in Cape Town, exudes a fiery, gracious, and humorous spirit, at times even taking on the role of the interviewer. In an exclusive Biznews interview with Ella, her daughter Evelyn Kaplan and Jowell, her captivating presence makes this a must-listen, hosted by Linda van Tilburg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Civil society plays a crucial role in shaping societies and holding those in power accountable. However, with many municipalities in South Africa facing significant challenges, it is imperative for civil society to actively participate in addressing these issues. By organising themselves, holding those in power accountable, and engaging in collaborative efforts, civil society can transition from being part of the problem to becoming a powerful force for positive change. Active participation at both the individual and collective levels is essential to ensure that the needs and aspirations of communities are met.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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former DA leader Mmusi Maimane's disruptive new political party Build One South Africa (BOSA) now has more than 20 000 members and will be whittling down already identified independent candidates to 200 ahead of the 2024 National Election. Maimane is confident that once the ballot papers have been counted he will be one of four options for SA's presidency alongside Ramaphosa, Malema and Steenhuisen. Far fetched? Not when you consider his popularity among political leaders - and what happened recently in Zambia and Lesotho. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The private sector has jumped into the opportunity presented by load-shedding and the SA government’s belated opening up of electricity supply. Marker-leading Gosolr is installing thousands of no-upfront-capital solar solutions into middle-income and upwards households, currently adding 10MW monthly. CEO Andrew Middleton, a trained actuary and former investment banker, says Gosolr’s target is injecting 500MW into the grid within three years - a number which would remove half a load shedding stage. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is going to play an important role in collaborating with NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, in their quest to reintroduce humans to the lunar surface. Construction is about to commence on a communication facility in Matjiesfontein. SANSA’s Managing Director, Raoul Hodges, from the Astronomy Observatory, delved into the details of this collaboration in an interview with Biznews. He said it marked an exciting milestone for South Africa's contribution to space exploration. NASA recognised the technology, skills, and reputation of the country in providing and operating a ground station to support its Artemis program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this compelling interview with OUTA founder and CEO Wayne Duvenage, he raises serious concerns about the fairness and transparency of 2024's national and provincial elections in South Africa - and the ability of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to fulfil its role. OUTA has been scratching in some dark places in the national accounts where it uncovered a switch in funding away from the IEC towards political parties, which now receive well over R1.5bn a year from tax revenues. This interview highlights the importance of upholding democratic principles and ensuring transparency in the electoral process - something far from guaranteed in what is shaping up to be a watershed election for the young democracy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

South Africa is in the grip of a serious national security crisis on the water front. This is according to Dr Anthony Turton, who is a specialist in water as a national security risk. He says: “We have a profound, profound problem in water in South Africa. We are deep in a water crisis. And the very foundation of this water crisis is an existential threat to the security and well being of the national economy in terms of job creation, in terms of its ability to raise capital, to grow the economy in the future and of course the ability to trigger social unrest.” He shares with BizNews the measures that Government should implement to make South Africa an investment prospect again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The growing number of raw sewage spills and cases of contaminated water across South Africa is becoming a critical threat to lives, livelihoods - and even the future of small towns. Sonja Boshoff of the National Council of Provinces has fought an epic - 15-year-long - battle in just one of the affected areas in Mpumalanga. The Democratic Alliance (DA) MP warns that a “very big health issue” will “explode” in South Africa if the African National Congress (ANC) government continues to allow municipalities to get away with it. She also guides BizNews through the Government’s recently released interim Blue and Green Drop Watch reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recent experiences with coalitions in South African metros indicate that opposition parties are facing challenges in interpreting their mandate, raising concerns for the upcoming national and provincial elections. However, in an interview with Biznews, Freedom Front Plus leader, Dr Pieter Groenewald expresses his belief that both political parties and voters are in a learning process. Groenewald also addresses concerns about trust and potential coalition partners, particularly highlighting the need for the DA to clarify its position on forming a coalition with the ANC. He also touches on the potential challenges of a white opposition leader becoming the President of South Africa and suggests the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party, Velenkosini Hlabisa as a potential candidate for the presidency- Linda van Tilburg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than 75 000 people have read last month's BizNews article based on our interview last month with James Lorimer, DA Shadow Mineral Resources Minister, where he likened the country's oil and gas potential to the Diamond and Gold booms that transformed the country. At last count, the recording of that interview on YouTube has been watched by almost 140 000 people. Here's the obvious follow-up - the "official" view from the South African State's chief geologist, Mosa Mabuza. His message, based on the science, is equally upbeat. In effect: Prepare to Meet Thy Boom. Good news at a time when the country needs it.

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