BizNews Radio

The country is bracing itself for an interest rate hike when the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sits on Thursday. Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago will also indicate whether further hikes are likely. His announcement comes as the latest consumer price index has been published by Statistics South Africa indicating that inflation remained flat at 5.9%, while the consumer price index increased by 0.6% month-on-month in April. TreasuryOne’s André Cilliers told BizNews what impact a hike would have on the value of our currency. Cilliers also gives his prediction of the likely interest rate increase, and also looks at how our inflation rate compares to that of other countries. – Linda van Tilburg

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Jacob Zuma's presidency will be remembered for the wholesale looting of South Africa's fiscus by him, his family, his friends the Guptas, and the political party he led - but don't forget how close we came to indebting future generations with a Russian nuclear deal. The former President was hellbent on pushing the deal through despite National Treasury explaining we had no foreseeable way to fund it. Some very smart litigation by NGO Earthlife Africa ultimately scuppered the deal which the Energy Department was attempting to sneak through. In their new tell-all book, Nuclear: Inside South Africa's Secret Deal, Karyn Maughan and Kirsten Pearson make the minutiae of the R1tn nuclear deal with Russia understandable and digestible. The authors bring to life the narrative of those behind the failed nuclear project including interviews with Zuma himself, the former Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, and others. In this interview with Maughan, BizNews deputy editor Michael Appel seeks to better understand the dynamics behind the failed nuclear deal. Plus, an update on the current state of Zuma's arms deal corruption trial.

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In the latest episode of the Appel and Erin Show, the infamous Gupta-linked and corruption-riddled Estina dairy project in the sleepy town of Vrede is in focus. BizNews deputy editor Michael Appel and Advocate Erin Richards discuss how R280m in taxpayer money, paid to the Gupta entity in eight tranches, made its way through our financial system. According to the State Capture Inquiry, some 82% of the funds paid to Estina by the Free State Agriculture Department was laundered into Gupta shell companies. The funds were paid to Estina's FNB and Standard Bank accounts by the Free State government between 2012 and 2016.

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The State Capture Inquiry found facilities management group Bosasa engaged in industrial-scale corruption, paying hordes of government and ANC heavyweights tens of millions in cash bribes over 16 years to keep the tenders flowing. In part 2 of this explainer series on the third report released by the State Capture Inquiry regarding Bosasa-related evidence, it's all about who got what and the recommended actions they face. Some of the implicated remain in office and in positions of power. The Bosasa group was awarded government tenders to the value of over R2.3bn between 2000 and 2016, and engaged in widespread bribery to ensure government's tender stream remained constant. To listen to part 1 of this explainer series click here.

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10X CEO Tobie van Heerden and Gareth Stobie, his counterpart at CoreShares, join BizNews editor Alec Hogg to explain how having the two disruptors in a single unit will impact SA's investment market. Van Heerden, appointed six months ago to lead 10X, explains how the acquisition of CoreShares is the first step in an ambitious plan to dramatically scale the business into becoming the local equivalent of global giants Vanguard and Blackrock.

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This interview with Altvest chairman Koshiek Karan and director Warren Wheatley exposes a great deal about the disruptive newcomer with a mission to democratise private equity investment in South Africa. The duo celebrated AltVest's Cape Town Stock Exchange debut last week with the news that its first listing will be done and dusted by the end of May - with five more tabled at one a month until the end of the year. Reflecting on a hectic schedule which has taken AltVest from an idea to R50m listing in 18 months - and having to work through 2 000 potential partner companies - they shared their lofty ambitions with BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

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The Crypto Crash which has seen prices drop sharply in the past week, has shaken the confidence of many enthusiasts. Jaltech's Gaurav Nair, an actuary, is not among them. His advice: if you own cryptos because of an appreciation of how the blockchain will transforming financial services, then this is the worst time to sell. In this podcast with BizNews editor Alec Hogg, Nair explains that the Crash was the result of both broad economic issues (higher US interest rates, rising inflation) and some crypto-related developments. He's keeping the faith and says from their stoic response to the past week's turbulence, so are those who have invested in Jaltech's crypto basket.

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In episode 5 of the BizNews A-Plus Show, editor Alec Hogg and deputy Michael Appel share insights into the news you need to know from the week that was - Hogg on business and investments, Appel on news and politics. In focus this episode, a bloodbath on the crypto markets, Elon Musk's thoughts on Donald Trump's permanent ban on Twitter, and investment opportunities aplenty with AltX and Altvest. Then, a taste of what's to come from Karyn Maughan and Kirsten Pearson's new book Nuclear - Inside South Africa's Secret Deal. Lastly, in a country where 199 kids died of malnutrition in the first two months of 2022, the South African government plans to spend R22m on something called a monumental flag project.

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Since launching a decade back, Sydney-based fintech AltX has facilitated R35bn in mortgage loans for retail investors. The three relocated South Africans who created the company, built a platform that enables individuals to assume the role of mortgage-issuing banks, democratising a sector previously the preserve of financial Goliaths. In this podcast, AltX co-founder Nick Raphaely explains the nuts and bolts of the business to BizNews editor Alec Hogg; shares how it has achieved a zero bad debt record (hint: only first mortgage bonds + huge margin of safety); and unpacks why the internet-based platform makes it possible for investors anywhere who have R500 000, can acquire this low-risk asset that delivers a net yield of between 5% and 8% in Aussie Dollars.

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In the wake of the US Federal Reserve's 50 point interest rate hike, the most significant move in years, TreasuryONE strategist Andre Cilliers provides context on the recent volatility of the Rand - and offers guidance to SA importers and exporters on levels at which they should cover their risks. In this interview with BizNews editor Alec Hogg, Cilliers shares the advice he is offering to clients right now. And explains why the forex markets are currently all about US Dollar strength.

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