BizNews Radio

Abax Investment’s co-founder Anthony Sedgwick sheds light on Impala Platinum’s bid to take over mid-tier miner Royal Bafokeng Platinum (RBPlats) in a deal that values the precious metals producer at R43bn. Abax, along with several other large asset managers, has sold just under 25% of the business to Impala for R150 per share, in a part-cash, part-share deal. Competitor Northam Platinum recently acquired a 33% stake from RBPlats’ largest shareholder, Royal Bafokeng Holdings, which was valued at R17bn for a consideration of R180.50 per share. Interestingly, Abax is a shareholder in both Impala and Northam and Sedgwick gives us an idea of what this new consolidated mining asset could mean for both parties. 

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South Africa’s favourite market commentator David Shapiro sheds light on the chaos in markets following the outbreak of a new Covid-19 variant, Omicron. Discovered by South African scientists, this variant is supposedly more transmissible despite those infected only having mild symptoms. The mania sent equity markets into freefall and was especially damaging to leisure and hospitality companies. Shapiro says the new variant is of little concern and the markets are likely to blow this over. However, Shapiro does raise the alarm bells for investment returns in 2022. After three consecutive years of near 30% returns, he says global indices will do well to beat inflation, with valuations currently elevated. 

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Elsabé Klinck, a former legal advisor to the SA Medical Association, picks up on a thorny issue for freedom-loving South Africans – the proposed (by business groupings) introduction of mandatory Covid-19 vaccination. The one-time senior lecturer in the Department of Constitutional Law at Free State University (and co-author of Employment Equity Law and International Human Rights Standards) spoke to veteran medical journalist Chris Bateman.

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In this episode of the BizNews Power Hour the author, thought leader and political analyst Jakkie Cilliers of the ISS updates the prescient forecasts in his 2017 book Fate of the Nation - and looks ahead to the 2024 National Elections; the SA Medical Association's former legal advisor Elsabé Klinck shares the law on proposed mandatory vaccines; David Shapiro on the impact of Omicron; and researcher/author David Williams shares conclusions from his work on PRASA - and what might be behind the shock ejection of its recently appointed CEO.

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News headlines:

*The near-global ban on travel to and from South Africa over fears of the Omicron variant has left the local hospitality industry reeling.

*International investors in the rail sector in South Africa have threatened to disinvest from the country because of “the mess” at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).

*South African Airways' chosen strategic equity partner, the Takatso Consortium has confirmed that the due diligence process to buy a 51% stake in the state-owned flag carrier is now complete and no material issues were identified.

Scenario planner Dr Jakkie Cilliers, who heads the Institute for Security Studies, a leading African thinktank, revisits his superb 2017 treatise and finds the projections are holding up well. In this interview with BizNews.com's Alec Hogg he discusses the age of coalition politics ushered in by SA's recent Local Elections; the emergence of Action SA; how the DA and IFP are likely to become "regional parties" and what lies ahead in the National Elections of 2024 and 2029. Powerful insights from a thoughtful commentator.

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Former deputy editor of the Financial Mail, David Williams, wrote a fascinating report for the Brenthurst Foundation in which he unpacked the mess at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA). In the report – 'Why there are so many trucks on the road and so few trains on the tracks' – Williams discussed some of the necessary steps that must be taken to restore a once safe and efficient rail system. Williams spoke to BizNews founder Alec Hogg about the critical situation at PRASA and what he reckons the government should do to revive the problematic public entity.

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In hierdie potgooi gesêls ek met Etienne Roux van Truffle Batebestuur oor Bidcorp, die internationale JSE-genoteerde voedeldienste maatskappy.

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Counterpoint’s Piet Viljoen talks all local and international topical investment-related matters, with the value fund manager giving insight into some of his most-loved investments. Furniture retailer the Lewis Group and investment holding company Sabvest are discussed; both in the news for all the right reasons. Lewis released a solid set of results, which sent its shares on a tear, as the retailer continues to gain market share among several other tailwinds. Sabvest, led by shrewd capital allocator Chris Seabrooke, announced it would buy back its own shares, a corporate action used to increase shareholder value. Clothing retailer Mr Price is also discussed at length, with all the clothing retailers emerging out of the pandemic stronger amid healthier than expected consumer demand. 

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In this episode of the BizNews Power Hour we meet the polished new head of South African horseracing Fundi Sithebe, the new broom sweeping away the antagonism of bankrupt Phumelela's past; Piet Viljoen takes a look at the latest financial results and reflects on some "twigs" in his investment bundle; and Media specialist Jeremy Maggs discovers why Accenture bought into Advertising, and interviews the CEO of Grey, SA's Advertising agency of the year.

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