BizNews Radio

Described as magnificent and inspiring by esteemed voices across the world, the Cape Town Opera is an institution Capetonians and South Africans alike can be proud of. The winners of the 2013 International Opera Awards ‘Chorus of the Year’, it is the continent’s premier opera company and one of SA’s largest permanent non-profit performing arts organisations. Joining me to discuss the business side of the organisation is Alex Gabriel, Managing Director.

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In this episode of the BizNews Power Hour, a second insert in two days from Dr Frans Cronje, this time focusing on what the Polls are telling us will happen in SA's November local elections; Joburg's ANC Mayor Mpho Moerane shares his plans for the city going forward - should he retain the position; Investment heavyweights Piet Viljoen and Jean-Pierre Verster shares their insights; and in a special insert from our partners at the Financial Times of London, chief international writer Gideon Rachman travels to America to interview Yale Prof Paul Kennedy for insights into how the global superpower confrontation - US v China - is likely to pan out.

In this episode of the BizNews Power Hour, a second insert in two days from Dr Frans Cronje, this time focusing on what the Polls are telling us will happen in SA's November local elections; Joburg's ANC Mayor Mpho Moerane shares his plans for the city going forward - should he retain the position; Investment heavyweights Piet Viljoen and Jean-Pierre Verster shares their insights; and in a special insert from our partners at the Financial Times of London, chief international writer Gideon Rachman travels to America to interview Yale Prof Paul Kennedy for insights into how the global superpower confrontation - US v China - is likely to pan out.

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News headlines:

* South Africa has recorded a daily average of just 637 new Covid-19 cases over the past week. The last time the country saw levels of infection this low was during the early stages of the pandemic in May 2020.

* Scientists around the world are closely tracking a descendent of the highly infectious Delta variant that has been found in both the UK and the US.

* Hours after announcing it had reached a landmark wage agreement with striking sector workers, Seifsa postponed a media briefing on the matter, saying a new date and time would be announced.

News headlines:

* South Africa has recorded a daily average of just 637 new Covid-19 cases over the past week. The last time the country saw levels of infection this low was during the early stages of the pandemic in May 2020.

* Scientists around the world are closely tracking a descendent of the highly infectious Delta variant that has been found in both the UK and the US.

* Hours after announcing it had reached a landmark wage agreement with striking sector workers, Seifsa postponed a media briefing on the matter, saying a new date and time would be announced.

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Counterpoint money manager Piet Viljoen talks us through what was a busy week for local and international markets. Viljoen – rational as always – talks highly of Bernard Swanepoel, a decorated mining executive who was recently appointed to the board of debt-laden construction company Aveng. He believes Swanepoel’s in-depth mining experience will be invaluable to Aveng as the mining industry is one of its primary drivers of revenue. The global energy crunch is also discussed, with Viljoen bullish on counters within the sector owing to constrained supply as a result of underinvestment in the industry. The different investment styles, such as growth vs value investing, is also touched on, with Viljoen outlining that there is more than one way to skin a cat when managing money.

Counterpoint money manager Piet Viljoen talks us through what was a busy week for local and international markets. Viljoen – rational as always – talks highly of Bernard Swanepoel, a decorated mining executive who was recently appointed to the board of debt-laden construction company Aveng. He believes Swanepoel’s in-depth mining experience will be invaluable to Aveng as the mining industry is one of its primary drivers of revenue. The global energy crunch is also discussed, with Viljoen bullish on counters within the sector owing to constrained supply as a result of underinvestment in the industry. The different investment styles, such as growth vs value investing, is also touched on, with Viljoen outlining that there is more than one way to skin a cat when managing money. 

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One of South Africa’s leading asset managers Jean-Pierre Verster shared insight into South Africa’s food retailers from an investment angle. The big four food retailers – Shoprite, Woolies, Spar and Pick n Pay – are some of the country’s most well-known brands. Pick n Pay was the first retailer to announce results following the July riots, with the unrest and associated costs negatively affecting its bottom line. Verster notes that a higher inflationary environment will hurt food retailers, leaving those with competitive advantages and pricing power better positioned to profit in the future. Spar’s international expansion is discussed, with it having diversified into rather unknown territories. Lastly, Verster explains he is struggling to find value given the lofty valuations in the sector.

One of South Africa’s leading asset managers Jean-Pierre Verster shared insight into South Africa’s food retailers from an investment angle. The big four food retailers – Shoprite, Woolies, Spar and Pick n Pay – are some of the country’s most well-known brands. Pick n Pay was the first retailer to announce results following the July riots, with the unrest and associated costs negatively affecting its bottom line. Verster notes that a higher inflationary environment will hurt food retailers, leaving those with competitive advantages and pricing power better positioned to profit in the future. Spar’s international expansion is discussed, with it having diversified into rather unknown territories. Lastly, Verster explains he is struggling to find value given the lofty valuations in the sector.

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Mayor Mpho Moerane has been in office since the beginning of October after the deaths of his predecessors Geoff Makhubo and Jolidee Matongo. The newly appointed mayor has been open about his wishes for the city of Johannesburg and as local government elections draw closer and closer, Moerane remains dedicated to fulfilling his duty. In a recent interview, he outlined multiple initiatives and plans that he has or will implement despite the short time before local government elections. From bolstering the electrical supply in Johannesburg to improving law enforcement, Mayor Moerane has promised to do as much as he can for the city. Despite the litany of issues that plague Johannesburg, Moerane remains optimistic these issues can be remedied.

*Image published courtesy of joburg.org.za