BizNews Radio

Ted Blom has been following the Eskom saga intensively for the last 14 years. In light of the recent explosion at the Medupi Power Station, Blom joined the BizNews Power Hour to discuss how the blast occurred. The Power Station - which was delayed and launched very recently - has sustained notable damage. The setback will not only be expensive (and take time to fix) but also has the potential to push SA into record-high load-shedding. Blom and BizNews founder Alec Hogg weigh in on the subject.

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Over half a million new businesses were registered in 2020, an increase of more than 30% from the previous year, according to Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) reports. This seems counterintuitive given the economic destruction that has been caused as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. John Dludlu, chief executive officer of the Small Business Institute talks about the hardships and pain experienced by many in the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) sectors in South Africa following the data released by the CIPC. Dludlu explains that many of these businesses are being opened due to pure desperation as many look to regain their livelihoods. Dludlu unpacks the tough operating environment experienced by SMMEs over the past twelve to eighteen months, with availability of funding and lack of government support a headwind for the sector.

Over half a million new businesses were registered in 2020, an increase of more than 30% from the previous year, according to Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) reports. This seems counterintuitive given the economic destruction that has been caused as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. John Dludlu, chief executive officer of the Small Business Institute talks about the hardships and pain experienced by many in the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) sectors in South Africa following the data released by the CIPC. Dludlu explains that many of these businesses are being opened due to pure desperation as many look to regain their livelihoods. Dludlu unpacks the tough operating environment experienced by SMMEs over the past twelve to eighteen months, with availability of funding and lack of government support a headwind for the sector.

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News headlines:

*South Africa faces a record year for power outages after an explosion damaged one of the state-owned electricity utility’s newest coal-fired generation units.

*South African business confidence fell to a nine-month low in July, after a week of deadly riots, looting and arson cost the economy R50 billion in lost output and imperiled at least 150,000 jobs.

*Former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has effectively swapped places with her replacement, Thandi Modise, with the ANC putting her name forward to take over as speaker of parliament.

News headlines:

*South Africa faces a record year for power outages after an explosion damaged one of the state-owned electricity utility’s newest coal-fired generation units.

*South African business confidence fell to a nine-month low in July, after a week of deadly riots, looting and arson cost the economy R50 billion in lost output and imperiled at least 150,000 jobs.

*Former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has effectively swapped places with her replacement, Thandi Modise, with the ANC putting her name forward to take over as speaker of parliament.

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In my opvolg gesprek met Etienne Roux van Truffle Batebestuur verduidelik hy hoekom hulle van Cashbuild hou.

In my opvolg gesprek met Etienne Roux van Truffle Batebestuur verduidelik hy hoekom hulle van Cashbuild hou.

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Steven Nathan, founder of 10X Investments, joined the BizNews Power Hour as co-host for yet another fantastic discussion on what's been in the headlines. Nathan, a resident of the Western Cape, provided insight into the Western Cape’s ability to survive on its own economically - a concern voiced by Roelf Meyer in the event that the Cape independence movement becomes a reality. While Nathan admits that the Western Cape is by no means perfect, he says that ‘certainly on a relative basis, it's an enormous standout’ compared to the rest of the country. Nathan also commented on the explosion which occurred at Eskom’s Medupi power station on Sunday, saying that ‘it just shows you why state-owned entities and government, for that matter, should play a much smaller role in the economy - because their ability to deliver is just not at the level of a private sector.’

Steven Nathan, founder of 10X Investments, joined the BizNews Power Hour as co-host for yet another fantastic discussion on what's been in the headlines. Nathan, a resident of the Western Cape, provided insight into the Western Cape’s ability to survive on its own economically - a concern voiced by Roelf Meyer in the event that the Cape independence movement becomes a reality. While Nathan admits that the Western Cape is by no means perfect, he says that ‘certainly on a relative basis, it's an enormous standout’ compared to the rest of the country. Nathan also commented on the explosion which occurred at Eskom’s Medupi power station on Sunday, saying that ‘it just shows you why state-owned entities and government, for that matter, should play a much smaller role in the economy - because their ability to deliver is just not at the level of a private sector.’

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News headlines:

*Power utility Eskom has confirmed that an explosion at unit 4 of Medupi power station on Sunday night caused "extensive damage" to the generator.

*There has been yet another delay for Jacob Zuma’s appearance in court for corruption charges, with the former president’s legal team requesting a postponement due to Zuma’s ill health.

*Sbu Shabalala, the founder and CEO of technology group Adapt IT, has resigned.