Bizskoops (English)

South Africa’s unemployment rate increased again, and many consumers need an average of 65 percent of their take-home pay for debt repayments. Professor Waldo Krugell talks about last week’s election and shares his proposed to-do list for municipalities. In international business news we hear that Nvidia is investigating its chief executive officer, and locally Pieter Wasserfall of Just Money talks about managing your daily household expenses. We concluded today’s show with a discussion about environmental, social and governance principles in business and talks to Carl Reynolds. He is the founder and CEO of Kudos One, an ESG assessment and advisory firm operating across Africa, the UK, and Europe.

On this week’s Bizskoops: National Treasury has a long-term plan to permanently remove South Africa’s fuel levies, while Fitch Ratings expects government debt to rise slightly. Economist Professor Waldo Krugell discusses lessons South Africa can learn from France about fiscal consolidation. In international business news, investors will scrutinise results from Amazon, Microsoft and Google this week for signs that massive spending on artificial intelligence is delivering returns. Pieter Wasserfall of JustMoney continues his discussion on rising fuel prices, and we conclude the programme with a conversation about local government, service delivery and coalition councils.

On this week’s Bizskoops: South Africa’s annual consumer price inflation (CPI) increased slightly to four-point-five percent last month, while Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has announced further fuel levy cuts to ease pressure on South African motorists and businesses. Economist Professor Waldo Krugell talks about China’s economy that grew and what the growth stands on. In international business news, SpaceX and artificial intelligence company Anthropic have announced major financial pledges amid growing scrutiny of AI’s impact on society, jobs and humanity. We conclude the programme with a discussion about the impact the strained relationship between the USA and SA have on the economy. We are joined by the Political and Economic analyst, JP Landman.

The International Monetary Fund has lowered South Africa’s economic growth forecast for 2026, while Tongaat Hulett is set to be delisted from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Economist Professor Waldo Krugell discusses key economic developments and indicators from the past few weeks, and we also begin a new series with Pieter Wasserfall of JustMoney, who unpacks the impact of rising fuel prices on businesses and households. In international business news, we look at how renewed concerns about competition in the artificial intelligence sector are affecting major chipmakers. We conclude with political and economic analyst JP Landman, who discusses Black Economic Empowerment and investment in South Africa.

On this week’s Bizskoops: The United States has pledged to strengthen its mining partnership with South Africa, while London-based money-transfer company Wise is preparing to expand its services in South Africa.

Economist Professor Waldo Krugell talks about the rand, the Medium-Term Budget and another fuel price increase.

In international business news, OpenAI has admitted that its response to a June cyber breach in Australia was not good enough, and locally, Santam’s market value jumped by almost 11 billion rand.

We conclude the programme with a discussion about sustainability. We are joined by Sashen Singh of Nedbank, who recently attended the ESG and Sustainability Conference.

On this week’s Bizskoops:

South Africans could face record fuel prices from next Wednesday, while three major South African retailers are changing their leadership.

Economist Professor Waldo Krugell talks about fiscal consolidation.

In international business news, OpenAI has decided not to release its latest GPT-6.1 Astra AI model, while the trade dispute between the USA and Canada continues.

We conclude our discussion about inflation with Pieter Wasserfall from JustMoney, and talk to political and trend analyst JP Landman about satellite internet services in South Africa and Starlink.

On this week’s Bizskoops: We talk about the latest inflation, and the Council for Medical Schemes has published its medical aid contribution increase guidelines for next year.

Economist Professor Waldo Krugell talks about South Africa’s foreign loans and if we should be concerned about them.

In international business news, Paramount Skydance has settled a lawsuit with a coalition of 12 US states.

We continue our discussion about inflation, with Pieter Wasserfall from JustMoney explaining what you can do to manage your debt and curb the impact of inflation.

The programme concludes with another interview as part of Edge Communications’ community campaign, 10 Years. 10 Businesses. 10 Stories. We are joined by Gené Pretorius of the company Maison Gené.

On this week’s Bizskoops, the South African government and the New Development Bank have signed a loan agreement to upgrade infrastructure supporting metropolitan municipal services, while SARS wants to build stronger relationships with taxpayers and tax practitioners.

Economist Professor Waldo Krugell talks about further financial pressure facing South African households.

In international business news, a Nigerian billionaire has launched Africa’s largest-ever share sale, and investors are becoming nervous about warnings surrounding AI.

We continue our discussion about inflation, with Pieter Wasserfall from JustMoney explaining what you can do to manage your food expenses better and curb the impact of inflation.

The programme concludes with another interview as part of Edge Communications’ community campaign, 10 Years. 10 Businesses. 10 Stories. We are joined by Marisa Worth of M Worth Attorneys.

On this week’s Bizskoops, Eskom plans to protect its revenue, while South Africa recorded a decline in gross domestic product in the second quarter. Economist Professor Waldo Krugell talks about the importance of yesterday’s GDP announcement.

In international business news, the trade war between Canada and the USA continues.

We continue our discussion about inflation, with Pieter Wasserfall from JustMoney explaining how fuel prices feed into inflation and, ultimately, household expenses.

The programme concludes with another interview as part of Edge Communications’ community campaign, 10 Years. 10 Businesses. 10 Stories. We are joined by Ettienne Zwart of AC and EZ Orthopaedics, a smaller, personalised orthotic and prosthetic practice in the Gqeberha Bay Area.

On this week’s Bizskoops:

According to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, South Africa has borrowed billions from nine international financial institutions since 2018, and South Africa’s manufacturing sector remained under pressure in August.

The economist Waldo Krugell discusses the exchange rate and fuel prices.

In international business news, the Bank of England Governor has warned the G20 about artificial intelligence, and locally, Pieter Wasserfall of JustMoney explains how inflation can have an impact on South African households.

We conclude the programme with a conversation with the chartered accountant Ted Maselesele of the African Credit Rating Association, ACRA. He unpacks some of the issues and pressures facing businesses.