Classic Business

Johann Els, chief economist at Old Mutual Investment Group & Meryl Pick, head of equity research at Old Mutual Investment Group

Dr Oscar van Heerden, scholar of International Relations & active fellow of the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflections

The US election hasn't been this close since Grigualand West beat Northern Transvaal in the Currie cup back in 1970 11/9. US President Trump came out fighting after his Democratic challenger Joe Biden told supporters he believed he was 'on track to win' the US election. Giving a speech inside the White House, Donald Trump said he believed results to be a 'fraud on the American people' and stated 'we will be going to the US Supreme Court. We want all voting to stop'. He told supporters, 'we were getting ready to win this election. Frankly, we did win this election,' adding: 'this is an embarrassment to our country.' In response, Biden's campaign manager said: 'The president’s statement tonight about trying to shut down the counting of duly cast ballots was outrageous, unprecedented, and incorrect. It was outrageous because it is a naked effort to take away the democratic rights of American citizens.' Michel Avery speaks Professor Richard Calland, Associate Professor in Public Law, University of Cape Town, and a Founding Partner in political risk consultancy, The Paternoster Group, & Brooks Spector, retired US diplomat to Africa and East Asia; Johan Els Old Mutual Investment Group Chief Economist, and Meryl Pick, head of equity research at Old Mutual Investment Group about a remarkable US Election.

Wayne McCurrie, portfolio manager, FNB Wealth and Investments & Martin Harris, premium client manager at IG SA

Professor Alex van den Heever, chair in the field of Social Security Systems Administration and Management Studies at the Wit's School of Governance & Mike Schussler, head of economists.co.za & Nick Hudson, CEO of SANA Partners and part time coordinator of Panda

Prof Anton Harber, adjunct professor of journalism at the University of the Witwatersrand

Peet Seerfontein, market analyst and strategist at Unum Capital

Aneria Bouwer, partner in the SA Tax Practice at Bowmans

Rob Towell, portfolio manager at Sasfin Securities & Murray Gunn, head of global research @Elliott Wave International

With the US election entering squeaky bum time Michael Avery unpacks the foreign policy stakes for South Africa and Africa. The African Growth and Opportunity Act is up for renegotiating in 2025 and one would want the winner to start new talks yesterday, especially considering the African continental free trade complicates things. To think we began 2020 supposing the US presidential election would be the foremost news event of year. How quickly Covid 19 changed all that. Despite some predicting a blue wave a month ago, the U.S. election has tightened further over the last week, making it harder to call. Opinion polls in the most competitive states that will decide the election have shown a closer race, still favouring Biden slightly though. Avery speaks to John Stremlau Honorary Professor International relations Wits; Brooks Spector retired US diplomat in Africa and East Asia; & Warwick Lucas, Chief Investment Officer at Galileo Capital. It’s worth recalling Hitchens here that “The only people truly bound by political promises are the voters who believe them.”