Are the youth of 2018 as bold as the youth of 1976 or is it a different fight and therefore the intensity of the fight is different? We touch on different issues, from 30% pass mark etc

Forty-two years ago, South African youth-led an uprising against the apartheid regime. The image of twelve-year-old Hector Pieterson dying in the arms of his fellow student after being hit by a police bullet came to symbolize the utter bankruptcy of a system that sought to make people of color servants to the twisted logic of racism. Hector was one of 566 children and youth who died at the hands of the state in this wave of protests. We remember Sam Nzima who so beautifully captured that moment. Sithi lalani ngoxolo maqhawe.

June 16th has since become a public holiday in South Africa and I couldn’t help but start reflecting on the significance of this day. As we watched on TV and listened on radio different commemorations, vigils and memorials being held at monumental places across the country, more especially at the Hector Pieterson Museum in Orlando, Soweto. I couldn’t help but wonder what our struggle is. The youth of ’76 fought for our liberation. They fought against the Bantu Education system that forced African schools to use Afrikaans as the language of choice.

Fast forward to South Africa in 2018… We see South Africa has a progressive constitution, modeled on our own, and a parliament, much like ours, where the work of progressively realizing the rights of children and youth takes place, for the most part, in a peaceful fashion.

Are the youth of 2018 as bold as the youth of ’76 or is it a different fight and therefore the intensity of the fight is different? We touch on different issues, from 30% pass mark etc

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Transformation and innovation is the name of the game and that is what inspires me about South Africa and the African continent. We all want to ultimately see the radical economic transformation in our continent. Undoubtedly, though faced with a number of economic challenges, Africa is becoming more resilient and is proving profitable for investments.

If Africa is to achieve a sustainable economic transformation, it cannot be by business as usual. It has to be business unusual. To start off with, the infrastructure spending in Africa is estimated to be between $130 -160 billion per annum.

To speak to us about where African investment opportunities collide with capital is Mychal Jefferson, Chairman Hamershlag Sulzberger Borg, and Saki Zamxaka.

1. What are the common investment trends that we are seeing in Africa right now?

2. With recent reports estimating that six hundred million people are without access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa, significant and sustained investment is required across Africa’s entire energy generation and supply value chain.

3. According to the African Development Bank, Africa had 168GW total installed capacity in 2016 of which 33GW was installed renewable capacity. Installed renewable capacity is expected to triple by 2025. Around $65-90 billion per year will be needed to achieve universal access to electricity across the continent. Whilst the opportunities for investment are clear, investors are often cautious. How do we investors choose the right country, the right technology and the right projects to choose to invest in?

4. Much of Africa still relies on foreign aid, despite economic growth in parts of the continent significantly outpacing the global average. Is foreign investment an easy fix for Africa’s energy needs?

5. What economic disparities exist in the continent that exploit African business and hinder growth as it should?

6. What makes Africa ready to compete

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The question we’re asking is how much pressure will the fuel hike put on consumers and the agriculture sector?

The announcement of the 82c a liter petrol increase that came into effect yesterday has really got South African consumers abuzz. This comes shortly after the 15% VAT increase that came into effect in April, which, of course, has already compromised budgets of many South Africans.

After Wednesday’s increase, South Africans can now expect to pay R15.79 per liter petrol in Gauteng, and R15.20 per liter at coastal cities. This increase is the highest it’s ever been in a post-Apartheid South Africa. While this is heavy on the consumer, the figures are more aggressive on the agricultural sector.

To help me delve on the impacts of this has on the consumers and the agricultural sector, I am joined on the line by Paul Makube, the Senior Agricultural economist at FNB Agri-Business.

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Africa Development Bank early this year review Africa's infrastructure deficit estimated to be approximately US$90b every year for the next decade, with spending needed for new investments as well as operations and maintenance of what is already there.

Highly attractive infrastructure and private equity investment opportunities abound in Africa, but foreign pension funds’ willingness to invest in the region will depend on a more stable political and regulatory environment, and the availability of local peers to collaborate and co-invest in projects. However, before we start galvanizing for foreign pension funds, we must look within first; The South African Pension fund sector alone is sitting on up to R4.8 trillion.

On this show, Soji Akinlabi hosted a roundtable discussion with major industry stakeholders in South Africa;

Ntlai is an Executive in the Client Coverage business unit of Standard Bank CIB.

Linda Mateza is the Head of Investment & Actuarial at the Government Employees Pension Fund, South Africa. She holds a masters degree in Finance and Investments from the University of the Witwatersrand, a Fellow of the Africa Leadership Initiative (South Africa) and a Member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Ndabe Mkhize, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst(CAIA)joined the EPPF on 1 July 2007.

Anne-Marie D’Alton is the Chief Executive Officer of Batseta. Batseta is a non-profit organization that promotes the interest of trustees and principal officers within the retirement industry.

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In conversation with Alvin Liew, COO - Monash South Africa and Andre Kruger Project Manager, Africa Investment and Integration Desk (AVID); on blended finance – an innovative tool which has been regarded as a disruptor within the financial services industry with regard to its complementary use of grant loans as well as a mixture of non-grant capital available in order to obtain the development needs and objectives that we have on the Africa continent – All whilst meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

Is it sufficient? Are we seeing the role of blended finance taking place on the African Continent and more importantly, how does it fit in when it comes to meeting our SDG needs and ensuring that efficient development takes place, keeping with the theme of financial inclusion for all.

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The disastrous listeriosis outbreak in South Africa is ongoing but hopefully resolved with the Dept of Health pinning Tiger Brands’ Polokwane processed meat factory as the likely source, but with testing out on some other possible culprits.

As of March 2018, a total of 948 laboratory-confirmed listeriosis cases from all provinces across the country were reported to NICD since January 1, 2017, with 180 deaths recorded so far.

Today we are talking about the socio-economic impact of this outbreak and I’m joined in studio by Warren Green from Global Pre-sales Executive at Cura Software Solutions. On the line, we have Chris Smith from DSC Attorneys.

Every scientific advancement known to man has been incorporated into its design. The operational controls are sound and foolproof!” This quote went on to become synonymous with one of history’s greatest failures to adequately assess risk: the sinking of the Titanic. A contemporary example of a poorly documented risk assessment process is the current water crisis in Cape Town, South Africa. With conversations about the longevity of Cape Town’s water beginning as early as 2012, how is it possible that Cape Town has become the first city in the world to run out of water? The simple answer to an incredibly complex problem is this: The strategy to prevent such a crisis was insufficient and poorly documented.

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Ethics is a key issue for both the private and public sector, instilling confidence in its stakeholders including, staff, customers, investors as well as the public. However, there are many instances of questionable ethics that have recently been highlighted, giving rise to the question of: how can companies protect their reputation and ensure that the organization is steeped in unwavering integrity?

We are experiencing a wave of scrutiny where ‘watchdogs’ are uncovering acts of corruption and fraud. Although listed companies are heavily regulated and are also answerable to their shareholders, most often it is considered that as long as an organization is generating a satisfactory profit, the ways and means it uses to do so are left relatively ungoverned.

It is often tempting for executives to leverage the likes of nepotism, connections, and bribery for personal gain. Greed is one of the largest motivating factors behind unethical decision making. However, the short-term gains to be had from such dealings lack long-term sustainability, and negatively impacts the business on the whole. Not only is an organization’s reputation on the line, for exposure would severely damage their credibility as a trustworthy institution, but their future sustainable growth is damaged, too, as hardworking employees bear the brunt of poor decisions.

Managers are typically chosen by the board to run the business in a sustainable, profitable - and ethical - manner. However, there is often a lack of clarity about what business ethics are that can lead to confusion over management’s responsibilities and where the limits of those responsibilities are.

The board has a judicial responsibility to take accountability for any identified unethical behavior and to take action accordingly. Managers found to be acting in their own interests should be held responsible and face the relevant disciplinary action.

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Many industry players attest that 2017 was generally a tough year for the South African property market. Although there were pockets of excellence, the market was subdued with low average house price growth. A lot of things affected the slump in the industry, including the obvious debate of the political instability and the credit ratings.

Property experts are optimistic about 2018 with the ANC’s elective conference over and a business savvy and investor-friendly President at its helm, the hope is that we will see more stability with regards to policy and personnel. We have already seen an improvement in the value of the currency and in business confidence and if this continues maybe the optimism won’t be in vain for the property market.

Today I’m in conversation with Sylvia Milosevic (Miloshivich) from Wealth Alliance and Richard Ramplin, Engineering Director at Shaba and Ramplin

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The beauty of traveling is that it not only opens your eyes but it also paints memorable pictures in your mind and leaves an edible mark in your heart. I think it’s really important to travel, especially on the African continent so you can have a better understanding and appreciation of who we are as Africans and to also understand and see the opportunities first hand, in order for us to take advantage of them and develop our continent. After all, as they say, 'travel enriches one’s mind, soul, and view of the world.

On the other hand, perceptions of Africa as a business destination have changed vastly in recent times and we are seeing more international travel into the continent, with the rise of the Middle East and Sub Saharan countries as destinations of choice.

Today we explore some of the trends we can expect to see in the travel and tourism industry this year and joining me for this conversation is Jan Van Der Putten, Vice President of Operations, Hilton for Africa & the Indian Ocean; and Kagiso Mosue, Corporate Communications Manager at the Tourism Business Council of South Africa.

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For months on end, there has been a lot of talk about where are African women leaders. Come to think of it, the world had its first elected female leader in 1960 and that was Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike. From there, we saw the next female president in 2006 when Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won the presidential election. Even more recently in 2015, Mauritius elected its first female president, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, who was elected through a parliamentary vote.

Out of the 190 world leaders, only nine are female. Even closer to home, out of the nine female heads of state and government that Africa has had, only these two secured an actual vote to lead their countries. The rest assumed their positions in acting capacities – which is probably why the fact that Africa has had up to nine female heads of state and government may be a surprise to many.

Then there was a case of Malawi’s first female president Joyce Banda, who assumed office in 2012 after the death in office of an elected president, Bingu wa Mutharika. By virtue of having been the vice president at the time, the Constitution of Malawi granted her the mandate to govern for the rest of the presidential term. And she only served for two years. Even though in the history of African women heads of states – this was the longest a female ever served in the presidential office. Yet in 2014 she failed to garner enough votes to stay in office.

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