The Alternative Breakfast

GUEST Marcus Botha - Head of Corporate Tax Consulting at BDO and was previously the South African Leader of Tax Reporting & Strategy (TRS) at PwC and Head of Tax Risk at one of the big four banks. He has extensive experience in tax strategy, tax related internal audit, governance and enterprise risk management.

The scrapping of South Africa’s proposed VAT increase from 15% to 15.5% has been met with relief by consumers and businesses alike. Initially introduced in the 2025 National Budget to help plug a R58 billion deficit, the reversal spares households—especially low- and middle-income families—from further financial strain amid rising living costs. Businesses benefit from avoiding system overhauls and pricing adjustments, although some now face the cost of reverting premature changes. While legal complexities remain around the timing of the reversal, the government’s message is clear: the VAT rate will stay at 15%, at least for now

Guest: World Wide Fund for Nature- CEO Morné du Plessis

A fierce legal and environmental battle has erupted over plans by Patrice Motsepe’s African Rainbow Capital (ARC) to mine phosphate within the boundaries of the ecologically vital West Coast National Park. The Kropz Elandsfontein mine, majority-owned by ARC, seeks to access phosphate deposits in land that conservationists say is critical to biodiversity and protected under international environmental agreements. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has accused Kropz of sidestepping legally mandated biodiversity offsets and undermining conservation laws. The case raises profound questions about mining in protected areas, corporate accountability, and the cost of sacrificing nature for economic gain

Jud Cornell mentor to Ukwanda Puppetry 

Prof. Martin Wiegt - Professor of Mathematics in the Mandela Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences at the Nelson Mandela University

Dr. Khosi Jiyane – Clinical Psychologist 

Maphoka 'Puky' Ramokoatsi, Director of Programmes.at Kick4Life Foundation

Gugu Zondi, Manager: Integrated Catchment Management at Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo

Guest: Sophila Motsumi - founder of Otsile Bokamoso (translation: the future is bright)

Our next guest started an after-school support organization after volunteering at a primary school and noticing the pupils were struggling with reading and writing. Her organization opened its doors in 2018 with the aim of helping Grade 1 to Grade 3. The organization has helped 2000 learners so far and employed four people to help their work in the town of Dealesville, Free State. In 2023, her organization received support from the Letsatsi Solar Park Trust and they have committed to help combat early school drop-outs in the small farming town. To tell us more, we are joined by... 

Guest: Hannelie Warrington-Coetzee is a Johannesburg-based visual artist and honorary research fellow at the Global Change Institute, University of the Witwatersrand.

Our guest today is Johannesburg-based visual artist and honorary research fellow at the Global Change Institute. Her work blends environmental science with socially engaged art, focusing on site-specific interventions in public and natural spaces. Driven by a deep respect for nature, she uses reclaimed industrial waste and nature-based solutions to explore ecological innovation. Coetzee’s collaborative practice connects communities, landscapes, and unlikely partners—human and non-human alike. Her recent projects, including the Alexandra River Creature Series, reflect her commitment to co-learning, empathy, and environmental action through art. Her work continues to resonate globally through exhibitions and residencies.