Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.
All the news you need to know in 90 seconds
Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and businesspeople from South Africa and across the globe.
In partnership with Discovery we produce a weekly podcast on Covid-19, offering a rational perspective on how the virus is impacting the lives of all South Africans. It will also house the latest news and insights on what was initially termed coronavirus. For more information on the virus - https://www.discovery.co.za/corporate/coronavirus-covid19-disease.
Rational Radio is the weekly business news show hosted by Biznews editor Alec Hogg. It runs for around an hour and features leading commentators from the investment and financial world, including regular guest David Shapiro.
http://www.biznews.com
Rational Perspective is Alec Hogg's regular podcast.
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BizNews Radio


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Steven Nathan's hasty 10x exit: Who believes the Old Mutual spin?
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This week index-tracking pioneer 10X Investments announce the sudden departure of its founder, Steven Nathan. Old Mutual-appointed chairman Henk Beets hastily moved into the CEO’s office with the company spinning the exit as friendly. It said: “Steven was presented with an opportunity to sell his shares…..he decided the timing was right. It was an …
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Inside Covid-19

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Inside Covid-19: Vaccines - can your employer force you to get one? Legal insights
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Can South African employers impose mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies as a pre-requisite to return to work or as a precondition for employment? What happens if an employee refuses to wear a mask. We’ve got the answers to these questions and more on how Covid-19 has changed employment law in South Africa, with specialist Imraan Mahomed of law f…
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Taking stock: Naspers, Prosus, Tencent; Tesla; Montauk; Pick n Pay
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Justin Rowe-Roberts, who covers stocks for BizNews.com, shares his highlights on companies that caught the attention of investors during the week. In this episode, he picks up on Naspers and Tencent - and explains why the two companies have a big role in SA portfolios. SA-born Elon Musk is discussed, with some big investors taking profits by sellin…
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BizNews Radio


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Inside Covid-19: Vaccines - can you get fired if you refuse to get one? Legal insights
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Can South African employers impose mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policies as a pre-requisite to return to work or as a precondition for employment? What happens if an employee refuses to wear a mask, or an employer fails to implement mask-wearing laws? We’ve got the answers to these questions and more on how Covid-19 has changed employment law in …
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BizNews Radio


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Flash Briefing: Power cuts in SA; land expropriation unpacked; PnP CEO to retire
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Eskom implements four days of power cuts after multiple breakdowns. Pick 'n Pay's CEO, Richard Brasher will retire soon. De Beers has cut its buyer's club and Dr. Anthea Jeffery unpacks land expropriation without compensation.By BizNews
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BizNews Radio


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Economic 'euthanasia'? SA is heading for 'fiscal cliff', warns expert - a look ahead at 2021
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In a sobering assessment of the state of the South African economy, Marius Oosthuizen, an economics and leadership expert at the University of Pretoria's Gordon Institute of Business Science (Gibs), warns that the country has run out of money and politicians have run out of ideas. He explains why ANC policy is not working to generate the higher lev…
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Crypto assets: Next steps as South Africa prepares for regulation of Bitcoin, other currencies - FSCA exec
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South Africa is preparing to regulate crypto currencies like Bitcoin. In addition to protecting individuals, the new rules may pave the way for a mushrooming of products with crypto currencies as their underlying basket of investments. Brandon Topham, Divisional Executive for Investigations and Enforcement at the regulatory Financial Sector Conduct…
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BizNews Radio


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Banks set to turbocharge stock portfolios. Here’s why - SA’s top financial fund manager Kokkie Kooyman
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South African investment professional Kokkie Kooyman is probably the best financial sector analyst in the world. He knows every publicly listed bank and insurer. The Denker Capital global financial fund manager encouraged people to invest when the herd was stampeding away from stocks in 2020. Now, although markets have perked up, Kooyman believes b…
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Flash Briefing: AU secures 300 million vaccines; medical aid schemes and vaccination in SA; Brazil's trial manipulation
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The AU secured 300 million Covid-19 vaccines. Where do private medical scheme members fall in SA's vaccination schedule? The Wall Street Journal looks at Brazil's vaccine trial manipulation.By BizNews
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Chilling facts about land expropriation without compensation laws that President Ramaphosa has promised to push in 2021
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President Cyril Ramaphosa told the ANC at the start of the year that passing legislation to allow for land expropriation without compensation is a priority for the ruling party this year. It is move that would most likely deal a devastating blow to the already troubled SA economy because it will deter investment. Dr Anthea Jeffery, a legal expert w…
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WhatsApp, Facebook new privacy rules and what they mean for the future of social media - tech expert
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In the tech sector, nothing can be taken for granted. Remember the collapse of seemingly impregnable Netscape, MySpace, Napster and Blackberry? The ripple effect of Whatsapp’s new T&Cs - personal data will in future be transferrable between Whatsapp, Facebook and Instagram. In this podcast we speak to tech expert and futurist Pieter Geldenhuys, dir…
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BizNews Radio


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Cathie Wood, one of the best fund managers ever, shares investment insights - including on Tesla, what's next
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Cathie Wood's exchange-traded fund, the ARK Innovation ETF, surged by almost 160% last year, growing assets 10-fold—unprecedented inflows for an active fund of that type, notes The Wall Street Journal. She made concentrated bets on hot stocks such as Tesla, Roku, Square and biotechs and told an interviewer last month that she expects to nearly trip…
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Will the rich, high-income earners jump queue for Covid-19 vaccines? Medical scheme administrator on vaccine roll-out
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With South Africa in the eye of the Covid-19 storm, the pressure is on government to secure vaccines for mass vaccination - and fast. Earlier this week, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the roll out of vaccines would be in 3 phases, starting with health workers and moving on to people in crowded conditions, including prisons. So where do the individu…
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BizNews Radio


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Flash Briefing: Covid-19 vaccines in SA; J&J trial data submission; local oil refining capacity slashed
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South Africa's government announced that it secured 20 million Covid-19 vaccines, as lockdown is extended. Johnson & Johnson says local trial data will be submitted soon. And the country's oil refining capacity is cut by half until at least 2022.By BizNews
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What it's like being bullied by Santam - which is STILL trying to duck out of business interruption cover: hotel owner
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Santam has agreed to pay up to three months of business interruption cover but that's not the deal that was agreed when many of its clients signed up for the insurance. Meg Fargher, co-owner of 18-room five-star boutique hotel and fine dining establishment Budmarsh, in the Magaliesburg, has been fighting to preserve the jobs of more than two-dozen …
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15,000 in hospital, one in three surviving on oxygen - but when will vaccines arrive? CR explains plans to beat Covid-19
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The Covid-19 pandemic is at its most devastating in South Africa, with more than 190,000 coronavirus infections and more than 4,600 deaths since the start of the year. At least 15,000 people are seriously ill in hospital with roughly one third of these people on oxygen, says President Cyril Ramaphosa. In an update at the start of the week on nation…
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How to slash your tax bill, generate steady returns in SA's high-growth renewable energy sector
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A special venture capital vehicle, called a 12J, is a tax-efficient investment opportunity for high income earners. The Bright Light Solar 12J has the added advantage of underlying investments in renewable energy roll-out in South Africa. In this interview, Bright Light Solar's Kevin Shames explains the nuts and bolts of the investment opportunity …
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Flash Briefing: WBHO's Probuild buyer withdraws; Murray & Roberts; SA oxygen supplies strained
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Mixed fortunes in the construction and engineering sector, SA medical grade oxygen supplies take strain and Cartrack's share price takes a hit.By BizNews
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Flash Briefing: Land grab laws will be passed this year, CR tells ANC; global investor optimism; Bitcoin
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* Land grabs in SA are back on the table, with ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa telling ANC members he expects parliament to approve an amendment to the constitution this year outlining the circumstances in which land may be expropriated without compensation.* President Ramaphosa has also repeated calls for officials accused of corruption to step down…
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SA's army of dirty, rich lawyers: fearless corruption-buster Paul O'Sullivan starts a war
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We’re talking about South Africa’s army of dirty lawyers in this BizNews podcast. Hundreds of SA lawyers are rich on the proceeds of crime - even ones who look respectable. But Paul O’Sullivan, Forensics for Justice founder, has a plan to bring many of them down. O’Sullivan has fought tirelessly to bring the corrupt and captured to book. He played …
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Starting a business on R350 a month: How a grant recipient became an entrepreneur
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Sonto Sithole tells how she has put her monthly R350 grant into starting a bakery business. A resident of Dawn Park in Boksburg, Gauteng, Sithole is now creating jobs through her business selling scones. This interview is sponsored by FirstRand. For more, visit the Good Hope section at BizNews.comBy BizNews
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BizNews Radio


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Taking stock: JSE powers up; Naspers, Prosus; Rebosis; Sasol
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Catch up on some of the highlights of the week on stock markets. In this episode of Taking Stock, BizNews journalist Justin Rowe-Roberts provides a snapshot of the overall performance of the JSE - which has outperformed last year in the first week of 2021. He shares the details of how Naspers has fared with Chinese tech stocks under pressure in the…
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BizNews Radio


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SA Reserve Bank eases exchange controls for loop structures - but there's a tax catch, warns expert
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This week the SA Reserve Bank released a circular in which it eased exchange controls connected to 'loop' structures. Dissecting the details for the BizNews community is Robyn Berger, a partner at Bowmans. A loop structure arises where a South African exchange control resident (individual or company) has an interest in a foreign structure and that …
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Inside Covid-19

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Inside Covid-19: SA variant - what it means for vaccine development, ending pandemic - Prof Madhi
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The South African variant of Covid-19 has changed the outlook for the way the coronavirus pandemic is likely to unfold - in South Africa as well as elsewhere. Scientists in South Africa say there is a "reasonable concern" that the new variant of Covid-19 sweeping across the country might prove to be more resistant to current vaccines being rolled o…
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BizNews Radio


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Inside Covid-19: SA variant of Covid-19 - how it changes vaccine race, coping with pandemic
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The South African variant of Covid-19 has changed the outlook for the way the coronavirus pandemic is likely to unfold - in SA as well as elsewhere. Scientists in South Africa say there is a "reasonable concern" that the new variant of Covid-19 sweeping across the country might prove to be more resistant to current vaccines being rolled out in the …
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Flash Briefing: Covid-19 vaccines on the way; medical insurers to subsidise 14 million shots; AB Inbev; MTN
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South Africa's government says 1.5 million Covid-19 vaccines have been procured for health workers. Medical aid schemes will cross-subsidise 14 million vaccinations. Zimbabwe's hospitals are buckling from a Covid-19 resurgence. MTN and AB InBev are both headed for legal battles.By BizNews
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BizNews Radio


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Bitcoin on the boil: What's next for crypto currencies
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The price of Bitcoin has been swinging wildly amid growing expectation that crypto currencies are set to become more mainstream. In South Africa, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority has invited comments, by the end of January, to its draft declaration aimed at introducing some regulation around trading in currencies like Bitcoin. Trading in digi…
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BizNews Radio


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Flash Briefing: SA leaders mull level 4 lockdown; India vaccine deal falters; PMI at 3 month low
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South Africa's Coronavirus council is reportedly discussing a level 4 lockdown. Government's deal with an Indian company for Covid-19 shots has been thwarted. SA's Purchasing Manager's Index is at a three month low.By BizNews
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BizNews Radio


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White Gold movie on muti-killings, albinism featuring South Africans heading for Oscars?
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The persecution of people living with albinism condition in South Africa has prompted British film-maker Luke Bradford to put a spotlight on the horrific crimes that are still taking place - in a short film called ‘White Gold’. This film, featuring prominent South African actress and albinism activist Refilwe Modiselle, is getting noticed. It premi…
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BizNews Radio


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Insights on SA's richest residents: where they live, what they studied, how they grew their assets - study
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Many of South Africa's wealthiest individuals have qualifications in law, says Andrew Amoils, an analyst who has been studying trends among the country's high net worth individuals for the best part of a decade. The New World Wealth founder says there are only five US dollar billionaires but the ranks of the mass affluent have swelled in SA. He als…
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Flash Briefing: SA govt. says discounted vaccine still too costly; Mondi goes to Turkey; Tiger Brands
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South Africa's presidency says discounted Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are still too costly. Plans are being made for private firms to pay to vaccinate the uninsured and Mondi will acquire Olmuksan Paper International in Turkey. Tiger Brands announces special dividend approval.By BizNews
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R2bn victory for ‘bullied’ small business owners against big insurers; but fresh claims pile up - Ryan Woolley, ICA
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Businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors are finally set to receive business interruption pay-outs after a long, ugly battle with the big insurers. There are more large bills in sight for Santam, Guardrisk, Hollard and other insurers as owners of businesses in other sectors join the fight. Ryan Woolley of Specialist public loss adjuster, I…
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Flash Briefing: Ramaphosa says Africa has few Covid-19 vaccine options; DA; Santam and Ma-Afrika
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President Cyril Ramaphosa says Africa has few Covid-19 vaccine options, the DA wants to compel government to disclose details of inoculation plans. Santam begins processing previously rejected Contingency Business Interruption claims but Ma-Afrika fight continues.By BizNews
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Battle over ETFs, exchange controls: what's really at stake - financial services expert Nerina Visser
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In October, the rules changed for Exchange Traded Funds by widening access to foreign investments - but the authorities back-tracked in November reportedly under pressure from big companies in the financial services industry that have a vested interest in maintaining exchange controls. The development was seen as a blow to savers in pension funds, …
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Flash Briefing: Medical fraternity calls for heads to roll as SA govt. defends Covid-19 vaccine procurement processes
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Members of SA's medical fraternity are calling for the axing of officials in Covid-19 vaccine delays as government defends its procurement processes.By BizNews
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A case of POPI with Okyerebea Ampofo-Anti and Emma Sadleir
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Two of the country's experts on the far reaching Protection of Personal Information Act unpack it for us - this has huge implications in a country where companies often play fast and loose with the private information of citizens. Our guests were:Okyerebea Ampofo-Anti: POPI expert and specialist in data protection, media and emerging technologies l…
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Helping you identify ways to build your wealth
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Helping you identify ways to build your wealth at Finance Friday noon. Craig Gradidge, founder of award-winning financial advice company Gradidge-Mahura in Johannesburg, and global financial markets specialist Fred Razak, of CM Trading.By BizNews
Investing offshore is in vogue - but there are many ways to develop a diversified portfolio. Independent financial advisor Dawn Ridler of Kerenga and Mike Brown, financial services entrepreneur behind etfSA.co.za - which provides lower cost index trackers - are our special guests.By BizNews
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BizNews Radio


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'We want out of SA' - 36% in Western Cape want independence, says poll #BestofBizNews
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The Cape Independence Advocacy Group is a political pressure group that is hoping to help separate the Western Cape from the rest of South Africa. BizNews founder Alec Hogg chats to co-founder Phil Craig about the viability of this breakaway.By BizNews
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Flash Briefing: UK approves AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine, MTI in liquidation and SA spectrum bidders announced
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The UK is the first country to approve the AstraZeneca- Oxford covid-19 vaccine. Icasa announces South Africa's broadband spectrum bidders. SA Bitcoin trading platform Mirror Trading International put into liquidation.By BizNews
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BizNews Radio


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Paul O'Sullivan: From Angela's Ashes to Crimefighter Extraordinaire #BestofBizNews
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BizNews founder Alec Hogg engages with Paul O'Sullivan, nemesis of the corrupt. In this half hour, O'Sullivan opens up about his Irish childhood that sounds a lot like that in Frank McCourt's classic Angela's Ashes to the reason why he has channelled the fruits of a successful business career into bringing the powerful to society's heel.…
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BizNews Radio


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Flash Briefing: SA enters level 3 Lockdown amid healthcare crisis and alcohol industry calls for revision of total ban
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South Africa is in an adjusted level 3 lockdown to curb Covid-19 as hospitals buckle. Meanwhile the alcohol industry calls upon government to review the ban of alcohol sales and consumption.By BizNews
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Meet "half pregnant" Yusuf Kajee - independent tobacco player with strong Zuma connection #BestofBizNews
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There were some memorable meetings during our UK sojourn from 2016 to May last year. One of them was this on-the-record interview with independent cigarette manufacturer Yusuf Kajee, owner of Pietermaritzburg-based Amalgamated Tobacco. Kajee, accompanied by business partner Paul De Robillard, expressed himself so freely that, at the time, publishin…
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BizNews Radio


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Chris Hart - the gentle giant still standing after targeted, ejected, mugged by mob #BestofBizNews
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Our guest in this episode is outspoken economist Chris Hart, a former science teacher who did a B Comm because he thought it would help when he was became a headmaster role. Instead, it was the ticket to a bank’s dealing room where he helped traders make a packet when contrarian forecasts that often beat the economic consensus. But the real story a…
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Flash Briefing: Trump signs pandemic aid package, Beitbridge crisis cleared and Naspers drags local index down
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Global markets boosted by Trump signing aid package. SA mulls alcohol ban. Beitbridge backlog cleared and Naspers sinks back to May lows.By BizNews
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Wits prof Guy Richards on potential Critical Care shortage; and kids back to school #BestofBizNews
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At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the worry was that health services would be overwhelmed. In Italy and New York, there was a time that the hospitals could not cope with the influx of critically ill patients, leading to difficult choices - who will be treated and who will die. In Wuhan and London, authorities have been able to respond quic…
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Willem Petzer - The fearless young voice of SA's beleaguered farming community #BestofBizNews
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As a result of his activism, young farmer Willem Petzer has rocketed to fame, becoming one of the loudest voices representing his community with, for instance, over 100 000 people having viewed his Youtube video on farm arson posted four days ago. He has more than 150 000 Facebook followers and around 50 000 subscribed to his Youtube channel. That'…
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SA braces for tougher Covid-19 rules; hospitals buckle; rugby boss Jurie Roux nailed for graft; China; hedge funds
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* South Africans are bracing for a tightening up this week of restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of a variant of Covid-19, which has pushed hospitals into crisis mode.* Health minister Zweli Mkhize has slammed the United Kingdom travel ban with South Africa last week after the arrival of the South African variant in Britain.* After a protract…
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How to improve your health, well-being in the era of Covid-19 - smart health coach Dr Kate
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Smart health coach Dr Kate discusses the extra challenges of trying to stay fit and healthy while living under the cloud of Covid-19. Health coaching has picked up in South Africa, with individuals seeking individualised, holistic plans that keep them happy and motivated to develop sustainable changes. This interview is proudly brought to you by dr…
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Magda Wierzycka, an entrepreneurial role model for all South Africans #BestofBizNews
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Meet Sygnia founder Magda Wierzycka, a visionary financial services entrepreneur whose story is an inspiration for all. A rags to riches story of penury in Poland when the country was a vassal to the Soviet Union, to a role model for anyone possessing the grit and determination to overcome the odds. Today Magda is living her dream - but in her word…