BizNews Radio
Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.
From ESG to Sasol to why people like to buy into Elon Musk - David Shapiro
The Covid-19 pandemic has taken many victims, but there are also winners, and market analyst David Shapiro is certainly upbeat about the markets at the moment. Looking among others at Sasol's performance this week Shapiro admits that you really can't explain markets, and although bouncing from very oversold positions, he…
Is there a better time to invest offshore? An exchange with Arran Kerkvliet
The most recent memory I have of the South African Rand falling through the floor against the British Pound was sitting at Newlands cricket stadium. The Proteas were playing against the English, and all the Barmy Army could sing about was '1 pound, 1 pint'. Fast forward and the currency…
Mr. Gold on Krugerrands and investing in the yellow metal
The gold price hit its highest level in eight years this week, so is now the time to invest? On the one hand the sage of Omaha Warren Buffett says "it (gold) doesn't do anything but sit there and look at you." But gold is like any investment circle, it…
Inside Covid 19: Overcoming dilemma of staff using public transport; Three lost years, 2m jobs for SA economy - Ep 26
In episode 26 of Inside Covid-19, how to address the public transport dilemma with Friday's lockdown easing; an economist explains how Covid-19 will effectively mean the SA business activity stands still for three years; an update on vaccines and a warning from Prof Alan Whiteside; an update, too, on widely…
UIF pays out R3bn; Net1 company in bankruptcy fight; Pepkor 'fleeces poor' - court; Land Bank hits StanChart
In today's news headlines: * The Unemployment Insurance Fund has paid out just over R3.3bn ($177.3m) to people whose work and income have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic; * Net1, listed on the Johannesburg and Nasdaq markets, is seeking bankruptcy protection in court for its subsidiary Cash Paymaster Services,…
Inside with Chris Bateman: When Covid-19 and chemotherapy potentially collide
The deadly threat of Covid-19 multiples when one's immune system is compromised, such as the three million HIV infected individuals not on ARV’s. But a double whammy is in store for those cancer patients who are undergoing chemo-therapy. Not only does chemo kill the white blood cells, whose job it…
Rational Radio 28 April, the full show: David Shapiro on Sasol; GG Alcock, Prof Whiteside and Chris Yelland
In this week's episode of the Rational Radio show David Shapiro takes a look at Sasol in the wake of the move to ESG and the low oil price; GG Alcock explains why the easing of lockdown in townships came not a minute too soon; From the UK, Prof Alan…
Inside Covid-19: Level 4 toolbox for businesses; Chris Bateman's story; HSRC: How SAs have been hit - Ep25
Episode 25 of Inside Covid-19 is dominated by the easing of lockdown restrictions dominates; we have a moving discussion from Biznews colleague Chris Bateman who explains why being infected with Covid-19 is a likely death sentence for himself and other immune suppressed people; also the HSRC report on what the…
Buoyant Boris Johnson bounces back from 'invisible mugger' as UK keeps lockdown
While many of the large economies are tentatively starting to phase out their lockdowns, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is back in office after he recovered from Covid-19 says he does not want to throw away the sacrifices Brits made to fight this 'invincible mugger' and won't open up…
BCG trials to see if it's a shield against Covid-19 not just a shot in the dark - Prof Andreas Diacon
Stellenbosch University Professor Andreas Diacon is launching a 500-person clinical trial aimed to determine whether the BCG vaccines are indeed a shield against Covid-19. The trial involves revaccination of BCG that's been universally applied in South Africa since 1973. Numerous reports have pointed out a correlation between infection rates for…
Bank crisis: Why every Saffer should hope the Land Bank is rescued - Futuregrowth analyst
The Land Bank, a South African state entity, is in trouble, warning in late April that it might default on payment. Not as well known as the big listed retail and commercial banks, the Land Bank is a vitally important national institution as it props up the commercial agriculture sector…
SA starts getting back to work as it moves from lockdown to Covid-19 curfews, lifts tobacco ban; Land Bank rescue plans
In today's news headlines: * With less than 90 deaths from the deadly Covid-19 virus as of the weekend, South Africa will start to lift the lockdown at the end of this week - and shifts to curfews; * The government will allow sales of winter clothing, bedding and heating…
As lockdowns lift, China shows the world what comes next
China was the first place to roll out a coronavirus lockdown and today, it’s the first place to try and resume normal life. But as lockdowns lift in hard-hit Wuhan and Hubei province, life is anything but normal. In this episode, which features content from the Bloomberg Businessweek podcast, we…
1.5 million people expected to return to work as economy starts to open - Minister Ebrahim Patel
Details were presented this weekend by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Ebrahim Patel on how the government plans to reopen sectors of the economy with strict safety measures in place on the 1st of May. It includes: - The full opening of agriculture, forestry, fishing, horticulture and the transport…
Combined fiscal and monetary policy interventions amount to R800bn - Tito Mboweni
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni provided more detail today of the R500bn package of economic measures that were announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa which are aimed at addressing challenges that the economy face which has been hit hard by the Covid-19 outbreak and a recent credit rating downgrade by Moody's. In…
Tapping into Covid-19 UIF payments as time runs out - what employers say
Earlier this week President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s (UIF) special Covid-19 benefit had paid out R1.6 billion by close of business on Tuesday, assisting more than 37 000 companies and 600 000 workers. There’s a different story from employers and unions who say there are logjams…
Inside Covid-19: Level 4 from May; BCG clinical tests Monday; UIF pays 30%; Chilling view from ICU frontline. - Ep 24
In episode 24 of Inside Covid-19, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa lays down the post-lockdown rules; a 500 person clinical test on BCG vaccines kicks off next week; 75 000 people contribute R2.6bn into the Solidarity Fund; low but rapidly growing UIF disbursements; and a chilling end to the episode…
SA to ease Covid-19 restrictions, lifts ban on cigarette sales; Trump to help SA; Dis-Chem gouging
In today's news headlines: * South Africa has decided to start easing Covid-19 containment restrictions as the number of deaths reaches 75. Lockdowns will ease in a phased manner and will vary between provinces, and a ban on cigarette sales will be lifted; * President Donald Trump has pledged to…
The 5-steps: Lifting lockdown in phases from 1 May - President Cyril Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the lockdown of the country to contain Covid-19 will be eased in phases. Presently the country is in Phase 5 and in the first step on the 1st of May, Phase 4 will be implemented during which some economic activity will be allowed with…
Providing data to home schoolers that can't afford it - Alan Knott Craig
The transition from classroom education to home schooling can be easy if you have internet access. One of the Biznews contributors Anton Roux related how his daughter’s day has not changed much during the Covid-19 lockdown as she sits down in front of her laptop for lessons until the school…