The Editor's Desk - Mon 19 Jan 2026: Mbeki’s load shedding revisionism — and today’s must-reads

It has been a wild 24 hours for the markets. In today’s BizNews Daybreak, host Alec Hogg breaks down the Rand's sudden plunge from R16.08 to 16.73 against the dollar and its partial recovery following Donald Trump's strike on Iran. We cover the geopolitical fallout, including Trump's pledge to escort…

In tonights BizNews Briefing: The war in Iran triggers a "flight to safety" and a looming R3.25 petrol price hike. Meanwhile South Africa's corporate giants remain surprisingly steadfast. Nedbank, Shoprite, and Discovery all reported robust earnings, with Discovery Bank notably swinging into profitability ahead of schedule. Plus, the construction sector…

Fears of a global war is one of the questions addressed by Col Sarit Zehavi, the founder of the Alma Centre, in this interview with Chris Steyn. "I don't see neither China nor Russia sacrificing themselves for the ayatollahs of Iran... And...I don't think that they will go against the…

Cy Jacobs, co - founder of 36ONE, shares insights on the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, its potential duration, and global market impacts. He explains rising oil prices, inflation risks, and how investors can protect portfolios through cautious equity selection, hedge funds, and rand-hedged assets. Jacobs also highlights South Africa’s resilient market,…

In today’s Editor's Desk episode, Alec Hogg explores a heavy-handed "mob-style" raid on Newcastle’s biggest remaining employer, where parliamentarians and armed police ignored biosecurity protocols in a fruitless search for illegal workers. We also dive into an exclusive Financial Times report revealing Iran’s long-term plan to weaponise global oil markets…