BizNews Radio

South Africa stands at a political crossroads. In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Frans Cronje unpacks the fragile future of the GNU, coalition chaos ahead of local elections, ANC infighting, and the economic risks of a radical policy shift. From Johannesburg’s crumbling infrastructure to the resilience of South Africa’s private sector, Cronje argues voters are becoming more pragmatic while politicians remain trapped in ideology. He also weighs the prospects of Patrice Motsepe, warns of possible “balkanisation,” and explains why the country may still avoid total collapse.

In today's BizNews Daybreak, we highlight progress on a US-Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, shifting crude oil prices, a paused US arms sale to Taiwan, and a massive Russian hypersonic missile attack near Kyiv.

In South Africa, Lauren Evanthia argues that a true 39% voter turnout in 2024 reflects systemic collapse and a lack of hope, urging an end to party politics.

Meanwhile, Helen Zille warns that the DA needs an outright majority to fix Johannesburg, fearing another fragile, multi-party coalition driven by jobs and tenders.

In this edition of the NdB Sunday Show, hosted by Chris Steyn, Lauren Evanthia, the founder of the Organic Humanity Movement (OHM), analyses Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie’s unwavering support for President Cyril Ramaphosa in a GNU that “it is really held up by toothpicks at this moment…in a last ditch effort to try hold some semblance of normality so our economy doesn't completely crumbles”; former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen’s performance in Parliament; why his party is at “a little bit at a crisis point” and have “reached the maximum capacity of support”; continuing chaos at former President Jacob Zuma’s MKP with MP Papa Penny off to Floyd Shivambu’s new party; and the apparent support among blacks on social media for FF Plus Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald. Questioning the accuracy of the latest crime statistics, Evanthia also comments on the armed invasion this weekend at the home of former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor. “I think when things like this happen to people in power, are they going to wake up and actually do something? History says no...” Meanwhile, she warns that the murder of two tourists in the Kruger National Park - the first in its history - is bound to be a huge blow to much needed tourism.

A young South African filmmaker is heading to Hollywood after her one‑take student film, Ongeluk, rose above more than 8,400 global entries to secure a place in the 2026 Sony Future Filmmaker Awards. Centurion’s Talita Brits, 24, will join four other finalists in Los Angeles for a week of masterclasses at Sony Pictures Studios ahead of the gala ceremony on 11 June. Brits told BizNews about the chaos of shooting a high‑stakes, low‑budget film in a single take and why she gravitates toward stories that push audiences to confront uncomfortable ethical choices. Her next project, part of her honours research at the Open Window Institute, explores one of filmmaking’s most sensitive challenges: how to portray suicide responsibly. She hopes her work will help young people speak more openly about mental health, depression, anxiety and cyberbullying.

Helen Zille says Johannesburg’s crisis is far worse than she imagined, warning the city faces financial collapse, crumbling infrastructure, and coalition chaos. In this wide-ranging interview, she outlines her plan to restore water, electricity, roads, and investor confidence while exposing deep governance failures, corruption, and “last lap looting” inside the metro. Zille argues only a DA majority can deliver stability and prevent Johannesburg from sliding further into dysfunction.