BizNews Radio

In this in-depth discussion, Iraj Abedian, an Iranian-born entrepreneur who was a former UCT professor of economics and Standard Bank chief economist, shares an inside look at the dangerous geopolitical game South Africa is playing in cosying up to the most repressive regime on the planet. Abedian explains how Iranians, among the most civilised people on earth, ended up with their country run by religious nuts for whom women are legally worth half a man. Dr Abedian’s insights provide the context for asking serious questions about SA’s approach to the regime it invited into BRICs, the ANC’s former Foreign Minister, cell phone company MTN and South Africans generally. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Glynnis Breytenbach, the Democratic Alliance spokesperson for Justice and Constitutional Development, has called President Cyril Ramaphosa’s redeployment of the “deeply conflicted, deeply compromised” Justice Minister to another Ministry a “disgrace” and an “insult to the intelligence of all South Africans”. She fumes: “So for five months he sits on his hands and does nothing. Now in a late night sort of semi soft shoe shuffle, he moves her sideways to Human Settlements. Human Settlements is important…to millions of South Africans. Is he now suggesting that she's not okay as the Justice Minister because she's conflicted and compromised, but she's fine for the Human Settlement?” Breytenbach also tells viewers what she thinks of the new Justice Minister, and gives an update on the progress of her Anti-Corruption Commission Bill which has been opposed by MKP in Parliament. “Of course, I expected them to have concerns with it because if that legislation goes through, it will impact very directly on a lot of the MK members of Parliament and a lot of the members of their party in particular.”

This episode of the BizNews Briefing, hosted by Alec Hogg, takes a closer look at the Golden Straightjacket that has forced those behind political ructions in Tshwane to toe the financial line - and the implications for Joburg’s still ‘in denial’ governors; Rory Steyn explains the board takeover by the Comrades Collective, ensuring SA’s great ultra marathon is back in safe hands; and David Bacher on how he’s playing it now that the US stock market is at its highest ever relative to the rest of the world.

In an exclusive interview, Cilliers Brink, ex-mayor of Tshwane and current leader of the DA caucus in Tshwane, shares his insights on the challenges facing South Africa's municipalities. From coalition politics to financial discipline and Eskom debt settlements, Brink highlights the complex interplay of governance, political alliances, and public accountability shaping Tshwane’s precarious trajectory.