BizNews Radio

In this edition of BizNews Daybreak for Friday, 9 January 2026, Alec Hogg breaks down the market-moving stories you need to win the day. A massive deal is back on the table as Rio Tinto and Glencore revisit a potential mega-merger. We also feature insights from "The Big Short" legend Michael Burry, who joins author Michael Lewis to warn of an overheated stock market and share a bearish take on high-flyer Palantir. Closer to home, David Shapiro explains why South African companies are stuck in "survival mode" and argues that fixing basic infrastructure matters more than new government white papers.

From Brian Joffe to Raymond Ackerman, South Africa once produced business giants who shaped the economy. David Shapiro argues they have been replaced by spreadsheet managers, over-regulation and compliance paralysis, and explains what that loss means for growth, risk-taking and the country’s future.

Tomorrow, The National Freedom Party (NFP) plans to formally announce its withdrawal from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government of Unity. In his reaction, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) leader in the province, Francois Rodgers, tells Chris Steyn: “…if the NFP are all about service delivery…and building a province, why would they take this particular approach? There seems to be something more sinister behind it… We rather see a grabbing of power.” Should the NFP now form a coalition with former President Jacob Zuma’s MKP and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), they would have 40 seats and cause a hung legislature. “So if the MKP and the EFF and the NFP decided they weren't going to support budgets or anything, you wouldn't be able to pass budgets. And ultimately…you’d get to a point where they'd have to have…fresh elections…” In a bid to prevent this, the DA is currently engaging with “all of our existing partners”, the African National Congress (ANC), the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), as well as the NFP. As for the rumour that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla resigned as an MP because she covets a starring role in KZN, Rodgers says: “…the MK party is a bit of an Nkandla Stokvel that looks after family members. So I wouldn't be surprised if this was the ultimate goal… we will do everything in our power as the Democratic Alliance to ensure that the fiscus is protected from any further looting as we've seen in the past by Jacob Zuma."

In this exclusive members-only episode, legendary author Michael Lewis sits down for a rare, long-form interview with the man who inspired The Big Short: hedge fund manager Michael Burry. Known for his deep aversion to the media, Burry breaks his silence to mark the 15th anniversary of the financial crisis and discuss why he is once again betting against the market.

In today's Editor's Desk, Alec Hogg discusses the "higher purpose" Andy Mothibi brings to the NPA and reunites with market legend David Shapiro to track down South Africa’s missing business titans. From the broadcasting "dungeons" of the 90s to a modern reality check on the Ozempic weight-loss craze, we explore why there is truly no free lunch in politics, markets, or health.