BizNews Radio

In this morning’s episode, we lead with the Trump administration’s massive 172-million-barrel oil release as conflict in the Strait of Hormuz continues. From the BNC#8 stage, Rob Hersov delivers a blunt warning on South Africa’s geopolitical positioning, arguing the country has "chosen the losing side" in a reset world order. Dawie Roodt joins the conversation to explain why the Reserve Bank's shift to a 3% inflation target is sparking capital inflows and a stronger Rand. Plus, we look at Meta’s plan to deploy four generations of custom AI chips to challenge Nvidia’s dominance.

Tonight’s BizNews Briefing opens with new US Ambassador Brent Bozell’s candid message from BNC#8, urging reciprocity and warning that policy uncertainty and geopolitical alignment choices shape investor confidence. We then run through a results-heavy market update led by Harmony, Rainbow Chicken and OUTsurance. Bloomberg follows with Ed Yardeni’s bullish gold call — $6,000 this year — before Sean Peche’s Wealth Building tip: focus on risk management, diversification and “getting rich slowly”.

Today’s Daybreak covers the IEA's historic proposal to release 182 million barrels of oil as "Operation Epic Fury" intensifies with over 5,000 US strikes inside Iran. From BNC#8, US Ambassador to South Africa Brent Bozell warns that American patience with South Africa is running out, while Eskom Chairman Mteto Nyati labels the nation’s 1.6% GDP projection a "survival rate" rather than true growth.

Oil prices swing sharply as President Trump signals the Iran war could end “very soon”, with markets watching for a peace off-ramp, potential strategic reserve releases and safer passage through the Strait of Hormuz. We then track pockets of strength in South African results from Absa, Attacq and Weaver Fintech. UBS’s Adrian Zuercher says the main macro “transmission” from the conflict is through energy prices, before 36ONE’s Cy Jacobs shares a Wealth Building tip: stay defensive and don’t be brave in uncertain markets.

In his first public address since arriving in South Africa, new US Ambassador Brent Bozell delivered a candid keynote that mixed optimism about the country’s economic potential with sharp warnings about the direction of bilateral relations. Speaking to the BizNews Conference audience and later in a short Q&A with Alec Hogg, Bozell praised South Africa’s entrepreneurial depth, financial sophistication and strategic importance to Washington, while arguing that policy uncertainty, BEE-related ownership requirements, expropriation fears, rural safety concerns and Pretoria’s alignment with adversaries such as Iran are undermining investor confidence. He pointed to major recent US investments by Visa, Google, Microsoft and Amazon as proof of America’s long-term commitment, but stressed that stronger ties will depend on reciprocity, clearer rules and a more level playing field. His core message: the US still sees South Africa as a potentially important partner, but patience is wearing thin and the moment calls for candour, reform and renewed non-alignment.