The nappy law of politicians and the futility of tariff wars
Government is always looking for money to take rather than money to make, says entrepreneur Mark Barnes in this discussion over the news of the week with Daily Maverick editor at large Tim Cohen. Which leads us to the delicate issue of the Nappy Law of Politics - and business, as it happens. With the GNU on the brink (again!) over the budget, we discuss its successes and failures, and the futility of tariffs. But why, then, are they so popular? See nappies above.Production and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro.
Music & Design by Bernard Kotze.
Created by Mark Barnes, Tim Cohen, Bernard Kotze & Branko Brkic.
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20:56
What is the (diplomatic) state of brand SA?
In this episode entrepreneur Mark Barnes and Daily Maverick editor at large Tim Cohen discuss branding - and that's not the kind you do to the cow. How important are brands (very), how do you work out what a brand is worth (complicated), and most importantly, how is Brand South Africa doing? (Even more complicated). Conclusion: SA’s brand has taken a knock, but it's holding up, and potentially could be a lot better. How? Listen up.Production and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro.
Music & Design by Bernard Kotze.
Created by Mark Barnes, Tim Cohen, Bernard Kotze & Branko Brkic.
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20:29
SA sources of capital are (expletive deleted)
Let's get some things straight. There are only three (expletive deleted) sources of capital; debt, tax, and foreign investment. Well, actually there are more, but as entrepreneur Mark Barnes and Daily Maverick Editor at Larger Tim Cohen discuss, these are the main three, and SA needs to focus on the third because SA’s debt is too high and its taxes too onerous. We also discuss diplomacy and swearing; you might not think the two go together, but they do.Production and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro.
Music & Design by Bernard Kotze.
Created by Mark Barnes, Tim Cohen, Bernard Kotze & Branko Brkic.
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22:14
We are 100 podcasts old, but let's have a budget for the youth
SA’s Government of National Unity is trying to get its budget passed for the second time this week, but there is something missing in the mix: growth. Entrepreneur Mark Barnes and Maverick Editor at Large Tim Cohen discuss the lack of transformative projects and - since our podcast is now over a century old - how age plays into the process of a growth mentality. Also, Johannesburg.Production and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro.
Music & Design by Bernard Kotze.
Created by Mark Barnes, Tim Cohen, Bernard Kotze & Branko Brkic.
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20:45
The new world (dis)order: is that an iceberg we see?
Like much of the world, entrepreneur Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen were mesmerised by the Oval Office showdown between US president Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy which ended in name-calling, finger pointing, and no deal. It's tempting to extrapolate too far, but it's clear a rift has developed between the post-war diplomatic reality. In this podcast we discuss this issue and how it affects South Africa, particularly our delayed budget discussions. TL;DR - self-sufficiency is the new global watchword.Production and Editing by Tevya Turok Shapiro.
Music & Design by Bernard Kotze.
Created by Mark Barnes, Tim Cohen, Bernard Kotze & Branko Brkic.
South Africa