Business News Leaders

On the Covid Frontline

As of 16 July, South Africa has a total of 324 221 confirmed Covid-19 cases. A the release of a ground-breaking study into the effects of the lockdown on livelihoods revealing that some 3 million South Africans have lost their jobs. With that Michael Avery goes to the frontlines of…

17 Jul 2020 2AM 16 min

DA serves Mboweni with legal notice to stop bailout of SAA

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has served finance minister Tito Mboweni with legal notice, challenging any disbursement of public funds to SAA using his “emergency” powers. Business Day TV caught up with Geordin Hill-Lewis, the DA’s shadow minister of finance to discuss this in more detail.

16 Jul 2020 2AM 4 min

How can SA have an economy that works for everyone?

Colin Coleman, senior fellow at Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs has released a ten-point action plan to grow an inclusive South African economy. He joined Business Day TV to unpack his latest proposal.

16 Jul 2020 2AM 8 min

Digital dreams versus reality

For governments looking to drive economic recovery after the pandemic, supporting digital competitiveness will be key. But as Eskom struggles to keep the lights on, labour rages against potential job losses and while we await the auction of high frequency spectrum, five years late, the question remains how prepared we…

16 Jul 2020 2AM 24 min

Will government extend Covid-19 tax relief measures?

Businesses and individuals affected by the Covid-19 pandemic are anxious about what will happen after the loan deferment and interest waivers expire at the end of this month. Government may have to come out with more measures and further extend the timelines to help taxpayers comply with the statutory norms…

15 Jul 2020 2AM 6 min

A convergence of economic recovery plans

The country seems to be swimming in economic recovery plans and policy documents that propose ways to rebuild an economy devastated by years of mismanagement and now a global pandemic. Where do all these plans converge, where do they differ and what are the keys to unlocking their potential? Michael…

15 Jul 2020 2AM 28 min

Will the Sarb cut interest rates?

Inflation has eased to a near 16-year low, coming in at 2.1% year-on-year in May. This is far below the South African Reserve Bank's target band of 3% to 6%. But is the slowdown enough to prompt the bank to cut interest rates again? Business Day TV caught up with…

15 Jul 2020 2AM 4 min

Will the liquor industry be able to recover from the alcohol sales ban?

The liquor industry has warned that government's decision to ban the sale of alcohol will lead to serious economic consequences, placing hundreds of thousands of livelihoods at risk. Business Day TV discussed this in detail with Lucky Ntimane from the National Liquor Traders Council.

15 Jul 2020 2AM 7 min

Mining output recovers from record low

South Africa's mining output recovered from a record low in May with production ticking up 44% month-on-month. The improvement is due to government's decision to ease Covid-19 lockdown restrictions to level four during the period as this allowe​d more producers to come back online. On an annual base, however, output…

14 Jul 2020 2AM 4 min

What can banks do to avoid loan defaults when Covid-19 relief ends?

South African banks are looking for ways to avoid defaults when Covid-19 debt relief measures come to an end. Many institutions have given customers in good standing relief on loans during the pandemic. But some clients are still in trouble and the situation could get worse as unemployment spikes. Business…

14 Jul 2020 2AM 8 min

Preparing for your retirement during Covid-19

According to the 2019 Alexander Forbes Member Watch, South Africans need to contribute 17% of their income for 40 years to retire comfortably on 75% of their final pensionable salary. The frightening reality from the 2019 Member Watch analysis shows that the average replacement ratio at retirement is only 26.2%…

14 Jul 2020 2AM 26 min

Is the banking sector at risk of rising defaults?

South Africa's big banks are mulling over what can be done to avoid defaults when pandemic relief comes to an end. Business Day TV spoke to the Banking Association of South Africa's Managing Director, Bongiwe Kunene for more detail on the plans.

14 Jul 2020 2AM 5 min

Why have tech stocks survived the Covid-19 storm?

The grouping of tech stocks known as FANGAM were going strong even before Covid-19 but behavioral shifts during the pandemic have lifted the tech sector even higher. Business Day TV touched base with V​ictor Mupunga from Old Mutual Wealth for more insight.

13 Jul 2020 2AM 6 min

How to build financial immunity

Can a 'side hustle' be the start of a new beginning, or a supporting boost, at the very least? Michael very speaks to ​René Grobler, Head of Investec Cash Investments; Nic Haralambous, ‘Side Hustle’ author and keynote speaker; & Dr Adrian Saville, Professor of Economics, Finance and Strategy at GIBS.

13 Jul 2020 2AM 28 min

What can be done to save South Africa's economy?

Business for South Africa has released a blueprint for how the country can avoid an economic crisis. The proposals focus on how infrastructure, among other programmes, can help revive the economy. Business Day TV caught up with Martin Kingston from Business For South Africa to unpack the plan in greater…

13 Jul 2020 2AM 8 min

FSCA says insurers must pay out Covid-19 BI claims

South Africa's financial services regulator has come out strongly against insurers who have refused to pay claims related to the Covid-19 pandemic. The body has stated that the National Lockdown cannot be used by any insurer as grounds to reject a claim because such conduct goes against the principles of…

13 Jul 2020 2AM 7 min

Covid rescue plan for private practitioners

In the public healthcare sector, general taxes fund the system and healthcare worker salaries get paid regardless of whether patients show up for services. Not so in the private healthcare sector. The Covid-19 outbreak means people aren't seeking out care. Michael Avery discusses plan on the table to help ease…

10 Jul 2020 2AM 26 min

Why economists urge MPs to reject Mboweni's budget ​

The Institute for Economic Justice has described finance minister Tito Mboweni's supplementary budget as ‘uninspired’ because it lacks detail on how government plans to fix the country’s social issues. Business Day TV spoke to the Co-director of the Institute for Economic Justice Gilad Isaacs about their latest efforts to get…

10 Jul 2020 2AM 7 min

Print media: will Covid burn the boats?

Legend has it that when Cortes landed in Mexico in the 1500s, he ordered his men to burn the ships that had brought them there to remove the possibility of doing anything other than going forward into the unknown. Has Covid ushered in a similarly decisive moment for traditional print…

9 Jul 2020 2AM 25 min

Is Life Healthcare ready for the Covid-19 storm?

The COVID-19 storm that Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has been warning about has finally arrived. The country has surpassed the 200 000 infection mark with not enough hospital beds to cater to the need. Business Day TV spoke to Charl van Loggerenberg, General Manager of Emergency Medicine at Life Healthcare…

9 Jul 2020 2AM 8 min