BizNews Radio
Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.
Covid-19 deaths up in WC, KZN; SA economy could shrink by 16%, take 7m jobs - Treasury; SA plans new SAA
In today's news headlines: * As South Africa’s lockdown restrictions were eased slightly at the weekend, many were out enjoying early morning exercise. But public health officials have urged vigilance on social distancing. At least 123 people had died of Covid-19 in South Africa by Saturday, with the highest number…
Here’s what it will take to get a Covid-19 vaccine this year
Covid-19 has highlighted the good, the bad, and the ugly. We’ve developed potential vaccines and started testing them in record time and launched an intense global response to the pandemic. At the same time, however, we can’t seem to make enough surgical masks or a reliable antibody test. In this…
AstraZeneca pushing ahead with millions of Covid-19 jabs from Oxford lab
In the race for a new vaccine against Covid-19, Oxford University’s Jenner Institute has emerged as the front runner among 90 institutions who are developing a vaccine against the virus. The Director of Oxford’s Jenner Institute, prof Adrian Hill told Biznews that the institute was able to move very rapidly…
It's all about zol - NDZ on tobacco ban; Comair trouble; Raphaely magazine empire collapses; Denis Goldberg tributes
In today's news headlines: * As Covid-19 lockdown eases from 1 May, a strict ban on tobacco sales remains in force, angering many citizens. Cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has defended the move, saying “the way tobacco is shared does not allow for social distancing,” and encourages the spread of the…
Eskom's VW moment - Chris Yelland on under-reporting carbon emissions
Has Eskom just experienced it’s Volkswagen moment - being caught out for under-reporting carbon emissions? Chris Yelland, the go-to guy on Eskom and all things energy related, has reported on a non-compliance notice that The Centre for Environmental Rights brought to light. Eskom, already fraught with loadshedding issues, has yet…
How lockdown is changing the dynamics of township families and informal economy - GG Alcock
South Africa's townships and the associated informal, Kasi economy have been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown. So the government announcement that the lockdown will be eased starting May 1 comes as a welcome relief for informal sector guru GG Alcock who warned at the beginning of the…
Inside Covid-19: SA's infections, deaths jump most in a day, peak only expected Sept; Wuhan revisited; Shiller. - Ep 27
In episode 27 of Inside Covid-19, SA's infections and deaths increase by the most in any 24 hour period as the exponential growth in the virus starts taking hold. We feature a wide ranging interview with Dr Jonny Broomberg, CEO of Vitality Health International, who says the data from all…
Level 4 lockdown updates: Exercise 6-9am; exports allowed after 70,000 submissions but 'ciggies' rebanned
More details have been released of the regulations that will be gazetted for Level 4 of the lockdown by Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Zuma said that the government received 70,000 submissions, more than 800 came from the business sector. She said most of the submissions were from people asking that exercise…
Meet SA-born sleep specialist Hugh Selsick - Busting myths about insomnia
The constant bad news about Covid-19 and the fear that the virus with a serious sting in the tail could affect the people you love, is leading to anxiety and many sleepless nights for many of us. If you were a bad sleeper; the worries about the coronavirus could make…
It's back to school as 2,000 people recover from Covid-19; SA tax collection nightmare; Govt to rescue Land Bank
In today's news headlines: * The Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize announces that 2,000 people have recovered from the Covid-19 virus and about 90 people of the 2,800 people have died. And the Education department has unveiled the details of the phased return of pupils to schools from next week;…
Covid-19 situation in SA is bleak but not without hope - Prof Alan Whiteside
Prof Alan Whiteside is becoming one of the Covid-19 go-to-guys. He began his career as a freelance journalist, evolving it to eventually becoming Director and Professor at HEARD, the Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division. Years of extensive work on HIV and AIDS around Africa gives him an insightful perspective…
From ESG to Sasol to why people like to buy into Elon Musk - David Shapiro
The Covid-19 pandemic has taken many victims, but there are also winners, and market analyst David Shapiro is certainly upbeat about the markets at the moment. Looking among others at Sasol's performance this week Shapiro admits that you really can't explain markets, and although bouncing from very oversold positions, he…
Is there a better time to invest offshore? An exchange with Arran Kerkvliet
The most recent memory I have of the South African Rand falling through the floor against the British Pound was sitting at Newlands cricket stadium. The Proteas were playing against the English, and all the Barmy Army could sing about was '1 pound, 1 pint'. Fast forward and the currency…
Mr. Gold on Krugerrands and investing in the yellow metal
The gold price hit its highest level in eight years this week, so is now the time to invest? On the one hand the sage of Omaha Warren Buffett says "it (gold) doesn't do anything but sit there and look at you." But gold is like any investment circle, it…
Inside Covid 19: Overcoming dilemma of staff using public transport; Three lost years, 2m jobs for SA economy - Ep 26
In episode 26 of Inside Covid-19, how to address the public transport dilemma with Friday's lockdown easing; an economist explains how Covid-19 will effectively mean the SA business activity stands still for three years; an update on vaccines and a warning from Prof Alan Whiteside; an update, too, on widely…
UIF pays out R3bn; Net1 company in bankruptcy fight; Pepkor 'fleeces poor' - court; Land Bank hits StanChart
In today's news headlines: * The Unemployment Insurance Fund has paid out just over R3.3bn ($177.3m) to people whose work and income have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic; * Net1, listed on the Johannesburg and Nasdaq markets, is seeking bankruptcy protection in court for its subsidiary Cash Paymaster Services,…
Inside with Chris Bateman: When Covid-19 and chemotherapy potentially collide
The deadly threat of Covid-19 multiples when one's immune system is compromised, such as the three million HIV infected individuals not on ARV’s. But a double whammy is in store for those cancer patients who are undergoing chemo-therapy. Not only does chemo kill the white blood cells, whose job it…
Rational Radio 28 April, the full show: David Shapiro on Sasol; GG Alcock, Prof Whiteside and Chris Yelland
In this week's episode of the Rational Radio show David Shapiro takes a look at Sasol in the wake of the move to ESG and the low oil price; GG Alcock explains why the easing of lockdown in townships came not a minute too soon; From the UK, Prof Alan…
Inside Covid-19: Level 4 toolbox for businesses; Chris Bateman's story; HSRC: How SAs have been hit - Ep25
Episode 25 of Inside Covid-19 is dominated by the easing of lockdown restrictions dominates; we have a moving discussion from Biznews colleague Chris Bateman who explains why being infected with Covid-19 is a likely death sentence for himself and other immune suppressed people; also the HSRC report on what the…
Buoyant Boris Johnson bounces back from 'invisible mugger' as UK keeps lockdown
While many of the large economies are tentatively starting to phase out their lockdowns, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is back in office after he recovered from Covid-19 says he does not want to throw away the sacrifices Brits made to fight this 'invincible mugger' and won't open up…