In today's news headlines: * As the number of Covid-19 deaths heads towards 7,000, graphs produced by the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centre suggest South Africa is turning a corner. * Gold still has room to run, says Mark Mobius, one of the world's most respected investors in emerging markets. * The Financial Services Conduct Authority has got insurers to agree to make 'relief' payments to hospitality and leisure businesses in crisis as a result of the Covid-19 shutdown. * MTN is expecting to announce rosy profits. As a result, its share price gained more than 10% at the close of the trading week.

The Covid-19 virus, linked to a wildlife market in Wuhan, that has spread like a wildfire through the world, has thrust China’s live wild animal trade into the spotlight. Images of sick suffering pangolins and videos of live animals such as bats boiling in soup have outraged the world. It has prompted China to announce a ban on wild animal trade and the country has vowed to crack down on the illegal animal trade. Two experts on China, Professor Sergey Radchenko from Cardiff University and former South African Ambassador Gert Grobler told a Biznews Midweek Catchup webinar that they believe poor regulations in Africa is contributing to the wild animal trade. – Linda van Tilburg

BizNews founder Alec Hogg chats to Guy Chennells - the Product Head at Discovery Employee Benefits - about the risks of accessing your retirement funds to help you through this Covid-19 crisis.

You don't need to buy a Peloton to cycle the Tour de France at home. If you already have a bike, you can use that. Bad news: if you've never tinkered with your bike before, choosing the right accessories and installing the equipment can be intimidating. Here's how to set up an at-home smart exercise machine in a few simple steps.

In today's news headlines: * The President has announced changes to the school year and is sending many pupils back to school as South Africa soars up the global ranking of countries with the highest Covid-19 infection rates. * The restaurant sector is in ICU following a nationwide protest, which saw tables and chairs cordon off roads and thousands take to the streets. * The SA Reserve Bank has cut the repo rate.

Fighting corruption was a key theme in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation on Thursday. He has committed to taking a hands-on approach to taking action against theft and graft related to Covid-19 funds. and price-gouging. But he has sent many pupils home and announced that the school year will be extended, as South Africa rises up the ranking of countries with the highest Covid-19 infection rates. He did not lift the ban on alcohol and cigarette sales. President Ramaphosa said the government had made some mistakes but that it had “mobilised the whole of society” to fight the threat from Covid-19. He called on all South Africans to remain “strong, disciplined, focused and safe”.

Johann van Loggerenberg is no stranger to the underhand tactics of the all-powerful tobacco industry. In this podcast, Tobacco Wars author Van Loggerenberg chats to BizNews founder Alec Hogg about the influx of foreign transnational organised crime syndicates and their newly formed liaisons and new modus operandi and channels that they're setting up during this time of lockdown.

* Thousands of South African restaurant and bar owners placed tables and chairs on the streets outside their premises on Wednesday in a nationwide protest against lockdown restrictions that prevent them from selling alcohol or trading after 9pm. * Retail sales plunged 50% in April, says Statistics SA. * Not even a record rally can entice foreign investors to South African gold stocks. * The University of the Witwatersrand has appointed Maurice Radebe as the new Head and Director of the Wits Business School. * Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced a night-time curfew and other measures to tackle rising Covid-19 infections, though critics say these measures are linked to growing discontent over his rule. * End of an era as last Rivonia trialist, Andrew Mlangeni, has died after being admitted to hospital with stomach complaints. President Ramaphosa said: “The passing of Andrew Mekete Mlangeni signifies the end of a generational history and places our future squarely in our hands."

As we rapidly approach the peak of infections in South Africa, there are officially 381,798 positive Covid cases, with 208,144 recoveries and 5,368 deaths. SA's number of Covid cases per 100,000 people is growing at a higher rate than any other country in the world. However, as the global death toll continues to rise, our mortality rate remains one of the lowest. Ron Whelan explains why SA's numbers are so high, and what it will take before we see an improvement. - Claire Badenhorst

In episode 63 of Inside Covid-19, some sage advice for us to cement lower spending habits enforced through the lockdown; research by UCT Professor Corne van Walbeek confirms the cigarette sales ban delivered awful unintended consequences; great news from the human trials of Oxford University’s Covid-19 vaccine, which is also being tested in SA; and undeterred by coronavirus panic, Durbanites led by Servest founder Kenton Fine secure the R3.8bn acquisition of a venerable Dutch IT services group. - Alec Hogg

Professor Corné van Walbeek, director of the research unit of the economics of excisable products at the University of Cape Town, has been talking to smokers about South Africa's lockdown ban on cigarette sales. He says there's been a huge increase in the intensity of sharing of cigarettes - even though the government's ostensible reason for the ban was to prevent this. He also predicts that when the sales ban is lifted, the market is going to be in complete chaos. - Editor

In today's news headlines: * World is closer to a Covid-19 vaccine. * Two South African government ministers have been hospitalised for Covid-19. * SA stocks are set to snap back from the year’s losses, with Naspers pushing stocks back into recovery. * Zimbabwean journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono, has been detained by his own government, after speaking out against corruption. * The government will approach pension funds, private equity or other partners who might want a shareholding in a restructured SAA. * Bezos fortunes swell on Amazon success

Dr Despina Demopolous is an intensivist in an intensive care unit who has been working on the frontlines of the battle against Covid-19. She is full of praise for the her healthcare colleagues, who are working long hours as they struggle to find beds for ill patients. There's a strong sense from her of the famous South African "make a plan" mentality - but she also speaks of the terrible loneliness which can accompany the disease. And she is grateful for the ban on alcohol (even though she also likes a glass of wine). - Alec Hogg 

A user's guide to the top performing Biznews Share portfolio which has delivered its followers a 20% annual compound US Dollar return in the six years since launching in December 2014 with initial capital of $200 000. With a Warren Buffett-based holding period of "forever" (except where there's a fundamental change in the business) the outperformance of some stocks has made the portfolio lop-sided. This creates a dilemma for those wh have belatedly climbed aboard the offshore investing bus. Among them, Barry van Zyl, a Henley MBA and world class musician who wants to follow the Biznews share portfolio but is confused about how to structure his investment. In this special podcast, we get to eavesdrop as he poses questions to Alec Hogg, Biznews's founder who is responsible for managing the portfolio. In a sense, it's a user's guide to getting the best out of the portfolio - and the interactive monthly webinar updates for Biznews Premium members where Hogg ensures they're kept in the loop.

A deeply frustrated Duncan Heafield, owner of Bellezar Restaurant in Umhlanga, speaks to BizNews founder, Alec Hogg, about the bizarre state of affairs the hospitality industry has found itself in since the lockdown was imposed in March. Heafield has submitted claims against Santam, Old Mutual, Hollard and Guardrisk - referred to as 'the offenders'. All of these claims have been repudiated by 'the offenders' who are sticking to their guns that the lockdown was not caused by Covid-19, but rather that it was caused by the government. Having paid monthly premiums for business interruption insurance in excess of R8,500, Heafield cautions anyone considering taking up insurance to understand their policies very clearly and to ask the 'what if' questions. - Nadya Swart

David Shapiro, a closely followed stockbroker, and his long-time pal Alec Hogg, BizNews founder, pick up on the stock markets - in particular how best to catch a ride on any positive news and changes sparked by Covid-19. They discuss Covid-19 vaccine developments and how tech stocks that have benefited from the shutdowns are performing in the US.

Director at Werksmans and member of PANDA, the independent group of actuaries and professionals, on the latest mortality numbers for South Africa and the Press Council complaint lodged by Prof Boulle of UCT, who wants Biznews to apologise for publishing PANDA's supplied articles.

In episode 62 of Inside Covid-19 there's a glimmer of hope as the virus’ attack rate falls in the Western Cape and may be stabilising in Gauteng and the E Cape; an insider’s view of the frontline from ICU specialist Dr Despina Demopolous; we hear from the owner of a 500 seater restaurant who is one of 2,000 KZN businesses banding together to fight Santam on Business Interruption insurance; and an opportunity for South Africans looking for a previously unaffordable luxurious holiday in the bush as lodges look local to offset foreign tourist losses. - Alec Hogg

Welcome to BizNews Radio where we interview top thought leaders and business people from South Africa and across the globe.

In today's news headlines: * Financial services group Santam is at war with its clients, with anger growing over its refusal to pay up for business interruption insurance. * The Covid-19 vaccine in development by the University of Oxford is showing progress in the high-stakes pursuit to defeat the deadly disease. * Prosus, spun out of Naspers, has a competitor for the Ebay classified business, with Ebay reportedly nearing an agreement to sell its classified advertising unit to Norwegian online marketplace Adevinta ASA. * Shareholders in private schooling group Curro have voted in favour of a proposed R1.5bn rights offer. * Denel chief executive is to step down.

The tourism industry has been hit particularly hard by the Covid-19 lockdown. The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) has estimated that the industry is losing R748 million rand and that many jobs will be permanently lost. As South Africa’s border have been closed, no international tourists are allowed to enter. Amid this, entrepreneur Japie van Niekerk has launched, Cheetah Plains - which is aimed at the super rich. Van Niekerk told Linda van Tilburg that in the absence of foreign travellers, he is opening his lodge to locals at reduced rates to ‘keep the wolf from the door’ - but he is optimistic about the future. - Linda van Tilburg

Inflation is soaring above 700% in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwean dollar is in freefall, the stock market is suspended. Private companies are in the government firing line, with a threat to evict Old Mutual from the stock exchange and EcoCash at the centre of moneylaundering allegations. . Zimbabwean economist, Prof Tony Hawkins, and Africa Risk Consulting's Tara O’Connor pick up on whether President Emmerson Mnangagwa is secure. - Linda van Tilburg

Athi Mthongana shares how Covid-19 has affected her health, with broadcaster Tim Modise. She warns that there is a stigma attached to this virus.

In today's news headlines: * 5,000 people are reported as having died from Covid-19, but the figure is believed to be far higher in provinces like the Eastern Cape. * South Africans will be paying close attention to a Reserve Bank meeting on 23 July when the base rate may be cut, leading to a further chop in interest rates. * Prosus, owned by Naspers, has made a big play for EBay's classifieds business. * The Zimbabwe government has targeted a large mobile phone company, Econet Wireless, accusing it of money laundering. This follows a move to get Old Mutual delisted from the Harare stock exchange in connection with 'economic sabotage'.

As lockdown restrictions continue to grind away at South Africa’s economy – and daily life – many voices are challenging the government’s management of the crisis. Some – like the group of actuaries calling themselves PANDA – have taken aim at government models that overestimated the Covid-19 death toll. Others, like economists at Stellenbosch University, are highlighting the steep economic costs of government rules like the booze ban and appealing for more balanced policy responses. In this episode, BizNews editor Jackie Cameron and Felicity Duncan peel back the layers on the lockdown onion, looking at the new rules, the criticisms of government’s approach, and some of the factors that must be balanced to get Covid-19 right.