Disgraced Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste was never a Rob Rose fan. For years, the investigative journalist was on Jooste's case, going back to a 2011 investigation into Jooste by SA Revenue Services. He wisely questioned where others merely accepted. So when the ponzi scheme blew up, Rose went even deeper into the Steinhoff muck, delivering his best-selling Steinheist book even before the company's own forensic report was concluded by a 100-person team at PWC. Rose filled in much of the jigsaw puzzle, but was appalled that the bulk of what was uncovered by PWC was not disclosed. Steinhoff's board only releasing an 11 page summary, keeping the meat of the biggest corporate fraud in SA history under wraps. Immediately after PWC's report was concluded in March last year, the Financial Mail launched a legal challenge to get the full document into the public domain. Steinhoff responded in court last week. In the latest episode of Rational Radio, Rose provides an update on the process, explaining why the court action matters so much. - Alec Hogg

In today's business news headlines: * As the South African economy continues to take strain, companies have warned of job losses. The IT sector and chrome businesses are among the latest to lay off people; * The International Monetary Fund has adjusted its growth forecast for South Africa for 2020 and 2021 downwards; * Goldman Sachs has received approval to launch a bank in SA; * SAA is still flying, even though the government has missed its deadline to provide a fresh financial injection; * As the world's elite gear up for their annual gathering in Davos, it has emerged that a special clean fuel for planes is being laid on to put paid to flight-shaming; * It was an exciting ride for palladium investors at the start of the week.

The lack of tech-focused opportunities on the JSE rather than anything to do with politics is pushing SA's favourite market commentator into the offshore investing camp. In the latest episode of Rational Radio, David Shapiro unpacked why he is going offshore in a big way this year. He also explained the sharp rise in Richemont's share price and why he is a fan of Davos.

In today's business headlines: - The Government is accelerating the sale of state assets to fund cash-strapped South African Airways and other distressed state-owned companies; - Unions are angry about the proposal to cut 3,000 jobs at Telkom; - ANC decision-makers met over the weekend to discuss how to deal with the ailing state-owned enterprises; - Finance Minister Tito Mboweni will lead the South African Davos offensive in Switzerland and has indicated that he would be flying the structural reform flag; and - South Africa ranks 77th out of 82 economies in a social mobility study and fared even worse in job opportunities and education quality.

In today's business news headlines: - The South African Reserve Bank unexpectedly cut its benchmark interest rate to 6.25%, which is the lowest level in four years after slashing forecasts for inflation and economic growth; - South African Airways has put some of its aircraft up for sale to accommodate the new Airbus A350-900s the airline recently added to its fleet and says it has nothing to do with the business rescue process; - Telkom is in talks with 3,000 of its employees over potential job cuts as it contends with falling sales in its landline business and a weak local economy; - Palladium has zoomed past the $2,300 per ounce level and continues to defy all expectations; - A member of the Botin family from Santander Bank has been imprisoned and given a heavy fine for taking a Picasso painting out of Spain on a yacht.

Almost six years into his tenure as the group's CEO, Prosus boss Bob van Dijk is getting used to living in the spotlight - and attention the media gives his personal financial affairs. But whatever your views on what he is paid, as you listen to this wide ranging interview there can be little doubt the man recruited by his precedessor and now Naspers chairman Koos Bekker is delivering the goods. Van Dijk (47) who was poached from eBay in 2013, has a unique grasp on the way the technology world is going. This is informed by a global perspective shaped not only by watching developments from the west but also through close collaboration with the group's Chinese partners, dominant players in the world's most populous market. Prosus shares have underperformed since their high profile listing in Amsterdam last year, but those taking the long view will take plenty of confidence from this in-depth discussion.

In today's business news headlines: - Business Day reports that South African Airways could suspend flights as soon as this weekend if the R2bn from the National Treasury that it pledged to fund the business rescue process at the airline does not materialise; - South African retail sales beat estimates and grew the most in seven months in November as Black Friday boosted trade; - The government has appointed Professor Malegapuru Makgoba as the interim chair of Eskom. Meanwhile, Eskom has taken the energy regulator to court demanding higher tariffs; - The Zondo commission into state capture has asked to extend its work until the end of the year; and - South Africa has made the list of the top 20 up-and-coming economies compiled by US News. The list of movers is the result of a global survey on countries’ economic potential.

Money manager Jean Pierre Verster discovered a few years ago that local is not always lekker when it comes to making money out of shares. His Protea Capital's offshore hedge fund generated over 20% after fees in US Dollars last year. In this interview he explains the logic behind each of the five global stocks he selected in an article published in last week's Financial Mail. The five which Verster reckons will do well for investors in 2020 are Hong Kong-listed Meituan-Dianping; UK-listed Ferguson Plc; Norwegian company Salmar; Aussie-listed A2 Milk and the Toronto market's Air Canada. Fascinating stories to each of them and with South Africans now able to invest into offshore stocks with ease, the opportunity is obvious. - Alec Hogg

In today’s business headlines: • Eskom will be the “death knell” for South Africa’s mining industry unless the government enables mines to produce their own electricity; • President Cyril Ramaphosa said land distribution must be finalised in 2020 and has asked business leaders to present solutions to redistribute land to the majority blacks and take up the issue of land reform more seriously; • An appeal by insurer Old Mutual against a judgment delivered in July last year to temporarily reinstate fired CEO Peter Moyo was upheld by the High Court in Johannesburg yesterday with costs; • Woolworths investors cheered the news that CEO Ian Moir will step down and be replaced by in a month’s time, sending the share price up 8.3%; and • Vodacom is in talks with Cell C about taking on the smaller rival’s contract-paying mobile-phone customers, a move that would strengthen its position as South Africa’s telecom market leader, according to Bloomberg sources.

When it comes to reporting in specialist areas, the best journalists are often those who have technical expertise in that sector. For instance, the late investigative journalist Barry Sergeant was a qualified advocate, skills which helped him negotiate the legal minefield that accompanies all serious challenges to the financially crooked. Similarly, mining journalism's doyens Lawrie Williams and late Adam Payne and David Gleason all spent years in hard hats and breathing in  the dust from underground. So when it comes to understanding the mess that is Eskom, our go-to guy is electrical engineer-turned-journalist Chris Yelland. In this fascinating interview on Rational Radio, Yelland applies his mind to the apparently shock resignation of the utility's chairman Jabu Mabuza - and issues which need addressing if the cynics who say SA is on the slide are to be proven wrong.

In today's business news headlines: * In a blow for employment creation, Massmart is to shut down stores and chop jobs as it shores up its finances. * Rhodium, the world's most precious metal, is soaring - which is good news for SA platinum producers. * Zim looks set to pay its debts to embattled Eskom. * Nigerian power problems mirror SA electricity woes. * Tesla soars, as analysts get excited about Elon Musk's electric car business.

Since we first exposed the Biznews community to Bright Light Solar, hundreds have responded to CEO Kevin Shames who tells us he has been engaging directly with each one. What has excited investors is the way a combination of the tax allowances and dividends deliver an annual return of 21% after tax over the minimum five year holding period. With the Prospectus set to be issued this week, in this special podcast Shames unpacks which parts of the 157 page document investors need to look at most closely.

The latest quarterly survey by telecoms specialist Mybroadband.com provides more good news for an embattled MTN which is still celebrating the Nigerian Attorney General dropping his $2bn claim against the group. But while the Nigerian challenge is far from over (Inland Revenue and Customs are still on MTN's case), the results of the comprehensive Mybroadband report proves the group's network is clearly superior to rival Vodacom and far above the service of the other three players. But as Mybroadband's head of technology Marius Hollenbach explains in this Rational Radio interview - the game is set to change with the Government's long-awaited release of new spectrum in the second half of the year.

South Africa's favourite market commentator is at his best when recalling connections from decades of growing up in Johannesburg and working at its world famous stock exchange. In this interview from the latest episode of Rational Radio, the Greenside High old boy shares his thoughts on a now famous former schoolfriend, Rodney Sacks, who founded the US's Monster Energy, a company worth $35bn. Sacks is in the SA news after resigning after decades on the board of Comair, which owns Kulula.com and operates the British Airways licence in Southern Africa. Shapiro also applies his mind to SA-owned Prosus's unsuccessful R100bn hostile takeover bid for the UK's JustEat; looks at MTN's good news from Nigeria and muses on the departure of the Mondi Group CEO after a relatively short stay at the SA-conceived multinational. - Alec Hogg 

* The ANC has re-affirmed the independence, role and mandate of the South African Reserve Bank in an annual policy statement. * In another policy decision, the ANC said solving South Africa’s energy crisis, creating jobs and speeding up land redistribution will top the party’s priority list this year. * Eskom Chairman Jabu Mabuza resigned from the board of Eskom at the end of last week and apologised for the utility’s inability to meet commitments it made to the President to avoid power cuts until 13th of January. * Naspers‘s Prosus ambition to become the world’s leading online food delivery business took a major blow at the end of last week as its offer to buy JustEat lapsed.

In today’s business headlines: • South African business confidence has slumped to its lowest level since 1985 as the country faces power cuts, delays in policy implementation, deteriorating public finances and the risk of losing its only remaining investment-grade credit rating. • The World Bank is the first key institution to cut its economic growth forecast for South Africa in 2020 due to Eskom fears • Nedbank has cut is economic growth forecast for South Africa to 0.7% down from its previous estimate of 0.9%, with Nedbank Chief Economist predicting to Business Day that this growth forecast could “prove to be optimistic” if Eskom problems deteriorates further increasing the possibility of a full blown recession • News from the markets is that the gold rally has fizzled after it hit the key $1600 per ounce due to the de-escalation of the tension between the US and Iran and •Construction company Aveng has announced that it would not take the decision from Seventy Five On Maude to terminate the contract for the construction of the Leonardo in Sandton lying down

Welcome to the first BizNews Personal Finance podcast of 2020. In this interview, Johannesburg money and investment expert Dawn Ridler shares insights on how to manage your personal finances when you emigrate. Ridler, based in Johannesburg, shares some of her top money tips, and highlights mistakes South Africans make, when making the big, scary move to another country.

In today's business headlines: - Carlos Ghosn, the auto executive who fled to Lebanon last week to escape trial in Japan said he did not escape justice; he fled injustice; - Absa’s Purchasing Manager Index fell deeper into contraction in December to 45.9 from 47.4 in the previous month; - The blame for the ANC government’s inability to tackle the country’s electricity crisis has shifted to Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe. Bloomberg says he is restraining President Cyril Ramaphosa; - Platinum continues its blistering pace driven by demand for palladium; - Gold reaches its highest level since 2013 as investors flee to safety following the US-Iran crisis.

In today's headlines: * It’s set to be harder than any time in the last five years to get a job in South Africa. That’s the message from statistics gathered by the Manpower Group SA, which has surveyed business owners on their hiring and firing plans for 2020; * More job losses loom for Zimbabwe, where inflation is soaring around 440% and the economy has been shrinking rapidly; * The best income-earners on the planet are FTSE 100 CEOs and US company chief executives, with the pay between bosses and ordinary workers wider than ever; * Looking to reinvent yourself in the 2020s? The next decade could see growing demand for behavioural scientists, data analysts, up-cycled clothing designers and even digital detox consultants, says Bloomberg; * Tesla kicked off production in China, marking a major step in Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk’s global push for electric-vehicle domination and heralding what could be the dawn of real competition in the world’s largest EV market, says Bloomberg; * The first great white shark in 20 months has been spotted in False Bay off Cape Town, easing concern that the predatory fish that attract tourists had left the region.

In today's headlines: * South African business forecasts for 2020 have been knocked by debilitating power cuts, as new Eskom boss starts work on cleaning up the utility; * Absa has a new CEO. It has head-hunted Daniel Mminele, a SA Reserve Bank heavyweight; * A severe drought is threatening South Africa’s wildlife industry, with game farmers keeping fewer animals and tourist numbers to game lodges down by about one-fifth; * US stocks were mixed as investors assessed the potential economic impact of rising tensions in the Middle East. Treasuries and the dollar declined; * The Rand has been remarkably resilient to Iran-US tensions.

In today's business headlines: - Loadshedding made an unwelcome return as the Christmas break is drawing to an end just as Andre de Ruyter officially takes over as head of Eskom; - The 2020 forecasts for emerging markets have been put on hold as the goal posts have moved with the tension in the Middle East raised to a new level; - Prosus looks set to lose the battle to acquire JustEat; and - Wine aged in space, sold from vending machines and in cans are some of the changes envisaged for the industry in the next decade.

In today’s business headlines: • Growing problems at South Africa’s state-owned enterprises are pushing major companies towards bankruptcy and subjecting the country to rolling blackouts that are choking growth, according to the Wall Street Journal; • Shootings in Johannesburg left two people dead and 16 injured, marring the city’s New Year celebrations and highlighting a crime problem that’s one of the government’s biggest challenges; • The Johannesburg Stock Exchange started the year on a strong footing with the All Share Index rising 1.11% and the Top 40 shares moved up by 1.22% but the Rand weakened; • Tesla shares are tipped to shine this year, but there is doubt about Boeing’s numbers; and • The competition for a piece of the South African food delivery pie is heating up with Uber Eats trying to get a share of the market by going local.

In today's headlines: - MTN said it was reviewing allegations from the United States which accuses several firms, including MTN, of paying protection money to militant Islamist groups in Afghanistan; - Improved sentiment towards emerging markets has boosted the rand and the currency managed to break below the R14 a dollar level yesterday ending slightly weaker at the close of trading at R14.06; - The Rio Tinto Group is resuming operations at the Richards Bay Minerals mine that was shuttered earlier this month because of escalating violence in surrounding communities; and - Kenya's stock market outperformed South Africa and was the best performer among sub-Saharan African stocks over the past decade. Nairobi’s benchmark gauge climbed 74% compared to South Africa's 9%.

In today's business headlines: - A long-anticipated draft of oil and gas legislation has been published in the Government Gazette that is aimed at increasing the development of the industry; - Further loadshedding may occur this week as Eskom says that the systems is still “severely constrained; - South Africa’s trade surplus widened in November as the value of imports of equipment components and chemical products decreased; - The rand rose to a new five-month high at the end of last week as investors globally looked to take on risk, targeting emerging markets for their higher yields; and - The Davis tax committee has estimated that the annual tax gap in South Africa is at least R50bn.

* There is a reasonable chance that South African Airways can be saved from collapse. That is according to Les Matuson, the business rescue practitioner appointed to assess the prospects of SAA and 10 000 jobs linked to it. * Almost 50% of companies in South Africa had no taxable income in 2017 while a quarter recorded a taxable loss. That is according to the South African Revenue Service based on its latest 2017/18 data . * Tesla is the best-performing auto company of the decade. Its 73 billion valuation that is greater than all but Toyota ($230 billion) and Volkswagen ($98 billion) among 38 automakers across the globe. * Loans for the super wealthy to buy that Bugatti or yacht on MillionPlus.com