GG Alcock's background makes him an ideal bridge between South Africa's two economies. Author of Third World Child, an autobiography about growing up in rural KZN, he migrated to Johannesburg where his marketing company, Minanawe, offers a way for First World businesses to access the bottom end of the pyramid. In this fascinating interview with Alec Hogg of Biznews.com, GG talks about Kota's, funeral policies, Stokvels and his upcoming book, Kasi-nomics, which focuses on these hidden sectors of SA's thriving informal economy.

Satrix investments is committed to helping people save and more importantly understanding why you should start as soon as you can and stay invested for as long as you can.

AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa tells Tim Modise that the Farlam Commission Report failed to uncover the truth about the Marikana Massacre. He describes the events leading up to the tragedy and the ‘cover-up’ that ensued. He says working conditions of mineworkers reflect the apartheid structure of the mining sector. He blames the poor wages of workers, tax evasion and price fixing on the part of the mining companies as the leading causes of instability in the sector.

Futuregrowth Asset Management has not done enough to let South Africa know about the far reaching and high impact work it does in communities all around our country whilst still delivering competitive and sustainable returns to investors. Smital Rambhai, product manager of their Community Property Fund is passionate and engaged with the pervasive impact his fundhas on underserviced communities. This 20 year old fund has specifically focused on providing retail facilities to previously disadvantaged communities, especially in areas characterised by a lack of infrastructure and services. And in the process has created both short and long-term employment as well as being a springboard for ancillary and complementary industries to develop in the same areas.

In this special podcast, Llewellyn Morkel of e-escrow.co.za tells Biznews's Alec Hogg how the newly launched product removed the biggest risk in online transations - the risk for buyers of getting what they paid for; and the risk of sellers in actually receiving the cash. Its applications are widely applicable in this age of online banking.

Grovest was the first South African venture capital fund to sign up for Section 12J, the Government's incentive which allows investors to write their entire investment off against taxable income. It is investing a chunk of cash into revolutionary accounting software business SMEasy. In this special podcast, Grovest's Clive Butkow and SMEasy founder Darlene Menzies talks to Biznews.com's Alec Hogg.

Biznews' Alec Hogg speaks to Deslin Naidoo, who says there is too much volatility in African markets and investors should take a 20 year view.

Biznews' Alec Hogg chats to Anne Cabot-Alletzhauser, who says actuaries make the best money managers as they understand both the asset and liability side.

Alec Hogg speaks to Barclays' Roland Rousseau about the need for a technology provider, the Uber of investment management, that can provide financial advisors with a see-through tool that shows what risks are in any strategy because he says: "it’s not the manager who’s in control but actually the risks driving the portfolio".

David McWilliam says Greece has been treated abominably by the European Union and says the Germans should go back to their history books when in 1948, the United States allowed them to default on all their domestic debts, and in 1953, they were given the opportunity to wipe out half their international debts and interest payments.

Biznews' Alec Hogg talks to Barclays Africa's Armien Tyer about applying new age artificial intelligence into active asset management.

Euvin Naidoo talks to Biznews' Alec Hogg about the banking opportunities on the continent being created as government's harness new technologies.

Barclays Capital's Henk Potts talks to Alec Hogg about the need for companies to invest in technology, which will be a big growth area over the next few years.

Alec Hogg gives a monthly update on the Biznews Global Share Portfolio, which saw Apple being added to the mix.

Head of Morningstar Canada's research team, Dr Paul Kaplan, is in South Africa to address an investment conference. Alec Hogg of Biznews used the opportunity to chat about the best way to structure a global investment portfolio - and discovered that when it comes to the right time horizon for owning shares, Kaplan is even more conservative than Berkshire chairman Warren Buffett.

The new Small Business Ministry is already making a difference in developing emerging small businesses, according Xolani Qubeka, CEO of the small business institute and secretary general of the Black Business Council. He says the new Black Economic empowerment codes will compel the private sector to transform at a much faster rate. Qubeka also warns entrepreneurs, saying they should not wait for hand-outs but instead focus on the sectors they intend to grow in.

Lasers are replacing conventional dental drills and the need for mouth- and tongue-numbing local anaesthetics. Johannesburg dentist Dr Sam Thandar is revolutionising the practice of dentistry in the 21st Century.

Dr Sam Thandar is making innovative use of computer aided design and algorithms to take fear out of dentistry and help to give patients back their perfect smile.

The slow pace of transformation within JSE listed companies is a ticking time bomb for South Africa, according to Fatima Vawda in an interview with Tim Modise. The founder and CEO of 274 investment managers says blacks own or have direct influence of 3% of the R12 trillion invested on the Stock Exchange. She says government must be more aggressive in driving the National Development Plan and that the country needs at least 5 % growth to reduce unemployment. - Tim Modise

Human behavioural specialist and wealth psychologist Ilze Alberts on how to enrich your life on all levels

Benchmarks Foundation Researcher Hassan Lorgat says South Africa should not be blamed for the systemic corruption within FIFA. He says the US has no moral standing to pronounce on South Africa as it is using unfair means to create advantages for American companies around the globe. He also says ‘transfer pricing’ is legalised corruption that has cost Africa 1,3 trillion dollars in 11 years.

Johannesburg physiotherapist Tamlin-Jade Johnson is a regional finalist in the Miss Earth SA competition. She talks to Marika Sboros about why we all need to keep our earth healthy for our health's sake.

The authors of a fabulous new book, The Fab Quotient, teach you simple, effective ways to recharge body and mind.

The Zimbabwe based Meikles group has aired its grievance with the government but says there are still difficulties over the debt that is owed. Talking to Alec Hogg at the World Economic Forum for Africa, the group’s top duo, John Moxon and Thabani Mpofu, also said they are looking to expand into countries like Zambia. The two also talked the FIFA scandal, which has shown the endemic nature of corruption.

South Africa is in urgent need of some inspiring good news and Futuregrowth Asset Managers are the team to help us out. Their impressive work in the debt and equity markets is well respected always making sure that there is a social upliftment or development angle to their much needed work. To this end they are the 52% funders to Housing Investment Partners (HiP) along with Old Mutual and the National Housing Finance Corporation. HiP provides income-linked home loans to low-income households who ordinarily would not meet the criteria laid out by our big four and beyond. This allows creditworthy individuals to access the housing market driving asset ownership and prosperity. This initiative not only houses families, but allows home owners to learn much needed skills around managing finances, maintaining their assets and potentially leaving a legacy for their families. – Candice Paine