The valiant vulnerability demonstrated in this anonymous South African poem will undoubtedly speak to the affliction carried by countless South Africans. So often, those South Africans who have made the decision to depart our dear country will go on to vehemently report their decision to do so was unquestionably correct. Their message – usually extended with a laundry list of everything that they do not miss, everything that they no longer need to concern themselves with – is, while realistic, almost too overt. Notwithstanding the very real advantages they enjoy elsewhere, it is hard not to wonder whether they, perhaps, are so persistent in their advocacy of emigration because any deviation therefrom would be too painful. While the author of this poem is anonymous, the heartbreak felt by him or her over leaving South Africa is clearly identifiable.

After four years of litigation, the former owners of Tekkie Town have reached a R1.2bn deal with Steinhoff, opening the way to a credible future for the massively defrauded business. Three weeks ago, before talks between the parties began, Steinhoff shares traded at 180c. Since news of the deal broke on Wednesday, the price has rocketed to 330c. Tens of thousands of retail investors and big creditors like billionaire Christo Wiese, had a vested interest in the outcome of discussions that removes the major threat to a hard-fought settlement deal. In this fascinating podcast, Tekkie Town's former CEO explains the why's, what's and when's in conversation with BizNews founder Alec Hogg.

As 2021 comes to a close, many are heading off to their favourite holiday destinations for a much-needed break. Plettenberg Bay remains one of South Africa’s favourite vacation spots and, if you’re en route to the coastal town, there’s a project that is well worth checking out. Craig Young of Ingwe is developing an extraordinary project; a 100 hectare reserve with 30 homes and a huge expanse of natural space – gorgeous forests, off-the-grid living and national parks.

Chief executive of Afrimat, Andries van Heerden, talks about the art of deal-making, as the mid-tier miner has recently acquired Glenover Phosphate. Afrimat’s management is known for being one of the best capital allocation teams in the JSE. The share has been a star performer on the local bourse for the better part of a decade. Afrimat has transformed itself from a building materials-focused business to a mid-tier miner, well diversified with exposure to many different commodities. Andries talks about the due diligence processes and ‘template’, which management follows when going about a deal and the reasons behind its repeated success.

Magnus Heystek sits down with BizNews founder Alec Hogg on the final BizNews Power Hour for 2021. The hard-hitting Heystek compares the largest SA-focused equity fund within the Old Mutual stable to a US Franklin Templeton opportunities fund over the last 10 years, with more than a four-fold differential in investment performance. The Old Mutual Investors Fund managed to convert R100,000 in 10 years into less than a quarter of a million rand while the same amount invested in the Franklin Templeton US opportunity fund would equate to around R1m. South African pensioners have been at the peril of local asset managers that have grossly underperformed global equity markets, primarily as a result of the restrictions in offshore allocations allowed by Regulation 28. 

In the final episode of the BizNews Power Hour for 2021, Magnus Heystek uses the price of a Hyundai car over the past decade to explain how SA-focused retirement savings have massively under-performed - courtesy of misguided Regulation 28 legislation; Craig Young shares the vision and development of Ingwe, an off-the-grid estate near Plettenberg Bay; Afrimat's CEO Andries van Heerden explains the rationale behind the highly rate group's latest acquisition; and media maven Jeremy Maggs chats to Vukile Zondi.

Our UK correspondent Linda van Tilburg joins us with some good news: South Africa has been taken off the United Kingdom's 'red list' travel ban. The decision to move South Africa off the list was expected, with many critics saying the country was unfairly treated when the Omicron variant was first discovered by SA scientists. While this news was a blow to the tourism industry, this does at least mean the hospitality sector will get a boost now. Van Tilburg also discusses heading to Davos in a month's time, for the World Economic Forum.

A good news episode of the BizNews Power Hour with Discovery's vast database confirming the Omicron variant of Covid-19 is less threatening to humans, especially those who've been vaccinated; SA is being removed from the UK's Red List providing a late Xmas boost for its tourism sector; Steven Nathan unpacks why 2022 is likely to be a better year for SA and global businesses; and we've got a clip from today's BizNews Share portfolio webinar explaining our rationale for investing offshore - and in exponentially growing US companies whose share prices have been hit hard in recent weeks.

South African passive investment pioneer Steven Nathan, who founded 10X Investments, gives his experience of ‘garden leave’ as Old Mutual Private Equity paid up for fund manager. Steven says that it’s still important to keep abreast of topical investment and political news, as well as spend time with family and friends when life isn’t as busy. He has made sure he’s been active during his time off, learning about complex technologies such as the blockchain. Despite the financial markets holding up strongly since the drawdown in March 2020, he emphasized the pain lies within the real economy, especially locally in South Africa. 

It’s been quite a week for the Cape Town Stock Exchange (CTSE), welcoming its ninth listing. Joining BizNews is the CTSE’s chief executive Eugene Booysen and Renier de Wit of Gaia Fund Managers. When asked why he chose the CTSE and not the JSE, De Wit remarked that the team and exchange platform - which he described as innovative - make the Cape Town Stock Exchange the place to be.

South Africa's favourite stockbroker, David Shapiro, shares what he has learnt from half a century of following his passion as a stockbroker and investment professional; Netcare CEO Richard Friedland shares evidence which shows the Omicron variant of Covid-19 is a big step forward for a country that desperately needs to return to normality; the Cape Town Stock Exchange welcomes its ninth listing - we hear from the exchange's Eugene Booysen and Gaia Fund Managers' Renier de Wit; plus local and international business news.

David Shapiro shares his pearls of wisdom after nearly 50 years as a trader and investor on the JSE. David started his career on the trading floor and has seen the rise of some incredible businesses over the past five decades. His father, Archie, was also a legend of the local bourse. David followed his father onto the trading floor for a brief period. He says, however, that his investment philosophy is very different to his father’s and acknowledges the technology revolution as the most significant change to the markets. He says it is crucial to keep your investment strategy simple by identifying good companies with strong management teams and emphasises the importance of time in the market. David compliments legendary investor Warren Buffet for his take on life and investing; the down-to-earth Berkshire founder is one of his role models.

In Bloubergstrand in the Western Cape, there is a well-known face that has been selling ice cream to the local community since the 1970s. He is 71-year-old George Phontshe Peni from Khayelitsha and many people in the area have a story about the kind heart of ‘Uncle George’ as he is known by locals. A resident, Michelle Nel, decided to raise money for his pension through the BackaBuddy platform. Nel told BizNews she was amazed at the response to the campaign.

The CEO of leading South African private hospitals group Netcare says the 10 000 bed establishment has had just 22 Covid-19 mortalities in the past month compared with up to 50 per day during previous waves of infection. He says early indications are the virus is mutating just like the Spanish Flu did with successive waves becoming increasingly milder until the virus posed little risk to human beings.

NEASA’s chief executive Gerhard Papenfus joined BizNews founder Alec Hogg to discuss a hot topic: mandatory vaccines. Expropriation without compensation and a number of other concerns facing South African business are things NEASA has taken head on, Papenfus says the issue of mandatory vaccines is probably one of the toughest battles he’s been involved with. “Our debate is freedom of choice. I think we have the overwhelming support of businesses. We’ve had two resignations, out of thousands of members.” Papenfus also discusses what would possibly prompt a large company to enforce mandatory vaccines. “There’s no room for a blanket approach in this.”

In a recent interview, former Financial Mail deputy editor David Williams told Alec Hogg about the poor state of the South African railways are currently in. Williams revealed the lack of security, clashes between Transnet and PRASA, as well as the poor governance that led to the rapid demise of our railway system. “This company is a wreck. If it was a private sector company, it would be beyond business rescue. It would just simply not be functioning,” he lamented. Former Transnet executive Tau Morwe reiterates Williams’ grievances, telling broadcaster Tim Modise of the crime and vandalism that goes unpunished. The former acting chief executive says the government needs to do something, with the reintroduction of the railway police the first priority.

In this episode of the BizNews Power Hour ex-Transnet Rail CEO Tau Morwe pinpoints the primary reason why his former charge is in such a desperate state; Chris Logan takes a deep dive into fallen angel Tongaat on the day when its financial woes (and share price) plumbed new depths; the final instalment in our series on PowerPulse, the innovative platform which brings Standard Bank-vetted solar power suppliers together with those wanting to offset the risk of Eskom; Alec Hogg unpacks the week's news highlights with NovaFM's Gary Stroebel - and from the FT in London; massive Chinese property developer Evergrande defaults and a revenue bonanza for the Big Four accounting firms.

Tongaat’s results were highly anticipated given it announced a proposed rights issue only weeks ago. Tongaat also issued earnings guidance with suggested large losses owing to operational mishaps that have since been dealt with. Despite this, the share price has lost more ground, down as much as 15% intraday. The size of the rights issue, which is going to be in the region of R4bn, will be around four times the size of the current business. The capital raise will be extremely dilutive and may provide an opportunity for new investors once the dust settles. Opportune Investments founder Chris Logan – one of the few analysts on the JSE who covers Tongaat in any detail following their accounting irregularities – said that results did not paint a pretty picture. The operational issues have supposedly been sorted out and have cost the sugar refiner hundreds of millions in lost sales. Tongaat’s land, valued at billions of rands on its books, cannot entice buyers. It has been a recurring issue over the last few years and puts in question whether the value attributed to the land on Tongaat’s books is an accurate reflection of the market value.

Recently, Sakeliga’s Piet le Roux and Russell Lamberti joined Alec Hogg to discuss mandatory vaccines and why the non-profit business group believes it is not the way forward. “We are for the rights of businesses to implement what is appropriate in their circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all [answer] for everyone.” Both Le Roux and Lamberti joined BizNews Radio for an update, also touching on other topics, such as land expropriation.

In the final episode of the Standard Bank PowerPulse podcast series, BizNews founder Alec Hogg is joined by Deerosh Maharaj, senior manager for natural resources, power and sustainable solutions on the Standard Bank PowerPulse platform; Paul Vermeulen, chief engineer of renewable energy in the City of Johannesburg; and Hendrik Raedani, chief engineer of alternative and renewable energy in the City of Ekurhuleni, to unpack solar PV installations for businesses that have become reliant on alternative power to mitigate load shedding. There are inputs into the regulatory and compliance factors that businesses should be aware of before they initiate a solar PV installation, together with the consequences of not following the regulations and procedures.

Standard Bank’s Richard Hirsch explains the implications of the Aveng 500:1 share consolidation that took place on the JSE today. Aveng was trading between 5c and 6c on the local bourse but after the consolidation, has settled around the R27.30 level, which would have previously been a share price of around 5.5c prior to the consolidation. The fundamentals of the business have not changed, the shares in issue have reduced significantly. If you owned 500 Aveng shares at either 5c or 6c, you would now own one share at the current share price of R27.30. The market value of the business hasn’t changed, simply the shares in issue. Many brokerages did not account for this correctly and your portfolio may have rocketed up incorrectly.

In this episode of the BizNews Power Hour Magnus Heystek explains what two big developments of the past 24 hours mean for investors - Govt's Parliamentary defeat on its Constitutional changing proposal and its batting away of the mandatory vaccine suggestion from Big Business; Richard Hirsch runs us through the Aveng 500-for-1 consolidation which took effect today; plus in-depth interviews with Sakeliga's Piet le Roux and Russell Lamberti; and NEASA's Gerhard Papenfus on how independent businesses are viewing vaccine mandates - and EWC.

Investment analyst and director of Brenthurst Wealth Management, Magnus Heystek, joined BizNews founder Alec Hogg to discuss a number of subjects that may affect your finances. While not directly related to what happens to our money now, the recent decisions surrounding land expropriation and mandatory vaccines are significant in shaping the future of South Africa. Heystek pulls no punches, calling land expropriation a “stupid idea that undermines [investor] confidence abroad and internally”.

10X founder Steven Nathan shares his rational opinion on several social and investment matters in the limelight. Mandatory vaccination, which many of the large South African corporations are implementing, is discussed. Nathan outlines that countries with relatively higher vaccination rates have seen a bigger uptick in economic growth than those with lower vaccination rates. He talks about the risks facing markets at the moment: lofty asset prices, inflation and the Omicron variant. Tencent’s investment into South African challenger bank TymeBank rounds off the conversation. 

Ranmore Fund Management founder Sean Peche shared his 10 market surprises for 2022, inspired by chairman of the Blackstone Advisory Group, Byron Wien. Peche believes the big tech will experience pain, as he expects Covid-19 will fade into irrelevance with life reverting to more normalised standards. He also anticipates value stocks to outperform growth stocks, with the latter dominating for the better part of a decade.