BizNews journalist Jarryd Neves slides in behind the wheel of Volkswagen’s budget offering, the Polo Vivo Trendline – a perennial favourite of South African consumers. He told editor at large Jackie Cameron about the popular hatchback from VW.

* J&J Covid-19 vaccines have been approved for use in South Africa, Janssen Pharmaceuticals has announced. * The South African Reserve Bank has finally confiscated R20m from the Nedbank account of Sahara Computers - the Gupta family business that hired two of former president Jacob Zuma's children, reports MyBroadband.co.za. * The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has published new regulations which require all telecoms licensees, including ISPs, to have black owners, says MyBroadband.co.za * AngloGold CEO Christine Ramon said the world’s No. 3 gold miner won’t be rushed into any deals as the industry braces for a round of acquisitions, reports Bloomberg.

It is turbulent times as SAA pilots demand to be retrenched. The head of SAA Pilot's Association Grant Back told the BizNews Pour Hour that they have not been paid in a year and are proceeding with their uncommon strike. Grant is joined in conversation by Leon Louw of the Free Market Foundation and the BizNews Team.

In this episode of the BizNews podcast dedicated to uncovering all the important news and views on the biggest public health crisis in living memory, we hear from Dr Simone Donati, who is among a team of scientists in Italy, about what medical experts have discovered on how the coronavirus goes easily undetected in normal Covid-19 tests by entering the human body through the eyes. We take an in-depth look at the latest developments on vaccine roll-out in South Africa, with an update on the government deals to secure jabs. You will also hear from CEO Stephen Saad about how South Africa's largest pharmaceuticals company, JSE-listed Aspen Pharmacare, has ramped up efforts to start rolling out J&J Covid-19 vaccines to South Africa and the rest of Africa within weeks. Later in the show, we share an update from Discovery Vitality about how novel measures to improve mental health as the pandemic takes its toll on our emotional wellbeing. Plus, the main Covid-19 news making world headlines this week - including more bad news for AstraZeneca.

In his interview with the founder of the BizNews, Alec Hogg, the brand manager of Easy Equities Lesedi Mflo lets us in on the unfolding of the first quarter of the investment year. Sasol being at the top of the JSE chart followed by Sibanye Stillwater and Steinhoff, with regards to the EasyEquities users.

Counterpoint value fund manager Piet Viljoen, spoke on the BizNews Pour Hour giving his wisdom on stocks. "There are good stock circles and bad circles". With a particular focus on JSE listed Ascendis and Balwin Properties.

Nick Hudson, co-founder of PANDA, gave the keynote address at the inaugural BizNews Investment Conference in March 2021. After his presentation, BizNews founder Alec Hogg interviewed him and the floor was opened to conference delegates for questions.

Karl Lambour is no stranger to the winelands. After studying viticulture - among other things - at Stellenbosch university, Lambour worked in a number of wine institutions before ending up at Tokara. He is the general manager of what Carrie Adams describes as a ‘much-loved national treasure of the wine industry’.

In this episode of the BizNews Power Hour, Alec Hogg is joined by fund manager Piet Viljoen, Lesedi Mfolo from Easy Equities, Leon Louw from the Free Market Foundation, Grant Back Head of the SAA Pilot Association and the BizNews team.

* The ANC government is trying to spin it otherwise, but there is no national rollout by government, says Steenhuisen. The only roll out so far has been the expansion of the Johnson & Johnson trials, run by trial scientists around existing trial sites, using other countries’ leftover J&J trial vaccines, he says. * Coca-Cola is weighing options for its bottling business in Africa, including a sale or initial public offering, reports Bloomberg. * South Africa’s rising long term bond yields and the related cost of government borrowing remain a concern, ratings firm S&P Global said in its second quarter economic outlook for emerging markets. * The Automobile Association (AA) says it expects a further hefty hike in fuel prices in April with 95 ULP heading into record territory when the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy makes the official adjustment next Wednesday. * South Africa opened up a telecommunications contract to supply 1.2 million government employees, allowing arch rivals MTN Group Ltd. and Vodacom Group Ltd. to share in the state business, says Bloomberg * South Africa’s trade surplus widened to about R29 billion rand in February from a revised surplus of about R12.5 billion in January, data from the revenue service showed on Wednesday.

China's tech giants - including Tencent - are coming under increasing pressure from regulators worried about their growing influence. China's President Xi Jinping has ordered regulators to step up their oversight of internet companies, crack down on monopolies and promote fair competition.What's behind these developments and what are the consequences for investors with exposure to Chinese tech stocks? Unpacking developments for the BizNews community is China financial markets and economy expert Professor Michele Geraci, of the University of Nottingham, who spoke to BizNews editor at large Jackie Cameron. #China #Tencent #Alibaba

Cy Jacobs; co-founder of 36ONE Asset Management shares his views on what caused the collapse of Archegos Capital Management. Archegos is the family investment business owned by Mr. Hwang that caused commotion in the stock market last week.

David Hurwitz, CEO of Transaction Capital gives his insights on the company's R1.8bn acquisition of WeBuyCars for a 49.9% stake in the business, valuing the business at close to R4bn. Value investor Piet Viljoen outlined his investment thesis at the BizNews investment conference, where he compared the lofty valuations of international peers to the deep value inherent in WeBuyCars.

Nic Borain - an independent political and financial analyst on Ace Magashule discarded. Nic pulled an all-nighter putting together an article of the national executive meeting of the ANC, straight after President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement late Monday night. ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule has been given 30 days to step aside from his role - or face suspension and disciplinary action by the party.

Schalk Malan, CEO of BrightRock, told the BIzNews Pour Hour that they now have 25 distribution hubs and 2 administration offices around SA, making a real different in the life insurance industry. He shared his thoughts on the highs and lows of being in the insurance space during a global pandemic.

It's been a stressful period for the Aspen Pharmacare team as it moved at speed to deliver J&J vaccines for South Africa and the rest of Africa,knowing that every delay 'costs a life', says Stephen Saad, CEO of the only manufacturer in the southern hemisphere. 'People might dream of being the only player in the market but it's very stressful,' with the knowledge that so many lives are at stake. But this is also a watershed moment for the company. Saad spoke to BizNews editor-in-chief Jackie Cameron about what's been going on behind-the-scenes. JSE-listed Aspen Pharmacare has also provided dexamethasone and anaesthetics used in the fight against Covid-19, yet its share price hasn't risen as much as many might expect. Saad speaks about the big risk that J&J wouldn't pass clinical trials and why the company - which doesn't receive any funding from governments - isn't only focused on maximising profit. He shares details about the manufacturing process and why SA will catch up with vaccination roll-out. Aspen is providing 30m jabs of the one-dose shot to SA and expects to produce annual boosters; the SA government is also negotiating to buy vaccines from China, Russia and elsewhere. Aspen Pharmacare is the only producer in the southern hemisphere. #COVID19

In a televised address, SA President Cyril Ramaphosa announced measures to speed up vaccine roll-out, including buying more vaccines - and fast - and setting up 2,000 vaccination sites at public and private facilities. There will be an electronic system to register and direct individuals to vaccination appointments and undocumented individuals will also be brought into the system. President Ramaphosa said the government had decided to keep the restrictions at level one - because of the low rate of transmission - but there will be some tweaks with a view to containing the spread of the disease over the Easter weekend. These restrictions include a ban on alcohol sales at liquor stores. But restaurants and shebeens will be allowed to serve liquor. Listen to the full announcement here.

In this episode of the BizNews Power Hour, Alec Hogg is joined CEO of BrightRock Schalk Malan, CEO of Aspen Stephen Saad, CEO of Transaction Capital David Hurwitz, political analyst Nic Borain and the BizNews team.

* ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule has been given 30 days to step aside from his role or face suspension and disciplinary action by the party.   * Africa’s biggest fund manager and a key investor in South African gold companies said any consolidation in the sector must benefit the country as well as shareholders. * South Africa recorded foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of 16.0 billion rand ($1.07 billion) in the fourth quarter from outflows of 12.2 billion rand in the third, the central bank said on Tuesday. * More than 500,000 people lost full-time jobs in 2020 in South Africa, but Xmas bonus pay was up significantly among those who kept their roles.

The Biznews Share portfolio, launched in December 2014, has delivered spectacular returns for South African investors. Every month, Biznews founder Alec Hogg updates the latest developments at the companies whose stocks are held in the portfolio. Although the strategy has been to buy and hold, the portfolio has seen some adjustments over the five and a half years since its creation. Today roughly two thirds of the assets are invested in US exponential growth stocks and the balance in carefully selected JSE-listings.

Executive chairman of the Kisby Fund and Purple Group, Mark Barnes, told the BizNews Power Hour that "There is nothing more stupid than introducing cleverness to credit". He is joined by market commentator David Shapiro to discuss the ongoing SA banks lending furore.

To follow in the footsteps of Elon Musk and his successful venture into the electric vehicle (EV) market is not going to be easy for any entrepreneur with a passion to take a load off the planet. While he admits it's no easy task, young entrepreneur Nhlanhla Mazibuko is trying to do just that. Mazibuko is developing an electric bakkie, which caught the interest of social media when he delivered a virtual presentation of the concept car at the e-Mobility Congress earlier this year. Mazibuko told BizNews that as a firm believer in sustainable energy, he was frustrated by the fact that South Africa was behind Europe and the US - so he decided to do something about it.

In this episode of the BizNews Power Hour, Alec Hogg is joined by ex-investment banker and former SA Post Office CEO Mark Barnes, market commentator David Shapiro, Co-founder of 360NE Cy Jacobs and the BizNews team.

SA must send in troops to bring to an end the reign of terror by Islamic militants in Mozambique, say the DA, ActionSA and analysts. The risks are high for SA and range from a humanitarian and refugee crisis and the possibility Islamic cells are training in South Africa. In this in-depth interview with BizNews editor at large Jackie Cameron, Martin Ewi of the Institute of Security Studies sets out what's really been going on in Mozambique and elsewhere in South Africa - and why Isis is a significant threat to stability and investments in the region.

* Opposition parties the Democratic Alliance and ActionSA are urging the South African govt to take action against Islamic insurgents in Mozambique and warn that the violence looks certain to become a refugee and security crisis in South Africa. * A recovery in the world’s second-largest economy may lend support to emerging markets following a rocky week that saw equities wipe out almost all of their annual gains and the Turkish lira tumble anew. * South Africa has 121 ‘major restrictions’ and 97 ‘moderate restrictions’ from other countries in place because of the variant which is widespread in the country. This was reported by MyBroadband.co.za on travel website Skyscanner which has developed a mapping tool that shows COVID-19 travel restrictions around the world. * Johnson & Johnson agreed to supply as many as 400 million Covid-19 vaccines to the African Union - but much of this delivery will only come next year, says Bloomberg. * South Africa has already started administering the vaccine to health workers as part of a medical trial, and J&J agreed last year that Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd. can manufacture doses in the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a televised speech on Monday that Aspen would provide 30m doses to South Africa, but he didn't specify how quickly roll out would commence.