Spot on
@elonmusk
, thanks for adding your voice - you are hugely respected here right across South Africa's racial spectrum. We all bask in a reflection of your success. And while you have South Africa on your mind, please, please, please bring Starlink to your original homeland.
A highlight of last week's BizNews Investment conference was the keynote by actuary Nick Hudson, co-founder of think-tank PANDA. His analysis of fuzzy thinking that drove many (ir)rational lockdown decisions is eye-opening. Click here to watch:
Former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter's blockbuster book can potentially change South African history. It provides all the detail a rational mind requires to join dots between the R500bn taxpayer-funded bailout of Eskom and the ANC's malevolent interventions:
SA's chaotic decline into a near-failed State is laid bare for a global audience this morning by this in-depth article explaining how the ANC's misguided policies made a basket case of the nation that 30 years ago produced almost half of Africa's GDP:
We’re flying home to Jhb after the
#WEFAfrica2019
and bumped into SA’s walk-his-talk Finance Minister
@tito_mboweni
. Encouraged us to visit Magoebaskloof to witness SA’s Agrarian Revolution. More impressive - he’s seated a few seats ahead of us in Economy Class. ✊ Respect.
South Africans have waited impatiently for the real Cyril Ramaphosa to stand up. He did so last night at
#wef18
in
#Davos
. A top London banker shared: “This new president of yours is a class act.” Here's the audio, transcript of CR off-piste.
#lovechange
Peter Hain worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to get authorities involved in exposing Gupta money laundering, leveraging relationships with UK chancellor Philip Hammond and the EU's president Jean-Claude Juncker. SA owes him an immense debt of gratitude.
Brilliant - Argentina’s president shares the Uber Truth, brings hope to every nation which has been pillaged by an elite of political socialists using the lies of empty promises and economic ignorance. South Africa included. Roll on 2024.
Javier Milei just gave a speech announcing massive deregulation of the economy in Argentina.
I liked how he opened the speech: condemning the philosophy that led Argentina to the situation it’s in today.
Watch the beginning of
@JMilei
’s speech with English subtitles below 👇
Is it just me with tears in my eyes? The young democracy has one of the most emotional national anthems imaginable. A new dawn is about to break for a country that has been through the wringer. Led by the man who has been prepared for decades for this moment.
#SONA2018
So I’m standing outside
#FirstRand
’s Merchant Place in Sandton waiting in the rain for Uber getting wet. And the
#G5s
security guy Desmond Baloyi opens his umbrella, walks over to share it. A small kindness that means so much. Thank you sir - hope one of his bosses reads this!
Paul O'Sullivan is going for the jugular of SA's two top cops - the SAPS Commissioner and the head of the Hawks. The ace forensic investigator, who has put two top cops behind bars, concluded both are spending far more than they earn from salaries:
Dynamite expose’ by SSA insider who names 38 high profile SAs illegally monitored by Zuma using Russian-provided equipment – incl Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng his ex-deputy Dikgang Moseneke and critics Sipho Pityana, Thuli Madonsela and Magda Wierzycka.
The ANC looks certain to be voted out of office in 2024. But what's happening in DA-run uMngeni in KZN doesn't augur well for the way the ruling party will react to the loss of power. Read WSM's brilliant piece on what's going down in the KZN Midlands:
Here's the view from one of the few business class passengers on last night's SAA flight from London. He says Economy was virtually empty, estimates only 15 passengers. Suggests latest (taxpayer funded) bailout could be throwing good money after bad.
After a surge in abductions, SA Police Services has a new kidnapping unit. But Paul O'Sullivan says it appears to be another inside job for criminal syndicates as unit's operational head is in court on charges, yes, of kidnapping. Can't make this stuff up:
Perfectly timed ahead of holiday weekend - a spiritual leader calling out the ruling ANC which has failed South Africa, urging fellow citizens to be rational - and vote for political change on May 29. Powerful message from Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein:
SA's ace forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan has landed another group of big crooked fish - a senior State Advocate, a Captain in the HAWKS and a business executive. As a result the trio have been arrested for corruption - story on BizNews:
Rob Hersov is back at his no-holds-barred best in this address to the BizNews Conference where he calls out Cyril Ramaphosa and his "cabinet of clowns" - and proposes alternative ministers who can start the country's urgently needed turnaround project:
If you believed State Capture was born at Transnet and then perfected at Eskom, think again. The original testing ground for the Guptas, their cohorts and copycats was in the Free State province. Here's the inside story from a man with a ringside view:
Magda Wierzycka today upgraded from speaking out on big end corruption (KPMG, McKinsey, SAP, Net1, Steinhoff) into full blown litigant. In partnership with the HSF, she has launched a legal suit against the Zuptas to recover billions pillaged from Eskom.
uMngeni mayor Chris Pappas (30) is proving to be courageous as well as articulate, standing up to the challenge as his political rivals instigate protests and violence. He's a great communicator, too. Here's my colleague Mike Appel's full story on BizNews:
The irony. Statement from presidency today says Zuma has arrived in Addis to attend AU summit The theme of the AU for the year 2018, is “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation”. Didn’t he get th memo?
The DA's KZN Premier candidate, uMngeni executive mayor Chris Pappas, is losing no sleep over ANC and ActionSA allegations of his alleged nepotism. Pappas sees it as a perverse compliment - reflecting of how scared the ruling party is of a DA/IFP alliance:
South Africans aren't buying ANC hot air on its 'due process' applied around Russian wins on Mossgas plant refurbishment and a 2 500MW nuclear plant. We learnt from Kusile and Medupi that tender manipulation is just slightly more sophisticated corruption:
Markus Jooste's story ended today with the 63 year old's suicide at his Hermanus home. Jooste, whose actions cost shareholders and bankers hundreds of billions of rand, was fully unmasked by an FSCA report outlining details of SA's biggest ever fraud:
ANC bigwigs were cosying up to Putin, drinking Russian vodka in Moscow when the man many call that country's Nelson Mandela was murdered. Powerful interview with Russian professor Irina Filatova. How much lower can Ramaphosa and Co sink? On BizNews:
Russia might be unpopular in most parts of the world, but relationship with South Africa is obviously still rather cordial. Tucked away in the Cargo area at CT International Airport is this plane flying the white, blue and red flag. There’s got to be an interesting story here.
Absolutely brilliant work (again)
@PaulivW
. The video is also superb. You are not only courageously exposing malfeasance in the Young Democracy but inspiring future generations of investigative journalists who will surely use your work as case studies. Sterkte.
Last night YouTube removed video of Nick Hudson's presentation at BizNews conference. There's now a BizNews TV channel on Vimeo where you'll find Parts 1 and 2 of his address: . Also, audio files available on BizNews Radio channels on Spotify and iTunes.
In many places, Argentina the latest, old political orders have been scrutinised and found wanting. Next year is South Africa's turn. The DA's internal polls show the party is now closer to the ANC than ever before and has the momentum. Change is coming:
Rob Hersov’s Christmas message to the finmin and prez - the evidence is in his favour, and the country has the chance to lead the world out of the pandemic. But will we?
When someone calls out the Uber Truth of a bad system the virus benefiting from the status quo will retaliate in every possible way. Argentina’s new president is now fighting these antibodies. He’s betting his nation has had enough. Have we in South Africa? May 29 will tell us.
In the House of Lords
@PeterHain
has just called for immediate investigation into all bank accounts of South African state owned enterprises including Eskom, SAA.
Our revulsion at blatant corruption laid bare here should spur urgent collective action: Briefly, Makhanda (Grahamstown) has no water; an NGO answered a Thuma Mina call, investing R15m on good faith. SA Water Dept is paying - but to snouters, not the NGO:
As a qualified actuary and successful entrepreneur,
@Magda_Wierzycka
possesses the technical skills to understand financial complexities others struggle with and independence to speak out on it. Here she unpacks document from PIC whistleblower. Superb.
Dear courageous friend
@TrevorNcube
- your persistent hope, faith and courage is finally getting long overdue, just deserts. Blanket news coverage here in the UK of Zim's peaceful coup, a beacon of hope not just for 15m Zimbabweans and 55m SAs, but for the whole world. God Bless.
How much ANC laws have destroyed SA's business sector shown in BHP takeover bid for Anglo American. Aussie company, once smaller than the SA one, is now 4x its size - and will only do the deal if Anglo's SA assets are excluded. Piet Viljoen unpacks it:
Reaching same conclusion as peerless columnist
@justicemalala
: "We should stop making a distinction between the good ANC and the bad ANC. The rot is too deep, too ingrained within the party...does not even think twice before voting for a Qedani Mahlangu."
Since founding Pick n Pay with wife Wendy in 1967, Raymond Ackerman (92) has rarely been out of the headlines. A business giant who loved his country and preached decency, service (and lower prices) delivered a business's best results, has passed away:
Gradually, then suddenly. The vice is tightening around the Zuma family with bank accounts of the former president's sons Edward, Duduzane and his daughter Dudu now frozen. Full story on Biznews:
READ: Rob Hersov goes back into the firing line with a forceful op-ed calling out "cowardly" business leaders. His piece is now on BizNews. A must-read for every South African who gives a damn about the way the country is sliding ever closer to the abyss:
To a list of anti-Zupta corruption fighters headed by Thuli Madonsela, Vytjie Mentor, Makhosi Khoza, Magda Wierzycka and Bianca Goodson we can now add suspended Eskom legal head Suzanne Daniels. She blew her whistle long and loud in Parliament this week:
Paul O'Sullivan's scathing letter to former SAA chair Dudu Myeni proves that you take on SA's ace forensic investigator at your peril. He's been hunting Myeni for years and won't rest until Dudu has swapped her Guccis for orange overalls. On Biznews now:
Almost 20 years ago, Clifford Machines of Pietermaritzburg stopped producing a ventilator specially designed for local conditions because public sector gatekeepers demanded bribes. They've dusted off blueprints, ready to deliver, share an updated version.:
Straight for the jugular - business activist Rob Hersov switches his angle of attack to Transnet in this powerful op-ed just published on BizNews. His verdict: ANC deployed cadres have purposefully broken the rail network to profit from its destruction:
Anti-apartheid icon
@PeterHain
has the world's 14th largest law firm in his crosshairs because of the role it played in state capture in SA. He named 2 700 lawyer strong Hogan Lovells in House of Lords today for a KPMG-style whitewash in a report for SARS.
Successful entrepreneur Rob Hersov's
#VoetsekANC
call caught fire today when he took his personal campaign to a whole new level. He joined a DA-organised march to the ANC's headquarters and was handed the microphone. What followed was Hersov in full cry:
A friend struggling to lift his gloom asked yesterday for five uplifting things about SA.
@CyrilRamaphosa
's leadership made my easily created list. His response to Daisy's letter confirms SA has a centred, humble, mature leader. Such a rarity among politicians in today's world.
Any contribution to fulfilling the dreams of a child is the highest calling. Daisy from Buffalo City wrote to me asking if little girls can become Presidents. Her optimism for our country affirms my belief in the indomitability of the human spirit.
Leon Schreiber has been on a three year mission to expose the root cause of SA's economic malaise. Courtesy of a court ruling, Luthuli House was forced to 'fess up. Now all can see how useless ANC cadres were parachuted into top jobs + funded by our taxes:
Zimbabwe's new president ED Mnangagwa's inaugural speech. Have a listen or read the transcript. Abandons socialist drivel, applies sensible economics and focuses on rejoining the global community. Zim looks ready to rebound from rock bottom. Hope springs.
Nailed it
@zapiro
- IMF data shows SA's GDP in 2011 was $417bn. At end 2016 it was $296bn. That's an economic contraction of 29% in five years caused by corruption and mismanagement. Hence the rationality of Ramaphoria - South Africans realised any change was a big improvement.
The 96 million subscribers to the channel of Youtube icon PewDiePIe have been treated to his 11 minute roasting of former SA president Jacob Zuma: Almost 4m people have already watched the clip and over 40 000 have posted comments. Seriously ouchy:
Brilliant insights from IRR's Frans Cronje: "It proves the formula for our country’s success is deceptively simple. No need for ‘national development plans’ and ‘presidential commissions’. Just appoint the right people, do your job, and stop stealing."
CR: "We have the most beautiful country in the whole world. We are the most hospitable people in the whole world. There is no reason we cannot double the number of people employed in tourism. This year we will take measures to reduce regulatory barriers in tourism."
#SONA2018
Fascinating interview on a rarely covered subject - SA's northwestern neighbour Namibia has become Africa's immigration hot spot, attracting wealthy people seeking a safe, modern existence. And this is before the oil and gas boom has been accounted for:
Courageous activist Ian Cameron takes a deserved swipe at police minister Bheki Cele over the way he interpreted the latest crime stats. He also expresses frustration at the "photo-op" politicians - but reckons there is hope through via progress in W Cape.
Real reason for EFF's racist diatribe against Treasury DDG Ismail Momoniat: the party is awfully close to tobacco tax dodgers now in the sights of recently uncaptured SARS. Superbly argued and researched piece by
@MarianneThamm
and
@PaulivW
. A must read.
The impossible has happened - Gauteng politicians have raised the already sky high hypocrisy bar. Dumb move. Never underestimate the intelligence of normal folk. They will always punish you for treating them like idiots. Roll on May 29.
Think South Africans are gatvol? Not enough says Wits Prof and bestselling author William Gumede who reckons our collective fury falls short of where it should be. Time for citizens to rise in outrage, he says. Cracking interview with Linda v Tilburg:
Sick of SA media's doom and gloom? Here's a story to savour. The 37yo guiding the country's City of Hope is determined to keep building on recent wins on tourists and loadshedding. Inspirational Cape Town executive mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is on BizNews:
This Open Letter to SA president Cyril Ramaphosa captures the zeitgeist of a nation that's increasingly restive at the unholy alliance between an appeasing SA business community and blundering bullies in the ANC who're doubling down on economic stupidity:
At today’s AGM of leading retailer Pick n Pay, chairman Gareth Ackerman publicly called out the destructive ANC government, rejecting fatalism, blind optimism, urging action to overcome downward spiral and exposing challenges for what they are. On BizNews:
Jacob Zuma's wrecking ball, who single-handedly destroyed South African Airways, is finally getting her comeuppance. Here's why Dudu Myeni's first corruption charge is only the start of her troubles. On BizNews. Get Context. Know More:
Corruption and rank incompetence by the eThekwini Metro governors is now having serious consequences. Best illustrated by the impact of collapsing water infrastructure in what was once SA's most admired municipality. Nicole Bolmann has the inside track:
In a no-holds-barred interview about the State of the SA Nation, Prof Jonathan Jansen tells BizNews’ Michael Appel that South Africa “needs to vote these buggers [ANC] out of power” come national elections in 2024. Well said Prof. Listen here:
Markus Jooste's hopes of staying out of prison took a nosedive today after disclosures the former CEO of Steinhoff was tipping off his friends before the storm hit and the share price lost 90% in a fortnight. Insider trading is a criminal offence: