Behind successful films is an army of people creating the magic we see on screen. In the case of animated films, that means 24 painstaking frames per second to bring characters to life — ones our kids and we have come to love. One of those creators is a South African born in Pretoria who moved from satellite imagery at CSIR to become a digital effects artist at Pixar. Ferdi Scheepers has worked on The Incredibles, Toy Story, and most recently, Disney’s sci-fi adventure Elio. Now on his 19th film...
Jul 25, 2025•13 min0
The Patriotic Alliance (PA) scored a shock win last night over the Democratic Alliance (DA) in a Paarl in a ward where it got 43% of the vote after getting only 1% there in 2021. Elections analyst Wayne Sussman tells BizNews: “…this means that Gayton McKenzie and the Patriotic Alliance are edging closer and closer to the City of Cape Town. If they can win seats off the DA in the DA stronghold of Mossel Bay, in places like Amstelhof Paarl, what can they do to the Democratic Alliance in the City o...
Jul 24, 2025•14 min0
In today’s BizNews Briefing, tensions rise as the US House Foreign Affairs Committee advances sanctions legislation against ANC leaders over ties with Russia and China. The Hudson Institute’s Joshua Meservey warns South Africa’s stance on Taiwan further strains US relations. Former SAPS General Johann Beukes reacts to the long-delayed suspension of Advocate Andrew Chauke. Plus, the Trump administration unveils a bold AI development push, Google grapples with AI-driven ad risks, and a former Tesl...
Jul 24, 2025•19 min0
The US’s punitive Jackson Bill, which threatens harsh punishment for South Africa including personal financial sanctions on leading ANC members, has taken another big step towards becoming law. Its sponsor, former White House medical chief Ronny Jackson, celebrated its passing through the committee stage by tweeting that it will give President Trump “the tools necessary to hold their corrupt government accountable.” Joshua Meservey, a senior fellow at Washington’s prestigious Hudson Institute, p...
Jul 23, 2025•30 min0
Former SAPS General Johan Booysen, the honest cop who was publicly harassed and then suspended for doing his job too well, shares his insights into the long-overdue suspension of political-appointment Adv Andrew Chauke. He also provides context on fellow KZN top cop Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s bombshell disclosures of abuses by criminals and their puppet politicians that have numerous parallels to Booysen’s own experiences. Gen Booysen spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.
Jul 23, 2025•25 min0
In today's BizNews Briefing, a US-SA sanctions bill has advanced from the US House Committee, potentially targeting ANC officials. President Ramaphosa’s sacking of Education Minister Nkabane has eased GNU tensions before a key budget vote, though Nkabane insists she’s innocent. US President Trump accuses Fed Chair Powell of politically motivated high rates, calling him a “numskull”. Republican Ralph Norman says Epstein files will be released soon. Nigeria’s economy gets a 30% paper upgrade, but ...
Jul 23, 2025•23 min0
Zingiswa Losi, president of COSATU, reflects on her landmark visit to the White House, where she defended South Africa’s labour voice and addressed US trade tensions. In this powerful interview, she discusses AGOA, the threat of tariffs, and the critical need for unity between business, labour, and government to protect jobs and reset diplomatic relations.
Jul 23, 2025•28 min0
President Cyril Ramaphosa has been slammed for the “unacceptable inconsistency” he shows in firing members of his Cabinet. In this interview with BizNews, Wayne Duvenage of OUTA says: “… you look at our President and you ask him: do you understand what you do to the trust in government?” Duvenage was commenting on the sacking of Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane over her handling of controversial politically-linked appointments to CETA boards. Duvenage points out that while the sacked mi...
Jul 22, 2025•17 min0
In today's BizNews Briefing, OUTA’s Wayne Duvenage slams axed Minister Nobuhle Nkabane for hiding corruption in a board appointment scandal. At the same time, Freedom Front Plus’ Corné Mulder says her sacking was inevitable due to dodged oversight. Action Society’s Juanita du Preez decries trust erosion amid Police Ministry scandals. William Saunderson-Meyer urges a no-confidence motion against Ramaphosa. While RW Johnson critiques Ramaphosa’s G20 missteps, isolating South Africa. Israel’s Syria...
Jul 22, 2025•28 min0
As the crisis in the South African Police Ministry and the Police Service is deepening, Juanita Du Preez of Action Society tells BizNews “We don't know who to trust.” She gives her take on all the latest drama: Brian Mogotsi, the alleged associate of the Police Minister and well-known campaigner for the Cyril Ramaphosa presidency, claiming he is actually an undercover cop; Police Minister Senzo Mchunu - who is supposed to be on special leave - being on the African National Congress campaign trai...
Jul 21, 2025•16 min0
Veteran columnist William Saunderson-Meyer joins Alec Hogg to discuss South Africa’s mounting political crisis, faltering leadership under Cyril Ramaphosa, and the crumbling promise of the GNU. With 32 years of insight from his "Jaundiced Eye" column, Saunderson-Meyer explores rising public discontent, institutional decay, and the urgent need for political change.
Jul 21, 2025•28 min0
In today’s BizNews Briefing, the Walter and Albertina Sisulu Foundation urges President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down over alleged inaction on corruption. Ramaphosa defends his record during the presidency budget vote, including his handling of Minister Senzo Mchunu. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana confirms negotiations are underway to reverse looming 30% US tariffs. Plus, Netflix beats earnings forecasts, but investor jitters cause shares to dip.
Jul 21, 2025•21 min0
Fall-out from the bombshell dropped by General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the dangers of whistleblowing in South Africa are back in the spotlight. On the latest Sunday Show, journalist Chris Steyn speaks to Forensic Attorney Sarah Burger about the killings, character assassinations and income destruction of whistleblowers who expose politicians and the politically connected. “I believe that a lot of the prominent whistleblowers in South Africa have been politically targeted. And that is why they sit 10...
Jul 20, 2025•25 min0
Springbok forward Nomsa Mokwai doesn’t just hit hard on the rugby field for the Women rugby team - she also resuscitates patients in a Cape Town emergency room. With 13 Test caps to her name and a gruelling schedule that sees her swapping scrums for 12-hour ER shifts, Mokwai is one of many women juggling full-time work with national duty. At 32, she’s gunning for a spot in the squad heading to Twickenham for the 2025 World Cup - even if that means sacrificing family time and sleep. In an intervi...
Jul 18, 2025•12 min0
A new report from the Middle East Africa Research Institute (MEARI) warns that South Africa’s deepening relationship with Iran carries significant consequences—undermining democratic values and threatening strategic interests, particularly with the United States.In an interview with BizNews, MEARI’s Benji Shulman expands on the report’s findings, raising the alarm over what he sees as a troubling alignment with an authoritarian regime. He argues that South Africa’s engagement with Iran risks dam...
Jul 17, 2025•15 min0
There have been “very, very few signs of a military coup or a revolution in South Africa” , says Elections Analyst Wayne Sussman in his latest interview on BizNews. He was reacting to a coup being one of the key threats listed in the National Security Strategy report for 2024 - 2028. “I can't think of an actor in our Defense Force who'd be positioned to be able to lead a coup,” he says. However, Sussman agrees that some of the other key threats identified are real challenges. He says the assassi...
Jul 17, 2025•16 min0
In today’s BizNews Briefing, Prince Mashele slams Cyril Ramaphosa in a fiery SMWX interview; the ANC accuses the DA of undermining national interests amid tensions with the US. Alec Hogg hears from KZN exporters facing 40% tariffs and Dr Frans Cronje on why Helen Zille as Joburg mayor could be a political masterstroke. Minister Solly Malatse discusses Starlink’s South African prospects, and Trump denies plotting to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
Jul 17, 2025•16 min0
In the most recent annual assessment of trade relationships, the US listed three pages of ‘non-tariff barriers’ imposed by South Africa, whose exports currently enter America duty-free. From August 1, Trump Tariffs will make SA goods 40% more expensive for Americans. Trade expert, former WTO senior official Johann Human rates the chances of SA avoiding Trump Tariffs at ‘zero’ and in this powerful interview, says unless Pretoria starts to take US objections, SA goods will soon be priced out of th...
Jul 17, 2025•25 min0
National Business Chamber chair Melanie Veness, whose day job is CEO of the PMB & Midlands Chamber, says whistleblowing Gen Nhalnha Mkhwanazi is fully supported on the ground in KZN. She says efforts by the provincial head of SAPS have been successful in turning the tide against crime and corruption - and that his disclosures of corrupt MPs being in cahoots with criminals is no surprise in a province wracked by the consequences of endemic corruption. She also shares suggestions for exporters...
Jul 16, 2025•22 min0
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi should be protected. So says Moira Campbell, the joint interim leader at Corruption Watch. “…we are concerned about the victimisation of Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi….it took a lot for him to come forward…We must get to the bottom of this - and he should be protected in the process.” Meanwhile, Campbell has some hope that the Commission of Inquiry - appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations of underworld links b...
Jul 16, 2025•16 min0
Political scientist Dr Frans Cronjé unpacks South Africa’s rapid transformation, Helen Zille’s potential mayoral bid, ANC factionalism, and looming US tariffs. In conversation with Alec Hogg, he highlights both crisis and opportunity, urging bold leadership and investment reforms to steer the nation towards recovery and sustainable growth.
Jul 16, 2025•35 min0
With just two weeks to go before 30% tariffs are likely to come into effect on the 1st of August, it has emerged that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy Mcebisi Jonas has not even been able to get into the US because his diplomatic visa was denied and his credentials rejected. In this interview with BizNews, Emma Powell, the Democratic Alliance's spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation, warns that South Africa is “hurtling towards disaster at a rapid rate” while “once agai...
Jul 16, 2025•18 min0
In today's BizNews Briefing, with US tariffs looming, DA’s Emma Powell warns SA faces a diplomatic crisis as Ramaphosa’s envoy falters. Corruption Watch’s Moira Campbell discusses whistleblower protections for General Mkhwanazi post-explosive revelations. Minister Gayton McKenzie gears up for a bombshell testimony. Investors flock to catastrophe bonds as climate risks rise, while Tesla enters India’s car market and ASML rides the AI boom.
Jul 16, 2025•19 min0
In a wide-ranging and provocative address to the Rotary Club of Hermanus, BizNews founder Alec Hogg unpacks why 'First Principle Thinking', championed by Elon Musk, is the key to solving South Africa’s biggest challenges in governance, media, and the economy.
Jul 15, 2025•24 min0
In today's BizNews Briefing, US President Donald Trump has warned Russia of 100% secondary tariffs unless a Ukraine deal is reached within 50 days, while pledging advanced US weapons to Ukraine, with NATO footing the bill. Meanwhile, RW Johnson says Trump’s push to exempt US firms from South Africa’s BEE laws has exposed its economic flaws. Nvidia resumes H20 chip exports to China, and Bitcoin hits $122,000 as US lawmakers eye pro-crypto legislation. Neil de Beer urges South Africans to drive ch...
Jul 15, 2025•21 min0
In today’s BizNews Briefing, Cyril Ramaphosa places Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave amid organised crime allegations. Ian Cameron says Ramaphosa missed a chance to tackle SA’s crime crisis, while John Steenhuisen questions why other corrupt ministers remain untouched. Also in this episode: praise for top cop Mkwanazi, Kganyago on inflation targets, and Nvidia’s meteoric Wall Street surge.
Jul 14, 2025•16 min0
President Cyril Ramaphosa has missed a “golden opportunity to draw the line in the sand” with regards to organised crime. So says Democratic Alliance (DA) Spokesperson on Police, Ian Cameron, in his reaction to the President’s appointment of a Commmissioner of Inquiry to investigate allegations of links between the underworld and the police and politicians. “For us to reach this level of criminality and specifically with regards to organised crime, the only way to get there is essentially throug...
Jul 14, 2025•21 min0
In this wide-ranging interview, Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago speaks to Bronwyn Nielsen ahead of the impact of the Trump tariffs on Asa’s agricultural and auto sector, the push to modernise payments, and why central banks are struggling to model a future clouded by global uncertainty. Kganyago also unpacks opportunistic disinflation, interest rate scenario planning, and what’s needed to finally get South Africa’s economic “orchestra” playing in tune.
Jul 14, 2025•28 min0
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is “not scared of all types of bombs”. So says former police commander Willem Els, who is now with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) as Senior Training Coordinator in the ENACT organised crime programme. Els tells BizNews that the “bomb” dropped by the General last Sunday took “tremendous courage”. Els, who trained the General in Bomb Disposal, described him as a”disciplined officer, a straight talker, a straight shooter, a stra...
Jul 13, 2025•23 min0
Centuries ago, the French Huguenots sowed the seeds of winemaking in South Africa. Now, the tables have turned—South Africans are bringing a taste of their own culture back to French soil. One of them is South African businessman Christo Lindeque, who, along with his wife Elbe, breathed new life into Château de Montfleur, a 15th-century turreted château that had stood uninhabited for decades. The manager of Château de Montfleur, Carel Nolte, told BizNews in an interview that there are now about ...
Jul 11, 2025•15 min0
