Business News Leaders

How AECI's CEO plans to steer the firm through the challenges that lie ahead

AECI's CEO Mark Dytor says he is deeply concerned about the outlook for South Africa's economy as the country's underground mining sector may only recover in the second quarter of 2021 and the manufacturing industry may never fully recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Business Day TV spoke to Dytor find…

29 Jul 2020 2AM 5 min

Will the restaurant industry survive post-Covid-19?

The restaurant industry continues to fight for survival under level 3 lockdown restrictions with players in the sector taking to the streets to protest the alcohol ban and curfew. Business Day TV discussed some of the challenges with Nedbank CIB's Munira Kharva.

29 Jul 2020 2AM 3 min

SIPs Away

Government has finally unveiled 50 strategic infrastructure projects (Sips) and 12 special projects involving a total investment of R360 billion, as the first tranche of a massive infrastructure expenditure programme to drive the post Covid-19 economic recovery effort. Michael Avery speaks to Dr Kgosientso Ramokgopa, head of the investment and…

29 Jul 2020 2AM 26 min

Kumba plans R7bn project despite Covid-19 hit

Kumba Iron Ore's interim output and sales volumes took a knock due to lockdown regulations and as a result the group’s headline earnings per share plunged 17%. But despite the hit, the group will be powering ahead with a R7bn project. Business Day TV spoke to Themba Mkhwanazi, CEO of…

28 Jul 2020 2AM 7 min

BLSA weighs in on SA’s R70bn IMF loan

South Africa has received a R70bn loan from the International Monetary Fund to help support the economy as it deals with the fallout from Covid-19, but business is concerned about corruption and is calling for accountability and transparency when it comes to spending the funds. Business Day TV spoke to…

28 Jul 2020 2AM 6 min

Funding SA's infrastructure-led recovery plan

Government is pegging its hopes on an infrastructure-led economic recovery and Business Day TV caught up with RMB's Siyanda Mflathelwa to discuss some of the available funding options.

28 Jul 2020 2AM 3 min

Opportunity to trigger sustained energy sector investment plan for SA

A recent study conducted jointly by Meridiam Economics & The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Energy Centre, shows that South Africa’s lowest cost power system now consists primarily of renewable energy, with gas power and battery backup. And these circumstances create an opportunity for a large, sustained, mostly private…

28 Jul 2020 2AM 18 min

How Covid-19 decisions divert focus from water supply crisis

As South Africa responds to COVID-19 and aims to stimulate the economy and job creation post lockdown through an infrastructure-led package, an opportunity should not be missed to address many of the water and sanitation challenges in the country. Michael Avery talks to TIPS senior economist Gaylor Montmasson-Clair, Mike Muller,…

27 Jul 2020 2AM 18 min

How Steinhoff plans to tackle its legal battles

Steinhoff International is looking to settle some of the lawsuits against the embattled retailer by offering claimants cash and Pepkor shares. About 90 separate lawsuits have been filed against Steinhoff, with combined claims of more than R136bn. Business Day TV caught up with the group's CEO Louis du Preez for…

27 Jul 2020 2AM 5 min

Surging metal prices save Amplats dividend

Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) has reported a dip in interim profit as it had to deal with a lockdown in South Africa, but a sharply higher price for the group's metals has allowed the miner to declare a dividend. Business Day TV spoke Amplats CEO to Natascha Viljoen for more…

27 Jul 2020 2AM 8 min

Writedowns weigh on Invicta

Invicta swung into a loss during its year to end-March after it recorded writedowns of R1.1bn. Business Day TV unpacked the financial performance of the group in more detail with CEO Steven Joffe.

27 Jul 2020 2AM 4 min

SA may stop lenders from blacklisting borrowers

South Africa's government is mulling a proposal to temporarily ban lenders from blacklisting consumers whose credit records have been hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Managing Director of the Banking Association of South Africa Bongiwe Kunene spoke to Business Day TV about what this would mean for the financial sector if…

24 Jul 2020 2AM 7 min

Food service industry cooks up restaurant relief plan

South Africa’s restaurant industry is on the brink of collapse. News that a newly formed consortium of South Africa’s biggest food service suppliers, have partnered with leading food service distributor, Bidfood, to pool resources and in an effort to support the restoration of the industry, offers a glimmer of hope…

24 Jul 2020 2AM 26 min

Universal income grant sparks big debate

The debate over a universal basic income or a basic income grant has raged for 20 years. From a humanitarian perspective, there is an absolute need for support for the 'missing middle' and an issue that has only been heightened by the pandemic shock to the economy has pushed a…

23 Jul 2020 2AM 28 min

Were SA companies too hasty in looking for growth offshore?

Anchor Capital's CEO Peter Armitage says that local firm’s attempts to diversify by going offshore may have wiped out about R300bn in shareholder value over the past decade. He believes that many companies overpaid in desperation to diversify and points to Sasol, Woolworths and Brait as the biggest culprits. Business…

23 Jul 2020 2AM 4 min

SARB cuts interest rates, repo rate sits at record low

South Africa's central bank has cut interest rates for the fifth time this year. The 25 basis point reduction takes the benchmark rate to a record low of 3.5%. Business Day TV spoke to Isaah Mhlanga from Alexander Forbes and Razia Khan from Standard Chartered for their views on the…

23 Jul 2020 2AM 12 min

Covid-19 weighs on Gautrain

Gautrain's passenger numbers have dropped significantly due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Business Day TV spoke to William Dachs, CEO of the Gautrain Management Agency for more detail.

22 Jul 2020 2AM 5 min

The critical state of SA's health care sector

Since launching in 2012, Corruption Watch has received nearly 700 complaints of corruption in the public healthcare system leading the watchdog to release a report on its findings. Business Day TV spoke to the author of the report, Melusi Ncala for more on what has been unearthed.

22 Jul 2020 2AM 7 min

Is the SARB being too conservative?

Michael Avery previews the SARB’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting. The choice to cut seems obvious. The burning question is whether the bank should be bolder during a time of crisis and start pulling other levers at its disposal Dave Mohr, Old Mutual Chief Investment strategist Prof Brian Kantor, an economist…

22 Jul 2020 2AM 25 min

Retail sales plunge during lockdown

Retail sales nosedived in April, falling over 50% year on year. The decline however eased in May as government relaxed some lockdown rules allowing more sectors of the economy to reopen. Business Day TV unpacked the print in detail with Sa'ad Chotia from Nedbank CIB.

22 Jul 2020 2AM 5 min