BizNews Radio

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has shown huge gains in by-elections at the expense of both the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA). In his latest interview with BizNews, elections analyst Wayne Sussman describes how the DA and the ANC are being affected by the PA’s performances “across the length and breadth” of the Western Cape. “And this is a huge marker on the road to 2026. And Gayton McKenzie and the PA will be celebrating this victory today.” He was speaking after the PA’s shock win in Mossel Bay last night. Sussman also analyses the DA performance in Tshwane where it held a ward last night, as well as the ANC seeing “some recovery” in Mpumalanga. Sussman further dissects the latest dramatic developments in the City of Joburg where the ANC Mayor survived a Vote of Confidence, but the ActionSA Speaker was ousted.

On today's BizNews Briefing, President Ramaphosa defended BEE in the NCOP, calling it vital for growth and a "national project," dismissing claims it hinders investment. He proposed an "equity equivalent" model for firms like Starlink to invest while prioritising transformation. IRR’s Marius Roodt labelled Ramaphosa’s BEE stance "empty rhetoric," advocating economic growth over redistribution. Dr. Corné Mulder criticised BEE as punishing future generations, urging equal opportunities. Afrikaner delegates met White House officials to rebuild ties. Accounting firms eye IPOs, and the Springboks face the Barbarians this weekend, 30 years after their 1995 Rugby World Cup triumph.

Donald Trump lashes out with an F-bomb over Israel-Iran ceasefire breaches, sparking global concern. Paul Mashatile faces scrutiny over alleged Lotto licence meddling, while DA youth leaders warn MP Liam Jacobs may regret his defection to the Patriotic Alliance. Finance Minister Godongwana’s proposal for full state funding of political parties draws fire from Neil de Beer, calling it “DoF Moment No. 2.”

Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau was “surprised” by the links of Deputy President Paul Mashatile to the new Lotto licensee appointed by him at the end of May. So says Toby Chance, the Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on Trade, Industry and Competition, after the Minister was questioned today. “Minister Tau didn't appear to be aware of it, which raises serious questions of due diligence in the Lottery adjudication process.” Chance says there are lots of unanswered questions “and unfortunately, it's a classic case - yet again - of how State Capture and corruption works. It's a dubious connection between politicians, business people and public officials. which has led to the downfall of so many of our institutions.” Chance adds that the corruption charges laid against the Deputy President by the DA over a year ago are still pending. “And so I think that what Mr. Tau is able to uncover, if he does go ahead with this investigation into Sizekhaya's shareholding, could be the beginning of a slippery slope for the Deputy President.”

The shock defection from the Democratic Alliance to the Patriotic Alliance of Liam Jacobs has opened a can of worms. In this interview with BizNews, interim DA Youth Federal Leader Ndipiwe Olayi describes the reasons Jacobs put forward as “really unfair and untrue”. He recalls being with Jacobs the day before he made the announcement when “he was actually celebrating how the DA has been performing”. Olayi notes that in Jacobs’s live social media appearance “he was a bit manic - and it was hysterical to be very honest… And I think he will come to regret that decision.” Oyali also outlines what it takes to rise to the highest office in the DA Youth; his own track record in local government; his future politicas aspirations - and the vision of the DA Youth to deal with especially rampant youth unemployment. He has harsh words for the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) where “board members and individuals that are employed in the structure are employing cronies aligned to the ANC (African National Congress) Youth League. And we find that this billion-ran budget, if not more, because it gets a lot of investment from the private sector as well, it's mismanaged and misused.”