The tyranny of mediocrity

SA agricultural sector is blooming

South Africa’s agricultural exports could well hit record levels in 2026, surpassing even a spectacular 2025, despite Donald Trump’s tariff cadenza last year. Merchant banker Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen discuss this, and other matters agricultural, with SPECIAL GUEST Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz. Amid the deluge of bad news confronting both the country and the world — and the deluge of rainfall across much of South Africa — this is a fabulous turn-up for the books. As your mother always told you, it is basic etiquette not to complain about farmers with your mouth full.

What is happening to the world? Literally.

It turns out that foreign affairs are much more complicated than you might imagine - even when they don’t involve an Italian lover. To find out more, Merchant banker Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen talk to SPECIAL GUEST journalist and foreign affairs correspondent Linda van Tilburg about why the 10 Downing Street cat Larry seems to have more chance of maintaining his domicile than other recent residents. And there is also the meeting between US president Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which seemed to elicit more photographs than policies. Also, AI.

The Prime Minister, the President, and the lettuce

With South Africa’s unemployment rate up again among many other problems, to what extent has local politics reached its nadir? To put it another way, is the political system capable of achieving the needs and requirements of the  population - both locally and in the world? Yes, says Investment banker Mark Barnes and SPECIAL GUEST Ann Bernstein, head of the Centre for Development and Enterprise. Journalist Tim Cohen is, as always, more sceptical. And dentistry!

The Prime Minister, the President, and the lettice

With South Africa’s unemployment rate up again among many other problems, to what extent has local politics reached its nadir? To put it another way, is the political system capable of achieving the needs and requirements of the  population - both locally and in the world? Yes, says Investment banker Mark Barnes and SPECIAL GUEST Ann Bernstein, head of the Centre for Development and Enterprise. Journalist Tim Cohen is, as always, more sceptical. And dentistry!

The Trappings of Debt. Literally.

What does it mean for you and your investments that global public sector debt has now breached the $100-trillion mark, and by the end of the decade government debt will probably reach 100% of global GDP. It's confusing. Debt is a facility, a promise, a tool, a shock absorber … and a trap door. Merchant banker Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen discussed this topic with Special Guest Rob Rose. Also running. Not us. Other people.