Gayton McKenzie: The GNU & VAT; AfriForum & America - and the Zuma threat in 2029
In this wide-ranging interview with BizNews, Gayton McKenzie, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, gives behind-the-scenes insights into the stance of political parties on VAT and the postponement of the Budget speech. “We had our biggest test for me since joining the GNU this week…I say we passed that test with flying colours.” However, he calls on all political leaders to “restrain ourselves from beating our chest and then making the GNU look bad”. McKenzie stresses that the GNU is “sacrosanct” to the future of South Africa - and says: “If this GNU fails, I am leaving this country.” He also speaks about his meeting with AfriForum, saying: “What we managed to agree on is one thing: that there's no white genocide”. However, he says the African National Congress (ANC) was “very clumsy” in its handling of the Expropriation with Compensation Bill - and the GNU now has to craft new foreign policy. As for the next national elections, McKenzie warns: “Zuma is the threat for the GNU in 2029….You will see President Zuma in 2029 if the GNU doesn’t stop him."
--------
22:21
BN Briefing – Roodt: ANC hits brick wall with SA budget, Trump pushes peace deal without Ukraine
South Africa’s budget—or rather, the one that didn’t happen—is the highlight in today’s BizNews Briefing. Bronwyn Nielsen speaks with economist Dawie Roodt, who has covered SA budgets for 40 years, and DA leader John Steenhuisen for their insights. Meanwhile, Alec Hogg reports from the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship in London, featuring interviews with John Endres and Rob Hersov. Plus, global headlines as Donald Trump pursues a Ukraine-Russia peace deal and calls out Volodymyr Zelensky as a dictator.
--------
20:27
Steenhuisen slams ANC’s ‘disastrous’ VAT hike plan—DA fights back
In a heated showdown over South Africa’s budget, DA leader John Steenhuisen takes a firm stance against a proposed VAT hike, arguing for a pro-growth, pro-jobs approach. Is this a turning point in coalition politics?
--------
10:25
IRR’s Endres: ARC’s wake up call for SA - embrace changing world or perish
The process of rapid economic and social renewal is underway, reflected in the worldwide abandoning of a raft of destructive narratives. John Endres, IRR CEO, shares his major takeaways from the ARC conference in London where over 4 000 delegates got a strong dose of this reality. Endres urges Pretoria to urgently smell the coffee. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg
--------
17:51
The truth behind SA’s energy future: Nuclear hype or political theatre?
In a heated discussion on South Africa’s nuclear energy future, expert Andrew Kenny dismisses claims that the country is strengthening nuclear ties with Iran, calling the notion baseless. He argues that South Africa, having renounced nuclear weapons and maintained transparency, has no nuclear agreements with Iran and is far more advanced in nuclear technology. Kenny also critiques both local and international political rhetoric, highlighting that while South Africa should welcome global bids for nuclear power, the real contenders lie elsewhere—particularly Russia, which he regards as a top-tier nuclear supplier. With political tensions between the US and South Africa playing a role in the narrative, Kenny urges a focus on facts over speculation in shaping the country’s energy future.
Portugal