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Self-made business mogul turned politician Herman Mashaba, is confident Action SA will be the surprise package of South Africa’s 2024 National and Provincial elections. He says hard work over the past three years; a campaign that resonates with all races; and a God-centred approach is set to catapult ActionSA from its excellent debut in 2021 into major player this year. He is aiming high - countering poor poll showings with on-the-ground feedback from the party’s 320 000 activists suggesting  even third place (behind the ANC and DA) would be “a disappointing result”. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

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With only a week to go before the most important election since 1994, many South Africans are still not sure which party to vote for. BizNews asked Dr. Ina Gouws of the Department of Political Studies and Governance at the University of the Free State to give viewers an objective and unbiased overview of the manifestos of five parties that are currently dominating the headlines: the ruling African National Congress (ANC), the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) of Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema, the MK Party of former President Jacob Zuma, and Gayton McKenzie’s Patriotic Alliance (PA). Dr Gouws details how each party wants to tackle the issues that most concern South Africans: crime, corruption, the economy, job creation, and power generation.

As the crucial 29 May elections draw near, financial markets are seemingly wagering on the ANC losing its majority and forming a coalition with right-of-centre minor parties. Dawie Roodt, an economist from the Efficient Group, shared with Biznews that the financial markets are already factoring in a favourable outcome, as evidenced by the robust performance of the JSE, bond markets and Rand. Roodt anticipates a potential surge of 20-30% for the JSE, a 200 bips gain for the bond market, and the Rand strengthening to R17 to the US dollar, should the election yield a ‘good outcome’. This scenario involves the ANC’s support falling to around 45% and the formation of a government with political parties ‘slightly to the right’ of the ANC, who would hold Cabinet positions or the role of Speaker.
However, Roodt cautions that the new government will face significant economic challenges, including local authorities that are in disarray and will likely request additional funds from the Minister of Finance, the state-owned enterprises that “have been run into the ground” and the national accounts have become unsustainable with debt levels ranging between 75% and 90% of GDP.

At the BizNews Conference in London, GG Alcock captivated the audience with his remarkable life story, transitioning from a mud hut in rural KwaZulu-Natal to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Raised by activist parents in conditions without electricity or running water, Alcock learned resilience and adaptability early on. Despite never attending university, he launched South Africa's pioneering marketing firm targeting the informal economy. Alcock emphasised the untapped potential of this "invisible" sector, illustrating how savvy entrepreneurs can thrive in seemingly chaotic markets. His narrative challenges perceptions, urging businesses to recognise and invest in the vibrant, informal economies driving growth in South Africa.

At the BizNews Conference in London, AltVest Capital Limited CEO Warren Wheatley highlighted the transformative impact of his company on South Africa's informal and SME sectors. Wheatley passionately described how AltVest's innovative platform democratises investment opportunities, allowing everyday South Africans to fund and grow local businesses. Through equity and debt crowdfunding, AltVest bridges the gap between underserved communities and essential capital, fostering economic inclusion and resilience. With successful ventures like Pormat Property Group and Zwani Financial Services, AltVest is redefining financial access and creating sustainable growth across the nation.

In this pre-election interview with BizNews, United Independent Movement (UIM) President Neil de Beer says his party will deal “harshly” with the matter of its youth leader, Devon Hofmeyr, attending a gala fundraiser for former President Jacob Zuma's MK Party. He vows the UIM will not form any alliances with the ruling African National Congress (ANC), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), MK or any cabal. De Beer talks about the fear that MK - on a “massive march” - and the ANC might “become family again” - and that South Africa might have an ANC government again “by hook or by crook”. He speaks frankly about the “rocky affair” of the Multi-Party Charter (MPC), of which his party is a member, but gives the assurance that the MPC is still together - and going into the election “as a team”. He also describes the faultless strategy followed by Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie in the war for the Western Cape. And he warns that the "continual slapping" of smaller parties by bigger parties at the dawn of coalitions, is “dangerous” because “it's a smaller party that's part of a bigger party's probable win of 50 plus one”.

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