BizNews Radio BizNews

In a gripping keynote at the BizNews Conference in London, renowned forensic investigator and Certified Fraud Examiner Paul O’Sullivan exposed the alarming vulnerabilities of WhatsApp as a tool for intelligence gathering, while painting a bleak picture of South Africa's future. Highlighting rampant corruption, infrastructural decay, and governmental failures, O’Sullivan emphasized the critical importance of the upcoming elections for the country's fate. His speech, laced with anecdotes and stark realities, called for immediate action to avert a looming crisis, urging both local and global stakeholders to recognize and address these pressing issues.

GoSolr CEO Andrew Middleton electrified the audience at the BizNews Conference in London with his optimistic keynote on the transformative power of solar energy. Emphasising South Africa's immense solar potential, Middleton highlighted GoSolr's innovative subscription model, which has made solar energy accessible to thousands of households. He underscored the significant progress made in reducing load shedding and advocated for continued investment and regulatory reforms to accelerate the transition to renewable energy. With a vision of solar in every home, Middleton's message was clear: the future of energy is bright and sustainable.

The new Hate Speech Law could see critics of government policy on social media prosecuted and jailed - if their criticism is deemed to cause emotional or psychological harm to government officials or supporters. This is the warning from Ismail Joosub, the Legal Officer of Constitutional Programmes at The FW De Klerk Foundation, and a candidate MP for ActionSA. “The threat of imprisonment that the Act brings with it for expressing what it deems harmful speech will certainly deter individuals from speaking out about wrongdoing, undermining efforts to combat corruption and protect democratic values.” He says numerous rights in the Constitution - including the right to freedom of speech - are being “significantly violated” by the new law. It is now going to take a direct Constitutional Court challenge to get “this unconstitutional law to be struck down”.

In a riveting keynote address at the BizNews Conference in London, DA Shadow Minister of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries, James Lorimer MP, unveiled groundbreaking discoveries reshaping the nation's energy landscape. With the revelation of vast gas and oil reservoirs beneath Mpumalanga's soil and offshore along the Orange Basin, South Africa stands at the cusp of an economic revolution. Lorimer's detailed exploration of these finds, from Connecticut's pioneering gas-to-power ventures to Namibia's offshore bonanza, painted a picture of transformative potential. Despite challenges from government legislation and environmental activism, optimism reigns as South Africa eyes a future fueled by its abundant natural resources, poised to uplift its populace and rewrite its economic narrative.

Dr. Frans Cronje, Chair of the Social Research Foundation (SRF), delivered a captivating keynote speech at the BizNews Conference in London, offering a thought-provoking analysis of South Africa's political landscape. Drawing from decades of data and observation, Dr. Cronje outlined a nuanced vision of the country's trajectory, emphasizing shifts in voter demographics, the rise of fringe political ideologies, and the ANC's evolving support base. His insights into potential coalition governments and the role of countervailing forces underscored the complexity and dynamism of South Africa's democratic evolution. Dr. Cronje's address provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the nation's political future, sparking discussions on unity, reform, and governance strategies moving forward.

Nelson Mandela embodied a spirit of reconciliation and was intent on broadening perspectives, which led to a peaceful transition in South Africa from apartheid to a democratic state. Judy Sikuza, the CEO of the Nelson Rhodes Foundation, wants to amplify this spirit as one of the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders. Sikuza is one of three African leaders selected to drive positive change in the world for the next three years. In an interview with Biznews, Sikuza expressed her desire to use this opportunity to explore how we could collaborate more effectively globally on a variety of issues, including AI and climate change. She also commented on the controversy around the use of Cecil John Rhodes’ name, stating that Mandela saw it as an opportunity to practically express the legacy of reconciliation and reparations, and to redistribute some of the wealth to build the next generation.