Business Bagel

In Today's Show: A gold-smuggling underworld is erupting beneath Mpumalanga, where thousands of zama zamas risk everything for a criminal gold pipeline that stretches to Dubai. In finance, US tariffs tighten their grip as Maersk pulls its direct shipping route from SA, pushing exporters to the brink. Petrol’s down, diesel’s up, and political tensions in the GNU heat up. And for the wildcard: w...

PLEASE NOTE: We experienced a technical issue in today's episode, in which we were unable to extract the video sound effects for the audio version. Apologies for the inconvenience. In Today's Show: From traffic fines that could now cost you your license to a major legal blow to BEE rules in real estate - South Africa’s systems are under pressure. Treasury’s racing to insure public infrastructure a...

In Today's Show: South Africa reels after the US imposes a 30% tariff on exports - crushing car deals, shaking markets, and threatening thousands of jobs. The Reserve Bank stirs controversy with a new 3% inflation target, while government races to soften the blow and win back US trade ties. FlySafair pilots return to work after a hard-won deal. And in today’s Wildcard: the Northern Cape’s dark...

In Today's Show: Vodacom’s billion-rand “Please Call Me” saga isn’t over yet — and the courts just sent the case back for another round. Parliament barely pushed Budget 2025 through after a VAT hike standoff, and Woolworths is living a double life: booming in SA, but dragging in Australia. Meanwhile, MTN bounces back in Nigeria, the rand stumbles, and Paarl’s Interschools rugby derby is shaping up...

In Today's Show: Donald Trump might snub the G20 in Joburg, dimming SA’s moment in the global spotlight - while FlySafair’s strike sends local airfares soaring. Porsche’s EV wins are no match for a brutal tariff hike, and the IMF reminds us SA is still crawling where others are sprinting. But there’s good news too: a record grain harvest, Cape Town’s tax sweetener, and no big injuries to the Boks....

In Today's Show: Pick n Pay’s budget brand is quietly winning — while its parent flails, Boxer is booming. Temu’s in hot water with EU regulators over dodgy goods, raising alarm for South African shoppers. In sport, Red Bull looks set to keep Verstappen for 2026 as Sundowns eye a clean sweep and Coetze makes waves in the pool. And in classrooms? Corporal punishment is far from over, with nearl...

In Today's Show: South Africa’s population reportedly hits 63.1 million — but beneath the headline is a deeper shift in who’s moving, where they’re going, and what it means for the economy. New US tariffs could hammer local exporters, but Pretoria is doubling down on Africa-wide trade as a long-term play. Johannesburg secures the biggest sports payday since 2010, with LIV stars and local legends t...

In Today's Show: South Africa’s borders are heating up with alleged Lesotho-linked militias accused of training for “land reclamation” campaigns, just as the country declares a national disaster over brutal US tariffs. Meanwhile, airport security failures are exposed after two training grenades were cleared and flown to Ethiopia. On the markets, the JSE hits a record 100,000 points but beneath the...

In Today's Show: South Africa’s Treasury faces a chilling cyberattack - with malware slipping through a Microsoft flaw, raising alarms about national security and digital defences. Parliament narrowly passes the national budget after Ramaphosa fires a minister under pressure, exposing cracks in the GNU. In business, Panado-maker Adcock Ingram gets a surprise R4 billion buyout offer from India’...

In Today's Show: South Africa is borrowing R7 billion from the BRICS Bank to fix major highways - but with potholes still everywhere, will this money really fix anything? Meanwhile, the JSE has just smashed through the 100,000 mark for the first time ever, driven by global interest in local commodities and relative political 'calm'. In media, DStv is being taken over by French giant Ca...

In Today's Show: Ramaphosa fires his higher education minister just days before a crucial budget vote - now the DA wants more. Dis-Chem pulls a skincare line after regulators crack down on its CeraVe copy. Meanwhile, Steinhoff’s ghost finally fades as Ibex cashes out R28 billion in Pepkor shares, Telkom rebrands after a major profit rebound, and ABSA faces internal leaks. Matt Pearce also retu...

In Today's Show: The SABC wants to keep your VAT in a bold move to boost its cashflow without raising licence fees. Meanwhile, FlySafair is facing turbulence of its own, as pilots go on strike and flight cancellations mount. In business, the Starlink policy storm heats up with over 19,000 public submissions and growing concern from local telcos. Capitec names a new CEO, and gas prices keep cli...

In Today's Show: FlySafair pilots have launched a two-week strike, escalating a standoff over pay and rest rights, while the airline insists it’s business as usual. In a landmark move, Meta is handing over user data in a South African court case involving explicit content of school children. Meanwhile, the Junior Boks defeat New Zealand to end a 13-year title drought and claim the U20 World Cup. A...

In Today's Show: South Africa’s latest intelligence report has named a coup among a list of potential national threats, sparking political jitters and raising  questions about state stability. Eskom, meanwhile, warns it can’t meet emissions targets, risking billions in climate funding. In business, Woolworths and Engen hit 100 co-branded stores as petrol stations pivot to retail. On the pitch,...

In Today's Show: FlySafair faces a possible pilot strike, throwing travel plans and management into turbulence. Meanwhile, Shell’s offshore oil plans return, sparking fresh backlash from coastal communities. South Africa looks to China as US tariffs threaten auto exports, with new car plant deals on the table to protect jobs. On the pitch, the Boks test new talent against Georgia, with Siya Kolisi...

In Today's Show: Police trust in South Africa has collapsed, with just 22% of citizens saying they believe in SAPS - the lowest figure in 27 years. Meanwhile, Meta has been ordered to shut down anonymous Instagram and WhatsApp accounts targeting schoolchildren with explicit content. In sport, the Junior Springboks gear up for a massive U20 final against New Zealand after crushing Argentina. And at...

In Today's Show: Ramaphosa suspends Police Minister Senzo Mchunu after explosive claims of sabotage inside SAPS, but critics aren’t convinced the cleanup is more than political theatre. Meanwhile, Eskom continues to drag its feet over key reforms as South Africa pushes for a more open electricity grid. Over in e-commerce, Temu speeds up delivery through local third-party partners without ever...

In Today's Show: South Africa’s Grade R mandate will be kicksing in — but provinces are left scrambling without a cent of extra funding. Cigarette giants warn of a black market takeover as billions in tax go up in smoke, with Polaris caught in the middle. On the field, the Springboks silence critics with a dominant and unorthodox win over Italy, bending the rules and maybe rewriting them. More...

In Today's Show: SA is facing a surge in cyberattacks, from deepfake investment scams to ransomware leaking sensitive state information. Vodacom’s R13 billion fibre deal gets the nod from the Competition Commission, but only after agreeing to strict price caps and oversight. Treasury is rolling out a R9 billion guarantee fund to unlock private grid investment. Fast food giants like KFC and Col...

In Today's Show: Lesotho has been hit hard after Trump’s brutal tariffs threats brought its textile industry to its knees, with AGOA’s expiry looming like a hammer. Back home, car giants are scrambling to fix faulty brakes, belts, and bolts in a wave of urgent recalls that could affect thousands. Home Affairs just got an R11 billion upgrade — promising digital IDs, faster queues, passport deli...

In Today's Show: Trump hits South Africa with a 30% tariff, sparking concern across export sectors as Pretoria’s trade proposal gets ignored. At home, SARS’s eFiling system crashes on day one, locking out thousands of taxpayers, while Joburg’s new CCTV by-law draws backlash over surveillance and red tape. In healthcare, top medical schemes face scrutiny over racial bias in audit practices, and...

In Today's Show: A police commissioner has publicly accused the minister of shielding a politically connected criminal syndicate — and the fallout could shake the top of SAPS. BP is rolling out upgrades across its 500+ petrol stations, adding EV charging and low-carbon battery rentals as fuel demand slows and retail competition heats up. In sport, a South African batsman delivered a once-in-a-gene...

In Today's Show: South Africa’s kids are now showing signs of heart disease at just five years old — and doctors are sounding the alarm. In business, Woolworths is turning grocery shopping into a curated lifestyle experience, while S&P says local banks are finally entering an expansion phase. On the field, the Springboks got the win over Italy, but Rassie left Loftus unimpressed. And Eskom thi...

In Today's Show: Joburgers are quietly packing up and heading back home, as Cape Town’s rising costs push out the very semigrants it once attracted. Pick n Pay admits spaza shops are chipping away at their market share, adding to the growing chorus that SA’s informal economy isn’t just surviving — it’s winning. The Springboks are back, Wimbledon is in chaos, and there’s more sport this weekend tha...

In Today's Show: Parliament gasped as a minister floated the return of corporal punishment, not as law, but as a political grenade to spotlight the chaos in Correctional Services. Meanwhile, pet food delivery has become the next retail battleground, with Sixty60 and Mr D racing to dominate your dog’s dinner bowl. And on the roads, new car sales are soaring with budget brands gaining ground and buy...