Best countries in the world report: Why SA ranks 39 and the US is falling

Speaking at the second BizNews Investment Conference (BNIC#2) in Hermanus, former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter warned that South Africa faces the same collapse conditions as 1989, but said bold leadership could spark renewal. He called for a “fantasy SONA” in 2026: needs-based empowerment, a new Scorpions, fiscal discipline, and…

In his weekly chat with Bronwyn Nielsen, Stanlib chief economist Kevin Lings unpacks US inflation and the Federal Reserve’s looming rate cut decision amid rising political pressure from Trump. He also highlights South Africa’s widening trade deficit, fragile 1% growth outlook, and the unsustainable retail boost driven by pension withdrawals—warning…

From protests erupting in Westbury over an eight-year water crisis to Parliament delaying key testimony in a high-profile police probe, South Africa’s domestic tensions are rising. In the US, conservative activist Charlie Kirk is gunned down at a university event, while Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar sparks rare…

President Ramaphosa doubles down on the National Dialogue as critics circle, while SA heads back to Washington to battle painful US tariffs. Abroad, Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar ramps up Middle East tensions. In business, Anglo American and Teck’s $50bn copper mega-merger shakes up global mining. Back home,…

Mining guru Peter Major unpacks Anglo American’s surprise merger with Teck, the copper-driven strategy behind it, and what it means for South Africa’s mining future — from Pan African’s growth to Transnet’s failures.