Wilko's Messages of Hope

In a brisk, plain-spoken BNIC#2 Q&A, economist Dawie Roodt argues that South Africa's future prosperity won't be engineered by bureaucracy but built outside it, through skills, private capital, and technology that decouples work from place. He frames Bitcoin as an idea (money as a social construct), pours cold water on gold's fundamentals despite recent gains, and pegs the Rand's fair value near 17 on purchasing-power parity—stronger absent political shocks. With SOEs effectively "privatised by default," he backs full concessioning of Eskom and Transnet, urges a shift from cre dentials to skills, and warns high debt leaves markets vulnerable to external triggers. The ultimate safeguard, he says, is South Africa's democracy—use it to vote out decay and protect the institutions that remain.

In this deep-dive conversation with entrepreneur, author, and strategist Daniel Priestley , we break down the principles behind building a scalable, modern business, even in a tough economy like South Africa’s. What you’ll learn: -Why entrepreneurship is more accessible (and necessary) than ever -The “0–30 people, $0–$5M” startup phase every founder goes through -Lifestyle business vs. hyper-growth business. And why stopping at $1M revenue might be the dream -How to build demand before launching your product (the waiting list strategy) -Why personal brands beat business brands 20:1 on social media -Turning followers into paying customers — community-first entrepreneurship -The boomer business takeover opportunity: financing your way into a proven business -Avoiding autopilot living & creating space for visionary thinking -Why recurring revenue, a strong team, and proprietary assets are the keys to a multi-million dollar exit -The mindset shift from being the best at everything to...

At BNIC#2 in Hermanus, Deputy Finance Minister Ashor Sarupen laid out a candid roadmap for South Africa’s recovery. He stressed energy pragmatism - burn coal while building new transmission infrastructure and plugging in cheap renewables - alongside the urgency of restoring the rule of law. Sarupen argued that functional coalitions, not one-party dominance, will shape the country’s future, and said the GNU has “detoxified” the DA’s brand among sceptical voters. His core message: without growth, stability, and law enforcement, South Africa risks repeating July 2021’s chaos.

At the BizNews Investor Conference #2 in Hermanus, Deputy Finance Minister Ashor Sarupen delivered a stark warning: South Africa’s economy is stagnating and only deep structural reforms can turn it around. He identified three urgent priorities - fixing the broken energy system, unclogging ports and freight rail, and reforming dysfunctional municipalities. Without these, he said, South Africa cannot escape joblessness and poverty. With them, the country could realistically achieve 4–5% growth. “Growth is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” Sarupen concluded.

On this episode of the DA Podcast, Kevin Mileham MP, DA Spokesperson on Electricity & Energy, and Xanthea Limberg, Mayoral Committee Member for Energy in Cape Town, join us to unpack South Africa’s ongoing electricity and energy crisis. From NERSA’s R54 billion mistake to Eskom’s diesel dependency, rising tariffs, and municipalities failing to manage electricity revenue, we break down the challenges that households, businesses, and the economy face every day. Hear how the DA is offering practical solutions with the Energy Turbocharge Plan, fast-tracking reforms, opening the market for renewables, and showing how Cape Town is delivering more reliable, affordable electricity for residents.

The world never seems short on bad news. Turn on the TV, open a newspaper, or scroll online, and something negative is there. Conflict, disasters, corruption, and crime dominate the headlines because bad news grabs attention. But here’s the truth: bad news will always find us. We don’t need to go looking for it. What we do need is to make a conscious choice to seek out the good. For every troubling headline, let's look for at least two uplifting stories. And then share them with others. There are lots of stories that remind us of the better side of humanity. Neighbors helping each other in times of crisis. Communities uniting to protect the vulnerable. Science and medicine discoveries. And small daily acts of kindness that never make the front page. These good news stories are out there, but they whisper rather than shout. We have to tune in to hear them. And when we do find them, we shouldn’t keep them to ourselves. Share them with friends, family, coworkers, or on socia...

In this CRA briefing, Chris Hattingh, Hermann Pretorius and Ofentse Davhie discuss the ANC's ongoing decline, the state of the GNU, increasing political violence, and advice for business to mitigate the risks and take advantage of emerging opportunities.

South Africa’s 2026 local elections could be a real turning point. Especially in the metros. In this keynote, Cilliers Brink lays out a practical roadmap. Private concessions for water & sewage. Tech-driven policing (cams, live dispatch). And stable coalitions that sideline chaos. Highlights: 1. Why metros matter most for growth & services 2. Private sector partnerships: ports/rail today → water/sewage next 3. Tech to boost safety & municipal productivity 4. GNU realities vs court wins on NHI, expropriation, quotas, procurement 5. 2026 strategy: ANC needs to be 2nd/3rd in major metros; reform bloc needs a clear mandate 6. “Long obedience in the same direction” — appoint capable officials and back tough calls If you want functioning cities, reliable water & power, and jobs, watch and share.

South Africa is at a crossroads. At our Live SONA Breakfast Event, Dr. Musi Maimane lays out a bold vision for a country beyond liberation politics, a future built on values, growth, and opportunity. From high-speed rail to revive industry, to scrapping race-based policies in favour of education and skills, to building a non-racial centrist coalition that can govern in 2029 and beyond, this is a roadmap for change. In this wide-ranging conversation, Maimane tackles: 1. Why South Africa must break free from the ANC’s liberation narrative 2. How blended finance can fund massive infrastructure projects 3. Why youth will be the decisive force in the next election 4. The hard truth about our national budget and debt 5. How values, not race, must shape South Africa’s future Watch the video to learn more.

Ninety One CEO Hendrik du Toit has broken corporate silence, warning that South Africa risks “shooting itself in the foot and the head” as criminals infiltrate state institutions and assassinations go unanswered. In a rare rebuke, he calls on citizens and business alike to demand accountability, fix law enforcement, and seize SA’s global opportunities before lawlessness destroys them.