Business Bagel
Business Bagel is a South African business news podcast that breaks down the biggest local business stories, market moves, money trends, and major developments shaping the country. The show aims to keep listeners informed and entertained with the most important news. It also encourages audiences to follow it on Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and Facebook to stay ahead of the news.
Episodes
Why 65 Million South Africans Go Through 300 Million SIM Cards A Year - Episode #203
In Today’s Roundup:MTN was advancing South Africans as much as R800 million in airtime every month, until roughly half of its borrowers stopped paying it back. Now repayment rates have recovered and MTN is ready to start pushing the service again. Meanwhile, Bidcorp is taking a break from its acquisition spree, Northam Platinum has gone from buyer to takeover target, Naspers is facing another figh
South Africa’s Townships Are Attracting A New Multi-Billion-Rand Bet - Episode #203
In Today’s Roundup:Frogfoot and Vox have secured new backing for a major fibre push into South Africa’s townships, where denser neighbourhoods could actually make connecting homes cheaper than in the suburbs. Meanwhile, Shein is heading for a Hong Kong listing at a fraction of its 2022 valuation. Plus, Datatec is handing over R7 billion back to shareholders, Advtech’s fastest growth is coming from
South Africa’s Shell Petrol Stations Are Being Sold To Abu Dhabi - Episode #202
In Today’s Roundup:Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC is buying Shell’s South African fuel business for about $1 billion, and it has now named the local partner that will help run its 580 petrol stations. Meanwhile, TFG is consulting on retrenchments and closing stores as Bash becomes an increasingly important part of its future. Plus, Eskom has slashed its diesel bill by 83%, MTN is spending R6 billion buying bac
One Of Asia’s Biggest Retailers Is Making A Big Push Into South Africa - Episode #201
In Today’s Roundup:A Malaysian retail giant worth more than Woolworths or Mr Price is expanding across South Africa, with Mr DIY opening its 9th store and importing most of what it sells. Meanwhile, a US government bond decision helped send Bitcoin soaring and briefly pushed the rand below R16 to the dollar. Plus, Spur is shrinking John Dory’s, Volkswagen’s Kariega factory just broke a production
Why everyone feels so lost right now - Coffee with Christian Ep. 2
On today’s episode of Coffee with Christian, we talk about why doing less might actually help you figure out what you want next. I get into limiting your inputs, spending more time alone with your own thoughts, and the effect social media has on how we think about our lives. And ultimately, how to make sure the direction you’re heading in is actually one you chose for yourself.Side note: Apologies
A New 5G Network Is Taking Shape Across South Africa - Episode #200
In Today’s Roundup:South Africa has a new 5G network, but the company building it will never sell you an internet connection. Comsol’s network already covers more than 1 million Gauteng households, with internet providers set to use its infrastructure to sell connections under their own brands. Meanwhile, WhatsApp is about to start charging businesses for customer replies, DRDGold has made record
SARS Wants To Completely Change How VAT Works In South Africa - Episode #199
In Today’s Roundup:SARS wants to completely overhaul how VAT works in South Africa, with a system that could eventually calculate what businesses owe automatically - although full implementation may only arrive around 2033. Meanwhile, South Africa is changing how electricity is priced for the first time since 2008, after tariffs climbed 907% since 2007. Plus, another global oil giant is moving int
A Food Giant Has Found A Way To Make Billions From Weight-Loss Drugs - Episode #198
In Today’s Roundup:Weight-loss drugs were supposed to be bad news for Nestlé, but the food giant is now building products around the nutritional problems rapid weight loss can create. Meanwhile, South African coal miner Thungela has turned mines once expected to last around 8 years into a multidecade business. Plus, CemAir is fighting the sale of FlySafair, Absa’s South African business is carryin
Something Strange Is Going On At One Of South Africa’s Biggest Retailers - Episode #197
In Today’s Roundup:Spar’s chairman has suddenly resigned just 3 months after the board publicly backed him against calls from store owners for his removal, with the deputy chair leaving alongside him. Meanwhile, the Post Office wants to leave business rescue after cutting its debts from R8.7 billion to R440 million - although its own boss says it’s still in “high care.” Plus, Blue Label is blaming
Shell’s 12-Year Hunt For Oil In South Africa Just Got Shut Down - Episode #196
In Today’s Roundup:One of Shoprite’s fastest-growing businesses is now doing R25.5 billion in annual sales, with Sixty60 growing almost 5 times faster than the supermarkets it runs off. Meanwhile, the rand has hit its strongest level in months as foreign investors pile into South African bonds - although the reason has more to do with America than us. Plus, Claude has started watermarking its AI-g
Let’s Talk About Business, Side Hustles, & Rock Bottom | Coffee with Christian Ep. 1
Welcome to the very first episode of Coffee with Christian, a new weekly video series dedicated to talking about business, side hustles, and navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Every Friday morning, I’m putting aside time for a casual one-on-one with you to build a community where we can share practical advice, discuss business books, and figure out next steps together. This series
The Shoprite Business Growing 5 Times Faster Than Its Own Stores - Episode #195
In Today’s Roundup:One of Shoprite’s fastest-growing businesses is now doing R25.5 billion in annual sales, with Sixty60 growing almost 5 times faster than the supermarkets it runs off. Meanwhile, the rand has hit its strongest level in months as foreign investors pile into South African bonds - although the reason has more to do with America than us. Plus, Claude has started watermarking its AI-g
The Private University Boom Taking Off In South Africa - Episode #194
In Today’s Roundup:MTN’s business is booming across Africa, with profits jumping 71% in Nigeria, but its shares still fell nearly 6% as an old investment in Iran came back to haunt it. Meanwhile, the owner of Varsity College and Vega is expanding its private education empire with new campuses and a mega-campus on the way. Plus, Shoprite opened more stores than three of its biggest rivals combined,
How Traders Are Gaming South Africa’s Stock Market - Episode #193
In Today’s Roundup:The JSE is having a bumper year as South Africans pile into the market, with profits jumping nearly 17% as trading activity surges. Meanwhile, the financial regulator is investigating a strange scheme where tiny trades in barely-traded shares can allegedly be used to make much bigger profits elsewhere. Plus, eNCA could retrench more than half its newsroom, one JSE-listed company
Why Netcare Wants AI Watching Its Hospital Patients - Episode #192
In Today’s Roundup:South Africa’s biggest hospital group wants to use AI to spot when patients are in trouble hours before doctors can, while Spur has been hit with a R130 million charge over a dispute involving - of all things - ribs. Warren Buffett’s company is finally putting some of its enormous cash pile to work, as a Saudi ports giant takes a closer look at Cape Town’s struggling harbour. Pl
The Appeal That Is Keeping Malema Out Of Prison - Episode #191
In Today's Weekly Roundup: South Africa’s biggest political story didn’t end with a sentence - it kicked off a legal battle that could decide whether Julius Malema keeps his seat in Parliament. At the same time, Ramaphosa has turned to a familiar negotiator to steady relations with the US, while whispers of a cabinet reshuffle grow louder behind the scenes. In business, a brief wave of petrol rel
South Africa Is Redefining Who Can Live In The Country - Episode #190
In Today's Weekly Roundup: South Africa is moving toward a stricter definition of who gets to live and work in the country, as government backs a sweeping overhaul of immigration rules. At the same time, diplomatic signals suggest tensions with the US may be easing - quietly reopening a relationship that’s already shown cracks through trade pressure. Closer to home, election season is getting
Why South Africa Is Sending Troops Into Its Own Cities - Episode #189
In Today's Weekly Roundup: Government has deployed more than 2,200 soldiers into gang hotspots across five provinces as shootings spike in parts of Cape Town - a heavy intervention that’s worked before, but never for long. At the same time, an unauthorised prison interview has triggered a separate investigation after an inmate used the call to make allegations involving a Gayton McKenzie rais
Why South Africa Is Returning Land To Its Citizens - Episode #188
In Today's Weekly Roundup: South Africa’s land reform debate is back in motion - this time with more than 17,000 hectares in KZN handed back to communities nearly three decades after they were removed, raising the same unresolved question: how do you know when restitution is actually done? That tension carries through elsewhere. Government’s lifestyle audits are getting better at spotting off
South Africa’s Post Office May Finally Shut Down - Episode #187
In Today's Weekly Roundup: South Africa’s Post Office is edging closer to collapse, with liquidation now openly on the table after years of failed rescues. At the same time, government is quietly testing whether high-speed rail could ever work here - even as the current network struggles to stay on track. In business, the Showmax shutdown is raising regulatory eyebrows, while households are i
🇿🇦 Why We’re Ending The Daily Bagel Show - Episode #186
In Today's Show: After nine months of producing the Daily Bagel show every single day, we’re stepping into the next chapter of Daily Bagel. In this video, we explain why we’re ending the daily show and what this shift allows us to build next. Daily Bagel isn’t going anywhere - if anything, it’s the start of something bigger. This is where the next phase begins.More From Us:Whatsapp Channel Y
How The New AI Wave Could Affect South African Jobs - Episode #185
In Today's Show: Artificial intelligence is quietly moving from answering questions to doing the work itself - with a new generation of “AI agents” now scheduling meetings, organising files, and triggering a surge in tech stocks that’s even lifting South Africa’s Naspers and Prosus. Meanwhile, fuel price panic is spreading online as early projections suggest petrol could rise by more than R3
Brazil Warns South Africa Of An Invasion - Episode #184
In Today's Show: Brazil’s president has issued a blunt warning to South Africa: in an increasingly unstable world, countries that neglect their defence could one day find themselves exposed. Meanwhile, South Africa’s democracy may be getting crowded - with a record 508 political parties now registered ahead of the next local elections, raising concerns voters could face ballot papers long eno
How Trillions Of Rands Just Vanished From South Africa - Episode #183
In Today's Show: More than R2 trillion was wiped off the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in a single week as global tensions spooked investors and sent money fleeing emerging markets. South Africa is also quietly revisiting nuclear power, with plans that could reshape the country’s electricity mix for decades if the costs can be managed. In retail, Walmart has begun converting struggling Game sto
South Africa Is Betting On A Controversial New Industry - Episode #182
In Today's Show: South Africa is trying to pull a R36 billion cannabis economy out of the shadows and into a regulated industry - a move that could eventually turn hemp into a multibillion-dollar export. Meanwhile, a new study is raising uncomfortable questions about chemicals found in everyday sanitary products, though scientists say the evidence is far from settled. In business, the World B
South African TV May Never Be The Same Again - Episode #181
In Today's Show: South Africa’s TV industry may be entering its biggest shake-up in decades after Canal+ pulled the plug on Showmax and began reshaping MultiChoice from the inside. Meanwhile, a very different technological shift is unfolding across Africa, where $40 smartphones could suddenly bring millions of new users online. A war thousands of kilometres away is also quietly rerouting glob
How Uber And Bolt Are Changing In South Africa - Episode #180
In Today's Show: South Africa’s ride-hailing industry is heading into a regulatory shake-up as new rules force apps like Uber and Bolt to formally register - though so far, only one has done it. In Europe, policymakers are quietly rewriting the rules of global trade with a proposed “Buy European” push aimed at protecting local clean-tech industries. Back home, Woolworths has pulled off the ra
Why South Africa Still Pays Kings And Queens - Episode #179
In Today's Show: Parliament’s just signed off on new salary bumps for the President, MPs, and even South Africa’s officially recognised kings and queens. In business, Discovery just posted record profits, but the old insurance machine is still funding the shiny new bank. In sport, SA Rugby admits that the Springboks may never host another World Cup because the numbers simply don’t stack up. T
Why Patrice Motsepe Could Be SA’s Next President - Episode #178
In Today's Show: Patrice Motsepe says he’s not running for President - but a slick new campaign website is already mapping out 2027. Fuel prices are ticking up again as oil tensions ripple through the Middle East, and the JSE posts record profits just as its CEO exits at the top. Plus, in the wildcard, we unpack why funeral cover is one of South Africa’s most powerful - and culturally loaded
How A Middle East Missile Hits South Africa - Episode #177
In Today's Show: A missile launch in the Middle East sends oil traders scrambling and shipping routes twisting - with the ripple effects inching closer to South African wallets. At home, government has quietly reset the rules of hiring and firing, making retrenchments costlier but early dismissals easier. In Gauteng, stolen pet food that tested positive for Salmonella is now resurfacing onlin
What This War Means For South Africa - Episode #176
In Today's Show: Iran’s Supreme Leader has been killed in a US-backed Israeli strike - and the fallout is already rippling far beyond Iran. We unpack what this escalation means for oil routes, global markets, and why South Africa isn’t as insulated as we’d like to think. Back home, the 2026 budget maps out how government plans to spend - and squeeze - while the underlying numbers show cautiou
The Good News That Every South African Should Hear - Episode #175
In Today's Show: For a change of pace, today’s show is built around something rare in the news cycle: good news. Africa has just recorded its fastest year of solar growth ever, adding over four gigawatts of new clean power, while China’s wind and solar capacity has overtaken fossil fuels on its grid. Humpback whales and giant tortoises are rebounding after decades on the brink. The James Webb
Inside South Africa’s Hidden Gold Rush - Episode #174
In Today's Show: South Africa’s illegal gold trade is back in the spotlight, with syndicates quietly moving what could be a third of the country’s supply through a parallel economy that raids haven’t stopped. In Russia, Telegram’s founder faces fresh criminal charges as the battle over encrypted platforms turns into a fight about state control. SPAR’s share price has slid to 2010 levels, with
South Africa’s Immigration Comes At A Secret Price - Episode #173
In Today's Show: South Africa is tightening its borders - but now the spotlight has shifted from drones and fences to the desks inside Home Affairs, where officials are being investigated for allegedly fast-tracking permits for cash. In Johannesburg, the Mugabe name is back in court, this time without diplomatic cover. In business, a 30% US tariff vanished - only to be replaced hours later with a
Why Africans Are Being Recruited For A Foreign War - Episode #172
In Today's Show: At least 17 South Africans have returned home after allegedly being lured into Russia’s war in Ukraine - but the bigger story is how African countries are becoming recruitment pools for foreign conflicts. Meanwhile, Germany is backing tighter social media bans for minors, suggesting Australia’s crackdown may be the start of a global domino. Back home, wave power is being pitc
Inside The System Trapping Young South Africans - Episode #171
In Today's Show: In Parliament this week, an EFF MP handed the president a box of CVs - a blunt symbol of a youth unemployment crisis that a 0.5% dip in the headline rate hasn’t fixed. Britain’s royal family is now dealing with the arrest of Prince Andrew over alleged misuse of state information - a case that could drag on for years. In business, South Africa’s pet boom has turned kibble into
Are South Africans Being Sold Unsafe Cars? - Episode #170
In Today's Show: A crash test has reignited the car safety debate after a popular SUV scored just two stars - and proved that independent ratings can shake a car brand. A new report is also asking whether BBBEE has broadened opportunity, or simply reshuffled ownership at the top. Meanwhile, Starlink has taken its licensing fight public, challenging South Africa’s 30% equity rule and promising
The Rise And Reset Of A South African Billionaire - Episode #169
In Today's Show: Patrice Motsepe is stepping back as executive chair of African Rainbow Mineral, because new JSE rules say he has to. South Africa’s once-booming film industry is now stuck in limbo as incentive payments stall and crews struggle for work. The R370 social relief grant is being redesigned, with tighter checks and a R40 billion price tag under scrutiny. And in our wildcard, we un
The Resource That Changed South Africa Forever - Episode #168
In Today's Show: South Africa has quietly become a data economy - with smartphones now doing the work banks and classrooms once did, and Telkom’s real business no longer airtime but gigabytes. The Proteas head into a Super Eights showdown in India, where 130,000 home fans will test whether this side is truly different. The Reserve Bank wants to scrap the word “prime,” but not your repayments.
South Africa Reignites A Billion-Rand Industry - Episode #167
In Today's Show: South Africa’s hunting export quotas are back on the table - weeks after a ministerial reshuffle - reopening a fierce debate about conservation, politics, and money. In KZN, alleged sweatshop factories paying R8 an hour have retailers scrambling for answers, while the local streaming market quietly splits between high-risk subscriptions and lean, ad-funded growth. In other ne
Ramaphosa’s Official Promises To South Africa For 2026 - Episode #166
In Today's Show: South Africa’s State of the Nation Address was less about bold new ideas and more about whether government can finally make the basics work - from power and rail to water and freight - without tripping over its own bottlenecks. Crime also took centre stage, with Ramaphosa warning that syndicates are feeding off the very systems meant to drive growth. Meanwhile, Cell C is back
Who Is Pulling The Strings Inside South Africa’s Police? - Episode #165
In Today's Show: Parliament is probing explosive claims that a criminal network may have infiltrated South Africa’s policing structures - with a R600 million slush fund and senior officials now openly at odds. Government, meanwhile, wants to bundle its R155 billion property portfolio into a new state-owned company, potentially turning buildings into balance sheet leverage. Globally, Heineken
How South Africa May Have Revoked Your Citizenship - Episode #164
In Today's Show: South Africa quietly stripped thousands of citizens of their status - and now Home Affairs has rushed to restore it. FlySafair’s looming ownership shift raises a bigger question about who keeps the country moving when reliability is everything. Pick n Pay is staring at a R490 million loss, but the real story is whether the turnaround is stalling or simply uneven. Meanwhile, r
The New Scam Catching South African Drivers - Episode #163
In Today's Show: South Africans are being targeted by a new wave of official-looking scam messages as the new traffic fine system rolls out and confusion does the work for fraudsters. Far out in the Atlantic, Saint Helena has slipped back into isolation after its only commercial flights were grounded, cutting the island off once again. In business, Bidvest Bank’s R2.8-billion sale has collaps
Is South Africa’s Global Military Ranking Misleading? - Episode #162
In Today's Show: South African troops are quietly pulling out of the DRC after nearly three decades - not because the mission worked, but because the system behind it didn’t. At home, electricity prices are rising to fix a R54 billion regulatory mistake, while South African Airways has posted another profit that looks real, but still needs scrutiny. And in the wildcard, a flower unseen since
What South Africa’s Drought Means For The Rest Of 2026 - Episode #161
In Today's Show: South Africa is dealing with floods in the north and drought in the south — and this week’s national disaster declaration quietly shifts how the rest of the year could unfold. Government is also starting to hedge its trade exposure, signing a new framework with China as pressure mounts on US access. In business, an AI company many people hadn’t heard of just wiped billions of
Trump Hands South Africa A 12-Month Lifeline - Episode #160
In Today's Show: South Africa just bought itself time with the US. A one-year trade extension is keeping thousands of local jobs afloat, even as bigger tariff risks still hang in the background. Cannabis finally gets clearer rules, with draft limits spelling out how much is legal - and how much isn’t. In business, South Africa has lined up R127 billion in new funding by becoming a shareholder
The Politics Behind John Steenhuisen’s Exit - Episode #159
In Today's Show: John Steenhuisen is stepping aside as DA leader - but not stepping away from power - as a growing agricultural crisis sharpens the timing. South Africa’s minimum wage is going up again, but the maths behind it shows why many workers may barely feel the difference. WeBuyCars’ founders have sold hundreds of millions in shares, raising eyebrows without actually heading for the e
Who’s To Blame For South Africa’s Dangerous Roads - Episode #158
In Today's Show: South Africa’s roads feel more dangerous than ever - but the data tells a more complicated story about enforcement, behaviour, and whether safety only improves when the blue lights are on. Fuel prices are dropping to their lowest level in four years, driven by a stronger rand - but the relief may be brief. Shoprite is quietly becoming something bigger than a grocery chain, expand
Why Zuma Is Named In The Epstein Files - Episode #157
In Today's Show: If you’ve seen Jacob Zuma’s name linked to the Epstein files, we break down what’s actually in the emails - and what isn’t. Elsewhere, pressure is building on government decisions that communities say they never asked for, as town renamings collide with the loss of a major sporting event. In business, crypto prices may be sliding, but real-world usage tells a very different s
South Africa’s Conflict With Israel Just Escalated - Episode #156
In Today's Show: South Africa has expelled Israel’s most senior diplomat in a rare and deliberate escalation - and Israel responded within hours, hardening an already frozen relationship. In business, Showmax isn’t shutting down, but it is being put on probation as Canal+ trims losses, while Famous Brands quietly decides the best investment right now is itself. On the lighter end, South Afric
Ramaphosa Moves South Africa Into Phase 3 - Episode #155
In Today's Show: South Africa is moving from crisis control to structural reform as Ramaphosa enters Phase Three of the government–business partnership - but critics warn the foundations may still be shaky. Tourism, meanwhile, has quietly smashed all-time records, driven not by overseas visitors but by the region, and largely in spite of chaos inside South African Tourism itself. Salaries tec
How South Africa Is Doubling Down On BEE - Episode #154
In Today's Show: South Africa is putting a price tag on transformation, with a revived R100 billion BEE fund that could reshape how companies chase points and access. Elsewhere, a maths error at the electricity regulator may end up on your power bill, while government weighs new trade duties that pit cheaper imported cars against local jobs. In between, quick signals from factories, investors
Will South Africa Ban Social Media For Kids? - Episode #153
In Today's Show: Two decades into the social media era, a US court is finally testing whether major platforms were deliberately designed to addict children - and that legal shift is already rippling toward South Africa. At home, ICASA has moved to end the quiet expiry tricks that made mobile data feel like a ticking clock. The rand briefly dipped below R16 to the dollar, raising the uncomfort
Former President Points Out South Africa’s Shadow Government - Episode #152
In Today's Show: Former president Thabo Mbeki has raised eyebrows by suggesting unseen forces may have shaped the MK Party’s election surge - reopening an old debate about who really moves power in South African politics. In courtrooms abroad, WhatsApp is under fire over what “private” really means, and whether users were ever told who still holds the keys. In business, MTN’s forgotten exposu
How Malema’s Conviction Could Reshape SA Politics - Episode #151
In Today's Show: Julius Malema is back in court - not to argue innocence, but to find out whether his sentence reshapes the future of the EFF. Chinese carmaker Chery makes a decisive move into local manufacturing, buying Nissan’s Rosslyn plant and stepping directly into South Africa’s jobs debate. Nedbank signals a new growth strategy by taking control - and full responsibility. And in the Wi
Why Is South Africa Getting So Expensive? - Episode #150
In Today's Show: South Africa’s inflation rate is at a two-decade low - yet everyday prices still feel stubbornly high, and that disconnect matters more than the headline suggests. The National Lottery’s ethics advisers are now facing clawbacks of their own fees, in a twist that’s almost too ironic. Mr Price’s R10 billion European gamble has rattled shareholders and raised deeper questions ab
Is The Diamond Era Coming To An End? - Episode #149
In Today's Show: Botswana is staring down a future where diamonds no longer pay the bills, as prices slide, stockpiles swell, and lab-grown stones eat into demand. Back home, South Africa’s National Health Insurance heads toward a drawn-out court fight, with government calling for talks while critics argue the problem is structural, not negotiable. Then there’s the JSE: record highs on the ch
How Much South Africa’s Top Politicians Now Earn - Episode #148
In Today's Show: South Africa’s political salary structure is back in focus after a new round of raises for MPs, ministers, and the presidency. The country’s water crisis is also deepening, with failing pipes and weak coordination pushing places like Knysna and Gauteng closer to the edge. In business, Capitec has crossed R500 billion in value, not by lending harder, but by scaling smarter. We
South Africa Declares Its Latest National Disaster - Episode #147
In Today's Show: South Africa declares a national disaster as floods overwhelm towns and wildlife. Abroad, Washington moves from warnings to action over controversial equipment linked to a South African company - underlining just how tense US–SA relations remain. Eight years after Steinhoff collapsed, another conviction lands - raising awkward questions about how slowly accountability arrives
South Africa Moves To Change Drinking and Driving Rules - Episode #146
In Today's Show: South Africa may be heading for a zero-tolerance drink-driving law - no grey areas, no “one glass with dinner.” Meanwhile, the country’s long-running reckoning with apartheid-era crimes is back in focus, but not moving forward easily, as a key inquiry runs into fresh legal and political pushback. In business, one of the clearest warnings yet about the cost of unchecked illici
Inside South Africa’s 10-Year Vaccination Plan - Episode #145
In Today's Show: South Africa is rolling out a ten-year vaccination plan after foot-and-mouth disease spread further than anyone wants to admit. In Johannesburg politics, Helen Zille’s mayoral bid is overlapping with the mechanics of council power. Offshore, Europe has quietly eased pressure on South African money flows - a credibility win that matters more than it sounds. There’s also moveme
South Africa’s Stance Comes With A Price Tag - Episode #144
In Today's Show: South Africa’s trade relationship with the US is being quietly re-tested, with billions in exports - and thousands of jobs - hanging on how firmly the country sticks to its foreign policy line. Back home, a small unit inside the Presidency is pushing departments to fix electricity, logistics, and failing local services, and business leaders are starting to pay attention. Inte
South Africa’s Car Market Will Never Be The Same - Episode #143
In Today's Show: Chinese car brands have gone from fringe players to dominant forces in South Africa’s auto market, forcing legacy manufacturers onto the defensive and putting local jobs under pressure. At the same time, the country is celebrating its highest matric pass rate on record - even as cracks remain around maths participation and degree readiness. Markets are rallying too, lifted by
Why Foreign Warships Have Entered South African Waters - Episode #142
In Today's Show: South Africa is hosting foreign warships from Russia, China and Iran - officially as a routine naval exercise, unofficially as a diplomatic Rorschach test that’s raising eyebrows in Washington. Back home, the DA’s internal fight has spilled into the Public Protector’s office, turning a party dispute into a very public credibility problem ahead of key votes. Meanwhile, ICASA w
Why The ANC Is Back On The Streets - Episode #141
In Today's Show: South Africa’s local elections are back in focus as President Ramaphosa orders the ANC onto the streets, putting municipal performance - where politics is felt most directly - under renewed scrutiny. We unpack why local elections matter more than most people realise, and how they quietly shape trust long before national votes roll around. In business, Checkers teams up with J
South Africa’s Corruption Fight Has A New Gatekeeper - Episode #140
In Today's Show: South Africa has a new gatekeeper in its corruption fight - appointed quietly, without the usual interviews, and handed one of the most powerful jobs in the justice system. A baby formula recall puts corporate accountability back under the microscope, while the JSE hits a record valuation that says more about global money flows than local growth. Add export delays at the Cape
Why Eskom Is Switching Off Its Power On Purpose - Episode #139
In Today's Show: South Africa’s power crisis has taken an unexpected turn, with Eskom deliberately switching off generators because the grid is finally stable - a move that raises fresh questions about how real this recovery is. At the same time, forecasters warn that a volatile summer weather pattern is locking much of the country into sudden storms and disruption, while a new global corpora
South Africa’s Risky Position in the U.S.–Venezuela Crisis - Episode #138
In Today's Show: South Africa responds after the US captures Venezuela’s president, exposing how the country navigates sovereignty and pressure in a more divided global order. We then unpack the NSFAS funding decision - why billions have been approved, why students are still stuck in limbo, and what it says about how the system actually works. Fuel prices finally fall to their lowest levels s
Ramaphosa’s Optimistic Pitch For South Africa’s Future - Episode #137
In Today's Show: South Africa is being asked to start the year with optimism, even as daily life still feels tight. The president says the foundations are finally holding, markets are cheering a stronger rand, and regulators have just drawn a firm line under consumer rights after a high-profile used-car case. In business, DStv narrowly avoids losing major channels, farmers get support but str
Why I’m Building A News Media Company In South Africa - Episode #136
In Today's Show: This is the last Daily Bagel episode of the year. Instead of running through the news, we wanted to take a step back and explain why Daily Bagel exists - what we set out to build, what this year has actually looked like behind the scenes, and why we’ve been so deliberate about staying facts-first and apolitical in a space that often rewards the opposite. In this episode, we p
The South African Law Set To Control Your Healthcare - Episode #135
In Today's Show: South Africa has quietly locked in a sweeping health reform that could centralise how healthcare is managed, while the Reserve Bank moves to rethink how cash actually works in a country that still relies on it far more than most people realise. In KZN, a razor-thin coalition survives a dramatic no-confidence vote as tempers flare inside the provincial legislature. And in our
How South Africa Plans To Reset Citizenship - Episode #134
In Today's Show: South Africa has proposed its biggest citizenship reset in a generation, with government proposing a shift away from time served toward merit-based citizenship - and that’s only the start. The same draft plan also tightens immigration and asylum rules, rewrites how visas work, and lays the groundwork for a far more digital state. In other news, three major private colleges ar
Inside The Race To Replace Cyril Ramaphosa - Episode #133
In Today's Show: The ANC’s succession race has quietly begun, with Ramaphosa still in office but the countdown to 2027 now unmistakably ticking. At the same time, a political fight over Starlink is exposing deeper tensions about who really sets policy, while the party draws firm red lines on NHI and BEE inside an uneasy coalition government. In other news: inflation expectations are cooling a
South Africa’s Borders Are Exposing a Bigger Problem - Episode #132
In Today's Show: South Africa’s border security takes centre stage as the Home Affairs Minister warns that outdated systems and missing surveillance tech are turning our ports into a national security risk. In business, Mr Price’s R10 billion leap into Europe rattles investors, while Washington hints South Africa could be sidelined from the next AGOA extension. In other news: a matric exam br
What Australia's Social Media Ban Means For South Africa - Episode #131
In Today's Show: Australian teens are waking up to a world without social media after the first blanket under-16 ban goes live - and South Africa is already debating whether it should follow. The ANC’s National General Council is wrestling with its own follow-through problem, while the IMF offers praise with one hand and a debt warning with the other. In other news: WBHO lands a multibillion-
Why South Africa’s Defence Force Is In Serious Trouble - Episode #130
In Today's Show: South Africa’s defence force is straining at the seams, with only a small band of soldiers fit to deploy and Parliament still in the dark about what’s really going on. In business, SPAR joins a growing list of South African retailers pulling back from costly foreign ventures, while Eskom scrambles to keep the ferrochrome industry from shutting down entirely. In other news: Ch
How Netflix’s R1.4 Trillion Deal Affects South African TV - Episode #129
In Today's Show: South Africa wakes up to Netflix’s trillion-rand swing at Warner Bros and a TV landscape tilting under its feet, even as DStv fends off pressure from every direction. Ramaphosa’s GBV disaster declaration lands with a call for men to change their behaviour, while Traxtion’s multibillion-rand rail gamble tests whether private operators can fix what Transnet can’t. In other new
Inside The Witness Killing Shaking SA’s Police Inquiry - Episode #128
In Today's Show: South Africa’s policing crisis comes into sharp focus as the Madlanga Commission reels from the killing of a key witness and rising fears that testimony may dry up just as the inquiry starts exposing criminal networks inside law enforcement. Moody’s and S&P can’t agree on whether the country is turning a corner, with one agency upgrading us and the other holding firm on j
Why South Africa Might Be Missing 32 Million People - Episode #127
In Today's Show:South Africa’s population puzzle deepens as a fibre company claims the country may be far bigger than official estimates admit, while the ANC walks into a major policy gathering with salaries unpaid and donors disappearing. In business, a nationwide slowdown in store brands hints at a more strategic, promotion-driven shopper, and in sport, Aiden Markram steers the Proteas to a
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