The Editor's Desk - Mon 19 Jan 2026: Mbeki’s load shedding revisionism — and today’s must-reads

Tonight’s BizNews Briefing starts with Dawie Roodt’s warning that South Africa’s public-sector wage bill is crowding out growth. We then track a market update led by Standard Bank’s strong full-year result, softer numbers from Montauk Renewables and progress funding at Southern Palladium. Donald MacKay argues motorists are effectively paying for…

In this morning’s episode, we lead with the Trump administration’s massive 172-million-barrel oil release as conflict in the Strait of Hormuz continues. From the BNC#8 stage, Rob Hersov delivers a blunt warning on South Africa’s geopolitical positioning, arguing the country has "chosen the losing side" in a reset world order…

Tonight’s BizNews Briefing opens with new US Ambassador Brent Bozell’s candid message from BNC#8, urging reciprocity and warning that policy uncertainty and geopolitical alignment choices shape investor confidence. We then run through a results-heavy market update led by Harmony, Rainbow Chicken and OUTsurance. Bloomberg follows with Ed Yardeni’s bullish gold…

Today’s Daybreak covers the IEA's historic proposal to release 182 million barrels of oil as "Operation Epic Fury" intensifies with over 5,000 US strikes inside Iran. From BNC#8, US Ambassador to South Africa Brent Bozell warns that American patience with South Africa is running out, while Eskom Chairman Mteto Nyati…

Oil prices swing sharply as President Trump signals the Iran war could end “very soon”, with markets watching for a peace off-ramp, potential strategic reserve releases and safer passage through the Strait of Hormuz. We then track pockets of strength in South African results from Absa, Attacq and Weaver Fintech…