BN Daybreak Fri 20 Feb: Global tensions, F1 roadblocks, and 'unholy pact' revealed

In today's edition of BizNews Daybreak, Alec Hogg unpacks a whirlwind of global and local developments, from escalating geopolitical tensions to startling political revelations. Here are the key takeaways from the broadcast:Market Movements: Sasol shares surged 11% to R142. Meanwhile, profit-taking led to declines for companies such as Telkom, Sibanye, and MTN. On the global stage, Amazon officially dethroned Walmart as the world's largest company by revenue.Geopolitics & Global News: US military forces are stationed in the Middle East as President Trump weighs a limited military strike on Iran. In the UK, the one-time royal formerly known as Prince Andrew was arrested in connection with his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.F1 in South Africa: Former FIA Senate member Anton Roux warns that strained political relationships with Washington, not the Kyalami track itself, are blocking Formula 1's return to South Africa. He also cautioned that Rwanda is actively competing to host the Grand Prix.Wall Street Culture: A lawsuit by 21-year-old former Centerview banker Catherine Shiber, who was fired after presenting a medical note requesting 8-9 hours of sleep per night, is sparking a major debate over investment banking's gruelling 100-hour work weeks.Apartheid-Era Justice: Retired Judge Chris Nicholson dropped a bombshell regarding the reopened inquest into the 1985 Cradock Four murders. He claims an "unholy pact" was formed between the senior leadership of the ANC and the old National Party to protect apartheid-era criminals from prosecution.Mining Tribute: The episode features tributes by Peter Major to Clem Sunter and the late Jan Nelson, the visionary creator of the top-performing gold company Pan African..Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here..Watch here.Listen here.BizNews Reporter.The South African markets saw significant volatility yesterday as Sasol’s share price surged, while political discourse turned towards the long-standing legal and ethical questions surrounding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)..Market round-up: Sasol’s remarkable run.The big story on the JSE was Sasol, which saw its share price jump by 11% yesterday. This latest spike brings the company’s total increase since the beginning of last year to an impressive 61%, with shares now trading at 142 rand.Other notable performers included Sappi, which rose 3% following recent financial results, and Purple Group.However, it was not all positive news for investors. Profit-taking hit recent gainers, with Telkom falling 4%. Sibanye, despite a 300% increase since the start of last year, also faced a downturn as investors locked in gains from the resources stock. .US-Iran Tensions Escalating .In addition to local market news, the programme highlighted growing international instability, specifically the rising risk of a military confrontation between the United States and Iran. A significant array of American forces, including two aircraft carriers and fighter jets, is currently stationed in the Middle East as President Trump weighs his next move. While the President indicated that a deal could still be reached within the next ten days, reports suggest the White House is considering limited military strikes against government sites to force Iran to the negotiating table. This geopolitical uncertainty has already begun to impact global energy markets, sending crude oil prices higher as investors grapple with the potential for a broader campaign against Iranian regime facilities.The TRC and the "permanent removal" of critics.In a sobering turn from market dynamics, the programme featured an explosive interview with retired Judge Chris Nicholson, author of Permanent Removal: Who Killed the Critic?. Speaking to Chris Steyn, Nicholson discussed the historical "abrogation" of the TRC Act by senior members of the ANC and the National Executive Committee (NEC).Nicholson argued that despite the TRC’s mandate to uncover the truth in exchange for amnesty, a "political hierarchy" was protected. Senior officials were essentially deemed "untouchable," which Nicholson suggests was a fundamental failure of the Act’s intended purpose."You've got to apply and tell the truth," Nicholson noted, referring to the legal requirements for amnesty. "And if it's a political motive, you will be [granted] amnesty". The interview suggests that the failure to hold high-ranking officials accountable continues to haunt the South African political landscape..Looking ahead: BizNews Conference.As the week draws to a close, the focus for the BizNews community shifts towards the upcoming conference in Hermanus. With just 18 days to go until the event kicks off on 10 March, book your tickets here.The conference is expected to be a major gathering for those looking to "connect the dots" between global shifts and local impacts.

BN Daybreak Fri 20 Feb: Global tensions, F1 roadblocks, and 'unholy pact' revealed

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