About Us
BizNews.com is a disruptive internet publishing business which was founded in August 2013. It embraces Jeff Bezos’s Day One philosophy of using software instead of people wherever possible, thus freeing its brainpower to focus on fulfilling an obsessive customer focus. It has a physical head office in Hermanus, Western Cape and a team spread across the world. With hubs in Johannesburg, Cape Town and London, BizNews is uniquely positioned to serve South Africans with a global mindset through independent reporting and commentary on local and global issues that affect their lives. The subscription service, features bespoke commentary, exclusive WhatsApp and Twitter channels and investment webinars.
Our Purpose
To expose and communicate truth by tapping the minds of leaders and influencers, destroying corruption and inspiring our community to help create a better world for everyone.
Mission
To contextualise the world’s information for South Africans.
Vision
To promote democracy by supporting free enterprise.
Meet the Team
Alec Hogg: Founder and Editor
Alec Hogg, media entrepreneur and BizNews.com founder, champions disruptive opportunities in media with an independent content approach. Inspired by Warren Buffett, he leads a committed team, curating the site, writing premium newsletters, and engaging on social media. After a successful 13-year tenure at Moneyweb, Hogg sold his share in 2012, launching BizNews.com in 2013. The self-funded site, dedicated to a peaceful and prosperous South Africa, reaches over a million people a month via three arrows – the website Biznews.com; the YouTube television BizNewsTV; and direct relationships with the tribe via a daily newsletter; an annual BizNews Conference; social media posts and podcasts. After globalising revenue streams in London from 2016 to 2019, Hogg returned to South Africa to drive BizNews’s independent news coverage as its editor.
Stuart Lowman: General Manager
A media professional and strategic leader, he began his journey in the dynamic world of journalism and broadcasting. With a profound passion for the media industry, his career has pushed him on a path that would see him emerge in media management and content creation.
His tenure at BizNews, starting as Managing Editor/Sales and evolving into the role of General Manager, has seen him blend journalistic integrity with innovative business strategies.
Previously, as Chief Editor at Bloomberg Africa TV and News Editor at CNBC Africa, Stuart honed his skills in crafting compelling narratives and leading diverse teams. His approach is about creating a narrative that resonates with and informs a global audience.
Jeanette Hogg: Chief Happiness Officer
A qualified Commercial artist, a certified Life Coach, a Nia teacher and an entrepreneur, I started my career lecturing in art and design at the Vaal Triangle Technicon. My passion for new and healthier business practices overtook my love of teaching, and at the age of 23, I started my own business, where I learned the required skills, rules, and dos and don’ts the hard way. Through applying my life coaching, business systems knowledge and artistic flair, I now serve as the culture chief for the BizNews team. My mission is to inspire others to live BIG by being true to themselves and following their purpose.
Chris Steyn: Journalist
I am a fighter for justice. The members of my constituency are victims, whistleblowers, and the poor. I give a voice to those who are not heard, seen, or respected. I am willing to be vilified for doing so, and I see paying the price for truth-telling as part of my calling as a journalist. I am also a horsewoman, a swordsman, and a collector of books. I am privileged to be the Investigative Reporter at BizNews, where independence enables me to hold even the most powerful to account.
Linda van Tilburg: Journalist
Rooted in South Africa and the UK, I began as a senior political correspondent at the South African Broadcasting Corporation, covering the political transition for over a decade. As Newscast Editor at Jacarandafm, I played a vital role in establishing the news team. I’ve worked as a Southern African political risk analyst, contributed to US podcasts, worked on CNBC Europe projects, and served as Newsletter Editor for a Facebook/Sunday Times initiative. I contribute regularly to BizNews, hosting remote interviews from London, and I covered the World Economic Forum in Davos for BizNews.
Patrick Kidd: Production Editor
I graduated from Rhodes University with a Bachelor of Journalism, specialising in Television and Documentary. At 24 years of age, I hail from Pietermaritzburg, KZN, but I have also lived in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and the Western Cape in the last year. I lead the production team at BizNews, and we run an efficient publication process. I am sports-obsessed – cricket, football and rugby specifically – and am fascinated by the ever-changing landscape of technology. I’m inspired by truth and freedom of information, and I work with BizNews to help meet every South African’s right to that information.
Laetitia Eksteen: Client Relations
I started my retail sales and marketing career in 2012, but my real passion and interest lie in business development, branding and marketing. I love understanding the needs of every business I work with, helping to grow businesses organically and creatively, communicating with clients and implementing strategies across different platforms.
I love being a part of the design and distribution team, creating new innovative opportunities for the long term. My personal growth is one of my top values, and it is what I love about working with BizNews. We are continuously learning and growing within the industry we serve, and I find a dose of humility extremely useful
Ruan Erasmus: Technical Producer
I am a young professional currently situated in the wonderful Western Cape. My passion for business and investing began early on after high school when I started my own company. I decided to change the industry I was in to make better use of my skills and work in a more technological environment that fuels my passions. I completed my BCom degree in Business and Marketing management and also SCRUM certified in project management. I am now the technical producer at BizNews and help to provide the best, unbiased information, giving South Africans and people of the world context on the latest news. Excited for the future and grateful for being alive now! I thrive on adrenaline, so you can catch me in the ocean surfing, or on the mountain bike jumping through trails!
Kerry Lanaghan: Junior Journalist
I studied a Bachelor of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, specialising in television and documentary filmmaking. I was Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Rhodes University independent student press and worked on the campus radio throughout my time at Rhodes. I’m from Johannesburg but currently reside in Cape Town. I am driven by a curiosity about global markets and economic trends. In my role in the BizNews team, I am always seeking to deepen my understanding of the financial world. By staying informed about the latest market shifts and developments, I help ensure that the content we produce is accurate, timely, and relevant to our audience. Journalism is my passion—it’s where my curiosity and drive to make a difference meet.
Asime Nyide: Production
I graduated from UNISA with a degree in Public Relations and Digital Media and have worked as part of the BizNews production team for a year and a half as a video editor – I’m very passionate about film and media storytelling due to its ability to resonate universally with the audience and am constantly striving to learn and better myself in the world of digital information.
Frances Hamman: Production Intern
I am a recent high school graduate and currently a member of the BizNews production team. I plan to be an asset to the production team and absorb as much knowledge as possible during my journey with BizNews. My mission is to learn and grow, aiming to become an invaluable asset to those around me.
Gift Chiumia: Production Intern
A member of the BizNews production team from Malawi, I strive to incorporate my passion for art into my work at BizNews. Despite lacking formal training and initially having a lower level of technological literacy than my colleagues, I have developed skills in my field. My life aims are to grow and enhance my abilities continually.
Rex George: Intern
As the breadwinner at the age of 19, when my parents died, I took on various jobs to support my family. As the years went by, I upskilled from being a general worker on a construction site to becoming a housekeeper and working in a butchery. Now, BizNews has allowed me to learn computer editing skills in their internship program. I love my new role and the environment and opportunities BizNews afford me. My values align with the BizNews culture of continuous learning, and this dynamic industry suits my need for mastery and variety.
Siziphiwe Ntlaningeshe: Commercial Intern
I recently graduated from high school and initially started working in retail to gain some experience and financial independence. However, I was fortunate enough to be selected for the BizNews internship program, which has truly been a turning point in my professional journey. I am currently working in the commercial department, and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience so far. Through this opportunity, I have learned so much about the industry, the importance of collaboration, and the dynamic nature of the business world. Every day brings new challenges and learning opportunities, and I am grateful to be part of such a forward-thinking team. As I continue my journey at BizNews, my goal is to absorb as much knowledge as possible, grow both professionally and personally, and contribute meaningfully to the company’s success.
