BizNews Thought Leaders - Economic & Financial News Contributors

Bootstrapping Soweto-style – a young entrepreneur’s story of life in the “tough” business world

16th August 201316th August 2013

Have been thinking a lot lately about ownership and empowerment. And wondering how mankind managed to get itself into an awful structure where those who direct the financial resources – often beneficiaries of the lottery of the womb – get to impose their will even though they’re often light years behind the people actually making a … Read more

On black women, property ownership and unconsciously discovering being privileged

26th February 201613th August 2013

Good blogging is always personal. The sharing of experiences. That’s why this is such an excellent contribution. When he’s not competing in the Iron Man, Richard Wright trains property agents. Mostly. Sometimes he gets asked to talk to other people who are interested in finding out more about property. Like last Friday when he was … Read more

Tracey Swanepoel’s THINKspiration: Why trust is a must, especially in the workplace

13th August 201313th August 2013

I love Tracey Swanepoel’s writing. She’s a perfectionist. Takes time to consider her argument. Then crafts her pieces like the expert wordsmith she is. No rushing to publication for this MBA graduate. She’d rather take a few extra days to make sure it just right. So her writing will never waste anyone’s time. Or irritate … Read more

Was Zuma wrong to congratulate Mugabe? Maybe not

12th August 201312th August 2013

I have known Clive Simpkins for longer than both of us would care to admit. Through the decades I’ve admired the courage of his forthright approach; his brilliant mind; and deep spirituality. The Good Lord surely broke the mould after making Clive. He has worked in the rarified atmosphere of New York and London, but … Read more

Why the JSE needs more hostile takeovers – by the man with bruises earned through two efforts

12th August 201312th August 2013

Bernard Swanepoel has engineered two hostile takeover bids on the JSE. One succeeded, the more spectacular one did not. Despite the bruises gained from the experience, he remains convinced that hostile takeovers are healthy part of the free enterprise system. But says the tool has been unnecessarily blunted by South African legislators. And argues that … Read more

Thirteen years, three big lessons – Alan Knott-Craig on how he’ll apply them in his next big adventure

10th August 201310th August 2013

Alan Knott-Craig has a good name. His dad, Vodacom’s founder and now Cell-C’s rescuer, is one of SA’s most admired business leaders. But the younger version is also quite a guy. And a pal. We’ve played golf and shared profound ideas at the 19th hole, rubbed shoulders with the rich and powerful in Davos, and … Read more

The Mayor who conned RDP house-owner, pocketed the rent and walks free as a bird

9th August 20139th August 2013

There are politicians. And then there’s Ken Denysschen. Son of the Durban City midfielder with the same distinctive name, young Ken has the Helen Suzman-like task of injecting sanity in the severely dysfunctional Mpofana Municipality. As the sole Democratic Alliance Councillor, he gets a taste every day of what Suzman experienced for 13 years as … Read more

Braaivleis, rugby, sunny skies……how do you see South Africa?

5th November 20149th August 2013

My father’s generation and mine never really connected. His came through the tough War years and came to terms with a period when information was restricted. Most existed by towing the line, listening to the boss and being eternal grateful when one day you retired on a pension that, sadly, was soon made pitiful by … Read more

Have smart phones become too smart for business and social communication?

8th August 20138th August 2013

A little while back our talented young blogger Jes Edgson offered her perspective on why people of her age are obsessed with their cell phones. If you haven’t read it yet, go have a look at The thing about my generation. Jes’s latest piece will be published tomorrow. But it’s obviously not just the youthful … Read more

Dion Chang: Business has become about fast versus slow, and guess who’s winning?

7th August 20137th August 2013

Dion Chang is one of those deep thinkers who doesn’t say much in a crowd. But put him in front of an audience (or a keyboard) and the ideas flow non-stop. He is plugged into the way the world is changing, focusing his attention on identifying trends before they hit Malcolm Gladwell’s now famous tipping … Read more