Undictated

Went to a post-Davos breakfast at Discovery’s Head Office yesterday. Love engaging with Adrian Gore, one of my favourite CEOs, so jumped at the invitation despite being very much in “gardening leave” space. Over the years my respect for Adrian’s entrepreneurial vision has grown – and any opportunity to hear him talk about his passion for creative disruption is grabbed. Outside of that, he’s a tonic on a broader stage, too. Apart from the sharp, disciplined mind, Adrian’s enthusiasm about South Africa is infectious.

Read more

The unabridged interview with Cyril Ramaphosa by CNN’s top journalist

CNN’s Christiane Amanpour didn’t shine when she took on South African politics’ enfant terrible Julius Malema. Back fishing in the same waters, she did rather better in this interview with the re-politicised Cyril Ramaphosa, now ANC Deputy President (and SA’s President-in-waiting five years hence). Here’s the video that was flighted on TV – and another with parts that didn’t make the global audience.  Transcript under the video.

Read more

In October 2009, we buried my dear friend Flip Meyer (pictured with glasses). He was one life’s great characters, a widely respected and admired financial journalist and a man with a huge, generous heart that touched everyone he met. His wife Koekie honoured me by asking me to give a eulogy at Flip’s funeral. I return to it from time to time as a reminder of mankind’s mortality, that we are all heading for the same destination so it is best to live every day like it’s your last – and of lessons Flip taught me in both life and death.

Read more

Looking ahead to Davos 2013 and an update on Klaus Schwab’s pragmatic Afro-Optimism

Next month, I’ll be attending my tenth World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. It’s a significant investment, especially as the restraint precludes me from writing or broadcasting about the event. But the gathering is like a university And I can’t wait to hear whether optimism about Africa is growing.

Read more

Editor of The Times resigns after realising Newscorp’s boss Murdoch wants him out

During economic upswings, in the business sector the innovators and builders are desired most. But when conditions turn, capital – accountants, managers – takes a tight hold. James Harding, 43, editor of one of the world’s great newspapers become the latest casualty of these times. He is expected to be replaced by an SA-born Newscorp colleague. Here’s the text of Harding’s resignation.

Read more