Alec Hogg's update to BizNews Premium members - Thursday 16th October 2025

Insights from my exclusive interviews with the local heads of Amazon and Walmart on why "customer obsession" trumps competitor focus. Plus, we analyze Meta’s stock surge, Aveng’s confusing restructuring, and the facts behind John Steenhuisen’s background.

Vodacom heats up the African telecoms battle with the acquisition of an additional 20% of Safaricom for over R30 billion, aiming to consolidate the major Kenyan operator and M-Pesa. Meanwhile, FirstRand CEO Mary Vilakazi encourages businesses to look past headlines, citing constructive signs like corporate-led credit expansion and structural reforms…

Former Springbok lock Flip van der Merwe has taken the lessons of high‑performance rugby into the boardroom, now working as a strategy consultant for business leaders. Living in Biarritz, France, he is also a co‑founder of the Lekker Network, which connects South Africans wherever they are. In an interview with…

Seize the day with the freshest news you can use to help you conquer another active business day - from the team at BizNews and our global partners. This episode features the latest from US stock markets including how investors loved a strategy change from Meta; Vodacom's massively positive mega…

FirstRand CEO Mary Vilakazi joins Alec Hogg for a wide-ranging conversation on booming ROE, business confidence turning the corner, the UK regulatory headache, and why corporate cash is finally starting to move. From competition at home to opportunities across Africa, Vilakazi explains why she believes South Africa is entering a…