The Financial Mail’s cover this week is about the political race for Joburg, the most consequential of the local government elections that are due to take place on November 4, 2026. FM senior editors Guiletta Talevi, and the writer of the cover story Shirley de Villiers, discuss the myriad possibilities in this crucial race, which could provide crucial pointers of SA future political direction.

With just over 80 days to go before the local government, a flood of questions arise over the future of Johannesburg. Investment banker Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen discuss the issue with Financial Mail senior editor Shirley de Villiers. What is going to happen? Who will be mayor? And we arrive at a definitive answer - we don’t know. But that doesn’t hold us back from speculating, particularly about what will be necessary just to start pointing in the right direction. Also, we want to give peace a chance. Instead of thinking that might is right, why don't we think that right is might? Tough question.

Diamonds are Forever - or perhaps not. Every week we provide a brief preview of the Financial Mail's cover story. The week the dramatic advent of lab-grown diamonds on the diamond market, its effects and consequences.

How do sport and money mix? Like oil and water. It's such a difficult balance to get right; sports can generate enormous turnover and need the cash to support development and pay the players. But if you go too far, you lose sight of the public and the ethic. So its turning out for Fifa, despite a fabulous world cup. Talk about an own goal! Merchant banker Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen discuss this issue, and its much less benign distant cousin, war. Is any consideration being given to the possibility that the conflict between Iran and the US will go on for years, as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia have? And what’s behind it all? Listen UP!

Since the Public Investment Corporation, the nominal investor of over R3-trillion in retirement savings of the entire civil service, now has no board or permanent CEO, not to mention a broadly poor investment record, would this not be a great time to do away with it entirely and hand the mandate to the professionals? Merchant banker Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen discuss this issue with SPECIAL GUEST and free market proponent Leon Louw, and you might think the answer is obvious given the panel’s pro-business makeup. But it is not. PLUS glass half full journalism.

This weekend has seen a feast of sporting events, and your hosts, merchant banker Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen dissect the soccer, the tennis, and the rugby ... deciding who should have won and who should not. Juuuuust kidding. We talk about how decision making at the peak of sporting events can be hobbled by too much mind. And there is that other sport, the Public Investment Corporation and its seeming inability to function properly. Also, Johannesburg.

If you had to isolate the three biggest problems faced by South Africa right now, the quantity and variety of options would be numerous. Poverty, inequality and unemployment, are the typical trio mentioned. Merchant banker Mark Barnes, journalist Tim Cohen and SPECIAL GUEST Rob Rose make a case for an alternative trio; political parties unable or unwilling to choose the most qualified people; government over interventionism where it's unnecessary and under interventionism where it is necessary. Do you agree, or not? Also, the future of Currency!

The Durban July, Opera at La Scala, and the Soccer World Cup: we are festooned with festivities, and we discuss them! Merchant banker Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen are joined by arts writer and enthusiast extraordinaire Sarah Buitendach to talk about some of the amazing events of our time, and artists in general. Also, if it's OK for presidents to second-guess referees, where were you when you were needed Mr Ramaphosa?