Davos through the lens of an insider - 'shops left like empty eyes' #WEF20

Loading player...
The name Davos is almost interchangeable with the World Economic Forum, even though WEF holds several other international meetings every year. For five hectic days, the world's elite come to a tiny town in the Alps where it becomes the place to be heard and the place to be seen. This year, at WEF's 50th anniversary,  the discussion on the tables was the increasing revolt of people around the world against economic elites which they feel betrayed them and that "efforts to keep global warming limited to 1.5°C are falling dangerously short." And it did seem as if Greta Thunberg’s call to the forum last year that it’s time to panic about climate change might be finally starting to hit home as attendees showed more alarm at the teenage activist’s message. Companies and governments are likely to be increasingly measured against a scorecard on how they shape up to a form of capitalism where not only the shareholders, but the planet and communities are also taken into account. But what happens to Davos once everybody has packed up and leave? Biznews spoke to a local newspaper editor and resident, Barbara Gassler who has for the past years hosted the team. Barbara who likes a big jug of tea every morning and evening, tells a story of a town with "shops left like empty eyes" and how the "fair" that accompanies the WEF has evolved into an uncontrollable beast. - Linda van Tilburg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
27 Jan 2020 2AM English South Africa Investing · Business News

Other recent episodes

Warren Wheatley breaks his silence on his FSCA debarment

Three trades, R301 in total, and a 20-year ban from the financial sector. Warren Wheatley, the chartered accountant who helped put together the Capitec empowerment deal and went on to found Altvest, now Africa Bitcoin Corporation, broke his silence to Alec Hogg days after resigning as CEO. The FSCA says…
23 Sep 12PM 54 min

Brent Bozell on the US-South Africa breakdown

Six months after warning a Hermanus room full of business leaders that Washington's patience was wearing thin, US Ambassador Brent Bozell returned to BizNews to explain what happened next. Five asks, a 15-day deadline and a six-page reply that, in his words, answered none of them. The result: visa bans…
23 Sep 10AM 40 min

Mchunu, Mrs Matlala, Maumela, Mudzinganyama - and Meyer…

In their weekly chat, Chris Steyn and political commentator Solly Moeng talk about the second seizure of of electronic devices belonging to Special Leave Police Minister Senzo Mchunu; the arrest of tenderpreneur Cat Matlala’s wife, Tskanane; the rape case against suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya; the latest testimony at…
23 Sep 6AM 24 min

Ian Cameron: General Sibiya on charges of rape, sexual grooming, human trafficking…

In their latest interview, Chris Steyn and Ian Cameron, the Chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police, unpack a day of high drama with the court appearance this afternoon of suspended Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya who is now facing charges of rape, sexual grooming, and human trafficking. The…
22 Sep 1PM 10 min