BN Daybreak Wed 18 Mar - Oil spikes on Iran's strikes; Mulder on coalitions; US missile defences falling fast

Loading player...
Welcome to BizNews Daybreak with Alec Hogg for Wednesday, March 18, 2026. In today’s episode, we dive into the shifting tectonic plates of global geopolitics, escalating tensions in the Middle East, and the hard realities of coalition governance in South Africa.

Today's Top Stories:

Middle East Tensions & Market Impact: Crude oil surges past $96 a barrel after Israel assassinates two senior Iranian security officials, including security chief Ali Larijani.

SA’s Political Future: Longest-serving MP Corné Mulder (FF+) delivers a hard truth about the ANC's inability to self-correct and explains why coalition governments are the unavoidable new reality for South Africa.

Global Security Warning: Tom Karako from CSIS warns that the US is rapidly depleting its missile defence interceptors, potentially leaving the Pacific and Taiwan vulnerable to Chinese expansionism.

Tech & Domestic Markets: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announces a renewed push to supply AI chips to China. Locally, the Rand strengthens to R16.66 against the Dollar, while Sasol shares jump 5% on the JSE.

US Hegemony: Rob Hersov offers a sobering reality check on global power dynamics, arguing that the US remains the ultimate centre of the geopolitical chessboard.
18 Mar 12AM English South Africa Investing · Business News

Other recent episodes

BN Daybreak - Fri 12 June 2026: Trump halts Iran strikes; SA's overlooked gold fortune; PA surge; World Cup fees

In today's BizNews Daybreak: Global markets rallied after President Trump halted planned military strikes against Iran. In South Africa, the Patriotic Alliance clinched a major by-election victory in Malmesbury, weakening established parties. Meanwhile, Alec Hogg unpacked South Africa’s overlooked multi-billion rand gold mining fortune. Finally, we highlight Adobe’s executive shakeup…
11 Jun 11PM 15 min

The Daily Edge: Gold at $4,100 and SA is sitting on a fortune it can't see

Alec Hogg opens with a thesis from Merrill Lynch veteran Dr. Duarte de Silva: South Africa's abandoned gold mines and tailings dumps — written off at $300–$800/oz — are generating margins above $3,000 per ounce at today's prices. The Witwatersrand Basin still holds as much gold as has ever been…
11 Jun 7AM 19 min