With South Africa’s unemployment rate up again among many other problems, to what extent has local politics reached its nadir? To put it another way, is the political system capable of achieving the needs and requirements of the population - both locally and in the world? Yes, says Investment banker Mark Barnes and SPECIAL GUEST Ann Bernstein, head of the Centre for Development and Enterprise. Journalist Tim Cohen is, as always, more sceptical. And dentistry!

With South Africa’s unemployment rate up again among many other problems, to what extent has local politics reached its nadir? To put it another way, is the political system capable of achieving the needs and requirements of the population - both locally and in the world? Yes, says Investment banker Mark Barnes and SPECIAL GUEST Ann Bernstein, head of the Centre for Development and Enterprise. Journalist Tim Cohen is, as always, more sceptical. And dentistry!

What does it mean for you and your investments that global public sector debt has now breached the $100-trillion mark, and by the end of the decade government debt will probably reach 100% of global GDP. It's confusing. Debt is a facility, a promise, a tool, a shock absorber … and a trap door. Merchant banker Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen discussed this topic with Special Guest Rob Rose. Also running. Not us. Other people.

To unravel, as much as we can, a chaotic world at the moment, merchant banker Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen draw on the services of Special Guest Iraj Abedian, economist and thinker extraordinaire for this episode of ListenUP! The consequences of the widening war in the Middle East are hard to predict, but one thing is very clear: we are surrounded by the tyranny of mediocrity, locally and internationally. And in South Africa’s case, AI is clearly not helping much - although it might just be helping itself! Why, you ask? ListenUP!

Look just a little under the surface, and big changes are starting to take place in South Africa. From the introduction of the private sector into Transnet into the competitive dynamics of the contest for Johannesburg, the times they are a’changing - at last. Merchant banker Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen discussed these and other changes with Special Guest! the leader of RizeMzanzi and chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts Songezo Zibi. Also, are you in favour or against Starlink - let us know.

The DA has just chosen a new leader and leadership team, and the personable Geordin Hill-Lewis is now the Federal leader of the DA, who has set the party the target of becoming the country’s largest party. Merchant banker Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen discuss this question, only somewhat cynically, with special guest Ryan Coetzee. Coetzee is a political advisor long associated with the DA who has been a consultant to a wide range of organisations, including being special adviser to then UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. Also, political developments around the world.

What will the effects and consequences be for the conflicts developing in the Middle East? Big questions! And what does Machiavelli have to do with it? Merchant banker Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen attempt to answer these questions, this week with Special Guest Giulietta Talevi! Also, the dark side of the moon.