Gareth Cliff - entrepreneur, iconoclast, thinker explains why SA a good place to be right now

As the country enters its new political era, Gareth Cliff’s authentic voice is deservedly attracting deserved recognition. A straight-talking media version of rabidly independent financial advisor Magnus Heystek, Cliff’s decade-old self-built canoe is steaming ahead, supporting the thesis that independent thought trumps commercially driven narratives. In this riveting interview, Cliff draws on his experiences and worldview to explain why SA is a pretty good place to be right now. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.
Video production by Siziphiwe Ntlaningeshe
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[@Jonathan_Strange]

Gareth Cliff, I enjoy your eloquence and intellect. You improve with age. Thank you for having Gareth as your guest Alec.

[@Mike-ym6rl]

South Africans living abroad are eagerly observing the unfolding political events in their home country and hoping for a better future for everyone.

[@Whackmac]

Listen to cliff central on a regular basis, but so good to to hear the master GC get interviewed instead of interviewing someone. Well done Alec

[@honordiamond2548]

Thank you Alec Hogg....... great to have Gareth Cliff on your podcast 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@dgraham1949]

Alex, you & Gareth should also consider having an interview with Citizen Concern lady who has more than 13k more follower's.

[@petroguilherme5549]

Yes please 🎉

[@GarethFrow]

Katlego @citizenconcerned is pure SA gold

[@karinak9465]

YES PLEASE!! Katlego Moagi is fantastic. She is already on 37k followers. Citizen Concerned - Facts first, Cry later

[@karinak9465]

Yes please chat to Katlego Moagi!! That would be awesome

[@irmelakarlein7573]

absolutely, you have to ge kathlego into your show, she is simply the best, tells the story as is.

[@telia-ctelia-c1917]

I lived in Southern Europe and traveled many countries in Europe for over a decade. After 6 to 7 years, I really became homesick. Don't know what it is, but the people of South Africa are really special. We have many attributes about why South Africa is so beautiful but for me, the people really do it for me! I love South Africa.

[@Truthseeker-iz3dj]

Considering a 20% chance of greater war in the Northern Hemisphere, South Africa is a good place to be.

[@janrusyoutubechannel8466]

Finally!! Been waiting for Gareth to be on biz news

[@LilianViljoen-w2c]

First thing that caught my eye is the perfect book shelf and even the paper and book on his desk is strait as a ruler..says his a perfectionist.....

[@schalkwykvandermerwe436]

Great stuff....every man, woman and child in our country South Africa should listen to this interview......Thank you Alex and Garith......

[@seanravenhill]

Let those crooked and corrupt have it, Gareth! Never a truer word spoken about many of the globe's politicians!

[@Xrpman1988]

Great thinker 5 fm was never the same when he left

[@Scoops-g7j]

Nor was 702 once he left them😊

[@johnlighton7025]

Wow. Opened my eyes. Excellent Alec. Great stuff

[@thomasprogli3372]

This is so funny. My wife, who was always against moving to SA, just surprised me, she wanted to know how expensive real estate is. 😏

[@TheOrangespeck]

that's a sign...

[@corneheesakkers7102]

Very expensive ! 😂

[@JoachimKofahl-ou2yq]

I remember John Burns of 702 said , you will be a big one , now you are ,well done

[@Unity108]

100% agree Douglas Murray is brilliant !

[@mash988]

Great chat, I respect Gareth for his intellect and eloquence in equal measure. I think though, that he, and many other commentators, have it wrong when they talk of the latest election results being indicative of the "general feeling" amongst South Africans (who voted -- big shock how many abstained) that they want a government to work together for a common good. I opine that in fact that people have different ideas about how SA should be run, in terms of general policy and direction, and that was evidenced by the election outcome. It's nice to "think" that people said the former, but the disparity and diversity of results points in another direction. To be positive, I think it can be interpreted as the populace looking elsewhere (than the ANC) for effective management of, and development in, South Africa, which helps everyone. Lastly, its a fallacy, I believe, to talk of a government "creating jobs," and I really wish public influencers would rather speak to the truth: which is to say that government can "create enabling circumstances" for jobs to be realised through policy and effective implementation of such, and one of the most important enablers is EDUCATION. For to be smart about the world, history, technology, communication, science and the natural world, is to self-create the circumstances necessary for the populace to generate their own work, businesses, machines, agencies, endeavours and technologies to drive work and economic development!!!! Well educated people can make smarter choices as to who their leaders should be, and so on...this relies on our current government (our NEW government!) realising, en masse (perhaps they have?), the intrinsic potential within our people to create and drive THEMSELVES forward, AND AFFECTING THE POLCY TO ACHIEVE IT. I wish them strength and foresight to HELP move us all forward. Thanks Alec, as usual, brilliant show and work.

[@bevturner2258]

Interesting comment!

[@barbaradefaria5604]

I'm so pleased to see Gareth Cliff on your channel...he is so intelligent and insightful. Well done

[@derekorgan]

I'll never forget driving in morning traffic with Gareths very first radio5 morning show. He stuttered and fumbled his way through to the point that the producer cut him from the last 5 or 10 minutes playing only music and ads. He did quite well the next morning though... If only if only I could have predicted and recorded that first show ...

[@DannyK9]

Awesome interview thoroughly enjoyed it

[@duaynedewet1691]

Gareth, your comment about people choosing to watch and follow guys like yourself like Alec because of what and who you are is spot on! We listen to what you say, because it’s true! No bullshit!

[@malcolmmarx5830]

Thumbs up Gareth, always great to listen to you 👍

[@lwazibones6004]

Wow Gareth..Well Done.Blessings. Magnus.

[@lamellaBio]

Can't believe it, Cliff Central still exists!?

[@runningman2989]

We need to make this country work. Gone are the days of running to the UK and Australia among others which are now dystopian hell holes

[@joshuamobbs7145]

On what planet are the UK and Australia dystopian hell holes. Australia is arguably one of the best countries in the world and the UK, despite it's problems, is still very much a first-world country.

[@markmall7142]

​@@runningman2989Some people like been dictated to and embrace woke overeaching establishments.

[@Neo_Rain146]

Keep telling yourself that

[@davidcampos9768]

Australia is an amazing country. It's about as perfect a place as can be. I've been living here for almost 2 years and I will never move back to SA. But I do miss and love my old country. Praying SA can get better and solve some of its problems now .

[@user-ix2ox4fm9d]

The UK is well on it's way to becoming a third world country it's over run with migrants only fighting age men some of the takeaways wash the chickens in supermarket trolleys stabbings are frequent carrying a machete is nothing the police don't do their work properly it's starting to be a shambles. Tin shacks in some people's back gardens,rubbish almost everywhere on streets.

[@sweetnesssweetness5494]

What a pleasure to listen to a bright younger intellectual South African...pride of you Cliff....

[@sonwabo1000]

We are a great nation & well positioned indeed, we are all in this together if we can just get the wheel spinning it will be a paradise on Earth… Nice interview GC

[@CantThinkofaCoolOne]

Those last couple of minutes sum of the feeling so well in SA right now.

[@iamgeoffandthisismystory]

Always a pleasure listening to Gareth 🤙🏻

[@janvanaardt3773]

I agree what you said about Douglas Murray briliant man

[@moonchild7033]

Nice interview, thanks Alec!

[@saskiaguy1940]

Great interview, thank you. Fascinating stuff

[@Scoops-g7j]

Thanks Alec BN for putting Gareth in the other seat great interview ...Gareth looks so cute 😍 wearing his specs 😊😊😅😮

[@karinak9465]

Gareth in my eyes you have grown from an irritating dude only about 4-5 years ago to a mature international interviewer. Well done!! It was lovely to see you journey. Really like watching your recent interviews with international guests. Especially the ones with Brett and Johann Hari. Can you try and convince Lex Fridman to come visit our beautiful country - I think he will be impressed.

[@teresalouro1615]

Beg to differ Gareth can come across arrogant and if someone challenges him throws his toys out the cot. Not to say that he doesn't occasionally make valid points.

[@rosalindvantonder5176]

What has been will be again. What has been done again: There is nothing new under the sun. Bible Ecclesiastes 1:9

[@LethiuxX]

It would be great if young people had a reliable and non-threatening vehicle in South Africa where we could open up more in terms of cultural celebration and education. Not in a way that causes divide, but in an inclusive way that allows us to actually learn more about one another. I think the lack of mutual understanding and empathy is what is causing the divide in ethnic social boundaries now, and politicians are taking advantage of this for diversion, and are actively boxing us into these mindsets. It's not apartheid causing divide anymore, so we can't blame it anymore. We have adverts in South Africa where a white farmer and a black businessman share a whiskey embracing their differences, but this isn't reality. In reality, it's quite difficult for this to occur on a common basis.

[@BestbredSA]

Rugby

[@diannequinn2808]

Well said. Speak to the Minister of Youth...

[@schalkvandermerwe3838]

Inclusivity [in the modernist context] is, by its very nature, discriminatory against cultural non-overlap. It sounds like you're talking about (what the Americans refer to as) 'show and tell', but for adolescents and adults. Cultural show and tell can only be great if cultures are allowed to have 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 cultural hubs, that at their core, are allowed to be disturbed only as much as their own practitioners deem valuable. So much of the frustration also comes from cultures being actively dissuaded from agglomeration.

[@allisontait1145]

Love this interview.

[@nellaretief2773]

Brilliant thank you to both

[@jikfah5968]

Brilliant interview

[@mfundodladla8416]

Great interview

[@dgraham1949]

I do believe we should go back to manufacturing our own fertiliser. That I trust would increase our economy considerably.

[@telia-ctelia-c1917]

Yip, I agree.... Guano!

[@glennborrageiro6257]

The fact that you are are fan of Douglas Murray say's it all for me.

[@WayneKaminsky]

Well done Gareth... And Alec. You've both done a lot, added rational voices... Sometimes pushed that envelope to help stir up average NPC people floating through life

[@gorty999]

Great insight

[@GrantSwanepoel]

Nothing new under the Sun is a bit older than that. Ecclesiastes 1:9.

[@telia-ctelia-c1917]

Well said! King Solomon came to mind!

[@hanshuman1382]

Thank you.

[@rosemaryeveleigh3562]

Hey man I new about it. Gareth you rock.

[@louisenieuwmeijer5337]

Great interview thanks.

[@stlouisix3]

🎉🎉Thanks, Praise and Glory be to the Holy Trinity ❤😊❤

[@Uncleluckybuck]

Great broadcast… good to see Gareth again! I would like to see a beard on you Gareth, would suit you well! Looking forward to sane conversation

[@Uncleluckybuck]

More sane conversation again! 👍

[@rosehunter5140]

Alec, "Nothing new under the sun" was first said by Solomon and can be found in Proverbs.

[@meikarchitects8518]

Great interview.

[@luanpretorius9132]

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them." - Mark Twain

[@thekikster11]

Great thanks 🙏🏽

[@danielgroenewald3006]

The glasses really suit Gareth!

[@user-kh2ds1bb4n]

South Africa, In danger of becoming Zimbabwe 2.0, such a shame so much potential.

[@DelightfulJungleWaterfal-gj2hk]

From an ex-pat, the investments and stand on load shedding are all good but what about the crime prevention?

[@user-hw1xp3sx3e]

Love Garrett since 5fm🎉

[@rosemarybaronetti9586]

John Khun was an amazing person! I remember him from Wits SRC

[@celestbutler702]

Douglas Murray! He is really special

[@MarieGroenewald-eq6pk]

Love Gareth

[@DennyDelivers0]

What An Awesome Guy

[@user-tz3qf6ew8b]

Well said

[@enterprisefire8307]

I concur about Douglas Murray!

[@marlak4253]

Most indigenous South Africans still require and deserve drastic changes in government. The ANC made a little progress but no doubt were hindered by all the temptations around them. Are you "liberal" white South Africans interested in resolving the horrible legacy of most South Africans which would grow your economy which you say is most important? Seems like you consider this legacy not only not your problem but plan to continue the course. If most South Africans had adequate housing, water, food, electricity, good basic education in sufficient schools, then higher education, access to good healthcare and wages meeting the cost of this living would be beautiful progress for the development of the country. How can a market driven by their exploitation be considered good for them? Its good for a few at the expense of the many. If you really take a moment to consider this senario you realize its not good because there is a senario that's good for all.

[@psylentrage]

This is the original "nothing new under the sun", “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” - Ecclesiastes 1:9 (KJV)

[@mambaman9363]

Entrepreneurs can sit in a sewage farm and convince people to visit it because it’s Eldorado. A place in the sun for everyone.

[@hasanainabdullah]

Gareth was blowing his own trumpet during the better half of this interview.

[@ingridraikes9082]

……but that’s why Alex wanted to interview him! He wanted Gareth to tell him about him! GONK!

[@hasanainabdullah]

@@ingridraikes9082 Humility goes a long way.

[@ace260386]

Because wildebeests easily turn into bewilderbeests.

[@SoundsLikeOdie]

Garth created Julias Malema. He focused so much on the idiocity of the corrupt middle aged leader of the youth leage that he landed up making him a household name. So I blame Gareth for birthing Julius.

[@pettigrewtristan]

Will there ever be paradise here with idiots deciding policy? 🤔

[@cboffard8350]

Gareth Cliff, thinker? Seriously? Raise your standards.

[@ingridraikes9082]

Shame on you! Gareth is a GREAT SOUTH AFRICAN.

[@arafatcham2306]

I’m sorry I love biznews and rob hersov but Douglass Murray as your hero!!! Grareth, I’m sorry but I’m done… 😢

[@PeaceInAfrica]

Had no idea about Douglass, but Gareth peaked my interest and I just bought the book. Can't wait to read looks promising.

[@klaasvakie]

Have to agree with you about Murray!

[@prynner]

Listening to Gareth Cliff here left me the impression that he's basically a right-wing, populist, Trump lover. Way over to the right. Never heard him on the radio and I think I'm unlikely to. He seems to represent a sort of white everyman and he's doing a damn good job of it.

[@klaasvakie]

Get over yourself!

[@caymanfrigate]

Why do you think it is not propaganda and bullshit? It is based on everything that you have read on European history. Why is that not bullshit in this context?

[@user-xy6kd7dl5p]

Douglas Murray, Eric Weinstein. Nooooo! I was just starting to almost like Gareth then he confesses to liking two right wing fascists.