Customer-obsessed Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest man with an estimated net worth of $198bn, is stepping down today from the company he built to a trillion-dollar empire – exactly 27 years to the day since he started Amazon. And for his next customers – himself, his brother Mark, 82-year old female pilot Wally Funk, and an unidentified individual who paid $28m for a seat on Bezos’ company Blue Origin’s spacecraft – the sky’s literally the limit.
But he has competition in the race to space. Last week serial entrepreneur Richard Branson announced he’ll be travelling with two pilots and three other passengers on Virgin Galactic’s on the SpaceShip Two on July 11, just days before Bezos’ space flight. And then there’s Elon Musk, yet to step into the rink of this ego brawl. His SpaceX however is set to launch a charity-focused flight manned by an ‘all-civilian crew’ in September.
While Bezos and Branson are aiming for the ‘edge of space’, Musk is looking beyond the earth’s orbit – but right now his sight is on blasting off Dogecoin.
So, what’s next for Amazon? WSJ’s Dana Mattioli discusses in this not-to-be-missed podcast Bezos’ legacy and what is next for the company.
Here’s a roundup of the world’s top and most interesting news headlines:
SA Business
Why Rio Tinto declaring force majeure over Richard’s Bay Minerals is a significant event – Daily Maverick
The South Africa home that is practically an Art Deco museum – Financial Times
SAB takes the fizz out of AB InBev as Covid ban increase pressure – Mail & Guardian
Markets
Rand under pressure as vaccination rates lag in South Africa – Business Tech
Oil down, investors await crucial Opec+ meeting – Investor.com
Gold regains shine after Central Bank buying drops to decade low – Bloomberg
Opinion
Jacob Zuma’s ill-conceived rescission application reeks of self-pity, deviance and delinquency – Daily Maverick
False story about decuplets was a low point for journalism: how to fix the damage – The Conversation
Tax changes planned for cigarettes and alcohol in SA – but they could come at a cost – Cape Business News
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