Business Day Spotlight

Private equity investment in Africa

Private equity investment in Africa is the focus in this edition the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Brandon Doyle, CEO of Convergence Partners. Topics of discussion include: the firms investment strategy; the growth of private equity in Africa; opportunity in telecoms infrastructure investment; and Convergence…

8 May 2023 42 min

Energy uncertainty signals a shift in SA property market

The impact of interest rates and energy uncertainly on SA’s property market is the focus in this edition the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Mitesh Bhawan, MD of Broll Property’s energy, water and sustainability division. Topics of discussion include: the state of SA’s property market…

28 Apr 2023 50 min

1.6 billion mobile money accounts in the world, says GSMA

The growth of mobile payments services in Africa and beyond is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Ashley Olson Onyango, head of financial inclusion and agritech at GSMA. She outlines some of the reports main findings; factors driving the…

26 Apr 2023 33 min

MTN’s push to be the network partner of choice

Network and infrastructure sharing in telecoms is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Quintus de Beer, wholesale executive at MTN SA. The operator wants its wholesale business to be the “go-to” network partner of choice, with MVNO being a…

24 Apr 2023 22 min

It’s time for hard fiscal choices, says Reserve Bank governor Kganyago

Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago urged politicians to make hard, unpopular fiscal choices to maintain the credibility of budgetary commitments as they juggle spending pressures with one of the heaviest debt loads in emerging markets.

21 Apr 2023 40 min

Staying ahead of cyber threats in Africa

Cybersecurity in Africa is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by the team at Check Point: Pankaj Bhula, regional director for Africa; Charnie Lee, country manager for SA; and Rudi Van Rooyen, a security engineer. Topics of discussion include: Check Point’s business in SA; evolution…

19 Apr 2023 33 min

Regulating gig economy accommodation

Regulation for informal tourism operators is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Velma Corcoran, regional lead for Middle East and Africa at Airbnb. Topics of discussion include: Airbnb’s proposal to government; challenges facing regulated businesses; and benefits of informal…

17 Apr 2023 30 min

Is SA ready for a BRICS currency?

The establishment of a BRICS currency, what it could mean for SA and disrupting global trade is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Xhanti Payi, a senior economist at PwC. Topics of discussion include: what would the establishment of…

14 Apr 2023 40 min

Nova looks to disrupt instant messaging market

Education technology is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Nicholas Riemer, co-founder and CEO of Nova Messenger. Topics of discussion include: Nova’s business model; competition in the messaging space; opportunities for technology startups in education; and learnings from earlier…

12 Apr 2023 30 min

4Sight's eye on growth and AI push

4Sight's eye on growth and investment in artificial intelligence (AI) is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by executives from 4Sight: CEO Tertius Zitzke and Willie Ackerman, chief sales and marketing officer. Topics of discussion include: a review of 4Sight's…

5 Apr 2023 27 min

Inflation fight pushes up SA interest rates

A surprise interest rate increase is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Patrick Buthelezi, economist at Sanlam Investments. Topics of discussion include: a review of SA's latest interest rate decision; rationale for the surprise hike in rates; and factors…

3 Apr 2023 22 min

Youth Employment Service’s push to create jobs in a downturn

Creating jobs in an environment of slow economic growth is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Ravi Naidoo, CEO of the Youth Employment Service (YES). Ravi spends time discussing Yes’s model for finding employment; incentives for private sector players…

31 Mar 2023 31 min

Uber’s push for electric vehicles in SA

Slow progress in implementing policies that would help to increase the use of electric vehicles (EVs) is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Frans Hiemstra, Uber’s GM for Middle East and Africa. Topics of discussion include: Uber’s electrification goals;…

29 Mar 2023 30 min

Taking stock of SA's economy, three years since lockdown

In this edition of the BD Spotlight, we look at SA's economy three years since going into lockdown. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Ndumiso Hadebe, chief economist at KH Equity Partners. Hadebe focuses on the the state of the global economy; SA's place in that economy; continued risks…

24 Mar 2023 27 min

SA's wealthy search for safe investments overseas

High net worth individuals across the world, including in SA, continue to look for safe places to invest their money for stability and growth. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Seamus Rocca, CEO ofXapoPrivateBank, in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Topics of discussion include: Xapo's business model;…

22 Mar 2023 24 min

Unu Health’s mission to bring down healthcare costs in SA

Affordable healthcare, through the use of technology, is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by the team from Unum Health: Tania Joffe, CEO, and Dr Phatho Zondi, the company’s COO. Topics of discussion include: Unu’s business model; the company’s strategy…

20 Mar 2023 46 min

I will fix load-shedding, Ramakgopa declares

The government's latest plan to end power cuts that have blighted society sapped economic growth and soured the mood in the corporate boardroom has a face: Kgosientso Ramakgopa. Almost two weeks into the job as the electricity minister, Ramakgopa has no regrets about taking on one the toughest jobs in…

16 Mar 2023 19 min

Keeping an eye on SA’s critical infrastructure

Surveillance of critical infrastructure in SA is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Marcel Bruyns, sales manager for Africa at Aix Communications. Topics of discussion include: what smart technologies exist to secure SA’s water utilities; how can the application…

16 Mar 2023 22 min

Efforts to bring down fibre internet cost attract funding for TooMuchWifi

Efforts to bring down the cost to communicate and internet in SA is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  
 Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Tauriq Brown, newly appointed CEO of TooMuchWifi, who discusses his aims and plans to scale the company.  
 A…

13 Mar 2023 29 min

Rand taking hits from all directions

In the facing of ongoing local and international economic volatility, this edition of he Business Day Spotlight focuses on performance of SA’s currency, the Rand. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Terence Hove, senior financial markets analyst at international multi-asset brokerage firm Exness. Topics of discussion include: performance of…

10 Mar 2023 27 min