Business Day Spotlight

Growing Africa's tech ecosystem, according to Andile Ngcaba

Growing Africa’s technology ecosystem and attracting more funding to the sector is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Andile Ngcaba, chairman of Convergence Partners Topics of discussion include: the firm’s investment philosophy; Convergence Partners’ deal to buy Datacentrix; the…

22 Jan 30 min

Tackling political risk and uncertainty in SA economy

Economic resilience in a year of political uncertainty is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Ndumiso Kubheka, chief economist at KH Equity Partners. Topics of discussion include: looking back at the economy in 2023; efforts to curb inflation and…

19 Jan 23 min

Making online spaces healthier for young people, according to MySociaLife

Ways in which young people, teens and preteens, can better navigate life in a digital world is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Dean McCoubrey, the Founder of MySociaLife. Topics of discussion include: history of MySociaLife; business model; plans…

17 Jan 52 min

Unpacking EasyPay Everywhere financial inclusion strategy

Pushing up digital payments is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Simphiwe Phakathi, executive head of sales and distribution at EasyPay Everywhere. Topics of discussion include: financial inclusion; EasyPay’s plan to capture market share in the traditionally unbanked market;…

15 Jan 34 min

Unpacking SA’s Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill

The proposed Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill and its enforcement is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Ettienne Retief, chairman of the SA Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA)’s national tax and SARS committee.  Topics of discussion include: proposals in the new bill;…

12 Jan 37 min

The case for cheaper smart device access in Africa

Pushing up internet use through more affordable smart devices is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Caroline Mbugua, head of state commendation and GSMA director of public policy for Sub-Saharan Africa. Topics of discussion include: finding from the body’s…

10 Jan 22 min

Mindset necessary shif fort digital security in SA

Growing sophistication in digital security in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Andrew Moodley, chief digital officer at Axiz. Topics of discussion include: cybersecurity risks driven by factors like rapid digital transformation, remote work trends and growing artificial intelligence (AI) use. Business…

8 Jan 37 min

Cybercrime on the rise in SA, according to Kaspersky

Digital and cyber threats for businesses in SA is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by David Emm, principal cybersecurity researcher at Kaspersky.  Topics of discussion include statistics around growing digital threats in SA; the evolution of cyber attacks in the…

19 Dec 2023 33 min

Eskom will be back at Treasury’s door in 3-4 years without tariff reform, De Ruyter says

Former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter laid out challenges facing the newly appointed CEO of the ailing power utility, saying the state-owned company will be back at Treasury in 3-4 years for bailouts unless the tariffs matched the cost of electricity generation.  Speaking to Business Day Spotlight podcast,  de Ruyter…

18 Dec 2023 59 min

Workday’s push for Africa expansion

Workday’s expansion plans for SA and Africa is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by the team from Workday: Fred Nylander, VP for North Europe and emerging markets, Pierre Gousset, VP of presales for the EMEA region, and Kiveshen Moodley,…

14 Dec 2023 55 min

The fight to build trust with AI customer communication

Artificial intelligence systems in customer communications is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Wayne Toms, CEO at GhostDraft. Topics of discussion include: how are South African financial services players adapting to meet the demands of modern consumers; understanding the…

11 Dec 2023 32 min

Economics of death care, according to SendOff

Death care and the economics surrounding funerals is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Thabisile Sethaba, co-founder and COO at SendOff Funeral App. Topics of discussion include: SendOff’s business model; the rationale for creating such a platform; and ways…

8 Dec 2023 31 min

TymeBank eyes listing as valuation nears R20bn

TymeBank, SA’s first fully digital bank, may list on a major stock exchange in the next four to five years, as its valuation approaches R20bn, its co-founder and CEO Coen Jonker says. Speaking to Business Day deputy editor Tiisetso Motsoeneng, Jonker said the bank, which launched in 2018 and has…

5 Dec 2023 26 min

Mainstream adoption of tokenisation starting to take hold

Mainstream adoption of tokenisation, underpinned by blockchain technology, is the focus of this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Connie Bloem, co-founder and executive head at Mesh.Trade. Topics of discussion include: Mesh.Trade’s business model; the rationale for tokenisation; how tokens are being applied…

4 Dec 2023 41 min

The right time to get into fixed income for SA investors?

Fixed income as an area of investment is the focus of this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Attila Kadikoy, managing partner of Levantine & Co Wealth Managers. The discussion includes the state of fixed income; reasons for growth in this asset class;…

1 Dec 2023 31 min

Mukuru’s plan to stay ahead in Africa’s cross-border payments market

Mukuru’s strategy in Africa’s growing cross-border money transfer market is the focus of this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Andy Jury, CEO of Mukuru. The discussion includes the state of remittances on the continent; regulations and how money is flowing in Africa;…

29 Nov 2023 42 min

The big picture for Vodacom Financial Services

Vodacom’s financial services strategy is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Mariam Cassim, CEO of Vodacom Financial Services. Topics of discussion include: Vodacom's strategy for growth in mobile payments; plans to grow remittances; importance of partnerships; and plans for…

27 Nov 2023 29 min

Consumers seeking out value on Black Friday, Absa says

Black Friday through the lens of transaction data is the focus of this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Tshipi Alexander, head of card Issuing at Absa Everyday Banking and Vish Chetty, executive for payments acceptance at Absa Relationship Banking. Topics of discussion…

24 Nov 2023 27 min

Chapu rethinks audit in SA

A consulting approach to audit is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Rhangani Mbhalati, MD of Chapu Chartered Accountants. Mbhalati outlines their focus on helping clients with supply chain management; the consulting approach to audit; investing in experienced executives;…

22 Nov 2023 42 min

Avis’ plan to conquer car subscription market in SA

The growth of car subscriptions in SA is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Tlhabi Ntlha, COO at Avis Budget Southern Africa. Ntlha outlines Avis’ strategy in car subscriptions; outlines the differences between car rental, subscription and lease services;…

20 Nov 2023 46 min