Business Day Spotlight

Hospitality’s solution to youth unemployment

Hospitality being well placed to help solve South Africa’s high youth unemployment is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Sandra Kneubuhler to Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa.  Producer: Demi Buzo Business Day Spotlight is an Arena Podcasts Production. Hosted by…

20 Feb 27 min

Mali celebrates profits at Leseka, positive about full year performance

Lesaka Technologies’ financial performance in the first half of the 2026 financial year is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Lesaka CEO Lincoln Mali. Mali also speaks on business unit performance, investment in cryptocurrency, opportunities in remittances, and progress in acquiring Bank…

13 Feb 28 min

Roche’s approach to glucose monitoring using AI

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the treatment of diabetes is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Susan Snell, near patient sub-chapter lead at Roche Diagnostics. Topics of discussion include: a picture of diabetic care in SA; gaps in…

6 Feb 21 min

Allan Gray Orbis finds the 14 core skills for entrepreneurs in SA

The core skills for entrepreneurial success in SA is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Carl Herman, head of impact assurance at the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, and Professor Melodi Botha, a researcher in entrepreneurship at the University of Pretoria (UP).  Topics of…

4 Feb 22 min

Visa unpacks consumer spending trends for 2025 festive season

Consumer spending insights from the 2025 festive season is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Sandy Samaan, head of consulting and analytics at Visa for Southern, East, West and Central Africa Topics of discussion include: spending patterns during the festive period; growth of…

2 Feb 22 min

Cisco’s Diedrich on the impact of AI on individual wellness

The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on individual wellness is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Guy Diedrich, senior vice president and global innovation officer at Cisco.  Topics of discussion include:  findings of OECD study; impact of AI on wellness;  factors holding back adoption…

28 Jan 49 min

Anthem’s 11 GW project pipeline unpacked

Anthem’s plans to growth its piece of the African energy market is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Ryan Hammond, COO at Anthem.  Topics of discussion include: the inception of Anthem; track of energy projects; plans for growth; funding for the entity; and…

21 Jan 36 min

Tech strategies for SA banks in 2026

The modernisation of South Africa’s banking technology is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Eshmael Mpabanga, country head of Intellect Design Arena SA.  Topics of discussion include: Intellect’s investment in SA; fundamental shifts in bank technology; learnings from other emerging markers; and artificial intelligence…

15 Dec 2025 35 min

Massive export cuts for SA businesses because of Trump tariffs, TUNL reports

The impact of US tariffs on local exports is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Craig Lowman, CEO and co-founder at TUNL, and Aretha Cooper, the company’s COO.  Topics of discussion include: the impact of US tariffs on SA’s export businesses; how…

10 Dec 2025 34 min

ATE’s for greater for greater intra-Africa trade

Efforts to grow and overcome the challenges associated with intra-Africa trade is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Adam Molai, chairman of Africa Trade Engine (ATE). Topics of discussion include: the decision to create ATE; the market opportunity for manufacturing locally; what it…

5 Dec 2025 50 min

Stats SA draws the line on population after new headcount challenge

In this episode, Business Day deputy editor Tiisetso Motsoeneng speaks to data expert Magnus Rademeyer about the growing debate over South Africa’s true population size. Following Fibretime’s challenge to Stats SA’s latest headcount figures, Rademeyer unpacks why their modelling suggests a much larger population — and what this could mean…

4 Dec 2025 20 min

What will it take to grow South Africa’s e-commerce pie?

The development of e-commerce amongst South Africa’s small businesses in  is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Sarah Holloway, COO at BoxCommerce.  Topics of discussion include: the growth of e-commerce in SA; BoxCommerce’s business model; the competitive landscape; and importance of localisation.  Producer:…

1 Dec 2025 28 min

⁠Impact of G20 on South Africa investor perceptions

The importance of SA’s G20 presidency on improving investment flows to the regionis the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Romeo Kumalo, co-founder of LLH Capital.  Topics of discussion include: the G20 opportunity; shifting perceptions around Africa; tech investment in the region; and…

28 Nov 2025 31 min

Mobile operators weight in on latest RICA developments

Improvements to SA’s RICA legislation is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Nomvuyiso Batyi, CEO of the Association for Comms and Technology (ACT). Topics of discussion include: possible improvements to RICA legislation; main issues affecting the sector and its players; and relationship with regulators. Producer:…

26 Nov 2025 40 min

Telkom’s interim financial performance in focus

Telkom’s ongoing growth in mobile is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Telkom group CEO Serame Taukobong at the JSE after the announcement of the group’s interim earnings to September.  Topics of discussion include: Telkom’s strategy; importance of infrastructure; current financial performance,…

24 Nov 2025 17 min

Daniel Mminele on B20 energy task force mission and work

The work of the B20’s energy task force is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Daniel Mminele, chair of the B20 South Africa Energy Mix & Just Transition Task Force.  Topics of discussion include: the role of the B20; the task force's mandate;…

21 Nov 2025 42 min

Discovery push to improve customer sleep scores unpacked

Discovery push to improve customer sleep is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Dinesh Govender, CEO of Discovery Vitality.  Topics of discussion include: Discovery’s strategy of improving customer health; shift to sleep tracking; partnership with Oura; and Vitality’s growth over time.  Business…

19 Nov 2025 34 min

Lunga Siyo details Telkom’s growth in prepaid mobile

The continued growth of Telkom’s mobile division is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Lunga Siyo, CEO of Telkom Consumer.  Topics of discussion include: the growth of Telkom Mobile; prepaid strategy; economic reality of operating in SA; and use AI…

17 Nov 2025 52 min

Jury outlines Mukuru’s move offer loans in SA with Jumo

Mukuru’s foray into SA’s competitive lending market is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Andy Jury, CEO at Mukuru.  The payments executive outlines: the company’s new loans offering; partnership with Jumo; the state of remittances on the continent; regulations; and how money…

14 Nov 2025 34 min

Uber head on gig economy solutions to SA unemployment

Tackling young unemployment in SA through mobility is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.  Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Deepesh Thomas, general manager for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa. Topics of discussion include: tackling young unemployment in SA; Uber’s partnership with Harambee; the relationship with drivers and riders;…

12 Nov 2025 42 min