Business Day Spotlight

How Microsoft has grown, innovated and flourished during Covid-19

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we’re talking to one of the country’s top business leaders in technology about her experience operating in the current Covid-induced economy. To discuss the issues, our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Lillian Barnard, managing director at Microsoft SA. The discussion explores…

8 Jul 2020 25 min

Savings month: redefining SA's culture of saving 

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we explore how to build a culture of saving and investment in SA. To unpack the topic, our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Nicholas Riemer, investment education head at FNB, to talk about the pros and cons of saving and investing…

6 Jul 2020 32 min

Economic news of the week: Here is why government relief is not reaching SMEs

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we’re looking at the SA economy through the lens of small business and some of the potential shortfalls of government’s plan to get much needed liquidity to the sector through its stimulus package. To explore the topic, our host Mudiwa Gavaza is…

3 Jul 2020 24 min

Local start-up finds international funding partners

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we’re examining the journey of technology startup, Skynamo, as the company expands its local operations moves beyond the borders of SA. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Sam Clarke, the man behind Skynamo, a business to business retail sales rep platform…

1 Jul 2020 32 min

Covid-19 shows that investing cannot be considered a luxury

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we’re looking at how savings and investment have been impacted by Covid-19 for ordinary South Africans. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Mike Estment, chairman at NFB Private Wealth Management to talk about the issues. The discussion explores the savings and…

29 Jun 2020 29 min

Closing the hippo's mouth - is there time to stop SA from falling into a debt trap?

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we’re looking back at SA Finance Minister Mboweni’s budget speech delivered this week. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Sifiso Skenjana, chief economist and thought leadership executive at IQ Business to talk about the issues. The discussion explores the highlights of…

25 Jun 2020 31 min

Assessing your personal finances to weather Covid-19

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we’re talking to financial advisors about how to better structure one’s personal during this time of Covid-19. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Marriette Tappan, a Certified Financial Transitionist and financial consultant at Liberty; together with Irvin Tsimane, a senior manager…

17 Jun 2020 26 min

Economic news of the week: Unemployment expected to spike amid mass retrenchments

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we’re looking at the economics news of the week as higher unemployment looms large on SA. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Dawie Roodt, chief economist at Efficient Group to explore the issues. The discussion focuses on the risk of increased…

12 Jun 2020 28 min

The rise of e-commerce during lockdown - PayU

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we’re looking at the growth of e-commerce in SA, driven in part by Covid-19. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Karen Nadasen, country manager of PayU, a fintech company that provides payment technology to online merchants. She was recently appointed as…

10 Jun 2020 28 min

Economic news of the week: Level-3 lockdown’s effect on SA’s economy

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we’re looking back at the week in economics as the country moved from Level 4 to 3 of the national lockdown. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Miyelani Maluleke, an economist at Absa Corporate and Investment Banking to discuss the issues…

5 Jun 2020 33 min

Economic activity down by 45% from usual levels - Investec 

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we’re looking how the local and global investment landscape has evolved due to the Covid-19 crisis. What should you be thinking about before making an investment decision as an organisation or individual? Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Chris Holdsworth, chief…

4 Jun 2020 31 min

Economic news of the week: Covid-19’s impact has yet to play out

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we look at the week’s top economics news as the country gets ready to enter Level 3 of the national lockdown. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Refilwe Moloto, an economic and strategic advisor at Ambassador Advisory. The discussion also focuses…

29 May 2020 27 min

SAP talks tech adoption in Africa during Covid-19

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we’re in discussion with one of the country’s foremost business leaders about technology investment in Africa. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Cathy Smith, managing director at SAP Africa, one the world’s largest enterprise software companies in the world. The discussion…

27 May 2020 30 min

Economic news of the week: An aggressive approach to stimulus amid Covid-19

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we’re taking a look at the week’s top economics news. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Ndumiso Hadebe, Economist and Director for Pax Africana Holdings. The discussion also touches on this week’s interest rate decision, the strengthening of the Rand in…

22 May 2020 26 min

Africa is the most promising region for cryptocurrency adoption

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we’re examining the state of the cryptocurrency landscape in SA and the rest of Africa. Has it been affected by Covid-19? Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Marius Reitz, General Manager for Africa at Luno, a crytocurrency exchange. Reitz talks about…

20 May 2020 31 min

Economic news of the week: Survey shows SA households are under significant strain

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we take a look at how ordinary South Africans are fairing financially during the Covid-19 crisis. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Emmanuel Cristaudo, business head of JustMoney, a financial information provider. This discussion starts with Cristaudo explaining the results their…

15 May 2020 22 min

Local businesses adapt to the new normal

Some good news for a change. In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we take a look at how local businesses have been able to adapt their operations to the winds of change brought on by the coronavirus. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Alison Collier, managing director…

13 May 2020 32 min

Economic news of the week: SA is fast approaching a debt trap

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we take a look at the week’s top business and economics news for the week, including the decline in the aviation industry and the impact of Covid-19 on government’s ability to collect taxes. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Dawie Roodt,…

8 May 2020 27 min

Debt relief is being requested by a wide range of incomes levels

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we take a look at how coronavirus has impacted South Africans ability to make debt payments. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Punki Modise, chief financial officer for retail and business banking at Absa to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on…

6 May 2020 36 min

Economic news of the week: SA economy weathers blow after blow

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we discuss the economics news of the week as SA begins its phased approach to re-opening the economy. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Sanisha Packirisamy, an economist at Momentum Investments to unpack the issues. The conversation begins with Packirisamy explaining…

1 May 2020 32 min