NOW Ep104: How South Africa can shift gears for growth

Loading player...
South Africa has spent more than a decade in economic drift – growing slower than its emerging market peers, losing investor confidence, and missing out on vital tax revenue. So, how do we get back on track? In this episode of No Ordinary Wednesday, Jeremy Maggs is joined by Cumesh Moodliar, CEO of Investec South Africa, and Osagyefo Mazwai, Investment Strategist at Investec Wealth & Investment International, to unpack the hard truths, and outline a roadmap to recovery and long-term prosperity.

Podcast key moments:
00:00 – Introduction
02:09 – How will the latest tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump affect the South African economy?
04:36 - How do you interpret the opportunity cost of the lost decade of growth in SA?
07:27 - What should the number one priority be for government?
09:30 – Why is boosting confidence is one of the most powerful levers for growth?
10:27 - What specific reforms do you think will signal that SA is open for business?
12:28 – Has SA we missed the golden opportunity with the commodity boom?
13:59 - How vulnerable is SA to these pressures, and could they complicate our domestic growth strategy?
17:38 - Can current composition of the GNU accelerate reforms quickly enough to match the urgency economic growth?
20:10 - How does South Africa avoid getting left behind in the fight for capital, trade and competitiveness?
21:19 – Is South Africa an attractive investment destination?
22:52 - What could South Africa look like in 2035?
Read more on www.investec.com/now

Hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs, the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast unpacks the latest economic, business and political news in South Africa, with an all-star cast of investment and wealth managers, economists and financial planners from Investec. Listen in every second Wednesday for an in-depth look at what's moving markets, shaping the economy, and changing the game for your wallet and your business.
Chapters
  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:09 How will the latest tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump affect the South African economy?
  • 04:36 How do you interpret the opportunity cost of the lost decade of growth in SA?
  • 07:27 What should the number one priority be for government?
  • 09:30 Why is boosting confidence is one of the most powerful levers for growth?
  • 10:27 What specific reforms do you think will signal that SA is open for business?
  • 12:28 Has SA we missed the golden opportunity with the commodity boom?
  • 13:59 How vulnerable is SA to these pressures, and could they complicate our domestic growth strategy?
  • 17:38 Can current composition of the GNU accelerate reforms quickly enough to match the urgency economic growth?
  • 20:10 How does South Africa avoid getting left behind in the fight for capital, trade and competitiveness?
  • 21:19 Is South Africa an attractive investment destination?
  • 22:52 What could South Africa look like in 2035?
8 Jul 2025 English South Africa Business · Investing

Other recent episodes

What next? | Young divided and under pressure

For years, we’ve comforted ourselves with the idea that young people will “save the world.” But is that hope realistic - or an unfair projection? Many young people care deeply about climate, justice and inequality, yet face economic precarity, political disillusionment and shrinking civic space. How can youth today find…
5 Feb 1 hour

Art in Focus series 2 | Ep 4: Art in nurturing identity and heritage

From stitched fabrics and beaded surfaces to gel capsules and monumental sculptures, this episode of Art in Focus explores how personal memory becomes cultural narrative. Mary Sibande, Sahlah Davids and Leila Abrahams join Tristanne Farrell to talk identity, heritage, healing and how artists transform lived experience into work that resonates…
11 Feb 31 min

Everything Counts | Episode 41: Global Shopping for South Africans

Earning, spending, investing and shopping overseas has never been easier, but it has never been more complex either. If your money is constantly moving between currencies, countries, and platforms, it can feel like you’re doing everything right on paper while still losing value through fees, exchange rates and timing. In…
9 Feb 20 min

Macro Monday Ep103: PMI numbers point to solid global growth this year

The world economy appears to be in good shape. Global composite purchasing managers index numbers are on the rise, with US manufacturing enjoying a significant uptick in January, and Germany’s factory orders have risen strongly too. All in all, says Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, Investec Wealth & Investment International,…
9 Feb 13 min

What next? | Changing minds, changing markets

In this episode of podcast series, What Next? Michael Liebreich and Rory Sutherland lift the lid on how to shift behaviour at scale to achieve the energy transition. Marc Khan and Lidnsey Hooper interview the pair on the sociopolitical backlash we have seen in some sectors with regard to climate…
2 Feb 45 min