Business Day Spotlight

Rise Mzansi's Songezo Zibi says SA is ready for a new dawn

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight host Hajra Omarjee is joined by Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi. "National unity is a big deal for people, non racialism and no one talks about it anymore. This idea that we can unite South Africans to use their skills, experience and…

4 Jun 2023 16 min

The case for heating up SA’s homes with LP gas

Making gas cheaper and more accessible as a source of energy, helping to reduce the impact of load shedding for households, is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Thiru Govender, head of LPG Southern Africa at Ducat Trading SA…

2 Jun 2023 38 min

Health and fitness spending is now a bigger priority, says Virgin Active

Fitness and health spending in an economic downturn is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Dean Kowarski, Virgin Active group CEO. Topics of discussion include: the group’s strategy for growth, business performance, ways in which competition has evolved in…

31 May 2023 26 min

Keeping computer data safe during load shedding

IT system disaster recovery amidst increasing power uncertainty is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Steve Porter, MD of IronTree. Topics of discussion include: what is disaster recovery; impact of load shedding on keeping data and other sensitive information…

29 May 2023 37 min

Full effects of interest hikes on property will take time to be felt, says FNB

The full effects of ongoing interest hikes on SA’s property sector is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by John Loos, property economist in FNB’s commercial property finance unit. Topics of discussion include: reaction to the May 25 interest hike…

26 May 2023 28 min

Small to mid caps doing well in a tough economy, says Sanlam

This edition of the Business Day Spotlight focus the growth and outperformance of smaller JSE listed stocks outside of the Top 40. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Vanessa van Vuuren, portfolio manager for the SIM Small-Cap Fund at Sanlam Investments. Topics of discussion include: Sanlam’s small cap investment…

24 May 2023 33 min

Managing consumer credit in uncertain times

Managing credit in a high interest rate economic environment is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Magauta Mphahlele, the executive director for the South African Credit and Risk Reporting Association (SACRRA). Topics of discussion include: pressure being felt by…

22 May 2023 26 min

SA future international trade future amidst Pretoria-Washington tensions

SA’s future in international trade, as the US accuses government of assisting Russia in its war against Ukraine, is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Louw Nel, senior political analyst at Oxford Economics. Topics of discussion include: trade relations…

19 May 2023 29 min

Yellow Door Energy plan to spend close to $1bn on renewable projects in SA

The growing opportunity for independent power producers to help alleviate SA’s ongoing electricity crisis is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Mohamed Madhi, Country Director: South Africa at Yellow Door Energy (YDE). Topics of discussion include: YDE’s business model;…

17 May 2023 18 min

Unpacking Liberty’s claim stats for 2022

What can insurance claims data tell us about the health of the SA economy? That is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by: Dr Dominique Stott, Liberty's chief medical officer; Tom Crotty, lead specialist in technical marketing for risk proposition…

15 May 2023 35 min

Unpacking the online trading boom

The growth of online financial markets trading is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Damian Bunce, chief customer officer at international multi-asset brokerage firm Exness. Topics of discussion include: the growth of online trading; Exness’s business model; attitudes around…

12 May 2023 28 min

Makosi pushes on-demand accounting service for audit firms

Efforts to address an apparent shortage in accounting professionals is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Darren Isaacs, founder and CEO of Makosi. Topics of discussion include: Makosi’s business model; the state of the accounting profession; efforts around staffing…

10 May 2023 28 min

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