Business Day Spotlight

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

Economics of philanthropy according to Jonathan Oppenheimer

Philanthropy and the economics behind it is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Jonathan Oppenheimer, South African businessman and conservationist. The discussion reflects on the state of philanthropy in the world; the role capitalism in helping to address the…

17 Nov 2023 43 min

The future of cloud in Africa, according to Liquid and Google

A new partnership between Liquid and Google is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Oswald Jumira, CEO of Liquid C2 and Umesh Vemuri, VP of Strategic Pursuits at Google Cloud. The discussion reflects on Liquid and Google’s new cloud…

15 Nov 2023 21 min

Visa’s push for digital payments with SME’s

Visa’s push to get more small businesses to transact digitally is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Enoch Malisa,Head Merchant Sales & Acquiring Sub-Saharan Africa at Visa. The discussion reflects on Visa’s offering as a payments provider; challenges in…

13 Nov 2023 33 min

Accessing healthcare in a tough SA economy

Economic considerations around healthcare access and affordability is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Deon Kotze, chief product officer at Discovery Health. The discussion reflects on the affordability of healthcare in SA; the impact of an economic downturn on…

10 Nov 2023 36 min

Uber execs unpack 10 years in SA

Uber’s strategy for growth in SA is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Uber executives Kagiso Khaole and Nakampe Molewa. The discussion reflects on Uber SA’s first 10 years in SA; Uber Eats’ expansion beyond food delivery; electric mobility;…

9 Nov 2023 39 min