Behind the biggest business stories of the week - taking you inside key events, the movements at the top and their effects at the bottom. A Tiso Blackstar Group Production. Keywords: BDSpotlight, industry, markets, South Africa, news and views, money, success, entrepreneur, corporation, podcast
The use data and technology to increase return from advertising spend is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Gil Sperling, co-founder and co-CEO of Flow. Through the discussion, the economist highlights: trends in tech based advertising; evolution of digital marketing techniques; potential of commerce media; and the returns profile. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.
The improving economic picture for SA households is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Dr Roelof Botha, economic adviser to Optimum Investment Group. Through the discussion, the economist highlights: Afhri index components and research methodology; key findings from the index results; impact of interest rates on the economy; and growth expectations for the year. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
The evolution of public relations in the technology sector is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Judith Middleton, CEO of Duo Marketing and Communications. Topics of discussion include: Duo's business model and history; evolution of public relations in SA; the opportunity for doing international projects out of SA; and evolution of technology in the sector. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.
Peach Payments of francophone fintech operator PayDunya is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Rahul Jain, co-founder of Peach Payments, and Aziz YƩrima, co-founder of PayDunya. Topics of discussion include: rationale behind the business tie up; Peach's geographic expansion; PayDunya's growth in a decade; and opportunities for payments in Africa. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.
The business fitness and wellness in SA is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Lisa Raleigh and Stafford Masie from the Lisa Raleigh Group (LR Group). Through the discussion, the team discusses history of the company; make up of the product line; and international ambitions Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
Finding solutions for daily challenges faced in African communities is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by and Olabisi Emmanuel, founder of SussFlow Reusable and Jean Blaise Seka, from WiseCool. Through the discussion, the panel outlines the challenges of doing in their various countries; value of business incubation platforms; and growth plans. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
Bringing cold storage services to farmers in West Africa is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Afopezi Moses from AgricFresh. Topics of discussion include: challenge of doing business in Cameroon; value of business incubation platforms; and growth plans. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Producer is Thabo Tshabalala.
Dis-Chem entry and investment in building an insurance unit is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Greg Smith, CEO of Dis-Chem Life. Topics of discussion include: the rationale for Dis-Chem entry into life insurance; the group's financial services ambitions; making use of various distribution channels; and the importance of data for an insurer. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.
Octa analyst MJ Givens Kgasi shares insights to help online traders position themselves and adapt their strategies for success in a volatile market.
Standard Bank's investment in technology is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Khomotso Molabe, group chief information officer (CIO) for Standard Bank's retail operations. Topics of discussion include: the use of technology to improve customer experience; growth of AI; product development cycles; and the place of bank branches. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
The value of practical experience in technology learning is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Jessica Hawkey, MD of redAcademy. Topics of discussion include: redAcademy's business model; value of practical experience versus theory; expectations from employers; and effort to secure employment for learners. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.
Government's push to growth SA's tech startup ecosystem is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Vusi Skosana, head technology stations and manager of GCIP at TIA, and Mogale Maleka from AB Farms. Topics of discussion include: government's roles in growing SA's tech ecosystem; structure of the GCIP-SA program; AB Farms's business model; and issues holding back entrepreneurship in SA. Since 2014, more than 200 businesses have been supported through GCIP-SA. Skosana says these technologies are vital to addressing climate change, creating economic opportunities, and building a sustainable future. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.
TymeBank Chief Commercial Officer Cheslyn Jacobs has criticised South African lenders for their continued reliance on banking fees, arguing that the model is unsustainable in the long term. Speaking with Business Day acting editor Tiisetso Motsoeneng, Jacobs positioned the app-only, Patrice Motsepe-backed bank as a challenger to the status quo. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE production. Produced by Demi Buzo.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline recruitment and human resourcing is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Sai Govender, founder and CEO of Blue Pearl, with Nicole Adriaans, business executive for data and analytics at iOCO. Topics of discussion include: BlueApp's model; development of AI in human resources; rationale for use IBM's AI models; and outlook for the sector. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.
Discovery's use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Dr Ron Whelan, CEO of Discovery Health. Topics of discussion include: Discovery's implementation of AI in healthcare; ways in which data can be used to shift behaviour; strategy; and parallels with mapping systems. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
Dealing with a large number of investment products and options in financial market is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Daniel dos Passos, senior portfolio manager at FNB ETFs. Topics of discussion include the paradox of choice in investments; active versus passive investment; impact on retail versus professional investors; FNB's use of passive products; the state of the market, and an outlook for the sector. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
The growth of alternative lending for SA's small to medium enterprises (SMEs) is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Altesh Baijoo, MD of Flow48 SA. Topics of discussion include: Flow48's business model; recent fund raising activities; funds committed to SA; trends in funding SA's SME's; and developments in alternative lending. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
The relevance of professional learning programs in IT is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Cisco's team: Dave Mallory, senior director for learning certifications, and Ryan Rose, director of product and development. Through the session, the team explains the utility of professional learning programs in IT; the place of AI in continuous learning; strategy to keep Cisco certification relevant; and career development in tech. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
The growing importance of Black Friday to SA's retail sector is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Rory Bosman, chief sales and marketing officer at Ecentric. Through the session, Bosman shares the findings of a recent Black Friday study; retail trends according to payments data; online versus online shopping trends; strategies that companies can use to grow sales; and an outlook for the sector. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
Adapt IT's push to growth its place in the hospitality software market, is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Reginald Sibeko, MD of Micros SA, a unit of Adapt IT. Topics of discussion include: Omegro's acquisition of Spa Guru; the rationale for the transaction; Adapt IT current strategy around hospitality; the inner workings of various software commercial models; and opportunities for further growth. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
National transaction data, showing a dip in economic activity, is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Elize Kruger, an independent economist. Through the discussion, Kruger shares: BankservAfrica's recent transaction reports; a view of the recently tabled national budget for 2025; and buying and spending patterns in the country. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.
The growth of FNB's digital financial planning tools, over a decade, is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Jolandé Duvenage, FNB's chief imagineer for nav». Topics of discussion including: growth of the platform; customers trends and usage; rationale for services offered; and the role of technology in democratising financial advice. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.
The growth of Discovery Bank over six years is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Hylton Kallner, CEO of Discovery Bank. Through the discussion, Kallner highlights: the bank's financial performance; road to profitability; technology investment; use of artificial intelligence; benefits of the Discovery ecosystem; and strategy for growth. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.
Artificial intelligence use cases in Africa, through an investment banking lens, is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Arun Varughese, head of telecommunications, media and technology at RMB. Through the discussion, Varughese highlights: ways in which AI is being used in Africa; how and where African countries should be investing to make the most of the digital economy; and contribution of Africa to the development of AI models. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
The use of artificial intelligence in theatre production is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Louise Coetzer, founder and artistic director at Darkroom Contemporary. Topics of discussion include: how AI is being used by creatives; threat of AI to the sector; business of theatre; and use of social media for promotion. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
The growth of SA as a market for Apple products is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Linda van der Nest, chief commercial officer at iStore, one of SA's top Apple retailers. Topics of discussion include: iStore's business model; growth in local Apple use; pricing trends for Apple's iPhone in SA; localising the Apple offering; and strategy. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
The growing use of stablecoins in cross-border payments is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by the team from Deus X Pay (DXP) Maria Heraty, CFO, and Richard Crook, the company's CEO. Topics of discussion include: DXP; growing use and adoption of the blockchain in mainstream finance; use of stablecoins for cross-border payments; and regulatory complexity. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
Business Day acting editor Tiisetso Motsoeneng talks is joined by Nedbank COO Mfundo Nkuhlu.
The state of advertising and brand building in SA is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by George Chen, head of strategy at Avatar Agency Group. Topics of discussion include: the state of advertising in SA in the face growing AI use; the growth of the digital economy and its impact on advertising; challenges faced by creative businesses; and an outlook for the industry. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
The state of artificial intelligence in early 2025 is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by the team from Isazi: Dario Fanucchi, chief technology officer, and Obakeng Moepya, COO. Topics of discussion include: Isazi's business model; evolution of AI, machine leaving and data science; projects that the company has worked on; DeepSeek versus ChaTGPT. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
The growth card payments in SA is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Lineshree Moodley, country head for Visa SA. Topics of discussion include: growth of digital payments in SA; data around card use by merchants and small businesses; challenges holding adoption back in SA; and comparatives with other African countries. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
The sustainability of SA's telecoms sector is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Nomvuyiso Batyi, CEO of the Association of Communication and Technology's (ACT). Topics of discussion include: ACT's constitution and mandate; main issues affecting the sector and its players; call for internet companies to contribute to infrastructure costs; possible improvements to RICA legislation; and efforts to bring more satellite providers into SA. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
The case for lowering consumer taxes for vapes in SA is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Kurt Yeo, co-founder of Vaping Save My Life (VSML), a consumer advocacy group. Topics of discussion include: current tax rules around vaping in SA; the place of vapes on the spectrum of tobacco products; effort to reduce nicotine consumption in the country; and how tobacco companies are responding to market pressure. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.
Unemployment among young doctors is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Craig Comrie CEO of Profmed. Topics of discussion include: the plight of newly qualified doctors in SA; rationale for creating the finDR platform; funding challenges in the sector; and how medical work has evolved. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.
The building of a hydro power project in Eswatini is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by James Cumming, CEO of African Clean Energy Developments (ACED) and Michael Wickins, chief commercial officer at Energy Infrastructure Management Services (EIMS Africa. Topics of discussion include: history of the Eswatini project; challenges associated with building large energy projects; ACED and EIMS Africa partnership; and expected investment trends in the sector. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
The academic and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven workplace disconnect is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Cobus Oosthuizen, dean of postgraduate studies at Boston City Campus. Topics of discussion include: ways in which academia can keep up with changing technology; integrating AI into tertiary education; gaps in academia hampering workplace preparation; and preparing students for continuous change. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Produced by Demi Buzo.
Webull has set its sights on signing up a million SA clients within the next three years, putting China's retail share trading platform on a collision course with Purple Group's EasyEquities. In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, Business Day acting editor Tiisetso Motsoeneng is joined by Ricardo da Silva, CEO of Webull South Africa to unpack the platforms setting up shop in South Africa.
The push to increases the number of investment vehicles domiciled in Africa is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Dorothy Nyambi, president and CEO of Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA). Topics of discussion include: factors pushing Africa out of consideration for investment vehicles; challenges faced in funding small businesses in the region; efforts to change the status quo; and an outlook for the sector. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
Lesaka Technologies' financial performance is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Lincoln Mali, CEO of Lesaka. Topics of discussion include: company's latest earnings report; growth strategy for its two businesses: consumer and merchant; integrating various businesses post acquisition; and plans to grow the consumer operation. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.
The rise of autonomous, tech-driven mining is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Sabine Dall'Omo, CEO of Siemens Sub-Saharan Africa. Topics of discussion include: reflections of 2025's Mining Indaba; expected technology mining trends; Siemens interest in mining; evolution of SA's mining sector; and automation. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
Cisco's strategy of push growth through its partner network is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Jose van Djik, vice president for partner and routes to market for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Topics of discussion include: Cisco's partner network strategy; size and scope of the network; strategy in Africa, Middle East and Europe; training programmes; trends in the sector; and Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.
The value of social enterprise in Africa economy is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight. Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Dadisai Taderera, co-director of Ashoka Southern Africa. Topics of discussion include: Ashoka's operating model; the value of social enterprise in the modern economy; realities of finding and building solutions to big social issues; and how to effectively support entrepreneurs in the space. Business Day Spotlight is a MultimediaLIVE Production.