Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Azar Jammine, Director and Chief Economist at Econometrix, about the strength of the rand and the surge in precious metal prices, even asking whether gold is becoming “the new bitcoin”. Bruce is then joined by Ross Volk, Managing Director of MSC Cruises South Africa, to discuss the rebound in global travel and what South Africans are booking as confidence returns. Bruce also reflects on the South African Reserve Bank’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged and what that means for confidence and markets. The episode wraps with a market update from Chantal Marx, Head of Research at FNB, on softer Christmas trading, the resilience of South African consumers and heavy investment in AI by big tech. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Zak Calisto, founder and CEO of Karooooo, about the group’s strong quarterly results, South Africa’s role as its growth engine, and how a Singapore base is driving global expansion across Asia, Europe and beyond. He is then joined by Daneel Steinmann, CEO of Old School, to unpack the brand’s five-year retail partnership with Liverpool FC, why South Africa is one of the club’s biggest markets, and how African passion for the English Premier League is shaping future expansion. The episode wraps with Deon Gouws, Chief Investment Officer at Credo Group in the UK, who weighs in on investing in a world of heightened geopolitics, whether the “sell America” narrative holds, and if the AI boom is really a bubble. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Graham Wood, the newly appointed CEO of the V&A Waterfront, about taking the helm of one of Africa’s most iconic mixed-use precincts — and what the next phase of growth, investment and innovation looks like for a destination that attracts more than 25 million visitors a year.

Bruce also chats to Melvyn Lubega, recently appointed to lead the Presidency’s Digital Services Unit, about why he chose to take on the challenge of working inside government and how building digital public infrastructure – from digital ID and payments to shared data systems – can transform how millions of South Africans access services and drive impact at national scale.

The show also features a markets wrap with Meryl Pick, Portfolio Manager at Old Mutual Investment Group, unpacking key trends in precious metals and what lies ahead for South Africa’s resource sector and “SA Inc” as we look towards 2026.

In this episode, Bruce talks to Stephan Bredell, who started Platō Coffee with his brother Petrus in 2019. Bredell explains how being “just dumb enough” – and understanding the next-generation coffee market – has been key to Platō‘s success. Also on the show, Jean Pierre Verster, founder and CEO of Protea Capital Management, discusses the red-hot markets. Then, Matthew Schulz, managing director and co-owner of Galileo Open Air Cinema, explains the growing appeal of outdoor movies. Finally, we round off the show with certified financial planner Warren Ingram, who shares tips on how to build wealth. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce polishes his crystal ball, looking at the biggest risks 2026 hold for the world and local economy. He chats to Sir Bradley Fried, former chairperson of the Bank of England, about how courageous decisions can change the course of your life. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Old Mutual CEO Jurie Strydom, who says he is surprised by the sheer breadth and depth of the 180-year-old company, and how such a ship can be steered. He shares his views on redefining success — and not fixing what isn’t broken. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce talks to Lincoln Mali, a former Standard Bank executive. He currently serves as CEO for Southern Africa for Lesaka Technologies, a Nasdaq and JSE-listed fintech company which now owns Bank Zero. He inspires by being a force for driving financial inclusion, but what Lincoln does in his spare time, building development rugby, is what might make you tear up a little. Here, he chats to Bruce about how rugby builds character. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce interviews Dino Paulo, a former Survivor SA winner and competitive formation skydiver, who hints that his business will be anything but boring. Paulo co-owns HintHunt Africa, the company that started the escape game craze in SA, and has since branched out to online games and “amazing races”. News24 editor-in-chief Adriaan Basson shares his insights on the biggest news stories of 2025, from US President Donald Trump’s obsession with South Africa to all revelations at the Madlanga Commission. Finally, we round off the show with certified financial planner, Warren Ingram, who reminds us not to put all of our eggs in one basket. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce talks to Old Mutual CEO Jurie Strydom, who stepped into the role earlier this year, about the impact of AI in South Africa. A former fintech entrepreneur, Strydom has strong views on how AI will change industries, but doesn’t believe it will be a “big bang”. Bruce also chats to Sheldon Tatchell, founder of Legends Barbers. He quit his job at a call centre and has built an empire of 79 stores. Tatchell explains how taking notes on what customers talk about made all the difference in his business. Chantal Marx, head of investment research and content at FNB Wealth and Investments, takes a look at the recent rerating in banking shares. Certified financial planner Warren Ingram gives tips on how to build wealth. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce talks to Dr Richard Friedland, CEO of Netcare, the largest private hospital group in South Africa. Friedland bemoans government taking the “low road” as it plans to push ahead with National Health Insurance in its current form, and says the only real winners will be lawyers as court battles over the plan heat up. But Friedland also highlights good news about an easing in SA’s nursing crisis and, following a recent trip abroad, found that other countries are “nowhere close to where we are” when it comes to the country’s private healthcare. Also on the programme, behavioural strategist Joni Peddie, whose new book, From Can’t Do to Can Do, offers a practical guide to business leaders on how to leverage their human edge in a world shaped by AI. Meryl Pick, Old Mutual Investment Group’s head of equities research, discusses US president Donald Trump’s new threats against SA. She also looks at the remarkable turnaround of Tiger Brands. Certified financial planner Warren Ingram gives tips on how to build wealth. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.