Business Day Spotlight

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 recent report; device affordability in Africa; and solutions for making smart devices more accessible.

Business Day Spotlight is a TimesLIVE Production, produced by Demi Buzo.

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 Day Spotlight is a TimesLIVE Production.

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 Africa region; and the threat posed by growing artificial intelligence (AI) use. 

Business Day Spotlight is a TimesLIVE Production.

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 said the bailout was necessary, but not sufficient, to turn around the utility, which is saddled with R400bn-plus of debt and plagued by breakdowns at its ageing coal-fired plants.

Business Day Spotlight is a TimesLIVE production. The producer is Demi Buzo.

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, country manager for SA.

Topics of discussion include the evolution of Workday’s business model; growing use of technology in human capital and finance management; and possible disruption to the workforce by artificial intelligence and machine learning platforms.

Business Day Spotlight is a TimesLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.

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 importance of customer experience; how can platforms ensure that their customer communication is effective; and effective strategies help South African banks build trust and loyalty among their customers.

Business Day Spotlight is a TimesLIVE Production. Producer is Demi Buzo.

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 in which people can be more efficient with their spending around funerals.

Business Day Spotlight is a TimesLIVE Production.

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 attracted more than 8-million customers, is now valued at about $965m (R17bn) after raising $105m in a funding round in recent months.

Business Day Spotlight is a TimesLIVE Production. This podcast is produced by Demi Buzo.

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 to real world assets; the development of alternative financial asset classes; regulation; and the outlook for the sector.

Business Day Spotlight is a TimesLIVE Production. Produced by Demi Buzo.

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; the appropriate type of fixed income investments; and a look at government bonds versus company paper.

Business Day Spotlight is a TimesLIVE Production.