Business Day Spotlight

The business opportunity that lies in taking out waste from business processes as part of the growing environment, social and governance (ESG) trend, is the focus on this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Catherine Wijnberg, CEO of Fetola, a small business specialist firm.

Topics of discussion include: Fetola’s business model; the rationale for investing in the circular economy; making ESG issues top of mind in SA; ways in which businesses can design their operations to eliminate waste from the start; and the business case for ESG beyond being a simple ‘tick-box’ exercise.

The rise of a new trend that brings traditional hotel services and rental properties together is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Andrew Rogers, CEO of Indalo Hotel & Leisure Management.

Topics of discussion include: Indalo’s business model; state of the hospitality and accommodation industry at the moment; opportunities provided by the Covid-19 pandemic for the sector; the rise of new business models like apart hotels; and Indalo’s use of technology in providing its services.

The state of venture capital in SA, as 2021 closes out, is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Nchaupe Khaole, chief investment officer at the Mineworkers Investment Company (MIC).

Topics of discussion include: MIC’s business model; the rationale for setting up a R150m early-stage investment fund; the state of small business funding in SA; opportunities for funders with large capital pools; and sectors currently showing promise.

Educational technology in a world of hybrid working is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Louise Schoonwinkel, managing director at Optimi Home.

Topics of discussion include: Optimi Home’s business model; ways in which the company has differentiated itself from other online education players; trends in the sector; the differences between live online learning versus traditional internet base courses; and educational technology’s place in a world of hybrid working.

Cryptocurrency as part of an investment portfolio is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Nico Katzke, head of portfolio solutions at Satrix Investments.

Topics of discussion include: evolution of cryptocurrencies over time; shifts in mindset by institutional investors; trends in the cryptocurrency market; advice for those looking to invest in the space; changes in regulation; making wise investment decisions; an outlook for the market going forward.

Cloud computing trends in SA are the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Ria Pinto, acting general manager at IBM Southern Africa.

Topics of discussion include: data from IBM’s recent cloud computing study; cloud services that IBM provides; the company’s clients in SA and what industries they operate in; defining how big the cloud market is in SA and how much is it worth; trends highlighted by the study; and an outlook for the sector going forward.

Corporate capture is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Justin Rovian Naidoo, chief investment officer at MyGrowthFund Venture Partners.

Topics of discussion include: corporate capture defined; problems around enterprise supplier development; ways in which to improve the current status quo; an explanation of fiscal dumping; ways in which small business can access more funds; and the place of a Startup Act in SA as a tool for increasing investment into innovative small businesses.

Black Friday transaction data is the focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Karen Nadasen, CEO of fintech company PayU SA.

She is also the chair of the Ecommerce Forum of SA.

Topics of discussion include: transaction data for Black Friday from payments providers; pressure on consumer pockets; growth of e-commerce in SA; efforts by retailer to drives sales; transaction data from Cyber Monday; and an outlook for the e-commerce sector.

Google advertising as a growth driver for small businesses is the focus of this edition of Business Day Spotlight.

Host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Michelle Geere, CEO of Adbot. 

Adbot is a Google marketing and online advertising platform for owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa.

Geere says:“If you have a business, you need Google Ads in order to be found,” explaining that the online search engine has become what the Yellow Pages once was — a way for businesses and service providers to be found. The Adbot platform uses machine learning and automation to create a Google Ads account and helps clients set up ads.

Due to its automation, Geere says the company is able to offer its services to small business owners without a set-up or monthly fee.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Sanisha Packirisamy, an economist at Momentum Investments.

Topics of discussion include: local and international inflationary pressures; how the Reserve Bank is aiming to limit inflation risk through interest rates; the regulatory crackdown in China; the recently presented mid term budget; and local government elections.