Business Day Spotlight

The Rand is in focus, in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Terence Hove, a financial markets analyst at currency trading firm, Exness.

Topics of discussion include: performance of the Rand so far the year; is the current Rand strength sustainable or fleeting; geopolitical factors affecting SA’s economy; the country’s performance relative to its emerging market peers and the US; and the importance Covid-19 vaccinations for SA ’s economic prospects.

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is front and centre in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Leila Fourie, group CEO of the JSE.

Topics of discussion include: how the exchange views the balance between new listings and delistings; does the JSE still have its place as a premier emerging markets exchange; investment in technology and systems in light of the recent trade stoppages; what is the JSE doing to keep its system secure from cyber attacks; and increasing increasing place as an investment destination.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the potential cybersecurity risks of posting Covid-19 vaccination cards and information online.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Duane Nicol, cybersecurity expert at Mimecast, a cybersecurity firm that specialises in email communication.

Topics of this discussion include: the cybersecurity risks associated with posting vaccination cards on social media; social engineering and how it works; the most common forms of cyber attacks in SA; ways in which consumers and businesses can protect themselves online; and the importance of online security training.

The ability of households to take on and manage debt is the central focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Johan Gellatly, MD of Altron Fintech, together with Dr Roelof Botha, economic advisor to Optimum Investment Group.

Topics of discussion include: how the Afhri index was created; Altron’s reasons for creating an index; key findings from the first index results; ways in which the data can be applied in business and economics; the importance of micro lending in SA; a preview of Altron’s other index set to be released in September.

The advertising industry - its make up, relevance and evolution over time - is in focus in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Zibusiso Mkhwanazi, group CEO of Avatar Agency Group.

Topics of discussion include: the size and scope of Avatar’s business; the state of advertising in SA over the pandemic period; the place of radio, television and print advertising in a digital economy; the difference between internal and external marketing functions; some of the challenges faced by creative businesses; and skills needed to excel in the industry.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the potential for financial literacy to increase consumer savings.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Farzana Botha, segment solutions manager at Sanlam Savings.

Topics of discussion include: how the financial literacy gap amongst South Africans can be addressed; the data and statistics around consumer savings in SA; ways in which the financial literacy deficit has an impact on people’s mental wellbeing; how people can upskill themselves in financial education; and what SA’s financial industry can do or has been doing to close the knowledge gap.

With governments looking to put rules and regulations around the trading of cryptocurrency, we look at the implications of such developments in this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Saliegh Salaam, a senior portfolio manager at Old Mutual Investment Group.

Topics of discussion include: the rise cryptocurrencies; growing rebellion against against traditional financial systems; how governments and institutional investors have responded to cryptocurrencies over the years; the move towards regulating digital currencies and alternative payments; how investors can benefit from rising cryptocurrency prices and technology in a way that mitigates their risk, and an outlook of how increasing regulation is likely to affect the market globally.

Online education is in focus on this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, as we talk to SA’s first technology startup to be valued at $1bn (R15bn).

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Melvyn Lubega, co-founder of online education business, Go1.

Topics of discussion include: background and history to Go1’s founding; business model of Go1; the growth of education technology (edtech) around the world; China’s crackdown on edtech companies; and Go1’s investment in SA.

Consumer savings and investment are in focus for this edition of the Business Day Spotlight.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Kondi Nkosi, country head for SA at Schroders, a global asset manager with more than $800bn (R11.8-trillion) under management.

Topics of discussion include: the aim of Schroders’ global study of investment; how the study was carried out; key findings from the research; difference in attitudes between retail and institutional investors; the importance of consumer saving to overall investment or funds available for investment in the country; and an outlook for SA’s investment sector.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we discuss what the recent explosion at the Medupi power station means for SA’s electricity generation.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Dr Jarrad Wright, principal engineer at the CSIR, to discuss the implications.

Topics of discussion include: how the explosion occurred; how much capacity has been taken out of Eskom as result; how does this affect the risk of loadshedding; what it will cost to repair the damage; the case for renewable and independent power production; and how Eskom stacks up against similarly sized power utilities around the world.