Business Day Spotlight

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the use of technology in the taxi industry.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Mbavhalelo Mabogo, Founder and CEO of Quickloc8, a startup, specialising in technology for the taxi industry.

The discussion focuses on Quickloc8’s business model; the products and services offered by the company; challenges and opportunities for the use of technology in the tax industry; Quickloc8’s funding objectives; and the startup’s plans for the future.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Shawn Theunissen, president of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).

The discussion focuses on the work of JCCI; the impact of unrest in Gauteng and KZN on SA’s economy; the importance of Johannesburg as an economic hub; stories of businesses that have destroyed or harmed by looters; efforts being made to help affected businesses get back on their feet; rising cases of unrest around the world; how Covid-19 has exposed cracks in modern societies and the economic system; and an outlook for SA’s recovery.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about how one of SA’s fastest growing insurance companies is using technology to stand out and achieve growth.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Anton Ossip, chief executive officer of Discovery Insure, to shed light on their business.

The discussion focuses on Discovery Insure’s business model; the impact of Covid-19 on the insurance sector; the unit’s use of and investment in technology; the partners that Discovery works with to develop its technology platforms; changing driver behaviours through incentives; and trends likely to affect sector lie the growth of cyber insurance.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the impact of cyber attacks on small businesses.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Neil Hare-Brown, CEO of STORM Guidance, a cybersecurity specialist firm.

The discussion focuses on the rise in cyber attacks and in turn the growth of the cybersecurity industry; rationale for creating the CyberCare service; tips for being safe online; what to do in the case of a cyber attack; STORM Guidance’s other areas of business; and impact of Covid-19 on cybersecurity.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the progress made in implementing Cell C’s new network strategy.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Schalk Visser, chief technology officer at Cell C, together with Simo Mkhize, the mobile operator’s chief commercial officer.

The discussion focuses on why is Cell C decommissioning their radio access network; clarity around Cell C’s network structure versus that of an MVNO; the future of Cell C’s network, roaming on MTN and Vodacom; thoughts around the current spectrum allocation impasse; infrastructure sharing as a model for doing business as a telco of the future; and how Covid-19 has changed the telecoms sector.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Bada Pharasi, chief operations officer at The Innovative Pharmaceutical Association of SA (IPASA).

The discussion focuses on the structure and operations of IPASA; the companies and organisations that make up IPASA; the effects of Covid-19 on the pharmaceutical industry; thoughts around SA’s vaccine rollout; issues holding back the effective rollout of the vaccine in SA; efforts being made by private sector players to improve access to medicine during the pandemic; and ways in which pharmaceutical and other private companies are working to reduce vaccine reluctance.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the state of SA’s radio industry with one of the country’s most prominent broadcasters.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Trish Taylor, chief broadcasting officer at Primedia Broadcasting, operators of Radio 702, 947, Cape Talk and Kfm.

The discussion focuses on how Primedia’s has faired during the pandemic; the effects of Covid-19 on the wider broadcast industry; how radio stations have coped with reduced advertising revenues; changes in listener trends brought on by lockdowns; the rise of digital platforms like podcasting; and an outlook for the sector going forward.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the investment opportunities offered by small to medium sized companies on the JSE.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Vanessa van Vuuren, a portfolio manager and equity analyst at Sanlam Investments.

The discussion focuses on the potential of small to medium sized stocks on the JSE for wealth creation; the performance of these companies - before and after the pandemic; the lack of attention that such stocks suffer from; the impact of the economy on company prospects; Sanlam’s investment philosophy around such stocks; and an outlook of which sectors see good growth in the coming decades.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about what it means to operate a black information technology (IT) firm in SA.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Lethabo Mokone, CEO of Makwa IT.

The discussion focuses on the founding on Makwa IT; what it means to own and run an IT firm during the pandemic; Mokone’s family and entrepreneurship background; relationship with clients, both in the public and private sectors; and Mokone’s plans for growing the business.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about EOH’s recent sale of its Sybrin group of businesses, for R410m.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Marius Mare, Sybrin Group CEO and Hendrik Jordaan, CEO of One Thousand & One Voices Management (1K1V), to discuss the issues.

The discussion focuses on the rationale for the deal; ambitions of the two parties moving forward; thoughts around the growth of fintech businesses in recent years; the opportunities that still exist for those looking to tackle financial inclusion; the effect of Covid-19 on investment; and an outlook for the sector.