Business Day Spotlight

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about SA’s smartphone market with one of the world’s large device manufacturers, Oppo.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Liam Faurie, head of go to market and operations at Oppo SA.

The discussion focuses on the size and scope of OPPO’s operation globally and in SA; how Oppo plans to differentiate itself from its competitors in the smartphone industry; market dynamics in the local smartphone market; how Oppo navigates being potentially blacklisted like Huawei; whether the company plans to open a factory in Africa to manufacture its phones; how the brand performed in other emerging markets; Oppo’s relationship with its sister brands like Vivo and OnePlus; and the relationship built with local mobile operators.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the story of a South African who managed to defraud international investors out of million of Dollars through a series of scams.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Stephen Timm, author of “At Any Cost”, a book detailing the fraud saga of South African tech entrepreneur Eran Eyal.

The discussion focuses on the writing and development of the book, an explanation of Eyal’s scams, flaws in the tech startup funding system and the importance of interrogating business models.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the rise of ESG or sustainable investing.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Kingsley Williams, chief investment officer at Satrix, one of SA’s biggest providers of index-tracking investment solutions.

The discussion focuses on the distinction between sustainability and ESG; the rise of ESG investing; the rationale for investing in ESG funds; reason why people might invest in ESG index strategies; and whether the trend is here to stay.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by the president of the Republic of Estonia, Her Excellency, Kersti Kaljulaid.

The discussion focuses on the trajectory of digital transformation in Estonia and what are the lessons which South Africa can learn; how has Estonia ensured digital resilience during the Covid-19 crisis; the concept of e-Residency and way is it assisting entrepreneurs and freelancers to operate businesses in the European Union; how the Estonian government has managed to keep its systems running during the pandemic; what made Estonia decide on giving e-residency to people around the world initially; and some of the measures that Estonia has taken during this time to cope with the pandemic.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the drawbacks of passwords in the digital economy that has technology firms around the world considering a “passwordless” future.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Richard Archdeacon, who head’s up Cisco’s advisory chief information security officer organisation for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia.

This discussion focuses on the history of passwords in digital environments; the benefits that first led to their wide use and adoption; the inefficiencies and threat that passwords systems face in the modern economy; alternative authentication methods - their benefits and drawbacks; ways in which criminals can exploit password systems; Cisco’s investment in cybersecurity; and the steps needed to get the world to a passwordless future.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk to one of the country’s largest medical aid administrators about their investment in technology and the future of healthcare in a digital world.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Ryan Noach, CEO of Discovery Health, to discuss the issues.

The discussion focuses on Discovery’s investment and use of technology; the of role data in health management for patients and doctors; the role of data analytics play during Covid-19; trends in digital healthcare; and an outlook on the the future of healthcare.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk to one of the country’s largest banks - FNB - about their use of and investment in technology.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Jacques Celliers, FNB's CEO to discuss and shed light on the issues.

The discussion focuses on FNB’s use of technology over the last decade; the influence of Covid-19 on technology in financial services; the bank’s digital banking platform; the constant race to reduce friction and headaches for banking clients; FNB’s investment in cybersecurity; the bank’s relationship with regulators; and how the group is thinking about physical presence going forward.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the growth on e-commerce in SA based on new research from one of the country’s largest online payments providers.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Karen Nadasen, CEO of Prosus-backed fintech company, PayU SA, to discuss the issues and trends.

The discussion focuses on highlights from PayU’s new report; how the study conducted; sectors on the rise within e-commerce, opportunities for people looking to capitalise on SA’s e-commerce growth; contrasting SA’s performance to that of other African countries; and an outlook for the sector.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the risk of inflation ahead of the SA Reserve Bank (SARB)’s upcoming monetary policy decision.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Annabel Bishop, chief economist at Investec to discuss the issues.

The discussion focuses on the recent interest rate decision by the US Federal reserve; the effect of such a policy stance on other central banks; looking at the options that the SARB has when making its own decision; the Rand as a commodity and emerging market currency; the importance of credit ratings in a post-pandemic world; sentiment in SA’s household sector; and an outlook for SA’s economy for the rest of the year.

In this edition of the Business Day Spotlight, we talk about the possible effect of strike action on investor sentiment towards SA.

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Andrew Duvenage, MD of NFB Private Wealth Management.

The discussion focuses on the potential impact of strikes on investment sentiment; the attitude of investors - both in and out of SA; the country’s current economic trajectory; NFB’s business model and an outlook for the rest of the year