The session focused on understanding environmental uncertainty on business decisions, using examples like tariffs and their potential effects on companies. It is important to understand the business context and external environment to succeed in case study assessments and real-world business scenarios. Various strategies to navigate uncertainty were discussed, including market diversification, cost management, and financial planning

We hosted Murendeni Matshinyatsimbi, who shared with us the evolution of electricity market in South Africa. With recent amendments in the legislation, the electricity market is poised for significant changes in the long-term, in efforts to support economic growth prospects in South Africa.

We hosted Dumo Mahlanyane CA(SA), the Chief Investment Officer at Nala Growth. Dumo unpacked valuation, mergers and acquisition and capital raising ('deal making') in the real world, offering candidates to experience theory applied in practice. 

We hosted Tino Mangwiro, who shared insights on the commercialising of the sports and entertainment industries (think FIFA World Cup, Olympics, etc.). Value unlocking opportunities in the industry include the extensive use of digital technologies. 

In this exciting and last episode of business acumen in the 2023 academic year, we hosted Ndia Magadagela CA(SA), the Co-founder and CEO of the mighty Everlectric. Everlectric specialises in the provision of Electric Vehicles as a Service (EVaaS). Ndia shared her background, walked the candidates in the journey of foundation and development of Everlectric as well as insights on the EV market globally and locally in South Africa.

We often thinking of business acumen as a private sector concept - but that is a myth. In this exciting episode of EPC Business Acumen, Bulelani Makunga CA(SA), a public sector sector CFO and board member, unpacks how the business acumen is equally applied in public sector and how many challenges he has had to overcome require the application of business acumen that he learnt through his professional journey and career, most of which has been in the public sector. 

In the episode of business acumen, David Mokoena CA(SA) engaged the candidates on sustainability reporting. This session coincided with the recent issue of ISSB’s inaugural global sustainability disclosure standards (IFRS S1 & S2). The session kicked off with him unpacking the different dimensions of sustainability (Environment, Social & Governance), explored the disclosure challenges that the recently issued sustainability disclosure standards is looking to address for the benefit of capital markets and touched on the concerns surrounding the application of these disclosure standards in emerging economics. To access the slides to this session, click ⁠⁠⁠here

In the episode of business acumen, we had Msizi Gwala CA(SA) walking us through the recent technology advance. He explored the impact of advances in digital technology in education, work and our daily lives. He challenged the audience to find their place in their evolving world characterised by accelerated advances in digital technology, especially in the advent of Big Data, analytics and AI. To access the slides to this session, click ⁠⁠here

In our latest business acumen podcast, Rendani Muthelo CA(SA) deals with the concept and implication of greylisting to South Africa. In February 2023, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) placed South Africa on the greylist and we spent time unpacking what this means for the economy in general, business and the man on the street. Before delving, we had to unpack the need for a greylist and the role of the FATF in combating money laundering and terrorism finance, as well as why South Africa was placed on such a list. The session aims to widen the audience’s commercial awareness. To access the slides to this session, click ⁠here

In our last business acumen webinars / podcasts for the year, Ayran Oosthuizen CA(SA) dealt with the recent trends of “JSE Delistings”. Ayran shared some invaluable insights as to the phenomenon behind this and the implications for the investor space. Bringing international context into the discussions provided key insights that were not apparent to the audience, opening the floor to a robust discussion throughout the session. The session aimed to widen the audience’s commercial awareness. To access the slides to this session, click here.