Old Mutual’s Ndumiso Zulu and Lula’s Clinton Thomas unpack the real funding landscape for South African SMEs — from cash‑flow pressure to investment readiness, construction‑sector bottlenecks, and why only 6% of SMEs access formal finance. They explore how blended support, alternative lending models, and faster payment cycles can unlock the next wave of entrepreneurial growth. Kaya FM

Michanic founder Lesetja Dikgale shares how a simple moment of frustration with a delayed car repair sparked a national mobile‑mechanic platform. He unpacks the early mistakes, the operational rebuild, the financial model overhaul, and how the Impact Finance Network helped him become investor‑ready. A masterclass in starting lean, scaling smart, and building systems that last. Kaya FM

Gift Lubele closes the SMME Playbook with a forward‑looking conversation on tech‑enabled entrepreneurship. From building Green Riders and MyWaste to leading AI strategy at Yiedi, Gift shares lessons on starting lean, scaling impact, using AI responsibly, and the skills tomorrow’s founders will need to thrive. Kaya FM

Prof. Sampson Mamphweli, the Head of the Energy Secretariat at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), joins us for his view on South Africa's future. He unpacks policy and project-based initiatives that came to the fore on the agenda at this week's Africa Energy Forum. Kaya FM

From Uganda’s first independent transmission project to South Africa’s R440bn grid expansion plan, AEF 2026 showcased a continent shifting toward private‑sector participation and distributed energy. Absa CIB's Nikhil Kasiram breaks down the biggest trends shaping Africa’s power future. Kaya FM

BrightRock celebrates 15 years of disrupting the life insurance industry with its needs‑matched model. CEO Suzanne Stevens reflects on her leadership journey, the company’s growth to over 12% market share, and the future of life insurance in a rapidly changing consumer landscape. Kaya FM

Youth Month shines a spotlight on the financial pressures facing young South Africans. Investec's Johan Loubser explores how unemployment, decision fatigue and uncertainty delay key financial decisions — and why postponing saving or investing can be the most expensive mistake a young person makes. Kaya FM

The US–Iran peace agreement has eased oil prices and reopened the Strait of Hormuz — but global shipping remains far from normal. Dr Ernst van Biljon from IMM Graduate School explains why vessel backlogs, insurer caution and Africa’s own structural constraints mean supply chain pressures are far from over. Kaya FM

South Africa’s retail recovery is being quietly undermined by a surge in online and sports betting. Anchor Capital's Stephan Erasmus unpacks the sixfold rise in gambling revenue, the impact on discretionary spending, and why retailers say gambling is now a bigger threat than global e‑commerce platforms. Kaya FM

Urban Blend Interiors founder Bulelwa Jordan‑Tati joins Ekasinomics to discuss the business of interior design, the rise of young creative entrepreneurs, and how she built a distinctive, story‑driven design studio in a competitive but growing industry. A Youth Month conversation on resilience, creativity, and building a brand from the ground up. Kaya FM