In this discussion, Deon Stroebel, Chief Innovation Officer at LSD Open, explains how the company helps organizations modernize through cloud-native solutions, Kubernetes, containers, and automation. With over 25 years of experience, LSD Open has guided leading businesses in banking, telecoms, and media through successful digital transformation journeys, ensuring modernization drives measurable ROI while avoiding common pitfalls of cloud adoption.

Deon also shares insights on the importance of modernization, the human role in technology, and why businesses should embrace AI responsibly. He emphasizes how AI, automation, and cloud technologies can augment people rather than replace them, enabling greater efficiency, scalability, and innovation. By pairing human expertise with advanced tools, organizations can unlock faster growth, reduce risk, and remain competitive in an evolving digital landscape.

In this episode, Aki Anastasiou speaks with Martha Lamola, Operations Director for Vodacom Business Ventures and Partnerships, about how Vodacom is driving innovation while ensuring operational excellence across its enterprise ventures. Martha explains how Vodacom combines “basic brilliance” with forward-looking technologies to deliver trusted solutions that businesses can rely on. She highlights how trust, infrastructure, and innovation work together to build long-term partnerships with clients.

The conversation explores real-world examples of Vodacom’s impact, such as IoT-driven solutions in energy management and agriculture that are transforming industries in South Africa and beyond. Martha also shares insights on the future of enterprise telecommunications, including the role of cloud migration, AI, cybersecurity, and 5G in shaping growth opportunities across the continent.

In this episode of What's Next, we sit down with David Cosgrave, Country Manager for SAS South Africa, to reflect on the company’s 30-year legacy in the country and its role in shaping the local technology and data landscape. David shares his journey stepping into the role, the privilege of leading during such a milestone year, and how SAS has built strong ties with South African businesses, universities, and graduates. From training more than 40,000 professionals to partnering with top institutions, SAS has become deeply embedded in the nation’s business and skills ecosystem.

The conversation also explores SAS’s global legacy of nearly 50 years and its evolution from a statistical programming language to a global leader in analytics and AI. David discusses how the company is embracing the future with cloud technology, predictive and generative AI, and its focus on trustworthy AI for business-critical decision-making. With decades of experience in enabling organizations to unlock real value from their data, SAS continues to shape the future of analytics in South Africa and beyond.

In this episode of What's Next, we welcome Frikkie van Loggerenberg, Head of Investment Strategy and CEO of IFSA. Frikkie shares the fascinating story behind the origins of IFSA and how the company has evolved from its beginnings as an advisory business into a specialized investment management firm with a strong focus on estate planning. He explains why many individuals fall into the trap of “quick and dirty” financial planning, and highlights the importance of building a proper foundation through holistic advice, lifestyle analysis, and long-term strategies instead of simply focusing on products.

The conversation dives deep into the role of estate planning as the cornerstone of financial success. Frikkie outlines common mistakes people make—such as not having a will, underestimating liquidity needs, or assuming their estate is too simple to require planning—and explains how IFSA takes a different, independent approach. With a national network of advisers and a client-first philosophy, IFSA helps individuals structure their investments, retirement planning, and estates in a way that aligns with their wishes and safeguards their legacy.

In this episode of What's Next, Aki Anastasiou sits down with Cornelia van Heerden, Executive for Customer Experience and Services at MTN South Africa, to discuss how the company is strengthening its commitment to customers. Cornelia shares insights into how MTN is listening closely to customer feedback, tackling frustrations one step at a time, and ensuring that the human element remains central even as technology and automation play a bigger role.

She also highlights MTN’s rollout of facial biometric solutions, a major step in fraud prevention that balances stronger security with reduced friction for customers. From AI-driven customer support to enhanced SIM swap and OTP protection, Cornelia explains how MTN is using innovation to build trust, improve service, and create a safer, more seamless experience for millions of customers every day.

In this episode, we welcome back Jonathan Hurvitz, CEO of Teljoy, to catch up on the company’s remarkable journey. Jonathan reflects on his 11 years with the business, its growth, and the key factors that have helped Teljoy thrive despite economic challenges. From building a strong internal culture to leveraging 56 years of customer data, Teljoy has evolved to stay relevant while keeping its core mission intact—creating accessibility for South Africans through its rent-to-own model. We also explore how the business has adapted to changing consumer needs, embraced new technologies, and expanded its offerings beyond TVs to include everything from kitchen appliances to premium furniture.

Jonathan also dives into the growing appeal of rent-to-own in today’s economic climate, highlighting its flexibility, peace of mind, and cost-saving benefits compared to traditional credit. We discuss the company’s expansion into baby goods, the long-term relationships built with customers, and how their referral and loyalty programs turn satisfied clients into brand ambassadors. With exciting initiatives like a competition to win a Suzuki Swift, Teljoy continues to innovate while staying true to its original values from 1969. This conversation is a fascinating look at how a heritage brand remains modern, customer-focused, and resilient in a rapidly changing world.

Marc du Plessis is the Executive Head of LookSee Platform at Standard Bank Group.

Du Plessis is a business operations and revenue management veteran with over a decade of industry experience.

He previously served as Spark Media CEO from 2016 until 2018 and achieved 25% annual growth for the company. This resulted in him winning the 2018 Top Media Sales Business Award. Du Plessis was then appointed Group Executive: Digital Businesses at CTP-Caxton Limited in 2019.

Most recently, he joined LookSee and Standard Bank in 2021 to begin his current role.

Du Plessis prides himself on being a hands-on operating executive and boasts core expertise in digital enablement and as an entrepreneurial growth enabler. In this episode of What's Next, Du Plessis discusses the main reason why South African’s are investing in solar energy in 2025.

In this episode, we sit down with Nobesuthu Ndlovu, Director SME at Old Mutual, to explore the inspiration behind the SMEgo platform and how it’s addressing critical gaps in South Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Drawing from her own experience as an entrepreneur, Nobesuthu shares the challenges SMEs face — from accessing funding to managing time and operations — and explains how SMEgo’s all-in-one digital solution is designed to help business owners thrive.

We also discuss the unique features of SMEgo, including its marketplace for business-to-business trade, innovative funding options, and commitment to supporting entrepreneurs’ mental wellness. Plus, Nobesuthu highlights the SMEgo Pitchathon, offering R4.2 million in prize money, and shares her empowering message for Women’s Month. This is an inspiring conversation for anyone passionate about entrepreneurship and building resilient businesses in South Africa.

In this episode of What's Next, we’re live from Samsung’s Johannesburg HQ with Justin Hume, Vice President of Mobile Experience at Samsung South Africa. He introduces SOS Plus, a life-saving emergency service integrated into the Galaxy A Series, developed in partnership with Aura.

Justin also dives into how Samsung is making premium AI features and design accessible to more South Africans. With devices like the A36, A56, and A26, the Galaxy A Series offers powerful performance, safety, and intelligence—redefining value in the smartphone space.

In this What's Next episode, Aki Anastasiou speaks with Fred Zhou, CEO of HONOR South Africa, about the brand’s impressive rise—now the country’s second-largest smartphone brand—and its goal to be number one by 2028. Fred highlights HONOR’s winning strategy of innovation, trust-building, and expanding into new markets.

He also introduces the ultra-thin Magic V5 foldable phone, launching in South Africa. With a large battery, premium AI features, and true water resistance, it’s designed for both productivity and durability. Plus, Fred shares how HONOR’s full ecosystem—from the X Series to wearables—is reshaping the mobile experience locally.