Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Graham Lee, CEO of Capitec, about another year of standout growth - but more importantly, how the bank is evolving beyond its traditional model as it scales to 26 million clients and reshapes what modern retail banking looks like in South Africa. Bruce also chats to Jake Axelrod, founder of MetaLab, about rethinking protein - not as a gym supplement, but as an ever...

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Jackie van Niekerk, CEO of Attacq, about a R750 million investment into Waterfall City – what it signals about confidence in South Africa's commercial property sector and the future of mixed-use urban development. Bruce also chats to David Muller, CEO of Karoo Pistachios, about building a potential R3 billion export industry in the Northern Cape, and how patien...

In this episode of Bruce Whitfield's Business Week, Bruce unpacks rising global tensions and their local impact as oil prices surge and South Africa faces sharply higher fuel costs amid an uncertain ceasefire in the Middle East. David Mignot, CEO of Canal+ Africa, joins the show to discuss stabilising MultiChoice post-acquisition and what the future of pay TV looks like as satellite, streaming...

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Alan Knott-Craig of fibertime™, who is taking on one of South Africa’s toughest challenges: bringing fast, affordable fibre internet to townships, connecting millions of homes and opening access to education, jobs and opportunity.  Bruce also chats to economist David McWilliams about what South Africa can learn from global success stories and why attracting capital...

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Simon Baloyi, CEO of Sasol, as the group benefits from a surge in oil prices driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East. Baloyi explains why the current spike is likely temporary, how Sasol is positioning itself through the cycle, and why the company's role in South Africa's energy security has never been more critical. Willem Kellerman, co-founder of...

In this episode, we come to you live from News24’s On the Record summit, where one statistic sets the tone: if every unemployed South African stood in a line, it would stretch from Cape Town to Lagos, Nigeria. The focus is on creating 5 million new jobs over the next decade. The conversation draws first on insights from keynote speaker Dr Keyu Jin, who highlights the importance of a capable, coord...

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Paul Hanratty, Group CEO of Sanlam, about the insurer's transformation into South Africa's most valuable insurance company and why India is becoming an increasingly important growth engine for the group. Bruce also chats to Dean Kowarski, Group CEO of Virgin Active, about how the traditional gym is evolving into a broader "social wellness club" ex...

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Pieter Engelbrecht, CEO of Shoprite, about how the group is expanding beyond groceries into adjacent businesses, including financial services, standalone pharmacies, pet retail and general merchandise. Bruce also chats to Samantha Skyring, founder of Oryx Desert Salt, about the realities of raising capital as a founder. After months of pitching and networking, a ch...

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Peter Mountford, CEO of Super Group, about navigating a fast-changing vehicle market as Chinese and Indian brands surge in South Africa. Bruce also chats to Jo Farah, founder and CEO of The Lab, about turning a Cape Town sneaker-care start-up into a global biotech fashion-care business. Farah explains how probiotic-based cleaning tech has helped win major internati...

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Mike Fraser, CEO of Gold Fields, as the gold price surges past $5 000 an ounce and drives a record year for the miner. With profits nearly tripling, boosted by strong bullion prices and production at the new Salares Norte mine in Chile, they unpack what is fuelling gold’s rally, rising mining costs, and how the company is positioning for future growth. Bruce also c...

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Richard (Boris) Rivett-Carnac, the CEO of SAB, about navigating a tougher global beer environment as sales decline worldwide. With Heineken cutting jobs and AB InBev reporting pressure globally, SAB is nonetheless managing to grow volumes in South Africa. They unpack what’s driving resilience locally – from shifting consumer trends and illicit alcohol to excise tax...

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Marthinus Stander, CEO of Rainbow Chicken, about the company’s strong performance since being unbundled from RCL Foods and listed as a standalone business in 2024. Bruce also chats to Nick Dreyer, CEO of Made in RSA, about his new platform aimed at helping South African brands reach global markets, create jobs locally and turn homegrown products into international...

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Azar Jammine, Director and Chief Economist at Econometrix, about the strength of the rand and the surge in precious metal prices, even asking whether gold is becoming “the new bitcoin”. Bruce is then joined by Ross Volk, Managing Director of MSC Cruises South Africa, to discuss the rebound in global travel and what South Africans are booking as confidence returns....

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Zak Calisto, founder and CEO of Karooooo, about the group’s strong quarterly results, South Africa’s role as its growth engine, and how a Singapore base is driving global expansion across Asia, Europe and beyond. He is then joined by Daneel Steinmann, CEO of Old School, to unpack the brand’s five-year retail partnership with Liverpool FC, why South Africa is one of...

In this episode, Bruce speaks to  Graham Wood , the newly appointed CEO of the V&A Waterfront, about taking the helm of one of Africa’s most iconic mixed-use precincts — and what the next phase of growth, investment and innovation looks like for a destination that attracts more than 25 million visitors a year. Bruce also chats to  Melvyn Lubega , recently appointed to lead the Presidency’s Dig...

In this episode, Bruce talks to Stephan Bredell, who started Platō Coffee with his brother Petrus in 2019. Bredell explains how being “just dumb enough” – and understanding the next-generation coffee market – has been key to Platō‘s success. Also on the show, Jean Pierre Verster, founder and CEO of Protea Capital Management, discusses the red-hot markets. Then, Matthew Schulz, managing director an...

In this episode, Bruce polishes his crystal ball, looking at the biggest risks 2026 hold for the world and local economy. He chats to Sir Bradley Fried, former chairperson of the Bank of England, about how courageous decisions can change the course of your life. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons o...

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Old Mutual CEO Jurie Strydom, who says he is surprised by the sheer breadth and depth of the 180-year-old company, and how such a ship can be steered. He shares his views on redefining success — and not fixing what isn’t broken. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on...

In this episode, Bruce talks to Lincoln Mali, a former Standard Bank executive. He currently serves as CEO for Southern Africa for Lesaka Technologies, a Nasdaq and JSE-listed fintech company which now owns Bank Zero. He inspires by being a force for driving financial inclusion, but what Lincoln does in his spare time, building development rugby, is what might make you tear up a little. Here, he c...

In this episode, Bruce interviews Dino Paulo, a former Survivor SA winner and competitive formation skydiver, who hints that his business will be anything but boring. Paulo co-owns HintHunt Africa, the company that started the escape game craze in SA, and has since branched out to online games and “amazing races”. News24 editor-in-chief Adriaan Basson shares his insights on the biggest news storie...

In this episode, Bruce talks to Old Mutual CEO Jurie Strydom, who stepped into the role earlier this year, about the impact of AI in South Africa. A former fintech entrepreneur, Strydom has strong views on how AI will change industries, but doesn’t believe it will be a “big bang”. Bruce also chats to Sheldon Tatchell, founder of Legends Barbers. He quit his job at a call centre and has built an em...

In this episode, Bruce talks to Dr Richard Friedland, CEO of Netcare, the largest private hospital group in South Africa. Friedland bemoans government taking the “low road” as it plans to push ahead with National Health Insurance in its current form, and says the only real winners will be lawyers as court battles over the plan heat up. But Friedland also highlights good news about an easing in SA’...

In this episode, Bruce talks to Warren Myers, CEO and one of the founders of AURA, a South African emergency response platform that connects users to the nearest private security or medical responders. Companies like Uber and FNB uses AURA to offer their clients emergency support in South Africa, and it also has operations in the UK and other African countries. After a recent R270 million investme...

In this episode, Bruce talks to Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, South Africa’s largest private security company with 70 000 employees. Bartmann talks about why the group wants to list on the JSE next year, and the importance of the SA security sector, which has attracted a number of former rugby players — including himself. TymeBank chief technology officer Dieter Botha gives his vi...

In this episode, Bruce talks to Tyme’s new CEO, Cheslyn Jacobs, who strikes a defiant tone toward the big players in the market. Also on the show is the CEO of Yaga CEO Aune Aunapuu, who started the online second-hand clothing marketplace in 2017. It launched in South Africa five years ago, which is now its biggest market, with annual revenue growth of 80%.Meryl Pick, Old Mutual Investment Group H...