Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week

This week, Bruce chats with Ricky Ruthenberg, CEO of Bootlegger Coffee Company, about building one of South Africa’s most recognisable coffee chains from a single Sea Point store in 2013 to 116 locations today – with 15 to 20 more planned before year’s end. Ruthenberg unpacks the two-model strategy, the cautious push into Namibia and Africa, and why the coffee revolution in South Africa is still f...

In this episode, Bruce chats with Stuart Williams, CEO of Rolux Global, about one of the most unlikely turnaround stories in South African business. In 2023, six weeks from closure, Williams shipped product cold into the United States with no brand and no customers. It sold out in six weeks. He has since moved his family to Atlanta, partnered with EGO Commercial on battery mowers to crack Californ...

In this episode: why being unreasonable might be the best leadership trait right now, why food prices could be the world’s next flashpoint, and the El Niño risk building in commodity markets. Andrew Woodburn of Amrop Woodburn Mann discusses why uncompromising leadership may be exactly what the world needs. Christiaan van den Berg of JOBJACK explains why SA’s unemployment crisis persists even as em...

In this episode, Bruce chats with AD Schoeman, co-founder of The Surgical Assistant, about the platform connecting unemployed young doctors with surgeons needing theatre assistants. Built from personal frustration in 2018, it now spans a staffing platform, a training academy and an NPO, though the founders admit it only thrives because the system around it is failing. Helena Wasserman, editor of N...

In this episode, Bruce puts SPAR CEO Reeza Isaacs in the hot seat. Isaacs, the retailer’s third CEO in three years, takes questions on why profits have more than halved, what’s gone wrong with the independent retail model, and how to roll out a turnaround plan that is more than just talk. We also get a glimpse into Handwritten, YuppieChef co-founder Andrew Smith’s new book on building one of South...

Bruce chats with Tiger Brands CEO Tjaart Kruger about a robust set of interim results: operating income up 26.1% and R9.2 billion returned to shareholders since 2024. But with geopolitical uncertainty expected to bite harder in the second half, the question is whether the momentum holds. Adrian Kinsey-Quick tells the story of Bangbroek Aperitif, a vodka-based spirit infused with Karoo Agave Syrup,...

In this episode, Bruce chats with Netcare CEO Richard Friedland about how AI and digitisation are transforming healthcare. With savings now exceeding implementation costs, smartwatches are monitoring patients in real time, and algorithms detect sepsis long before symptoms appear. As Friedland puts it, the clinical AI revolution is already here. News24 Business editor Helena Wasserman unpacks new l...

This week on the podcast, Bruce chats with WeBuyCars CEO Faan van der Walt about how Chinese and Indian vehicles are reshaping South Africa's used-car market, accelerating depreciation for legacy brands, and forcing a new equilibrium in the industry. Despite the headwinds, WeBuyCars is backing itself hard, expanding aggressively, targeting 20% market share, and doing it all without debt. Then,...

In this episode, Bruce chats with Boxer Superstores CEO Marek Masojada about the discount giant's first full-year results since listing on the JSE, with headline earnings up 13.2% to R1.6 billion, and how Boxer keeps growing amid deflation, rising fuel costs and looming food inflation. Helena Wasserman, editor of News24 Business, reports live from NAMPO 2026 in Bothaville, where producer profitabi...

In this episode, Bruce explores the global fallout from the Iran conflict – and why the risks extend far beyond oil prices. Omnia Group CEO Seelan Gobalsamy explains how disruptions to fertiliser supply chains could place renewed pressure on food prices, farmers and the broader economy, even if a peace deal is reached. Helena Wasserman, editor of News24 Business, unpacks China's tariff removal...

In this episode, Bruce unpacks what a doubling oil price means for South African fuel costs, inflation, and the global economy – and why the US midterm elections may be the most powerful force pushing president Donald Trump toward an off-ramp. Peter Armitage, CEO of Anchor Capital, discusses what's really driving oil above $126 a barrel. Adri Williams, founder of Khayelitsha Cookies, reveals h...

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...