What's Next with Aki Anastasiou

In this What’s Next interview, Zhou unpacks the incredible growth HONOR has experienced in South Africa. He then reveals HONOR’s Project Alpha Plan, which is the company’s new corporate strategy that will transform HONOR from a smartphone manufacturer to a leading AI device ecosystem company. Zhou unpacks the three steps that this plan entails and discusses how they encourage collaboration between...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Sannesh Beharie and Lukhanyo Zahela discusses the importance of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Beharie is the Managing Executive for SME and Mobile Products at Vodacom Business. He has over 17 years of experience in fixed and mobile telecoms, having worked at South Africa’s most prominent industry players and held executive roles in Sales...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Elani van der Laan discusses the emerging financial trends in the legal industry. Van der Laan is the Head of Legal and Accounting Sectors, Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank and boasts nearly 15 years of experience working in the legal sector. This began with her working as a Candidate Attorney, then as an Attorney, for Strydom and...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Gerhard Hartman discusses how technological innovations like AI have the ability to transform finance departments for the better. Hartman is the Regional Vice President for Medium Business at Sage Africa and the Middle East. He has worked at Sage for nearly 20 years and has extensive experience helping SMBs achieve their full potential. In his cur...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, John van Kan discusses the importance of incorporating new technologies into Standard Bank’s healthcare banking solutions. Van Kan is the Head of Healthcare Sector, Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank and has worked in the banking sector since 2000. In this What’s Next interview, van Kan explains how Standard Bank plays a key role in...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Nielle Truter and Bob Aoun discuss how AI has been implemented in HP Poly devices to deliver an improved user experience. Truter is the Chief Operating Officer at Headset Solutions — a trusted distributor of HP | Poly products. In this role, he has forged long-term customer relationships and spearheaded new business development. His approach to bu...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Elani van der Laan discusses Standard Bank’s tailored solutions for accounting and professional services businesses. Van der Laan is the Head of Accounting & Legal Sectors, Business and Commercial Banking and has held the position since 2021. She boasts nearly 15 years of experience working in the legal sector and has held several notable position...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, David Plink discusses the importance of implementing a connected HR ecosystem for your business. Plink is the CEO of the Top Employers Institute and boasts over 25 years of HR industry experience. He has honed his skills across various HR themes, including general, commercial, and change management while working for global, results-driven companie...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Prasanth Seevnarayan discusses the importance of having a high-quality mattress. Seevnarayan is the CEO and Executive Director at Lylax and Serta South Africa. He is a visionary South African entrepreneur who has founded and led many successful businesses across several industries. One of these businesses is Lylax, which is a family business that...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Bonga Gumede discusses Altron Digital Business’s latest report, which focuses on embracing key technology trends. Gumede is the Executive: Retail GTM at Altron Digital Business. He brings a wealth of experience to his role, where he crafts strategic growth solutions tailored to the South African retail landscape. Gumede has a track record of lever...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Mohammed Mosam discusses how CFOs can leverage automation to improve their businesses. Mosam is the Regional Product Marketing Director for Sage Africa and Middle East (Sage Intacct) and boasts over 30 years of industry experience. This includes working as a Support Consultant at Pink Software, Director for Support and IT Operations at Brilliant B...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Tracker COO Duma Ngcobo discusses South African crime statistics relating to business-owned vehicles. Ngcobo is a veteran executive with over 20 years of experience in the technology and telecommunications industries. In his current role as Chief Operating Officer at Tracker, which he assumed in 2021, Ngcobo formulates and implements strategies th...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Professor Waldo Krugell unpacks what South Africans should expect from the 2025 Budget Speech. Krugell is a Professor in Economics at the North-West University’s Potchefstroom campus. He holds an MSc in Economics and completed his PhD focusing on the geographical economy of South Africa. In this What’s Next interview, Krugell discusses the general...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Macrocomm Group CEO Sivi Moodley unpacks the company’s 20-year journey to becoming an industry leader. Moodley founded Macrocomm Group in 2005 and has since turned the company into a premier force in the smart solutions sector – focusing on the Internet of Things (IoT) and driving innovation across the African continent. He boasts a diverse career...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Morne Kroukamp discusses Dell’s redesigned PC portfolio and its partnership with Qualcomm Technologies. Kroukamp is a Field Product Marketing Manager at Dell Technologies. He has worked at Dell Technologies for over 16 years and has accrued experience in various roles – such as internal sales, product specialist, account executive, and field produ...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Abraham van der Merwe discusses how South Africans can save on electricity with Stage Zero. Van der Merwe is the founder and CEO of Stage Zero — a renewable energy provider that specialises in embedded generation and energy storage solutions for residential and commercial customers. He is an accomplished investor with over 20 years of experience i...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Deloitte’s Mohammed Shaikh discusses the shifting media consumption landscape in Africa. Shaikh is a Partner in Assurance Services, Audit, and Assurance at Deloitte Africa. He also serves as Deloitte Africa’s Media and Entertainment Sector Lead, where he helps clients navigate the evolving challenges and opportunities within the Technology, Media,...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Justin Hume discusses the key features of the new Samsung Galaxy S25 smartphones. Hume is the VP of Mobile Experiences at Samsung South Africa and has worked in the cellular industry since 1997. In 2012, Hume rejoined Samsung South Africa as the Product and Marketing Director and quickly rose through the ranks. He soon became the Chief Marketing O...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, NTT DATA’s Chris Wiggett unpacks the latest trends in business intelligence and AI that South African businesses must be aware of. Wiggett is the Head of AI and Data Analytics at NTT DATA Middle East and Africa. He has fourteen years of experience in data analytics and is well-known for his thought leadership in Advanced Analytics. Wiggett is also...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Tumi Mothoagae discusses how AI helps Liberty to streamline the claims process for its clients. Mothoagae is the Divisional Executive for Claims Management at Liberty Group South Africa and has worked at the company for 13 years. During this time, she has held the roles of Team Manager and Financial Advisor – having joined the company after being...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, MiWay CEO Burton Naicker discusses the latest trends in South Africa’s insurance industry. Naicker’s professional journey began in the banking industry, before transitioning into the insurance sector when he was appointed as a Legal Recoveries Advisor at Telesure. In the years which followed, Naicker progressed to senior management roles in the cl...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Metacom CMO Marius Visser discusses the company’s impressive range of SCADA, IoT, and router products. Visser is a 22-year veteran of the communications industry, who joined Metacom in 2010. Before this, he worked at MTN for six years as a Solution Consultant and Business Development Manager. He also worked at Psitek for six years as an Executive...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Ryan Switala discusses the technologies Liberty is using to improve its life insurance products. Switala is the Head of Simple Life Solutions at Liberty and has worked at the company for 18 years — beginning as an Actuarial Specialist in 2006. He then held several notable positions at Liberty before being appointed to his current role — including...

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Shenge Buthelezi discusses Vodacom’s extensive MVNO offerings. Buthelezi is the Managing Executive of Wholesale and Carrier Services at Vodacom South Africa. He has worked at Vodacom for over 16 years and has held several important roles in the company’s Wholesale and Carrier Services business unit during this time – including Executive Head, Prog...

In this Driving Sustainability with Aki Anastasiou interview, SolarAfrica Energy’s Brandon Horn discusses Electricity 2.0 – a new virtual power solutions suite for South African businesses in the commercial and industrial sectors. Horn is the Head of Commercial at SolarAfrica Energy and boasts over 16 years of experience working for multinational corporations in local and international markets. Th...