Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week

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 and changing consumer habits reshape the industry. Michelle Royston, founder and CEO of Waxit, shares how a niche, single-service model has grown into a national franchise, with a new micro-franchise approach that turns employees into business owners. And Meryl Pick, portfolio manager at Old Mutual Investment Group, discusses navigating a world where crises are becoming the norm and why investors may need to rethink traditional strategies. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec.To catch every episode, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 5pm.

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, backing entrepreneurs and putting growth ahead of ideology are critical to unlocking the country’s economic potential. 
Deon Gouws of Credo joins the show to unpack market volatility, geopolitical uncertainty and how investors are navigating a world shaped by conflict, shifting policy and fragile confidence.

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 Verify Tech, explains how a small, self-funded South African team used drones and machine learning to survey 150 000 hectares of bush, building one of the most accurate wildlife censuses ever conducted and unlocking new, data-driven insights into conservation. Bruce also chats to Jean-Pierre Verster, founder and CEO of Protea Capital Management, about market volatility, global uncertainty and what it all means for investors navigating a rapidly shifting environment. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click follow and subscribe on News24’s Spotify, Apple and YouTube podcast channels. New editions drop every Thursday at 17:00. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

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, coordinated state but emphasises that delivery, implementation, and a pragmatic, pro-growth agenda will ultimately drive job creation. Bruce is then joined by Mpumi Madisa, CEO of Bidvest Group, who argues for a more intentional role for big business – from creating entry-level jobs and opening supply chains to proving that technology and job creation can go hand in hand. Hendrik du Toit, founder and CEO of Ninety One, adds that while global shocks may disrupt markets, South Africa’s progress will depend on structural reform and turning policy into action. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec.To catch every episode, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

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" experience that combines exercise, recovery, food and community as the global wellness economy expands. The show also features a markets wrap with Meryl Pick, portfolio manager at Old Mutual Investment Group, unpacking the hidden role maritime insurance plays in global trade and how tensions in the Middle East could disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and ripple through markets. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec.To catch every episode, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24's Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.