Investec Focus Radio SA

When ideas meet machines and many hands shape one work, where does creativity begin? In episode 3 of Art in Focus series 2, Investec’s Tristanne Farrell invites curator Antonia Strauss, artist Aaron Philander and gallerist Brett Bellairs to unpack how technology is transforming not just into how art is made and sold, but how it’s experienced and valued. From AI to VR, African artists are engaging with tech and repurposing in new ways, challenging traditional notions of originality and artistic value.

KEY MOMENTS:

00:00 Introduction

00:52 Meet the Guests: Antonia, Aaron, and Brett

01:27 Personal journeys into the art world

06:37 Artistic voice, collectors and emerging practice

09:58 Challenges and opportunities for young artists

11:40 The Role of AI and technology in contemporary art

13:11 What makes an artwork an original?

16:25 The Ship of Theseus and art restoration

18:05 Conceptual art and temporal nature

19:24 The Lost Leonardo and authorship

21:30 Found objects and personal narratives

23:47 The future of digital and AI art

25:20 Protecting artists' intellectual property

26:08 Trends and movements in the art market

28:15 Encouraging young collectors

30:28 Dream art collections

32:30 Conclusion Investec Focus Radio SA

Water scarcity is no longer a future risk. It is already reshaping how businesses operate, invest and grow in South Africa.



With water demand in Gauteng at record levels and ageing infrastructure under strain, water has become a material constraint on business continuity, supply chains and long-term competitiveness. For many companies, water security is now as critical as energy security.



In this episode of No Ordinary Wednesday, recorded after an Investec and Proparco water-resilience event, Jeremy Maggs is joined by Dr Sean Phillips, Director-General of the Department of Water and Sanitation; Helen Hulett, water-security advisor; and Melanie Humphries, Head of Sustainable Solutions at Investec.



Together, they discuss how water risk is moving from the margins of ESG into core business strategy, and what practical resilience looks like for South African companies navigating a water-stressed economy.

Key podcast moments:

01:55 - Why Gauteng’s water demand is reaching critical levels

02:57 – Why government is calling for a 40% reduction in water use

04:20 – How municipalities can fund infrastructure amid high non-revenue water

07:44 – How business understanding of water risk has evolved

09:07 – How South African businesses are responding to water risk

10:50 – What Gauteng’s realistic interim water plan looks like

14:21 – What data companies need to invest smartly in water resilience

15:44 – How companies can understand where their water comes from

16:38 – How businesses should think about the return on resilience investment

17:20 – What water solutions businesses are pursuing and where gaps remain

19:16 – How Investec supports technical partnerships on water resilience

19:59 – Where private sector involvement adds the most value

22:38 – What CEOs should stop and start doing about water risk

23:42 – What government needs most from business in the next five years

24:31 – Closing reflections on partnership and opportunity

Read more on www.investec.com/now

Hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs, the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast unpacks the latest economic, business, and political news in South Africa, with an all-star cast of investment and wealth managers, economists and financial planners from Investec. Listen in every second Wednesday for an in-depth look at what's moving markets, shaping the economy, and changing the game for your wallet and your business. Investec Focus Radio SA

In this episode of podcast series, What Next? Michael Liebreich and Rory Sutherland lift the lid on how to shift behaviour at scale to achieve the energy transition. Marc Khan and Lidnsey Hooper interview the pair on the sociopolitical backlash we have seen in some sectors with regard to climate action. The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don’t necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation. Investec Focus Radio SA

Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, Investec Wealth & Investment International, makes sense of a busy few days on financial markets, which saw sharp falls in precious metals prices. Despite the dramatic drop in gold, platinum and silver prices, precious metals prices are back to where they were in early January. Investec Focus Radio SA

From discovering and nurturing emerging artists, to building trust-based relationships with collectors, Emma van der Merwe of Everard Read, Shona van der Merwe of RESERVOIR Projects and Anelisa Mangcu of Under the Aegis, discuss the increasing prominence and role of women in the art ecosystem. These three gallerists open up about how they navigate a world traditionally dominated by men, challenges overcome - mentorship, and the often unseen but crucial collaboration of women across the art market.

KEY MOMENTS:

00:00 Introduction and guest intro

01:36 Personal journeys into the art world

07:19 Strategies for establishing authority

08:21 Discovering and elevating new artists

12:03 Women-led galleries and curatorial perspectives

17:59 Collaboration and support within the art ecosystem

19:10 Building relationships with collectors

21:48 Mentorship and cultivating a community

27:02 Defining an artist

30:51 Curatorial voice and career highlights

31:29 Daily drivers and inspiration

33:41 Art collections and personal favourites

36:49 Dream art acquisitions

38:52 Conclusion and closing remarks Investec Focus Radio SA