What's Next with Aki Anastasiou

In this episode of What’s Next, host Aki Anastasiou is joined by Mark Wayne, Head of Solutions at iOCO, and Greg McDonald, Sales Director at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, to unpack the “great VM reset” and what it means for organisations rethinking their virtualisation and cloud strategies.

They discuss the rising cost pressures around traditional virtualisation, why hybrid-by-design is becoming essential for modern enterprises, and how businesses can unlock major savings through more flexible infrastructure, modern compute, and improved storage.

The conversation also explores how HPE Morpheus, VM Essentials, and GreenLake can help organisations simplify operations, support AI and legacy workloads, and build a more agile, cost-effective cloud foundation for the future.

Healthbridge founder, chairman, and Chief Innovation Officer Gerrie van Zyl joins Business Talk to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare and why South Africa is well positioned to innovate in the sector. Speaking from Atlanta’s Tech Square, one of the world’s leading AI hubs, he explains how his team uses global innovation insights to build solutions for South Africa’s healthcare system, while highlighting the country’s growing AI creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.

The conversation explores how AI can reduce administrative burdens for doctors, unlock valuable healthcare data responsibly, and expand access to quality care across South Africa. Gerrie also shares why healthcare is one of the most powerful levers for economic development, how AI could dramatically improve efficiency and patient outcomes, and why entrepreneurs and developers should see healthcare as one of the most exciting innovation opportunities of the next decade.

Hylton Kallner, CEO of Discovery Bank, joins the show to discuss the bank’s strong interim results and the strategy driving its rapid growth. With client numbers, deposits, and revenue all rising sharply, Kallner explains how Discovery Bank’s shared value model, full-service digital banking platform, and broader Discovery ecosystem are helping attract new customers and deepen engagement with existing ones.

The conversation also explores Discovery Bank’s vision of becoming a “super bank” by combining advanced digital banking, lifestyle integration, and data-driven personalization. Kallner shares how artificial intelligence, powerful security systems, and a scalable technology platform are enabling the bank to improve customer experience, strengthen fraud protection, and continue its ambitious growth trajectory.

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Jason Oehley, Regional Sales Manager at Arctic Wolf, about why cyber security remains the number one risk facing businesses today. With South Africa ranked among the most targeted countries globally, Jason unpacks the latest threat trends, including the rise of data extortion, the continued impact of ransomware, and how attackers are increasingly “logging in” rather than breaking in. He also explains how AI is accelerating both cyber crime and cyber defense, forcing organizations to rethink how they approach resilience.

The conversation explores why cyber security is shifting from a purely technical issue to a board-level financial discussion. Jason breaks down the importance of understanding cyber risk, building continuous security improvements, and balancing prevention with recovery through cyber insurance and warranties. For businesses of any size, the key takeaway is clear: cyber security is no longer just about protection — it’s about resilience, measurable risk reduction, and being financially prepared for when an incident occurs.

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Gregory Rood, CEO of Sigfox South Africa, about the powerful but often invisible role Sigfox plays in the Internet of Things ecosystem. As a zero-G network built for ultra-low power, long-range connectivity, Sigfox enables devices to operate for years on battery while collecting and transmitting critical data. From monitoring water levels and tracking assets to managing cold-chain medicine and supporting agriculture, the technology quietly powers thousands of real-world applications across South Africa.

Gregory explains how Sigfox’s nationwide network, recent infrastructure upgrades, and strong channel partner ecosystem are unlocking affordable IoT solutions for businesses of all sizes. The conversation also highlights impactful use cases in rural areas, including medical supply monitoring, wildlife safety, and water management, as well as opportunities for entrepreneurs to build locally relevant solutions. It’s a compelling look at how connected data is driving efficiency, resilience, and innovation across industries.