What's Next with Aki Anastasiou

In this episode of What’s Next, host Aki Anastasiou speaks with Riaan Esterhuysen, Senior Manager of PR and Corporate Communications at Lexus South Africa, about the brand’s long-standing electrification journey and the future of luxury EVs in South Africa. Riaan reflects on his career with Toyota and explains how Lexus has evolved from pioneering hybrid SUVs with the RX in 2006 to launching fully electric battery-electric vehicles like the Lexus RZ. The discussion explores Lexus’s “multi-pathway” strategy, which combines internal combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery-electric, and even hydrogen technologies to suit different markets and customer needs.

The conversation also dives into the design philosophy and customer-centric approach that define the Lexus experience. Riaan explains how Japanese craftsmanship, driver-focused interiors, and refined electric performance shape vehicles like the RZ, which aims to deliver luxury, serenity, and usability rather than just headline speed figures. The episode highlights how Lexus is adapting EV technology for South African realities, including charging infrastructure and driving distances, while positioning electrification as a core part of the brand’s future in the country.

Youth unemployment in South Africa remains one of the country's biggest challenges, but AI, digital platforms, and new growth sectors could help change the trajectory.

Kuben Nair, Chief Technology Officer at Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, joins What's Next to discuss practical solutions for connecting young South Africans with work opportunities. Nair explains how SA Youth – the country’s largest online youth recruitment platform, managed and operated by Harambee, helps work seekers and self-employed youth overcome barriers such as data costs, transport expenses, and limited access to employers. He also shares insights from Harambee's AI research, including how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries like business process outsourcing, customer service, and tourism.

The discussion explores the role of public-private partnerships in addressing the country’s youth unemployment crisis, the importance of recognising informal skills and entrepreneurial experience, the role of self-employment in economic growth, and Harambee's role in advancing the national strategy of reduce youth unemployment by 20% by 2030.

0:00 Intro
0:58 What Harambee does and why it matters
4:19 The causes of South Africa's youth unemployment crisis
11:21 How the SA Youth platform works
15:21 AI's impact on jobs and skills development
20:15 National strategy to reduce youth unemployment by 20%
24:14 Advice for employers and job seekers

Follow Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
Website: https://www.harambee.co.za/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harambee-youth-employment-accelerator/posts/?feedView=all
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harambee.youthemployment
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harambeeyouthemployment/

Follow SA Youth
For Employers: https://sayouth.co.za/
For work-seekers: https://sayouth.mobi/

Artificial intelligence is reshaping business strategy, but why are so few AI projects delivering measurable ROI? Omeshnee Naidoo, CIO Programme Leader for Africa at Deloitte, joins What's Next powered by Deloitte to unpack the findings from Deloitte's Tech Trends 2026 report and what they mean for African technology leaders.

Naidoo explains how African CIOs can use AI, cloud computing, and improved connectivity to leapfrog traditional infrastructure challenges and accelerate digital transformation. She also discusses why many AI initiatives fail, the critical role of data quality, and how organisations can move beyond experimentation to deliver real business value.

The conversation explores the emergence of a new generation of CIOs, the balance between innovation and operational excellence, cybersecurity in an AI-driven world, and why African organisations are uniquely positioned to compete globally despite resource constraints.

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Website - https://mybroadband.co.za/news/

Sponsor:
Deloitte - https://www.deloitte.com/za/en/Industries/technology/research/tech-trends-2026.html

What if IoT connectivity didn’t require expensive long-term contracts or constant monitoring? In this episode, Sigfox South Africa CEO Gregory Rood explains how a new “single-use communication” model is transforming the way businesses think about connected devices.

The discussion explores how ultra-low-cost IoT tags can send alerts only when critical events happen — such as a package being opened, medicine going out of temperature range, or a shipment being tampered with. Instead of continuous tracking and monthly subscriptions, businesses can deploy short-term, prepaid connectivity built around real-world operational needs.

From healthcare and cold-chain logistics to freight monitoring, panic buttons, and asset protection, the episode highlights how Sigfox’s AI-enhanced network and South African-built innovation are lowering the barrier to IoT adoption and enabling smarter, more affordable connected solutions.

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Robert Gwerengwe – CEO of WesBank about the forces reshaping South Africa’s vehicle finance and mobility landscape. Gwerengwe reflects on the leadership experiences that shaped him, from building new operations abroad to gaining broad banking exposure, and outlines his vision for a more inclusive, future-focused WesBank.

The conversation explores electrification, the rise of Chinese vehicle brands, flexible mobility models and the growing role of data in structuring smarter finance solutions. Gwerengwe also shares how shifting consumer behavior, rising fuel costs and changing ownership preferences are redefining what mobility looks like in South Africa — and how financial institutions must evolve alongside it.