What's Next with Aki Anastasiou

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Alan Turnley-Jones – CEO at NTT DATA MEA about his 25-year journey from early IT enthusiast to leading one of the region’s most influential technology businesses. Alan reflects on the evolution from Dimension Data to NTT DATA, how the organization has broadened its capabilities across cloud, consulting, applications, and AI, and why continuous reinvention is essential in a fast-changing industry.

He also shares his vision for growth across the Middle East and Africa, emphasizing innovation, skills development, and long-term investment in emerging markets. From harmonizing global operations to disconnecting completely on a trek to Everest Base Camp, Alan offers thoughtful insights on leadership, curiosity, and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone to grow.

In this inspiring episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou sits down with Smangele Nkosi, General Manager and Country Leader for South Africa at Cisco, to explore her remarkable journey through the ICT industry and the leadership lessons that shaped her career. From her early ambitions in healthcare to becoming a key figure in digital transformation, Nkosi shares how purpose, people, and trust have guided her path—and how technology continues to “heal” societies by creating access, opportunity, and connection.

The conversation also dives into the transformative power of AI in South Africa and across the continent. Nkosi highlights how emerging technologies can help Africa leapfrog traditional development barriers, unlock economic growth, and expand access to education, healthcare, and markets. She outlines Cisco’s vision for the future—spanning AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, and inclusive connectivity—while offering practical advice to young professionals on growth, resilience, and staying grounded in a fast-moving digital world.

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou sits down with Jorge Mendes – Chief Executive Officer at Cell C to discuss his journey from call centre agent in 1994 to leading one of South Africa’s major telecommunications operators. Jorge shares how his early customer-facing experience shaped his leadership philosophy, his passion for rebuilding businesses, and why he believes in being an ally to customers rather than simply selling connectivity.

He also opens up about the significant financial and operational challenges he inherited in 2023, and how Cell C has worked to restructure debt, strengthen network partnerships, rebuild trust, and reposition the brand for growth. It’s a candid conversation about resilience, accountability, and the ambition to turn a once-struggling operator into a competitive and proudly customer-centric telecoms player.

AI-powered tracking without GPS sounds impossible—until you see how it’s already transforming real-world operations. In this episode, Sigfox South Africa CEO Gregory Rood explains how next-generation IoT networks are redefining asset tracking in environments where traditional systems fail.

From vehicle recovery in high-risk areas to monitoring critical infrastructure and logistics, the conversation unpacks how low-power, wide-area networks combined with AI and machine learning can locate assets even when GPS and GSM signals are jammed. You’ll get a clear look at the technology behind Sigfox’s “Bloodhound” system, how it uses signal triangulation and data analytics, and why this matters for businesses operating in complex, high-risk environments like South Africa.

If you’re interested in innovation, security, logistics, or the future of connected systems, this episode offers practical insight into how businesses can track smarter, reduce risk, and operate more efficiently.

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Robert Koen, Managing Director of Amazon Sub-Saharan Africa, about building Amazon’s online store in South Africa and the vision behind becoming the country’s most loved retailer. Robert shares insights into Amazon’s rapid growth, its focus on delivery precision, expanding product selection, and the importance of trust in winning over South African shoppers. He also highlights how partnerships and local innovation have helped the company reach customers across urban and rural areas alike.

Beyond the business, Robert reflects on his journey from delivering newspapers as a child to leading one of the world’s largest e-commerce brands in the region. He unpacks lessons from working abroad, the value of a learning mindset, and his passion for empowering South African entrepreneurs through platforms like Shop Mzansi. It’s a conversation about resilience, leadership, and unlocking opportunity at scale.