What's Next with Aki Anastasiou

South Africa’s energy crisis isn’t just about keeping the lights on — it’s about cost, strategy, and long-term competitiveness. This podcast cuts through the noise to explain how power, policy, and private innovation are reshaping business in real time.

Hosted by Aki Anastasiou, the show is built for business leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers who need clarity on complex issues like renewable energy, electricity pricing, energy trading, sustainability, and infrastructure. It’s not for casual commentary or recycled headlines — it’s for people responsible for real decisions and real balance sheets.

Through direct conversations with industry leaders such as David McDonald, CEO at SolarAfrica, the podcast unpacks how solar, wheeling, energy trading, and evolving market structures actually work, what they cost, and where the risks and opportunities lie. Expect grounded insight, commercial realism, and clear explanations rooted in South African and global business realities.

If you want perspective instead of panic, and insight you can apply, this is where you start. Follow the show and listen regularly to stay ahead of the energy and business curve.

In this episode of What’s Next, Precious Nduli, Chief Commercial Officer at Discovery Insure, joins Aki Anastasiou to unpack how technology, telematics, and data-driven insights are transforming the insurance landscape. She explains how Discovery Insure incentivizes safer driving through real-time behaviour tracking, fuel rewards, and innovative features like impact alerts and sleep-related risk analysis. Precious also highlights how AI-powered tools, including the Advanced Driving Instructor, provide personalised coaching to help drivers improve behind the wheel.

The discussion explores Discovery Insure’s seamless integration with Discovery Bank, enabling clients to obtain and activate car insurance instantly in-app. Precious shares compelling statistics on how Vitality Drive reduces accident risk and explains how the company is extending its impact beyond its customer base through initiatives such as the Pothole Patrol and Safe Journeys to School. She offers a clear view of how technology and AI are shaping the future of insurance and helping build a nation of safer, more responsible drivers.

In this episode of What’s Next, Nicolaas Hanekom, Sales Lead for Digital Air Solutions at Samsung South Africa, joins Aki Anastasiou to unpack how consumer expectations around home air conditioning have transformed in recent years. Nicolaas explains why air conditioners have become essential, all-year appliances focused on comfort, efficiency, and seamless integration within the modern smart home. He highlights Samsung’s leading technologies, including AI-driven temperature optimization, and full SmartThings connectivity, which allow users to control, monitor, and automate their climate with ease.

Nicolaas also discusses the growing importance of indoor air quality, outlining how Samsung’s multilayer filtration helps remove bacteria, pollen, and impurities from the environment. He breaks down the efficiency benefits of Samsung’s advanced inverter technology and how AI and SmartThings insights help households reduce energy consumption while enhancing comfort. With a focus on correct installation, long-term reliability, and sleek design, Samsung’s latest air conditioners deliver powerful performance and meaningful savings for South African homes.

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou sits down with Hector Beyers, CEO and founder of Codehesion, to unpack the remarkable growth of his software development company. Beyers shares how his passion for computer engineering and early leadership experience shaped his entrepreneurial journey, leading him to build a business focused on high-quality custom software, strong development processes, and a culture of delivery. From starting alone in 2018, Codehesion has grown into a 50-strong team serving clients across the globe.

Beyers also explores the evolving role of AI in software development, the importance of scalable and maintainable code, and the challenges of recruiting top talent. He highlights how Codehesion helps businesses modernize, streamline operations, and rescue struggling software projects through expert guidance and disciplined processes. This insightful conversation reveals what it takes to build world-class technology and stay competitive in a rapidly shifting digital landscape.

In this episode of What’s Next, Amantha Naidoo, Managing Executive at NTT DATA South Africa, joins Aki Anastasiou to discuss her career journey and the forces shaping modern transformation. She shares how her background in engineering, consulting and culture change led her to NTT DATA, and why timing, purpose and the desire to lead meaningful change made this the right step in her career. Amantha highlights the critical ingredients of successful transformation, including strong leadership, clear direction and building a culture that can adapt to rapid shifts in technology and business.

Amantha also explores the real impact of AI across industries, the challenges of moving from experimentation to large-scale value, and why foundational technology, data readiness and trust are essential. She explains what differentiates NTT DATA in a competitive market, from its full-stack capabilities to its AI smart agent ecosystem, and outlines the company’s strategic priorities in South Africa. From cybersecurity to customer experience to societal upliftment through education, she offers insight into how NTT DATA is preparing organisations for the next wave of technological evolution.