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What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou is South Africa’s most popular technology show. The who’s who of South Africa’s technology and business world are interviewed on the show.
399 Episodes
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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.
In this conversation, Discovery Bank CEO Hylton Kallner unpacks the remarkable growth of South Africa’s fastest-growing bank and the shared-value model powering its success. He explains how Discovery Bank’s full-service digital approach, industry-leading security, seamless ecosystem integration and customer-first design have reshaped the banking experience for nearly one and a half million clients. From crypto investing with Luno to AI-driven fraud protection and effortless insurance activation, Hylton highlights the innovations redefining modern finance.
He also shares insight into Discovery Bank’s expanding rewards ecosystem, new partnerships, and the momentum behind its award-winning service. With breakthroughs in digital behaviour analysis, lifestyle-linked benefits and a rapidly growing client base, Hylton outlines how the bank is positioning itself at the center of people’s financial lives—today and over the next five years.
This episode of What’s Next brings together financial literacy advocate and author Nicolette Mashile and Yande Nomvete, Africa Operations Manager at Binance, for an in-depth discussion on crypto adoption in South Africa. They unpack the success of The Getting Crypto Show, the growing appetite for digital assets on the continent, and why education remains the most important tool for avoiding scams and navigating this emerging space with confidence.
The conversation also explores how Binance is strengthening user protection from day one, the role of crypto in everyday life, and how South Africans can safely begin their investment journey. From platform security to cross-border payments and practical use cases like buying groceries, this episode highlights how cryptocurrency is becoming more accessible, more useful, and more aligned with real financial needs.
In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou is joined by a panel of experts to unpack the Africa Digital Assets Report 2025. The discussion features Rob Downes, Head of Digital Assets at Absa Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB); Juanetta Furusa-Matelakengisa, Head of Digital Product, Carbon Banking at Absa CIB; and Zanele Thembisile Baloyi, Senior Researcher at Krutham. Together, they explore why the report was commissioned, how the research was conducted across several African markets, and what it reveals about digital asset adoption among consumers and businesses.
The conversation highlights key themes such as the public’s trust in traditional banks, the need for clearer regulatory frameworks, and the growing demand for education around digital assets. The guests also examine South Africa’s unique position compared to neighboring markets, insights from Kenya’s advanced mobile-money environment, and how Absa plans to apply these findings through new digital asset solutions and educational initiatives. This episode offers a comprehensive look at the emerging digital finance landscape across Africa.
In this episode of What’s Next, we speak with Nick Yarham, Head of Operations at TP-Link South Africa, following the company’s remarkable achievement of winning the MyBroadband Award for Best Networking Brand for the second year in a row. Nick shares what this recognition means for the team, why South Africans continue to trust TP-Link, and how the brand focuses on solving real-world connectivity challenges—from eliminating dead zones to delivering reliable, secure, and easy-to-use networking solutions for homes and businesses.
Nick also discusses how TP-Link is navigating South Africa’s tough economic climate through strong partnerships, fair pricing, and a commitment to supporting local businesses and consumers. He explores the rapid rise of smart homes, TP-Link’s expanding ecosystem of connected devices, and the company’s vision for innovation, including advancements in Wi-Fi technology and integrated B2B solutions. He ends with a message of gratitude and optimism, spotlighting TP-Link’s investment in South Africa’s future and its growing opportunities for local talent.
In this episode of What's Next, we sit down with Cliff de Wit, Group Chief Innovation Officer at Accelera Digital Group, to unpack the rapid acceleration of AI and the growing readiness gap facing modern organisations. Cliff reflects on his journey from Microsoft to leading large-scale technology initiatives and now helping businesses across Africa and beyond adapt to a world where AI is reshaping every role, workflow and industry. He explains why many companies struggle to adopt AI effectively, how fear and poor change management hold teams back, and why both users and creators of AI must develop new capabilities quickly.
Cliff also breaks down how Accelera Digital Group helps organisations bridge this gap—starting with identifying high-impact problems, modernising data foundations, and then building practical AI solutions that drive measurable value. This conversation is a must-watch for leaders preparing their businesses for the next era of intelligent technology.
In this episode of What’s Next, we speak with Sharon Leong, Chief Executive Officer at Thompsons Travel, about how corporate travel has transformed and what modern businesses need to prioritise heading into 2026. Sharon reflects on the company’s 40-year legacy and explains how technology, mobile tools and smart booking systems are reshaping business travel—making it faster, more seamless and more personalised than ever before. She also highlights the growing importance of traveller wellness, from smarter hotel choices to thoughtful travel policies that help employees stay rested, productive and safe on the road.
Sharon dives into how Thompsons Travel is using real-time communication, global tracking tools and 24/7 personalised support to strengthen duty of care and ensure travellers are never alone when disruptions arise. She also shares insights into rising African business destinations, the surge in sustainability-focused travel decisions and the crucial role AI will play in enhancing—not replacing—the human expertise of travel consultants. A must-watch for organisations looking to refine their corporate travel strategy for the future.
Medshield’s Chief Operating Officer, Angela Blackburn, joins us to give more detail on Medshield’s 2026 product and benefit enhancements and what members can expect in the year ahead. From a lower-than-average contribution increase to a strengthened GCR rating and unlimited hospital access across all plans, Medshield is focused on value, stability, and affordability during a time when healthcare costs continue to rise.
Angela also highlights major benefit enhancements, including revamped optical cover, expanded preventative care, improved diabetic support, annual mammograms, PSA screenings, and innovative virtual GP services. With a strong emphasis on member education, accessibility and human-centered service, Medshield aims to help members stay healthier while managing long-term costs more effectively.
In this episode of What’s Next, host Aki Anastasiou speaks with James Lanigan, CEO of Luno, following the company’s recognition as 'Best Crypto Exchange' at the MyBroadband Awards. James reflects on Luno’s journey from its South African origins to becoming a trusted global platform with over 16 million users. He explains how simplicity, trust, and innovation have been key to Luno’s success, emphasizing the company’s commitment to compliance, education, and making crypto accessible for everyone.
The discussion explores Luno’s recent product innovations, including tokenized US stocks and ETFs, the rapid growth of LunoPay for everyday crypto payments, and the landmark partnership with Discovery Bank—the first of its kind in Africa. James also unpacks the future of crypto regulation in South Africa, Luno’s upcoming launches for 2026, and why digital assets are becoming an essential part of modern finance. His advice to newcomers: start small, stay informed, and see crypto as a meaningful part of a diversified investment strategy.
Dell Technologies Forum 2025 brought together leaders, innovators, and experts from across the continent to unpack the future of technology, digital transformation, and AI. In this special edition of What's Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks with Dell executives and partners about sustainability, e-waste initiatives, AI-driven modernization, multicloud strategies, and the growing role of data in shaping business outcomes. From recycling programs and solar learning hubs to the latest AI-optimized PCs, the event showcased Dell’s commitment to progress and real-world impact.
Across conversations with regional leaders including Daniel Collett, Grant McPherson, Adrian McDonald, Mohammed Amin, Ben McDonald, Bennie du Plessis, Abdelmouhssin Sarsri, Haidi Nossair, and Habib Mahakian, the episode highlights how Dell is empowering organizations to innovate, adopt AI responsibly, and bridge the digital divide. Whether through partner ecosystems, scalable infrastructure, skills development, or community upliftment, Dell’s vision for the future is clear: accelerate human progress through technology.
In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks with Luis da Silva, CEO of Healthbridge, about how the company is redefining healthcare through purposeful AI innovation. With a 26-year legacy in health IT, Healthbridge is empowering doctors and medical practices by simplifying workflows, enhancing patient care, and reclaiming valuable time through intelligent automation.
Luis explains how Healthbridge’s early partnership with Google and its dedicated Innovation Lab have helped it stay ahead of the curve, integrating AI into everyday clinical interactions. From ambient listening that transcribes patient consultations in real time to AI-driven insights that reduce administrative burdens, Healthbridge is showing how technology can amplify rather than replace healthcare professionals.
They also explore the future of value-based care, how AI can help align incentives across the healthcare ecosystem, and why empathy, adaptability, and collaboration remain vital as the industry transforms.
In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks with Rashid Tar-Mahomed, Managing Executive for Products and Services within the Consumer Business Unit at Vodacom South Africa. Rashid explains how Vodacom has transformed its postpaid portfolio by simplifying its plans from ten to four, making it easier for customers to choose the right option while providing greater value in a challenging economy. The new RED Core plans now include lifestyle benefits such as funeral cover, device insurance, and entertainment subscriptions.
By integrating connectivity, financial services, and entertainment, Vodacom aims to deliver a seamless digital experience that meets the customer's changing lifestyle needs. He shares how ongoing customer feedback and international trends guide Vodacom’s innovations as the company continues to simplify, innovate, and lead South Africa’s digital transformation.
In this episode, we sit down with Richard Simpson, Managing Director at Celerity, to uncover the fascinating journey from civil engineering to pioneering global business messaging. Richard shares how a simple need to send weather updates in 1999 sparked the creation of BulkSMS, a platform that has since transformed how businesses communicate. From humble beginnings to becoming a trusted global solution, Richard explains how SMS remains one of the most reliable and effective communication tools today.
We also explore the evolution of Celerity, the parent brand behind BulkSMS, and its latest innovation: Kero, a rich business messaging platform that takes customer engagement beyond text. Richard explains how new technologies like RCS are shaping the future of communication, why SMS is still far from “dead,” and how Celerity continues to stay ahead with secure, scalable, and innovative messaging solutions.
In this insightful conversation, Hennie Human, Managing Partner of EY's Africa Consulting Business, shares valuable lessons from his 25-year career working across diverse industries. He emphasizes the importance of purpose-driven projects, understanding industry context, and fostering true collaboration with clients to create impactful solutions.
Hennie also explores the challenges and opportunities businesses face in 2025, from cybersecurity and the talent gap to the rise of AI, automation, and cloud-native platforms. He explains how EY helps organizations embrace digital transformation, avoid common pitfalls, and unlock real value by keeping people, processes, and technology aligned for the future.
In this episode of What's Next with Aki Anastasiou, we speak with Romulen Pillay, Managing Director of Philips Southern Africa, about the latest findings from Philips’ global Future Health Index report. Now in its 10th year, the study surveyed 16,000 patients and 2,000 healthcare professionals across 16 countries, including South Africa, to explore how AI is transforming healthcare delivery. Romulen shares how artificial intelligence is already helping to address South Africa’s healthcare challenges—from staff shortages to improving diagnostic accuracy and patient care.
He also discusses the growing optimism among South African healthcare professionals about AI adoption and the need to bridge the “trust gap” between patients and technology. Romulen highlights how AI can reduce administrative burdens, improve waiting times, and ultimately allow doctors to spend more meaningful time with patients. The conversation also explores the importance of collaboration, preventative care, and responsible data use to ensure that AI adoption remains human-centric and beneficial for both healthcare providers and patients.
In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks with Muzzafar Nagvadari, Executive Head: Merchant Solutions Sales and Service SA at Standard Bank Group, about how digital payments are transforming South Africa’s business landscape. Muzzafar explains how the rapid rise of contactless, mobile, and e-commerce transactions is changing the way merchants operate and how businesses can adapt to meet evolving customer expectations. He also discusses the growing demand for unified commerce systems that bring together in-store, online, and mobile payments for greater efficiency and insight.
Muzzafar introduces SimplyBLU, Standard Bank’s smart payment and business management platform designed to simplify and streamline operations for SMEs. By integrating payment acceptance, inventory tracking, invoicing, and real-time analytics, SimplyBLU enables businesses to make data-driven decisions, improve customer experience, and scale effectively. He also shares advice for SMEs on managing costs, enhancing security, and embracing innovation to stay competitive in the digital economy.
In this episode of What's Next, Aki Anastasiou sits down with Michael Otten, CEO of Oneplan, to explore how the company has transformed the South African insurance landscape over the past 15 years. Michael shares insights into Oneplan’s journey from its early days as a traditional short-term insurer to becoming an innovator in health, pet, gap, and motor insurance. He discusses the unique challenges of serving South African consumers and how technology, from digitization to AI, is reshaping the way insurance products are delivered and experienced.
The conversation also dives into Oneplan’s differentiators, such as real-time access to insurance funds via prepaid cards and their customer-first approach that simplifies complex processes. Michael highlights the growing demand in health and pet insurance, the importance of gap cover, and how bundling products creates greater value for clients. Looking ahead, he shares his perspective on future trends, including the evolving role of AI in training, customer engagement, and product innovation, while keeping the human element at the heart of service delivery.
Oneplan is sold by Oneplan Brokers (Pty) Ltd and administered by Oneplan Underwriting Managers (Pty) Ltd, authorised financial services providers FSP43627 and FSP43628. Oneplan is not a benefit option regulated by the Medical Schemes Act, but a short-term insurance product underwritten by Bryte Insurance Company Limited a licensed insurer and an authorised FSP(17703).
In this episode of What's Next, we welcome back Frikkie van Loggerenberg, Head of Investment Strategy and CEO of IFSA. He shares valuable insights into the most common questions clients ask financial advisors, with a strong focus on wills, estate planning, and understanding the true costs involved in winding up an estate. Frikkie highlights why these fundamentals are at the core of sound financial planning and how they connect directly to securing your legacy.
The discussion also explores common mistakes people make when relying on DIY solutions or AI for estate planning, and why professional guidance is crucial for peace of mind. Frikkie explains IFSA’s client-first approach, emphasizing planning before products, face-to-face relationships, and ongoing support — including managing estates after clients pass on. Whether your estate is large or small, this conversation underlines why it’s never too early to plan properly.
In this episode of What's Next, we welcome Dion Govender, Managing Director of IS³, to discuss the upcoming IS³ X-Change 2025 conference. Taking place on 28–29 October in Cape Town, this premier event showcases future-ready industrial automation insights and solutions tailored for Africa. Powered by global expertise and enriched with local knowledge, X-Change 2025 promises to deliver measurable value for every stakeholder.
We explore IS³’s role as the exclusive AVEVA Select Partner in sub-Saharan Africa, the challenges facing industrial businesses in 2025, and how digital transformation, AI, and cloud-driven solutions are reshaping industries. Dion also highlights what makes this year’s X-Change different, from customer success stories to fresh formats and international participation, making it the must-attend event for organizations looking to stay competitive and unlock real value.
Registration discount codes:
- 1 Exhibitor: Exh1MBL50
- 2 Exhibitors: Exh2MBL50
- Delegate: DelMBL50\\
Sign up here: https://evolve.eventoptions.co.za/register/is%C2%B3x-change2025/details?utm_source=MyBroadband&utm_medium=Interview&utm_term=September+2025
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