Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Peter Mountford, CEO of Super Group, about navigating a fast-changing vehicle market as Chinese and Indian brands surge in South Africa. Bruce also chats to Jo Farah, founder and CEO of The Lab, about turning a Cape Town sneaker-care start-up into a global biotech fashion-care business. Farah explains how probiotic-based cleaning tech has helped win major international clients, including Nike, New Balance, Dior and Karl Lagerfeld. The episode wraps with Deon Gouws, CIO at Credo, on the market shake-up sparked by the viral “Zetrini” report and the rotation out of big tech. He argues the doom narrative is overdone. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec.To catch every episode, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Mike Fraser, CEO of Gold Fields, as the gold price surges past $5 000 an ounce and drives a record year for the miner. With profits nearly tripling, boosted by strong bullion prices and production at the new Salares Norte mine in Chile, they unpack what is fuelling gold’s rally, rising mining costs, and how the company is positioning for future growth. Bruce also chats to Grace Harding, CEO of Ocean Basket, about the brand’s global reinvention, from post-COVID restructuring to international expansion and new formats reshaping the South African seafood chain across markets from Cyprus to the Middle East. The episode wraps with a market update from Jean-Pierre Verster, founder and CEO of Protea Capital Management, who breaks down major mining results, commodity trends, and shifting inflation dynamics. Plus, a special tribute to South African futurist and strategist Clem Sunter, with reflections from Chantell Ilbury of Mindofafox. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec.To catch every episode, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Richard (Boris) Rivett-Carnac, the CEO of SAB, about navigating a tougher global beer environment as sales decline worldwide.With Heineken cutting jobs and AB InBev reporting pressure globally, SAB is nonetheless managing to grow volumes in South Africa. They unpack what’s driving resilience locally – from shifting consumer trends and illicit alcohol to excise taxes and the broader economic outlook.Bruce also chats to Alain Soriano, the founder of discount retailer Best Before, about finding opportunity in a fiercely competitive grocery market. From clearance pricing and food waste to brick-and-mortar expansion and delivery partnerships, Soriano explains why demand for discounted essentials is surging across SA.

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Marthinus Stander, CEO of Rainbow Chicken, about the company’s strong performance since being unbundled from RCL Foods and listed as a standalone business in 2024. Bruce also chats to Nick Dreyer, CEO of Made in RSA, about his new platform aimed at helping South African brands reach global markets, create jobs locally and turn homegrown products into international successes. The episode wraps with a market update from Jean Pierre Verster, founder and CEO of Protea Capital Management, who unpacks a busy week of trading updates, consumer pressure, and rising volatility across commodities and global tech stocks. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec.To catch every episode, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Azar Jammine, Director and Chief Economist at Econometrix, about the strength of the rand and the surge in precious metal prices, even asking whether gold is becoming “the new bitcoin”. Bruce is then joined by Ross Volk, Managing Director of MSC Cruises South Africa, to discuss the rebound in global travel and what South Africans are booking as confidence returns. Bruce also reflects on the South African Reserve Bank’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged and what that means for confidence and markets. The episode wraps with a market update from Chantal Marx, Head of Research at FNB, on softer Christmas trading, the resilience of South African consumers and heavy investment in AI by big tech. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Zak Calisto, founder and CEO of Karooooo, about the group’s strong quarterly results, South Africa’s role as its growth engine, and how a Singapore base is driving global expansion across Asia, Europe and beyond. He is then joined by Daneel Steinmann, CEO of Old School, to unpack the brand’s five-year retail partnership with Liverpool FC, why South Africa is one of the club’s biggest markets, and how African passion for the English Premier League is shaping future expansion. The episode wraps with Deon Gouws, Chief Investment Officer at Credo Group in the UK, who weighs in on investing in a world of heightened geopolitics, whether the “sell America” narrative holds, and if the AI boom is really a bubble. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Graham Wood, the newly appointed CEO of the V&A Waterfront, about taking the helm of one of Africa’s most iconic mixed-use precincts — and what the next phase of growth, investment and innovation looks like for a destination that attracts more than 25 million visitors a year.Bruce also chats to Melvyn Lubega, recently appointed to lead the Presidency’s Digital Services Unit, about why he chose to take on the challenge of working inside government and how building digital public infrastructure – from digital ID and payments to shared data systems – can transform how millions of South Africans access services and drive impact at national scale.The show also features a markets wrap with Meryl Pick, Portfolio Manager at Old Mutual Investment Group, unpacking key trends in precious metals and what lies ahead for South Africa’s resource sector and “SA Inc” as we look towards 2026.

In this episode, Bruce talks to Stephan Bredell, who started Platō Coffee with his brother Petrus in 2019. Bredell explains how being “just dumb enough” – and understanding the next-generation coffee market – has been key to Platō‘s success. Also on the show, Jean Pierre Verster, founder and CEO of Protea Capital Management, discusses the red-hot markets. Then, Matthew Schulz, managing director and co-owner of Galileo Open Air Cinema, explains the growing appeal of outdoor movies. Finally, we round off the show with certified financial planner Warren Ingram, who shares tips on how to build wealth. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce polishes his crystal ball, looking at the biggest risks 2026 hold for the world and local economy. He chats to Sir Bradley Fried, former chairperson of the Bank of England, about how courageous decisions can change the course of your life. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce speaks to Old Mutual CEO Jurie Strydom, who says he is surprised by the sheer breadth and depth of the 180-year-old company, and how such a ship can be steered. He shares his views on redefining success — and not fixing what isn’t broken. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce talks to Lincoln Mali, a former Standard Bank executive. He currently serves as CEO for Southern Africa for Lesaka Technologies, a Nasdaq and JSE-listed fintech company which now owns Bank Zero. He inspires by being a force for driving financial inclusion, but what Lincoln does in his spare time, building development rugby, is what might make you tear up a little. Here, he chats to Bruce about how rugby builds character. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce interviews Dino Paulo, a former Survivor SA winner and competitive formation skydiver, who hints that his business will be anything but boring. Paulo co-owns HintHunt Africa, the company that started the escape game craze in SA, and has since branched out to online games and “amazing races”. News24 editor-in-chief Adriaan Basson shares his insights on the biggest news stories of 2025, from US President Donald Trump’s obsession with South Africa to all revelations at the Madlanga Commission. Finally, we round off the show with certified financial planner, Warren Ingram, who reminds us not to put all of our eggs in one basket. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce talks to Old Mutual CEO Jurie Strydom, who stepped into the role earlier this year, about the impact of AI in South Africa. A former fintech entrepreneur, Strydom has strong views on how AI will change industries, but doesn’t believe it will be a “big bang”. Bruce also chats to Sheldon Tatchell, founder of Legends Barbers. He quit his job at a call centre and has built an empire of 79 stores. Tatchell explains how taking notes on what customers talk about made all the difference in his business. Chantal Marx, head of investment research and content at FNB Wealth and Investments, takes a look at the recent rerating in banking shares. Certified financial planner Warren Ingram gives tips on how to build wealth. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce talks to Dr Richard Friedland, CEO of Netcare, the largest private hospital group in South Africa. Friedland bemoans government taking the “low road” as it plans to push ahead with National Health Insurance in its current form, and says the only real winners will be lawyers as court battles over the plan heat up. But Friedland also highlights good news about an easing in SA’s nursing crisis and, following a recent trip abroad, found that other countries are “nowhere close to where we are” when it comes to the country’s private healthcare. Also on the programme, behavioural strategist Joni Peddie, whose new book, From Can’t Do to Can Do, offers a practical guide to business leaders on how to leverage their human edge in a world shaped by AI. Meryl Pick, Old Mutual Investment Group’s head of equities research, discusses US president Donald Trump’s new threats against SA. She also looks at the remarkable turnaround of Tiger Brands. Certified financial planner Warren Ingram gives tips on how to build wealth. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce talks to Warren Myers, CEO and one of the founders of AURA, a South African emergency response platform that connects users to the nearest private security or medical responders. Companies like Uber and FNB uses AURA to offer their clients emergency support in South Africa, and it also has operations in the UK and other African countries. After a recent R270 million investment in the company, it is now making a big push into the US, where its service is currently being rolled out in 12 major US cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, and Seattle. Also on the programme is Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA. He explains how the US move to exempt key foods from import tariffs will help SA. Following Nvidia’s surprisingly strong results on Wednesday, Deon Gouws, chief investment officer at Credo Group, makes the case why Warren Buffett and other doubters may be wrong about AI. Also discussed on the programme: a report that Pep may be partnering with Investec to build a bank; why Black Friday 2025 may turn out to be a reality check; how Telkom is eating its competitors’ prepaid lunch and US attempts to strong-arm SA at the G20. Certified financial planner Warren Ingram gives tips on how to build wealth. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple, and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce talks to Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, South Africa’s largest private security company with 70 000 employees. Bartmann talks about why the group wants to list on the JSE next year, and the importance of the SA security sector, which has attracted a number of former rugby players — including himself. TymeBank chief technology officer Dieter Botha gives his view on how artificial intelligence will play out in coming years, and which jobs may be safe. Jean Pierre Verster, founder and CEO of Protea Capital Management, gives his views on the investment case for Vodacom, Premier, Stor-Age and Raubex. Also discussed on the programme: SA’s fiscal state, and a surprising twist in the “Please Call Me” saga. Certified financial planner Warren Ingram explains how shares work. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce talks to Tyme’s new CEO, Cheslyn Jacobs, who strikes a defiant tone toward the big players in the market. Also on the show is the CEO of Yaga CEO Aune Aunapuu, who started the online second-hand clothing marketplace in 2017. It launched in South Africa five years ago, which is now its biggest market, with annual revenue growth of 80%.Meryl Pick, Old Mutual Investment Group Head of Equities Research, gives her view on how Pepkor’s fintech push is paying off. She also talks about Optasia, the newly JSE-listed Dubai-based fintech firm, and trade tensions between the US and China. Also discussed on the programme: how Canal+ plans to save DStv, the botched process to appoint a new Gautrain operator, and welcome changes to the planned Transformation Fund. Certified financial planner Warren Ingram shares practical tips on building wealth. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.

In this episode, Bruce talks to Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers about the “extraordinary response” he received after his public criticism of online betting. Summers also discusses Pick n Pay’s succession plans as it progresses in its “reset” from a troubled past, and targets break-even by 2028. Chantal Marx, head of investment research and content at FNB Wealth and Investments, gives her view on whether the loss-making retailer will be able to achieve this target. She also looks at the share price crash in WeBuyCars, as well as this week’s mixed fortunes of the world’s biggest tech groups.Also on the show is the CEO of Optasia, the Dubai-based fintech firm that has shot into the spotlight as it prepares for a JSE listing next week.FirstRand just took a 20% stake in the group, with Salvador Anglada discussing the group’s partnerships with various local companies. Certified financial planner Warren Ingram shares practical tips on building wealth.

In this episode, Bruce talks to Bertina Engelbrecht, CEO of Clicks, SA’s biggest pharmacy retailer. She details the group’s strong shift to private-label goods, generic medicines and exclusive products, and its strategy to cater for shoppers who range from low-income to “LSM 10-plus”. Also on the show is Derek Szabo, outgoing group CEO of Signal Hill Products Group, which owns beer brands like Devil’s Peak, and which was part of a group that bought Strongbow cider from Heineken. The company has just invested in a multibillion-rand new brewery in Gauteng. He talks about how the group managed to survive after many other craft-beer makers imploded in recent years.  Markets legend David Shapiro of Sasfin gives his views on the violent correction in the gold price this week, as well as how South African consumers are shaping up. Certified financial planner Warren Ingram shares practical tips on building wealth.

In this episode, Bruce talks to the CEO of the discount retailer Boxer, Marek Masojada, about being with the business for more than 30 years, from when it only had five stores. Now at 500 stores, the group is still expanding - and eyeing next year’s final scrapping of exclusivity clauses in South African malls. Bruce also gets food startup tips from Kathleen Quillinan, who founded the successful food brand Pesto Princess 25 years ago. Since mortgaging the family house to build a factory, she is now slowly getting ready to exit the business, but first has big ambitions of something she wants to achieve. Schalk Louw, portfolio manager and strategist at PSG Wealth, gives his insights into a brand-new big food-sector deal that could see the owner of Blue Ribbon and Snowflake buy the owner of Bull Brand. He also talks gold. Certified financial planner Warren Ingram shares practical tips on building wealth. Also on the show: Why SA CFOs (especially women) are getting a big pay bump, and the fallout of the US-China trade war. This podcast is sponsored by Capitec. To catch every episode of Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week, click the follow and subscribe buttons on News24’s Spotify, Apple and YouTube podcast channels. Editions drop on Thursdays at 17:00.