News24 Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week

Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week

Bestselling author and broadcast legend Bruce Whitfield returns with a bold new News24 podcast. Bruce Whitfield’s Business Week won’t waste your time. Instead, each episode will focus on the one business news story that will change your world.

Listeners will also get investment and personal finance advice from top experts, and the inside track on SA’s most successful hustles.

Join us every Thursday at 17:00.
Weekly English South Africa Business · News
23 Episodes
1 – 20

Old Mutual boss on AI. Plus: SA’s hair hustler

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…
4 Dec 37 min

Netcare boss on NHI. Plus: How to beat AI 

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…
27 Nov 39 min

SA safety tech targets US. Plus: Is Buffett wrong?

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…
20 Nov 34 min

Springboks rule SA security. Plus: AI-safe jobs

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…
13 Nov 31 min

Tyme CEO’s fighting talk. Plus: SA boom for Yaga

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…
6 Nov 31 min

The JSE stock that you didn't know existed. Plus: Pick 'n Pay for profit

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,…
30 Oct 45 min

The JSE stock that you didn't know existed. Plus: Pick 'n Pay for profit

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,…
30 Oct 45 min

Clicks goes off brand. Plus: SA’s cider craving

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…
23 Oct 37 min

Gloves off for Boxer. Plus: Pesto Princess preps for exit

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…
16 Oct 43 min

Has SA reached peak padel? Plus: Reviving our mines

In this episode, Bruce talks to Bernard Swanepoel, former Harmony Gold CEO and chairperson of the Joburg Indaba, about why South Africa - the world’s premier mining country - now find itself under-explored. They also highlight some of the green shoots that are seen in the local sector, and Swanepoel…
9 Oct 37 min

Capitec’s cha-ching factor. Plus: SA soda pops in US

In this episode, Bruce asks Capitec CEO Graham Lee whether the group is still a bank - given that it is making much more money from fees, phones, and insurance than from earning interest. Lee talks about Capitec’s plans for the future, and about the dangers of ego as it…
2 Oct 34 min

Remgro boss' plea for growth. Plus: SA's booming luxury cooler

In this episode, Bruce talks to Remgro CEO Jannie Durand about the road ahead for the proposed merger with Vodacom’s fibre assets, the strong performance of Mediclinic and OUTsurance, the British American Tobacco disposal that signalled the end of an era, and the state of SA’s economy.  He also speaks…
25 Sep 37 min

How SA became a space tech leader. Also: OUTsurance’s big reboot

In this episode, Bruce Whitfield looks at the latest interest rate decisions - and why the US may be courting disaster by repeating a mistake from almost a century ago. He speaks to OUTsurance Group CEO Marthinus Visser about how the insurer made a successful strategic pivot years ago, after a…
18 Sep 36 min

Is Walmart Yank-ing our chain? Plus: Anglo

In this episode, Bruce Whitfield looks at the possible emergence of “Anglo Teck”, a R900-billion copper giant that would be headquartered in Vancouver. The other big news is Walmart’s decision to launch its own-branded stores in SA. Alec Abraham, senior equity analyst at Sasfin Wealth, unpacks why this may be madness. Also on…
11 Sep 33 min

Froneman’s F1 track — and SA’s surprising top wines

In this episode, Bruce interviews Neal Froneman, outgoing CEO of Sibanye-Stillwater, the world's biggest platinum miner. Froneman explains how his experience in selling cars as a student shaped his career and approach to risk. He has big plans for his retirement, which include helping to launch a F1 racetrack near…
4 Sep 36 min

Show me the Jannie — How Curro 2.0 will shake up SA

In this episode, Bruce Whitfield looks at the massive shakeup in South Africa’s private school sector with the news that PSG founder Jannie Mouton’s foundation wants to buy out Curro shareholders, and turn the company into a nonprofit. Curro CEO Cobus Loubser discusses the proposed deal and its impact on…
28 Aug 36 min

The shopping trolley that could change everything

In this episode, Bruce Whitfield discusses the news that a US grand jury will investigate MTN’s historic activities in Afghanistan and Iran, which comes at a politically sensitive time. Also on this week’s podcast, the battle between Indian and Chinese car makers in the local market. Bruce interviews Neil Schreuder, chief…
21 Aug 32 min

Standard Bank boss’ big finale. Plus: glow-in-the-dark cows

In this episode, Bruce Whitfield interviews Sim Tshabalala, Chief Executive of the Standard Bank Group, who has an ambitious to-do list for his remaining two years at the helm. Tshabalala says he will step down to make room for younger colleagues. Bruce talks markets with Zwelakhe Mnguni, Chief Investment Officer and…
14 Aug 30 min

Did Pick n Pay just name its next boss?

In this episode, Bruce Whitfield interviews Jason Quinn, CEO of Nedbank, which this week announced strategic shifts. Bruce also tests his theory about a new contender for Pick n Pay’s top job with veteran investor Piet Viljoen. And then, a security expert speaks on the surge in kidnappings and how executives…
7 Aug 31 min
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