NOW Ep104: How South Africa can shift gears for growth

Loading player...
South Africa has spent more than a decade in economic drift – growing slower than its emerging market peers, losing investor confidence, and missing out on vital tax revenue. So, how do we get back on track? In this episode of No Ordinary Wednesday, Jeremy Maggs is joined by Cumesh Moodliar, CEO of Investec South Africa, and Osagyefo Mazwai, Investment Strategist at Investec Wealth & Investment International, to unpack the hard truths, and outline a roadmap to recovery and long-term prosperity.

Podcast key moments:
00:00 – Introduction
02:09 – How will the latest tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump affect the South African economy?
04:36 - How do you interpret the opportunity cost of the lost decade of growth in SA?
07:27 - What should the number one priority be for government?
09:30 – Why is boosting confidence is one of the most powerful levers for growth?
10:27 - What specific reforms do you think will signal that SA is open for business?
12:28 – Has SA we missed the golden opportunity with the commodity boom?
13:59 - How vulnerable is SA to these pressures, and could they complicate our domestic growth strategy?
17:38 - Can current composition of the GNU accelerate reforms quickly enough to match the urgency economic growth?
20:10 - How does South Africa avoid getting left behind in the fight for capital, trade and competitiveness?
21:19 – Is South Africa an attractive investment destination?
22:52 - What could South Africa look like in 2035?
Read more on www.investec.com/now

Hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs, the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast unpacks the latest economic, business and political news in South Africa, with an all-star cast of investment and wealth managers, economists and financial planners from Investec. Listen in every second Wednesday for an in-depth look at what's moving markets, shaping the economy, and changing the game for your wallet and your business.
Chapters
  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 02:09 How will the latest tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump affect the South African economy?
  • 04:36 How do you interpret the opportunity cost of the lost decade of growth in SA?
  • 07:27 What should the number one priority be for government?
  • 09:30 Why is boosting confidence is one of the most powerful levers for growth?
  • 10:27 What specific reforms do you think will signal that SA is open for business?
  • 12:28 Has SA we missed the golden opportunity with the commodity boom?
  • 13:59 How vulnerable is SA to these pressures, and could they complicate our domestic growth strategy?
  • 17:38 Can current composition of the GNU accelerate reforms quickly enough to match the urgency economic growth?
  • 20:10 How does South Africa avoid getting left behind in the fight for capital, trade and competitiveness?
  • 21:19 Is South Africa an attractive investment destination?
  • 22:52 What could South Africa look like in 2035?
8 Jul 2025 English South Africa Business · Investing

Other recent episodes

Macro Monday Ep106: What the Strait of Hormuz means for energy prices

What will be the impact of the hostilities in the Middle East on the world economy? Chris Holdsworth Chief Investment Strategist, at Investec Wealth & Investment International, examines the impact on oil prices, in particular, taking into account further disruption at the key Strait of Hormuz.
2 Mar 10 min

What's next? | The value of values

In this episode, of What's Next, we explore how corporate values shape decision-making in a time of political polarisation and markets that reward short-term performance. Ethics expert, Alison Taylor, and experienced board chair, Karen Wood, discuss the tension between purpose and profit, the realities of trade-offs, and how leaders can…
26 Feb 48 min

Macro Monday Ep105: Trump’s tariff setback

It was a difficult Friday for US President Donald Trump, as the Supreme Court ruled against his tariffs, while GDP in the fourth quarter grew by less than expected and a core measure of inflation rose. But, notes Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, at Investec Wealth & Investment International, Trump…
23 Feb 13 min

Whats Next | The Tech Reckoning: Who Shapes the Next Economy?

What Next? Leadership Conversations for a Better Future examines how leaders can build future-fit economies in a time of accelerating technological and societal change. This episode looks at the power shifts created by AI and digital systems - asks where real agency still lies. Hosts Lindsay Hooper and Marc Kahn…
20 Feb 32 min