Podcast
What's Next with Aki Anastasiou
Hosted by What's Next · EN
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.
32episodes
Episodes
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Kuben Nair on youth employment, AI and South Africa's jobs future
6d ago00:27:37Tap to summarizeYouth unemployment in South Africa remains one of the country's biggest challenges, but AI, digital platforms, and new growth sectors could help change the trajectory. Kuben Nair, Chief Technology Officer at Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, joins What's Next to discuss practical solutions for connecting young South Africans with work opportunities. Nair explains how SA Youth – the country’s largest online youth recruitment platform, managed and operated by Harambee, helps work seekers and self-employed youth overcome barriers such as data costs, transport expenses, and limited access to employers. He also shares insights from Harambee's AI research, including how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries like business process outsourcing, customer service, and tourism. The discussion explores the role of public-private partnerships in addressing the country’s youth unemployment crisis, the importance of recognising informal skills and entrepreneurial experience, the role of self-employment in economic growth, and Harambee's role in advancing the national strategy of reduce youth unemployment by 20% by 2030. 0:00 Intro 0:58 What Harambee does and why it matters 4:19 The causes of South Africa's youth unemployment crisis 11:21 How the SA Youth platform works 15:21 AI's impact on jobs and skills development 20:15 National strategy to reduce youth unemployment by 20% 24:14 Advice for employers and job seekers Follow Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator Website: https://www.harambee.co.za/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harambee-youth-employment-accelerator/posts/?feedView=all Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harambee.youthemployment Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harambeeyouthemployment/ Follow SA Youth For Employers: https://sayouth.co.za/ For work-seekers: https://sayouth.mobi/
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What's Next powered by Deloitte - Omeshnee Naidoo on AI readiness for African CIOs
1w ago00:22:14Tap to summarizeArtificial intelligence is reshaping business strategy, but why are so few AI projects delivering measurable ROI? Omeshnee Naidoo, CIO Programme Leader for Africa at Deloitte, joins What's Next powered by Deloitte to unpack the findings from Deloitte's Tech Trends 2026 report and what they mean for African technology leaders. Naidoo explains how African CIOs can use AI, cloud computing, and improved connectivity to leapfrog traditional infrastructure challenges and accelerate digital transformation. She also discusses why many AI initiatives fail, the critical role of data quality, and how organisations can move beyond experimentation to deliver real business value. The conversation explores the emergence of a new generation of CIOs, the balance between innovation and operational excellence, cybersecurity in an AI-driven world, and why African organisations are uniquely positioned to compete globally despite resource constraints. Follow MyBroadband: X - https://twitter.com/mybroadband Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mybroadband Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mybroadband/ Website - https://mybroadband.co.za/news/ Sponsor: Deloitte - https://www.deloitte.com/za/en/Industries/technology/research/tech-trends-2026.html
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What's Next presented by Sigfox South Africa – Gregory Rood on the future of smart connectivity
1w ago00:37:51Tap to summarizeWhat if IoT connectivity didn’t require expensive long-term contracts or constant monitoring? In this episode, Sigfox South Africa CEO Gregory Rood explains how a new “single-use communication” model is transforming the way businesses think about connected devices. The discussion explores how ultra-low-cost IoT tags can send alerts only when critical events happen — such as a package being opened, medicine going out of temperature range, or a shipment being tampered with. Instead of continuous tracking and monthly subscriptions, businesses can deploy short-term, prepaid connectivity built around real-world operational needs. From healthcare and cold-chain logistics to freight monitoring, panic buttons, and asset protection, the episode highlights how Sigfox’s AI-enhanced network and South African-built innovation are lowering the barrier to IoT adoption and enabling smarter, more affordable connected solutions.
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Robert Gwerengwe on electrification and the future of mobility finance
2w ago00:35:10Tap to summarizeIn this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Robert Gwerengwe – CEO of WesBank about the forces reshaping South Africa’s vehicle finance and mobility landscape. Gwerengwe reflects on the leadership experiences that shaped him, from building new operations abroad to gaining broad banking exposure, and outlines his vision for a more inclusive, future-focused WesBank. The conversation explores electrification, the rise of Chinese vehicle brands, flexible mobility models and the growing role of data in structuring smarter finance solutions. Gwerengwe also shares how shifting consumer behavior, rising fuel costs and changing ownership preferences are redefining what mobility looks like in South Africa — and how financial institutions must evolve alongside it.
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Leon Theron on Lexus's pursuit of perfection in luxury motoring
2w ago00:25:20Tap to summarizeIn this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Leon Theron – Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Lexus South Africa about how the brand balances luxury, performance and long-term strategic focus in a highly competitive premium market. Leon unpacks Lexus’s pursuit of perfection, the craftsmanship that defines the brand, and why customer experience sits at the heart of its commercial success. The conversation explores Lexus’s multi-path approach to electrification, its selective dealership strategy built around guest experience, and how disciplined brand alignment from Japan to South Africa protects its premium positioning. From hybrid leadership to bespoke showroom environments, Leon shares how Lexus continues to evolve while staying true to what makes it distinct in the luxury automotive space.
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Siliziwe Mafika on building resilient and agile finance functions
3w ago00:21:16Tap to summarizeIn this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Siliziwe Mafika – Director of Finance & Performance Leader at Deloitte Consulting about the realities facing African CFOs in one of the world’s most complex operating environments. From currency volatility and regulatory shifts to supply chain pressure and fragmented markets, Mafika explains why resilience, rapid scenario planning and decision velocity have become essential capabilities for modern finance leaders. The conversation explores how finance functions must move beyond traditional monthly reporting cycles toward real-time insight, connected data infrastructure and AI-enabled decision-making. Mafika also unpacks the shift in talent required for the future — where finance, data science and engineering converge — and why the next generation of CFOs must translate technology into tangible business action to stay competitive.
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Jacques Liebenberg on AI-powered surveillance and smarter security systems
4w ago00:27:40Tap to summarizeIn this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Jacques Liebenberg – Brand Executive of Security, Surveillance & Infrastructure at Pinnacle about how AI is transforming the security landscape in South Africa. From advanced facial and license plate recognition to intelligent analytics that distinguish between real threats and false alarms, Liebenberg explains how modern surveillance has evolved from reactive monitoring to proactive, automated protection. The discussion also explores how these technologies are reshaping business operations beyond traditional security — enabling heat mapping in retail, queue management, gun detection, thermal monitoring in mining, and smarter access control. As AI, cloud connectivity and automation continue to advance, Liebenberg outlines a future where surveillance systems are more accurate, more integrated and increasingly central to both safety and operational efficiency.
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Celiwe Ross on how Old Mutual & Singularity are driving exponential tech access in SA
4w ago00:20:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Celiwe Ross – Group Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer at Old Mutual about the upcoming Singularity South Africa Summit and why exponential technologies demand a new kind of leadership. Ross unpacks how the summit brings together global futurists, technologists and local business leaders to explore AI, biotechnology and human potential — not as abstract concepts, but as practical tools for transformation. The conversation also explores how Old Mutual is embedding AI across customer journeys, underwriting and internal operations, while preparing its workforce for a radically different future of work. Ross shares her perspective on leadership in volatile times, the reshaping of organisational structures, and why curiosity, experimentation and democratized access to technology are essential if South Africa is to leapfrog into a more inclusive digital economy.
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Dietlof Maré on expanding fibre access and connecting South Africa
4w ago00:34:23Tap to summarizeIn this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Dietlof Maré – CEO of Maziv about his entrepreneurial roots, leadership journey and the bold expansion shaping South Africa’s fibre future. From early days selling at flea markets to leading major telecom operations across Africa, Maré reflects on the importance of passion, sincerity and decisive leadership in building high-performing teams and scaling complex businesses. The conversation unpacks Maziv’s recent milestones, including the integration of Vodacom’s fibre assets, the acquisition of Herotel, and the acceleration of fibre rollout into secondary towns and underserved communities. Maré also shares his perspective on AI, the critical role of quality connectivity, and why sustainable, high-performance networks are essential to unlocking economic opportunity across South Africa.
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How organizations are struggling to scale AI successfully
May 2900:20:40Tap to summarizeIn this episode of What’s Next, Aki sits down with Morné, Chief Technology Officer at Logicalis, to unpack how artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping modern business. The discussion explores why many organizations are struggling to keep pace with AI adoption, despite the enormous pressure to innovate and remain competitive. Drawing from recent CIO research, Morné explains that while businesses are eager to embrace AI, many are failing to implement it strategically, leading to stalled pilot projects, wasted investment, and a lack of measurable business value. The conversation also dives into the growing risks and leadership challenges tied to AI transformation, including cybersecurity threats, governance, data management, and the ongoing shortage of digital skills. Morné emphasizes that AI success is no longer just a technology issue — it is a leadership responsibility that requires collaboration, clear governance, responsible scaling, and continuous learning. The episode concludes with practical advice for CIOs and executives on how to embed AI securely and effectively into everyday business operations while preparing organizations for the rapidly evolving digital future. Logicalis CIO Report - https://www.za.logicalis.com/cio-report-za
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