Samuel Seeff is the chairman of the Seeff Property Group.

In this episode of Business Talk with Michael Avery, Seeff talks through the challenges of having to change an industry that is traditionally face-to-face, into a digital one. He walks Michael through some of the property trends South Africans can expect in the coming year, for both buyers and sellers, across the country.

Business Talk - Samuel Seeff

Michael Jordaan is one of South Africa’s most respected business leaders and is the co-founder of Bank Zero. He was previously the CEO of First National Bank (FNB), after which he founded Montegray Capital. Through Montegray Capital, he has rapidly become one of the most respected venture capitalists in South Africa, and Bank Zero is among his greatest successes.

In this Business Talk interview, Jordaan discusses how Bank Zero makes money considering that nearly all the transactions Bank Zero customers make are free. He also highlights which target markets benefit from Bank Zero’s services the most, and provides valuable insight into how these prospective customers can open an account. Jordaan then talks about how South Africans don’t save enough money, and explains how banks can play a key role in changing this. He also touches on rogue debit orders, explaining that they are a form of white-collar crime and discussing what banks should be doing to protect their customers.

Michael Jordaan On How Bank Zero Has Transformed The South African Banking Industry

Clémence McNulty is the EY Africa Sustainability Lead and is experienced across a wide range of sectors.

McNulty began her career as a strategy consultant and has built up experience at organisations like Accenture and ERM.

She holds an MSc in Environmental Change Management for Oxford University and an Honours degree in Business Administration from the University of Bath.

In today’s episode of the EY Sustainability Business Talk series, McNulty highlights what we know about climate change and its impact on the world. McNulty explains that the coming years will be difficult in terms of climate change and details how emissions have substantially worsened this outlook.

Clémence McNulty unpacks what you should know about climate change

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Marc Pillay – CEO of Konica Minolta South Africa – unpacks how the company has become a household name in the South African printing industry. 

Pillay has been the CEO of Konica Minolta South Africa for over five years and under his guidance, Konica Minolta has rapidly grown and expanded its extensive range of solutions in the country.

In the interview, Pillay explains how Konica Minolta has cemented its place as a household printing brand in South Africa. 

He then unpacks his career with Konica Minolta and how the company has evolved under his leadership. Pillay shares his thoughts on how the company has dealt with major challenges in the market, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and how Konica Minolta has adapted to thrive in a post pandemic business world.  

He concludes the interview by sharing his outlook for the company in the coming years and why he’s positive about Konica Minolta’s future in South Africa.

Konica Minolta SA CEO Marc Pillay on the evolution of South Africa’s printing industry

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, His Excellency, Executive Chairperson Calvin St. Juste explains why South Africans must consider citizenship through the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment programme.

St. Juste is the Executive Chairperson of the Board of Governors for the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit.

He is also the honorary Special Envoy for Investment, Development, and International Business Relations for St. Kitts and Nevis.

St. Juste formerly served as Global COO at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, where he led teams for Fortune 100 clients and managed Global Fraud and Cybersecurity operations.

In this Business Talk interview, St. Juste discusses the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme – which is the oldest of its kind in the world.

He explains what makes St. Kitts and Nevis a wonderful place to live, as well as an ideal location for offshore financial planning and wealth diversification, before expanding upon how citizenship by investment works and how it can assist South African investors achieve their financial goals.

The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme has been recognised as the top programme in the industry for the fourth consecutive year by the CBI Index, and St. Juste explains what distinguishes the programme from others.

He then reveals the numerous benefits available to South Africans who choose St. Kitts and Nevis for their second citizenship.

St. Juste unpacks the investment options available within the programme, too, and explains who qualifies to take part.

He concludes the interview by detailing how South Africans can take the first steps towards earning their St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship.

Calvin St Juste on the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme for South Africans

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Monocle Founder and CEO David Buckham discusses the US equity market and other important global trends.

Prior to founding Monocle, Buckham worked at ADvTECH as an account manager and content development specialist.

He was then appointed as a Solutions Specialist and the Head of Risk Management at the SAS Institute, before moving to PSG Asset Management – where he also worked as a solutions specialist.

In 2002, Buckham left PSG Asset Management to found Monocle Solutions – and has served as its CEO for over 20 years.

In this Business Talk interview, Buckham discusses the US equity market and how many of the world’s largest companies are over-priced.

He unpacks how the Trump regime has made aggressive moves and surrounded itself with major technology business leaders, and then expands on what these decisions mean for global markets.

Buckham also discusses how market trends are often caused by narratives – including the current narrative regarding how GenAI will transform the world.

He expands upon the ongoing AI debate and concludes the discussion by talking about the possibility of the US launching its own sovereign wealth fund.

Monocle CEO David Buckham on the state of the US equity market

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Ryk Neethling explains why Val de Vie Evergreen is one of the best retirement villages in the world.

Neethling, the Marketing and Brand Director of the Val de Vie Group of Companies, began his real estate career in the USA.

During this time, he assisted in developing, managing, and selling various commercial properties in Arizona and California.

He then played a key role in establishing Cape Winelands Properties – an official on-site property agency for Val de Vie Estate.

Neethling’s strategic approach to branding and marketing is evident in the impressive range of sold-out Val de Vie developments under his belt.

In this Business Talk interview, Neethling explains why Val de Vie Evergreen is one of the world’s best retirement villages.

He then unpacks the exciting new phase of the development – Val de Vie Evergreen Silver.

After going in-depth on this new development, Neethling expands on the comprehensive healthcare system in place to support Val de Vie Evergreen residents, as well as the huge Val de Vie Evergreen Lifestyle Centre.

Neethling discusses how Val de Vie Evergreen earned its reputation as one of South Africa’s safest retirement villages.

He concludes the interview by sharing how Val de Vie Evergreen retains its identity amid its wide range of expansions.

Ryk Neethling unpacks the latest developments at the Val de Vie Evergreen luxury retirement village

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Fred Zhou discusses HONOR’s new corporate strategy, Project Alpha Plan.

HONOR is one of the global leaders in smartphone technology, and has quickly established itself in the South African market.

According to Counterpoint Research, HONOR went from having almost no smartphone market share in South Africa in 2022, to becoming the second best-selling brand in the country in 2024.

In this Business Talk interview, Zhou discusses HONOR’s Project Alpha Plan – which comprises a three-step process.

He unpacks these three steps in detail and explains why they are essential to the company’s vision for the future.

Zhou then discusses HONOR’s incredible success in South Africa over the past few years, and explains why the local market is such a big priority.

He also talks about the newly-launched HONOR Magic7 Pro smartphone, which features unprecedented AI photography capabilities.

Zhou explains how HONOR’s new on-device deepfake detection technology will help South Africans protect themselves against malicious parties.

He concludes the interview by sharing the other major features available on this smartphone.

HONOR SA CEO Fred Zhou unpacks the company’s AI-focused Project Alpha Plan

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Jonathan Hurvitz discusses how Teljoy helps South Africans beat tax bracket creep.

Hurvitz is the CEO of Teljoy and a highly experienced charted accountant with 17 years of experience in the finance industry.

Hurvitz explains how Teljoy’s rent-to-own model works and why it offers excellent value.

He then unpacks what tax bracket creep is and how it impacts South African consumers.

Hurvitz also discusses why buying through Teljoy is a great option for most South Africans, and how Teljoy helps its customers beat the tax bracket creep.

He explains why Teljoy uses a non-commitment model, and concludes by clearing up common misconceptions people have about rent-to-own models.

Jonathan Hurvitz unpacks Teljoy's rent-to-own model

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Hein Jordt discusses how Ctrack has evolved into a global telematics leader.

Hein Jordt is the Group CEO of Ctrack and has worked at the company since 2000.

During these 25 years, he has held multiple key leadership roles across operations, regional management, and strategy for Ctrack.

Jordt was promoted to Ctrack Africa CEO in 2021 and then assumed his current position in 2024.

Under his leadership, Ctrack has continued to expand its services and has become a global leader in telematics, fleet asset management, and vehicle tracking solutions.

In this Business Talk interview, Jordt discusses the reasoning behind Ctrack’s evolution into a forward-thinking provider of advanced, data-driven solutions.

He discusses the milestone moments in Ctrack’s extensive history, and the lessons it learnt in its journey to becoming an international company.

Jordt then unpacks the company’s shift from being hardware-driven to its current focus on data.

He explains how this new focus delivers great value to its clients while enabling innovation.

Jordt concludes the interview by discussing Ctrack’s future plans that excite him the most.

Hein Jordt unpacks Ctrack’s data-driven approach to telematics and logistics

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Deon de Klerk discusses how Standard Bank is shaping the evolution of financial services in Africa.

Deon de Klerk is the Head of Africa Regions, Insurance and Asset Management at Standard Bank.

He is a prominent figure in the finance industry with over 30 years of experience.

In his current role, which he began in 2023, he oversees the integration of Liberty’s and Standard Bank’s insurance businesses across African jurisdictions while driving great growth and customer satisfaction.

In this Business Talk interview, de Klerk outlines the role of insurance in enabling African economic development.

He discusses the practical steps that must be taken to improve trust in digital consumer tools and some of Standard Bank’s solutions in this area.

De Klerk also shares what he believes the future holds for insurance in Africa.

He concludes by noting how Standard Bank navigates the unique challenges posed by the country’s youthful demographic and their growing reliance on mobile technology for financial services in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Deon de Klerk explains how Standard Bank is shaping the African insurance market

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Wendy Myers discusses how to choose the right share trading platform.

Myers is the Head of Securities at PSG and boasts a 20-year financial and investment industry track record.

This began in 2004 when she was appointed as a Global Markets Finance Business Partner by Rand Merchant Bank.

Myers held this position for over 11 years before being appointed as the COO of FNB Stockbroking and Portfolio Management for Ashburton Investments in 2015.

After serving in this role for nearly three years, Myers was then appointed as the new Chief Operating Officer of FNB Wealth and Investments, before finally rising to her current position at PSG in 2021.

In this Business Talk interview, Myers discusses the key features and benefits one should look for in a share trading platform and the biggest red flags one should be aware of.

She outlines what’s more important – cheaper platform fees or high-quality services.

Myers then notes how individual investors can use the research tools and market insights provided by top trading platforms to improve their investment strategies.

She concludes the interview by explaining how easy it is for investors to switch between trading platforms.

PSG’s Wendy Myers on how to choose the right share trading platform

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Pieter Bensch discusses the evolution of the finance industry and how Sage is adapting to these changes.

Bensch is the Executive Vice President and Managing Director at Sage Africa and Middle East and boasts over 26 years of experience in the finance and technology industries.

He earned this experience across multiple leadership positions at top technology businesses in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

This included working as Managing Director for South Africa at HPE, Vice President at Oracle EMEA, and Managing Director at Oracle SA.

In his current role at Sage, Bensch is now responsible for growing the company’s business interests in Africa and the Middle East, and executing its vision of disrupting and leading the cloud-based payroll and accounting solutions market in the region.

In this Business Talk interview, Bensch discusses Sage’s local operations and how the company is helping financial leaders with its wide range of solutions.

He then discusses the importance of automation in the finance sector and how Sage’s solutions help professionals focus on tasks that generate business growth.

Bensch also explains why finance professionals should be excited about the rise of AI in finance, before unpacking the other technologies that are taking the accounting industry by storm.

He concludes the interview by offering his advice to SMBs looking for success in the current market.

Sage’s Pieter Bensch explains why the rise of AI is a good thing for the finance industry

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Wayne Francis discusses the South African labour market and why workers are confident in the future.

Francis is the Country Head of South African Operations for ADP and boasts over 25 years of experience in leading operations, driving growth, and assisting businesses with their transformation efforts.

He has held multiple notable positions at leading companies, allowing him to refine and expand his knowledge.

In this Business Talk interview, Francis outlines how he’d characterise the current state of South Africa’s labour market and what is driving these trends.

Francis then explains the potential issues with overconfidence in the market and provides his thoughts on the low number of workers concerned about AI taking their jobs.

He also discusses the top challenges facing South African HR leaders and the biggest opportunities he sees in the future.

Francis concludes the interview by sharing his advice for business leaders preparing for the future of work in South Africa and how ADP can support them.

ADP Country Head Wayne Francis on the challenges facing South African HR leaders

Bridgit Evans has been the Executive Director of the SAB Foundation for the past 10 years, and she is passionate about unlocking opportunities for people to transform their lives and realise their potential.

Over the last decade the SAB Foundation has supported 7 409 businesses tackling critical challenges across the country: 3 924 rural micro-enterprises, 3 159 entrepreneurship ventures, and 326 social innovation enterprises.

Notably, over 90% of these businesses remain operational, highlighting their resilience and long-term potential. Collectively, these entities now turn over R2 billion per year, up by 119% from R951 million at inception, and have created more than 12 600 new jobs, while sustaining nearly 9 000 others.

Read more about the successes of SAB Foundation’s entrepreneurial programmes in its latest impact report here: https://www.sabfoundation.co.za/impact

Bridgit Evans unpacks the remarkable impact of the SAB Foundation’s social innovation programmes

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Standard Bank Insurance Brokers (SBIB) CEO Linah Mabena discusses underinsurance in South Africa.

Mabena is a distinguished leader with over two decades of experience in financial services.

She has dedicated over 20 years of her career to the Standard Bank Group ecosystem, having previously served as the Head of Call Centre and then the Head of Product.

In 2019, Mabena took on the role of Chief Operations Officer for SBIB, where she stayed for over three years before advancing to her current position in 2023.

As SBIB CEO, Mabena is responsible for driving growth, innovation, and excellence while championing the growth and development of those around her.

Mabena holds multiple qualifications in insurance, business, governance, and leadership, including completing an Executive Leadership Development program from the prestigious Wharton University in Philadelphia.

She is a member of various industry institutions, including the Institute of Directors in South Africa.

In this Business Talk interview, Mabena highlights the underinsurance crisis South Africa is facing.

She suggests reasons for this insurance gap in South Africa and explains the role that brokers must play in bridging it.

Mabena then discusses the role of collaboration and partnerships in bridging this gap and talks about the strategies being implemented to cater to South Africans’ diverse insurance needs.

Finally, Mabena gives her vision for the future of the broker business in South Africa and explains the value of insurance brokers for the industry.

Standard Bank Insurance Brokers CEO Linah Mabena on bridging the insurance gap in South Africa

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, David Martinon discusses how France and South Africa are working together to take action against climate change.

Martinon is the French Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, and is a veteran in international public relations with over thirty years of experience.

He has worked with the French government for over a decade, having served as an Ambassador for Cyberdiplomacy and the Digital Economy, and as the French Ambassador in Afghanistan before assuming his current position in 2023.

Martinon has also held many other important roles throughout the decades he’s worked in public service.

In this Business Talk interview, Martinon outlines the path that led him to his current role as the French Ambassador to South Africa.

He then explains why it's strategically important for France and South Africa to deepen their relationship relating to climate change.

Martinon provides his assessment of the current global mobilisation for climate action, given that we are celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement.

He also outlines how France is responding to the recent demands for greater support from developing countries during the recent COP negotiations.

Martinon concludes the interview by sharing how France aims to tackle the concerns of those working in the coal mining sector when it comes to the move towards alternative energy solutions.

David Martinon unpacks how France and South Africa are combating climate change

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Wendy Myers unpacks the best way to maximise your portfolio returns.

Myers is the Head of Securities at PSG and has an incredible track record of success across her 21-year career in the financial and investment industries.

She began as a Global Markets Finance Business Partner at Rand Merchant Bank in 2004, and held this position for over 11 years before being appointed as the COO of FNB Stockbroking and Portfolio Management for Ashburton Investments in 2015.

She worked in this role for nearly three years, and was then appointed as the new Chief Operating Officer of FNB Wealth and Investments.

She took on her current position at PSG in 2021.

In this Business Talk interview, Myers discusses the best approaches for individual investors to maximise their portfolio returns.

She also highlights the biggest mistakes that individual investors make when trying to achieve this.

Myers then discusses how individual investors should review their positions and approach portfolio adjustments.

She provides her opinion on stop-loss orders for individual investors, and concludes the interview by explaining why individual investors should work with organisations like PSG.

PSG’s Wendy Myers on how individual investors can maximise their portfolio returns

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Burton Naicker discusses how Miway is evolving its brand and adopting new technologies.

Naicker is the CEO of Miway Insurance and an industry veteran, having worked in insurance since 2010.

Before being appointed as the CEO of Miway Insurance, Naicker worked for nearly 20 years at OUTsurance.

During this time, he held roles such as Ex: Head of Claims, Ex: Manager Claims, and Chief Operations Officer.

In this interview, Naicker explains why he joined Miway and what sets the company apart in South Africa’s insurance landscape.

Naicker discusses what motivated Miway to refresh its brand after 17 years of the same visual identity.

He then outlines how this new branding represents the company’s ethos and covers the other developments Miway has made, including a greater focus on technology and innovation.

Naicker also unpacks examples of where Miway is implementing new technologies and innovating in 2025.

He concludes the interview by explaining why South Africans looking for a non-life insurance provider should choose Miway.

Burton Naicker unpacks Miway's new branding and its ever-evolving brand ethos

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Kevin Aron discusses the importance of new technologies in the medical aid industry.

Aron is the Principal Officer for Medshield Medical Scheme and is a healthcare industry veteran, having held CEO and multiple Executive roles in the Healthcare industry.

Across these roles, Aron cultivated extensive skills in strategy development and implementation, healthcare delivery models, financial budgeting and management, risk management, and operational service delivery.

Aron is also a qualified Chartered Accountant with an MBA from the Henley Business School.

Under his leadership, Medshield has enjoyed consistent financial growth and expanded its range of services to continue meeting the needs of its members.

In this Business Talk interview, Aron explains why it’s important for medical schemes to embrace new technologies.

He then unpacks how Medshield Movement and Medshield Mind deliver value to his clients, and why the recent relaunch of Medshield’s Cape Town regional office is a key strategic move.

Aron also outlines Medshield’s plans to continue improving its service offering and customer experience.

He concludes the interview by noting why those considering changing medical schemes should choose Medshield.

Kevin Aron on how Medshield is supporting its clients with new technologies

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Amrei Botha discusses the power of Capitec’s business banking solutions – particularly for SMEs.

Botha is the Divisional Executive of Client Experience Delivery at Capitec Business.
She has over 20 years of experience in the SME sector and is passionate about helping SMEs make a tangible difference on the continent.

Alongside her extensive expertise across areas like strategy development, market research, operating model design, product development, and more, Botha has designed and delivered training curricula for both SMEs and frontline bank staff.

Before joining Capitec in 2020, Botha worked extensively at other leading African banking groups, with a strong focus on the SME sector.

Alongside her work in South Africa, she has collaborated with banks in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Angola, Mauritius, Haiti and Cambodia.

In this Business Talk interview, Botha explains how Capitec has taken its excellence in simplicity and user-first thinking and translated it to the business banking sector.

She discusses how Capitec Business balances automation with human engagement, and how it ensures its business clients are protected against cyber risk.

Botha then provides real-life examples of how small businesses have benefited from Capitec Business.

She also shares the partnerships and platform integrations that she is particularly excited about moving forward.

Botha concludes the discussion by explaining how Capitec Business tailors its services for different types of businesses.

Amrei Botha on the power of Capitec’s SME-focused solutions

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Lunga Qegu discusses how Investec Business supports the mid-market in South Africa.

Qegu is the Head of Sales Development at Investec for Business and plays a key role in onboarding new clients to the organisation’s services.

Investec for Business offers specialised lending and financial solutions to businesses with an emphasis on those in the mid-sized sector.

Qegu believes that these services are critical to helping mid-market organisations thrive, particularly given that most offerings from other FSPs target SMBs and enterprises.

In this Business Talk interview, Qegu explains the key challenges and opportunities faced by the mid-market, and how Investec for Business approaches providing working capital to organisations in this sector.

He shares how the view on debt has changed and the funding options businesses can now use to support their growth strategies.

Qegu also notes how Investec for Business is driving better banking experiences for its partners.

He concludes the interview by sharing his advice for how mid-market businesses should choose the right lending and import partner for their needs.

Lunga Qegu explains how Investec for Business supports the South African mid-market

Take Your Automation Strategy to the Next Level | Ansible for the Growing Automator

Are you already automating tasks but feeling like there's more to unlock?

In this episode of our podcast, Ansible for the Growing Automator, we dive deep into how to level up your automation game using Ansible.

Whether you're managing a handful of servers or orchestrating across hybrid, multi-platform infrastructure, this episode offers the insights you need to scale efficiently and confidently.

What you'll learn:
Best practices for growing automation maturity
Real-world use cases across diverse environments
How to define automation once and deploy anywhere
Tips for evolving from basic scripts to robust playbooks

Whether you're just getting started or aiming to optimise at scale, this episode is your roadmap for taking automation further.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more DevOps and automation insights! And go to https://smarter.tech/for/automation

#Ansible #Automation #DevOps #ITInfrastructure #Podcast #TechTalk #SysAdmin #ITStrategy #InfrastructureAsCode

Karl Fischer on whether the tools you use really matter when it comes to automation

Lindi Monyae, Managing Executive of Corporate Benefits at Liberty, explores the South African pension fund landscape—now over R3 trillion in assets under management (excluding GEPF)—and discusses how these long-term institutional investors can drive economic growth, fulfill their social responsibility by funding critical infrastructure, balance risk and return under Regulation 28, and rely on Boards of Trustees to set investment mandates and ESG priorities to safeguard members’ futures.

Liberty's Lindiwe Monyae discusses the social and economic power of pension funds

In this episode of Business Talk, Nicole Thomson, Group Franchise Sales & Marketing Director at Cash Converters South Africa, joins us to discuss how the 30-year-old brand continues to evolve. From launching a successful webshop during lockdown to boosting franchise revenue and customer reach, Cash Converters is proving that pre-loved retail is thriving in the digital age.

Nicole also shares insights into their franchise model, upcoming product innovations, and why more entrepreneurs are turning to the brand as a business opportunity.

Nicole Thomson on e-commerce, franchise growth and the evolution of Cash Converters

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Wendy Myers discusses portfolio diversification for individual investors.

Myers is the Head of Securities at PSG and boasts excellent success across her 21-year career in the financial and investment industries.

She started out as a Global Markets Finance Business Partner at Rand Merchant Bank in 2004, and held this role for 11 years.

In 2015, she was appointed as the COO of FNB Stockbroking and Portfolio Management for Ashburton Investments.

Three years later, she was appointed as the new Chief Operating Officer of FNB Wealth and Investments, and she took on her current position at PSG in 2021.

Myers has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting from the University of Cape Town.

She has also held many other important roles in major financial organisations, including membership of the South African Institute of Stockbrokers since 2000.

In this Business Talk interview, Myers discusses the importance of diversification for individual investors.

She unpacks the different types of diversification and how one can decide which of these options to embrace, and to what level.

Myers then reveals the biggest issues investors can face if they over-diversify.

She also highlights the pros and cons of investing in individual shares versus ETFs and unit trusts.

Myers concludes the discussion by noting which markets and sectors she sees as particularly appealing to individual investors currently.

PSG’s Wendy Myers on how individual investors can diversify their portfolios

Dr Edward Makgotlho, PhD, is a distinguished scientific professional with extensive expertise in regulatory affairs, public health, and scientific engagement. He currently serves as Area Head of Scientific Affairs for British American Tobacco (BAT) in Sub-Saharan Africa, where he focuses on advancing knowledge of tobacco harm reduction.

Dr Makgotlho holds a PhD in Infection and Immunity from the University of Würzburg, Germany, with a background in medical microbiology and immunology. He has held significant roles in major organisations, implementing innovative health solutions and regulatory frameworks, and has been actively involved in developing regulatory strategies for smokeless alternatives.

In this episode of Business Talk, Dr Makgotlho explains why he thinks we should focus on eliminating cigarettes rather than all tobacco products.

Dr Edward Makgotlho on South Africa’s tobacco harm reduction challenges

In this episode of Business Talk, we dive into the rapidly evolving world of financial advice with Michael Summerton, Head of Experience at INN8. As wealth managers face increasing demands from clients and regulators, digital transformation is no longer optional—it’s essential. Michael explains how INN8 is reimagining the advisor experience by cutting out outdated processes, streamlining compliance, and helping advisors personalize their service at scale, without sacrificing the human touch that defines great financial guidance.

We also explore how INN8’s platform makes the advisor-client relationship more seamless and effective, especially during complex processes like retirement planning. From consolidating scattered assets to enabling dynamic drawdown strategies—all in one digital journey—INN8 is turning legacy pain points into new opportunities. If you're in the wealth management space, this is a timely look at how the right technology can empower you to serve more clients, more meaningfully.

Michael Summerton on reimagining financial advice through digital transformation

In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Gladwyn Leeuw discusses the importance of supporting entrepreneurs in Africa.

Leeuw is the CEO of E Squared Investments – a position he has held since September 2023.

Before taking on his current role, he also served as the company’s Chief Investment Officer, where he built an investment team that has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the investment ecosystem, risk management, market trends, and opportunities that translated into notable portfolio growth.

Before joining E Squared Investments, Gladwyn was a General Partner at Kingson Capital – a South African-based venture capital investment firm – where he led post-investment management.

Leeuw has also worked in Anglo American’s private investment arm – Zimele – and was a key member of the senior executive team at CCI South Africa – one of South Africa’s largest international BPOs.

He holds a Master of Management degree in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management in the field of Business Administration, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economic Studies and International Relations from Wits Business School and Wits University respectively.

In this Business Talk interview, Leeuw begins by defining “scaling with purpose.”

He explains what sets E Squared Investments apart in its approach to investing – including its industry-agnostic approach.

Leeuw then reveals what this approach means for E Squared Investments’ ability to be hands-on during and after the investment process.

He discusses the use of a blended capital approach to investing – including the strategies that have worked best for E Squared Investments in this regard.

Leeuw also shares some of the key findings in the recently published E Squared Investments Report – including how the organisation is investing significantly in black-woman-owned businesses.

He then talks about responsible entrepreneurship – which entails simultaneously running a successful business and having a positive impact on society.

Leeuw concludes the discussion by sharing the one thing he would change about South Africa’s investment landscape.

E Squared Investments CEO Gladwyn Leeuw on supporting responsible entrepreneurship

Jeremy Lichtenstein is HPE Solutions Architect at Pinnacle, a leading ICT distribution company, and authorised distributor for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) in South Africa.

In this episode of Business Talk with Michael Avery, Lichtenstein talks about the technical challenges of working from home, with more people having being forced to do so during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Business Talk - Jeremy Lichtenstein

Business Talk with Michael Avery is an online interview series – featuring conversations with South Africa’s leading executives in the business and finance sector.

The show is hosted by radio and TV personality Michael Avery, anchor of the Classic Business show on Classic FM, and Business Day TV.

Business Talk with Michael Avery centres the discussion around the complex world of business, finance, the economy, SMEs, investing and much more.

Business Talk

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