What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou

00:21:16

Siliziwe Mafika on building resilient and agile...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/06/11

In 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

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00:27:40

Jacques Liebenberg on AI-powered surveillance and...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/06/05

In 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

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00:20:58

Celiwe Ross on how Old Mutual & Singularity are...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/06/04

In 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

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00:34:23

Dietlof Maré on expanding fibre access and connecting...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/06/02

In 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

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00:20:40

How organizations are struggling to scale AI...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/05/29

In 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

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00:58:33

How Blu Label Unlimited reinvented itself

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/05/21

In this episode of What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou, Aki sits down with Blu Label Unlimited co-founders and joint CEOs Brett and Mark Levy for an in-depth conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, innovation, and one of South Africa’s most remarkable corporate turnaround stories.The Levy brothers reflect on their journey from selling car stereos while still in school to building Blu Label into a multi-billion-rand fintech and technology powerhouse. They unpack the difficult seven-year

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00:36:46

AI in healthcare_ Transforming patient safety,...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/05/18

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou is joined by Prof. Sabelile Tenza of North-West University and Dr. Richard Greenhill, Founder of SmartSigma AI, for a powerful discussion on how artificial intelligence is reshaping global healthcare systems. From overwhelmed hospitals and clinician burnout to diagnostic delays and fragmented care, the conversation highlights the immense pressures facing healthcare worldwide — and how AI is emerging as a critical tool to support, not replace, medical

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00:17:18

Nico van der Merwe on ethical accounting and building...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/05/15

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Professor Nico van der Merwe – Deputy Director in the School of Accounting Sciences at North-West University – about the role of ethical, future-ready accountants in strengthening South Africa’s financial systems. Nico reflects on his academic journey and the university’s success in producing top-performing graduates, while highlighting how a lack of ethical financial oversight can lead to corporate failures, weakened public trust, and broader

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00:32:25

Habib Mahakian on leadership, AI, and South Africa’s...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/05/14

In this episode of What’s Next, Dell Technologies South Africa Vice President and Managing Director Habib Mahakian reflects on his 25-year journey in the technology industry, from studying computer engineering in Jordan to leading businesses across the Middle East and Africa. He shares how curiosity, problem-solving, and a passion for leadership shaped his career, while also discussing the early days of personal computing and the rapid evolution of technology over the past two decades.The

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00:14:37

Dillan Fernando on putting customer-first technology...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/05/13

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Dillan Fernando – Chief Executive Officer at Tracker about how the company is redefining itself as a technology business built around customer care. Dillan explains why being in front of customers, understanding their real challenges, and delivering tailored data-driven solutions sits at the heart of Tracker’s strategy. From B2C vehicle tracking to complex B2B fleet solutions, he shares how the company’s expanded product portfolio is shaped

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00:28:35

Neil Colquhoun on scaling Epson and growth across...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/05/12

What does it take to lead a global technology business across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia—while navigating constant geopolitical shifts and fierce competition? In this episode, Neil Colquhoun, President of Epson META-CWA, shares a rare, inside look at scaling operations across 80+ countries. This conversation is for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers who want real insight into expansion strategy, regional prioritisation, and building relevance in emerging markets—especially

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00:41:07

Bradley Sacks on building fintech infrastructure and...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/05/11

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou sits down with Bradley Sacks, CEO of Araxi, to unpack his remarkable journey from South Africa to the global financial stage. With decades of experience spanning law, investment banking, and technology, Sacks shares the formative lessons that shaped his career, the value of hard work and mentorship, and how his early exposure to business influenced his path. He also reflects on the creation of Capital Appreciation — South Africa’s first SPAC — and its

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00:30:43

Nazia Pillay on how business AI is transforming...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/05/08

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Nazia Pillay – Managing Director for SAP Southern Africa about her journey within SAP and her leadership during a pivotal era of cloud, AI and digital transformation. From starting as a graduate consultant during a major platform transition to now steering SAP’s regional strategy, Nazia reflects on how hands-on customer experience shaped her business mindset and why service-driven leadership remains central to her approach.The conversation

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00:19:14

Alan Turnley-Jones on driving innovation and growth...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/05/06

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Alan Turnley-Jones – CEO at NTT DATA MEA about his 25-year journey from early IT enthusiast to leading one of the region’s most influential technology businesses. Alan reflects on the evolution from Dimension Data to NTT DATA, how the organization has broadened its capabilities across cloud, consulting, applications, and AI, and why continuous reinvention is essential in a fast-changing industry. He also shares his vision for growth across

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00:21:25

Smangele Nkosi on leadership, AI, and driving South...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/04/28

In this inspiring episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou sits down with Smangele Nkosi, General Manager and Country Leader for South Africa at Cisco, to explore her remarkable journey through the ICT industry and the leadership lessons that shaped her career. From her early ambitions in healthcare to becoming a key figure in digital transformation, Nkosi shares how purpose, people, and trust have guided her path—and how technology continues to “heal” societies by creating access, opportunity, and

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00:32:06

Jorge Mendes on driving growth and innovation at Cell C

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/04/27

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou sits down with Jorge Mendes – Chief Executive Officer at Cell C to discuss his journey from call centre agent in 1994 to leading one of South Africa’s major telecommunications operators. Jorge shares how his early customer-facing experience shaped his leadership philosophy, his passion for rebuilding businesses, and why he believes in being an ally to customers rather than simply selling connectivity.He also opens up about the significant financial

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00:29:48

Sigfox South Africa CEO on AI-powered asset tracking...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/04/23

AI-powered tracking without GPS sounds impossible—until you see how it’s already transforming real-world operations. In this episode, Sigfox South Africa CEO Gregory Rood explains how next-generation IoT networks are redefining asset tracking in environments where traditional systems fail.From vehicle recovery in high-risk areas to monitoring critical infrastructure and logistics, the conversation unpacks how low-power, wide-area networks combined with AI and machine learning can locate assets

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00:31:31

Robert Koen on building Amazon and empowering...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/04/21

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks to Robert Koen, Managing Director of Amazon Sub-Saharan Africa, about building Amazon’s online store in South Africa and the vision behind becoming the country’s most loved retailer. Robert shares insights into Amazon’s rapid growth, its focus on delivery precision, expanding product selection, and the importance of trust in winning over South African shoppers. He also highlights how partnerships and local innovation have helped the company reach

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00:28:09

Truecaller’s Mmathebe Zvobwo on Fighting Scam Calls...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/04/20

In this episode of What’s Next, host Aki Anastasiou speaks to Mmathebe Zvobwo, Director of Market Development for South Africa at Truecaller, about the alarming rise in spam and scam calls—and how technology is being used to fight back. With South Africans receiving billions of spam calls annually and losing over R40 billion to scams, Zvobwo explains how fraud has become an industrialised global problem driven by automation, VoIP, and AI. The discussion explores how Truecaller uses AI and its

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00:21:59

Yugen Naidoo on leadership, resilience and driving...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2026/04/14

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou sits down with Yugen Naidoo, General Manager at Lenovo South Africa, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, resilience, and purpose. From humble beginnings in a small town on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast to leading Lenovo’s operations across Southern Africa, Yugen reflects on the formative moments that shaped his journey — including early activism, a passion for sport, financial setbacks, and the discipline that helped him rise through the

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