What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou

00:21:25

Sharon Leong on how Thompsons Travel is redefining...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/11/27

In this episode of What’s Next, we speak with Sharon Leong, Chief Executive Officer at Thompsons Travel, about how corporate travel has transformed and what modern businesses need to prioritise heading into 2026. Sharon reflects on the company’s 40-year legacy and explains how technology, mobile tools and smart booking systems are reshaping business travel—making it faster, more seamless and more personalised than ever before. She also highlights the growing importance of traveller wellness, from

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00:19:28

Angela Blackburn on how Medshield is elevating...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/11/25

Medshield’s Chief Operating Officer, Angela Blackburn, joins us to give more detail on Medshield’s 2026 product and benefit enhancements and what members can expect in the year ahead. From a lower-than-average contribution increase to a strengthened GCR rating and unlimited hospital access across all plans, Medshield is focused on value, stability, and affordability during a time when healthcare costs continue to rise.Angela also highlights major benefit enhancements, including revamped optical

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00:21:45

James Lanigan on how Luno is driving trust and...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/11/21

In this episode of What’s Next, host Aki Anastasiou speaks with James Lanigan, CEO of Luno, following the company’s recognition as 'Best Crypto Exchange' at the MyBroadband Awards. James reflects on Luno’s journey from its South African origins to becoming a trusted global platform with over 16 million users. He explains how simplicity, trust, and innovation have been key to Luno’s success, emphasizing the company’s commitment to compliance, education, and making crypto accessible for everyone.The

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00:28:55

Dell Technologies Forum Johannesburg 2025 – Insights...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/11/19

Dell Technologies Forum 2025 brought together leaders, innovators, and experts from across the continent to unpack the future of technology, digital transformation, and AI. In this special edition of What's Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks with Dell executives and partners about sustainability, e-waste initiatives, AI-driven modernization, multicloud strategies, and the growing role of data in shaping business outcomes. From recycling programs and solar learning hubs to the latest AI-optimized PCs, the

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00:24:40

Luis da Silva on how Healthbridge transforms...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/11/14

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks with Luis da Silva, CEO of Healthbridge, about how the company is redefining healthcare through purposeful AI innovation. With a 26-year legacy in health IT, Healthbridge is empowering doctors and medical practices by simplifying workflows, enhancing patient care, and reclaiming valuable time through intelligent automation.Luis explains how Healthbridge’s early partnership with Google and its dedicated Innovation Lab have helped it stay ahead

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00:12:39

Rashid Tar-Mahomed on Vodacom’s simplified plans and...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/11/07

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks with Rashid Tar-Mahomed, Managing Executive for Products and Services within the Consumer Business Unit at Vodacom South Africa. Rashid explains how Vodacom has transformed its postpaid portfolio by simplifying its plans from ten to four, making it easier for customers to choose the right option while providing greater value in a challenging economy. The new RED Core plans now include lifestyle benefits such as funeral cover, device insurance,

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00:22:14

Richard Simpson discusses the future of business...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/11/06

In this episode, we sit down with Richard Simpson, Managing Director at Celerity, to uncover the fascinating journey from civil engineering to pioneering global business messaging. Richard shares how a simple need to send weather updates in 1999 sparked the creation of BulkSMS, a platform that has since transformed how businesses communicate. From humble beginnings to becoming a trusted global solution, Richard explains how SMS remains one of the most reliable and effective communication tools

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00:18:34

EY’s Hennie Human on digital transformation and...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/11/05

In this insightful conversation, Hennie Human, Managing Partner of EY's Africa Consulting Business, shares valuable lessons from his 25-year career working across diverse industries. He emphasizes the importance of purpose-driven projects, understanding industry context, and fostering true collaboration with clients to create impactful solutions.Hennie also explores the challenges and opportunities businesses face in 2025, from cybersecurity and the talent gap to the rise of AI, automation, and

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00:16:07

Romulen Pillay on how Philips is using AI to...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/10/30

In this episode of What's Next with Aki Anastasiou, we speak with Romulen Pillay, Managing Director of Philips Southern Africa, about the latest findings from Philips’ global Future Health Index report. Now in its 10th year, the study surveyed 16,000 patients and 2,000 healthcare professionals across 16 countries, including South Africa, to explore how AI is transforming healthcare delivery. Romulen shares how artificial intelligence is already helping to address South Africa’s healthcare

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00:24:20

Muzzafar Nagvadari on Standard Bank’s SimplyBLU & the...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/10/28

In this episode of What’s Next, Aki Anastasiou speaks with Muzzafar Nagvadari, Executive Head: Merchant Solutions Sales and Service SA at Standard Bank Group, about how digital payments are transforming South Africa’s business landscape. Muzzafar explains how the rapid rise of contactless, mobile, and e-commerce transactions is changing the way merchants operate and how businesses can adapt to meet evolving customer expectations. He also discusses the growing demand for unified commerce systems that

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00:22:24

Michael Otten discusses Oneplan's growth, innovation...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/10/10

In this episode of What's Next, Aki Anastasiou sits down with Michael Otten, CEO of Oneplan, to explore how the company has transformed the South African insurance landscape over the past 15 years. Michael shares insights into Oneplan’s journey from its early days as a traditional short-term insurer to becoming an innovator in health, pet, gap, and motor insurance. He discusses the unique challenges of serving South African consumers and how technology, from digitization to AI, is reshaping the way

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00:13:07

Frikkie van Loggerenberg on estate planning, wills,...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/10/07

In this episode of What's Next, we welcome back Frikkie van Loggerenberg, Head of Investment Strategy and CEO of IFSA. He shares valuable insights into the most common questions clients ask financial advisors, with a strong focus on wills, estate planning, and understanding the true costs involved in winding up an estate. Frikkie highlights why these fundamentals are at the core of sound financial planning and how they connect directly to securing your legacy.The discussion also explores common

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00:18:08

Dion Govender on the impact of IS³ X-Change 2025 and...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/10/02

In this episode of What's Next, we welcome Dion Govender, Managing Director of IS³, to discuss the upcoming IS³ X-Change 2025 conference. Taking place on 28–29 October in Cape Town, this premier event showcases future-ready industrial automation insights and solutions tailored for Africa. Powered by global expertise and enriched with local knowledge, X-Change 2025 promises to deliver measurable value for every stakeholder.We explore IS³’s role as the exclusive AVEVA Select Partner in sub-Saharan

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00:15:03

Ben Janse van Rensburg on how PayInc powers South...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/09/29

In this episode, we dive into the role of PayInc. (formerly BankservAfrica) at the heart of South Africa’s payments ecosystem. With 53 years of experience, PayInc. has been instrumental in building and maintaining the country’s payment infrastructure. Today, it processes nearly 400 million transactions a month, ensuring that payments are secure, reliable, and always on. From card swipes to instant transfers, their systems quietly power the economy while supporting financial inclusion for

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00:20:43

Ashif Black on the key benefits of choosing inDrive...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/09/17

In this episode, we sit down with Ashif Black, Country Representative of InDrive South Africa, to explore how the company is reshaping the ride-hailing industry with fairness, transparency, and freedom of choice. Ashif shares the story of InDrive’s origins, how its unique negotiation model empowers both drivers and passengers, and why low commissions and fair pricing are central to its mission. He also highlights the platform’s expansion across South African cities and the value it brings to

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00:25:52

MAZIV’s Dietlof Mare on the Vodacom transaction and...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/09/15

In this episode, we welcome Dietlof Mare, CEO of MAZIV, the company behind South Africa’s largest open-access fiber networks, including Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa. With the Competition Appeal Court’s approval of MAZIV’s landmark merger with Vodacom, the company is entering a defining chapter in its mission to connect more South Africans. Dietlof shares insights on the challenges of fiber rollout, the scale of investment required, and the impact that expanded connectivity can have on communities

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00:20:11

Zoho’s Andrew Bourne on AI, innovation, and business...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/09/11

In this conversation, Andrew Bourne, Regional Head for Zoho in Southern Africa, unpacks what makes Zoho unique in the global tech space. He explains how Zoho serves over 113 million users worldwide, with a strong local presence in South Africa, offering region-specific integrations and billing in rand. Andrew highlights Zoho’s user-friendly, scalable environments—from no-code to pro-code—and its cost-efficient approach by owning every layer of its tech stack and building solutions entirely

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00:29:45

LSD Open’s Deon Stroebel on cloud modernization and...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/09/10

In this discussion, Deon Stroebel, Chief Innovation Officer at LSD Open, explains how the company helps organizations modernize through cloud-native solutions, Kubernetes, containers, and automation. With over 25 years of experience, LSD Open has guided leading businesses in banking, telecoms, and media through successful digital transformation journeys, ensuring modernization drives measurable ROI while avoiding common pitfalls of cloud adoption.Deon also shares insights on the importance of

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00:16:14

Martha Lamola on innovation and operational...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/09/09

In this episode, Aki Anastasiou speaks with Martha Lamola, Operations Director for Vodacom Business Ventures and Partnerships, about how Vodacom is driving innovation while ensuring operational excellence across its enterprise ventures. Martha explains how Vodacom combines “basic brilliance” with forward-looking technologies to deliver trusted solutions that businesses can rely on. She highlights how trust, infrastructure, and innovation work together to build long-term partnerships with

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00:25:26

SAS South Africa’s David Cosgrave on trustworthy AI...

What"s Next with Aki Anastasiou ·

2025/09/08

In this episode of What's Next, we sit down with David Cosgrave, Country Manager for SAS South Africa, to reflect on the company’s 30-year legacy in the country and its role in shaping the local technology and data landscape. David shares his journey stepping into the role, the privilege of leading during such a milestone year, and how SAS has built strong ties with South African businesses, universities, and graduates. From training more than 40,000 professionals to partnering with top

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