Kaya Biz

Same Dreams, Different Reality: Inside the 2026 Youth Barometer

South Africa’s youth still want financial independence, homeownership, stability and long‑term security — but the path is tougher. Standard Bank’s Tshiamo Molanda breaks down the latest Youth Barometer findings, showing how young people are adapting rather than lowering their ambitions. From strategic credit use and rising first‑time homeownership to digital‑first…

14 Jul 1PM 17 min

The State of South Africa’s Internet: Service Failures, Billing Pain & the AI Fix

DataEQ analysed more than 79,000 customer complaints across Facebook, X and Hellopeter — and the results are stark: every ISP in South Africa recorded negative operational sentiment. Managing Director Sarah Lamb unpacks why service channels are failing, why billing errors and cancellations are spiralling, and how outages turn into multi‑week…

14 Jul 1PM 14 min

Africa’s Blockchain Moment: Innovation Rising, Investment Lagging

Africa is producing more blockchain innovation than ever — but attracting less investment. In this panel discussion, Absa’s Rob Downes explains why Africa may be “the world’s most mispriced blockchain market,” while Bitexen SA CEO Mark Diuga breaks down how tokenisation and trusted digital infrastructure could reshape access to real‑world…

14 Jul 12PM 23 min

Old Mutual Nears R100 Billion in Claims: What 2025 Reveals About SA’s Health

Old Mutual shares insights from its latest claims data: R14.6 billion paid out in 2025, a 94% payout ratio, and a near‑R100 billion milestone since 2002. Severe illness claims remain dominated by the Big 4 — cancer, heart attacks, strokes and CABG — while disability claimants are getting younger and…

13 Jul 2PM 9 min

South Africa Tops Global Thrive Index: Why Mid‑Market Firms Are Thriving

Moore Infinity’s Danie Dörfling explains why South Africa recorded the highest Thrive Index score globally — 47.6 — outperforming 16 other economies. Despite geopolitical instability, rising costs and labour market fragility, SA mid‑market firms show strong business performance, driven by digital transformation, productivity gains and improving macro conditions. Danie breaks…

13 Jul 1PM 16 min

The Chocolate Crunch: Why SA Is Eating Less but Paying More

Eighty20’s Andrew Fulton unpacks South Africa’s chocolate economy. Consumption has dropped from 50% to 44% weekly, yet chocolate remains a national favourite. Lunch Bar overtakes Bar‑One, Clicks slabs surge 124% YoY, and demographic splits reveal sharply different preferences across gender and generations. Fulton also explains how cocoa supply shocks —…

13 Jul 12PM 11 min

Mid‑Year Money Check‑In: How Insurance Strengthens Financial Resilience

MiWay’s Sherry Sibeko joins Kaya Biz to unpack why June is the ideal moment for households to reassess their insurance cover. She explains how small policy adjustments, clearer understanding of exclusions, and aligning cover to current circumstances can protect financial progress and strengthen resilience for the rest of 2026.

9 Jul 1PM 14 min

The Insurance Risks Reshaping 2026 — Weather, Motor, Cyber & Claims Inflation

PSG Insure CEO Cedric Masondo breaks down the top insurance risks shaping 2026 — from rising catastrophe losses and higher vehicle write‑offs to claims inflation, ageing infrastructure and low cyber cover uptake. He also outlines the risks South Africans should prepare for in the second half of the year, and…

9 Jul 1PM 19 min

Shell’s Downstream Divestment: Jobs, Brand & Market Impact

Shell will sell its equity interest in Shell Downstream South Africa to ADNOC Distribution, with completion expected in 2027. Country Chair Aluwani Museisi discusses what the deal means for customers, employees, the Shell brand, and the future of South Africa’s fuel and convenience retail landscape.

8 Jul 1PM 9 min

How Crime Is Reshaping Road Safety in South Africa

New SATC research shows South Africa’s national roads are becoming crime corridors, with hotspots for hijackings, smash‑and‑grabs, shootings and cash‑in‑transit robberies. Serialong Kumalo explains how crime is now a transport safety issue — and why infrastructure, policing and mobility planning must adapt.

8 Jul 1PM 9 min

SME Confidence Cracks Under Rising Cost Pressures

Fuel price increases, global uncertainty and rising operating costs are pushing SMEs into survival mode. Jeremy Lang from Business Partners Limited discusses the latest SME Confidence Index, revealing falling confidence levels, proactive cost‑cutting, supply chain adjustments and the support mechanisms SMEs need most right now.

8 Jul 1PM 14 min

South African Economic Activity Weakens Again in June

The PayInc Economic Index fell another 0.9% in June, reaching its lowest level since November. Independent Economist Elize Kruger explains how inflation, fuel prices, global uncertainty and mixed PMI signals are weighing on South Africa’s economic momentum — and why electronic payments remain a rare bright spot.

8 Jul 12PM 12 min

Franchising Under Scrutiny: The R1 Trillion Market Faces a Reset

Caroline Bergmann, Senior Associate at Pinsent Masons, breaks down the Competition Commission’s Franchise Market Inquiry — a structural intervention into one of SA’s most powerful sectors. We explore franchisee leverage, lender exposure, franchisor compliance, and lessons from past market inquiries shaping what comes next.

7 Jul 1PM 11 min

AI Boom, Digital Bust: Why Millions Are Locked Out of SA’s Future

ICB's Barbara Cawcutt explains South Africa’s AI paradox: world‑leading adoption but deep digital exclusion. With only 16% computer ownership, low digital literacy, and thousands of schools without computer centres, we explore why capability — not connectivity — is the real barrier to participation in the AI economy.

7 Jul 1PM 19 min

GDP Up, Consumers Down: SA’s Growth Disconnect Explained

Ricardo Smith, CIO at Absa Investments, unpacks South Africa’s sixth straight quarter of GDP growth — and why households aren’t feeling it. We explore flat consumption, weak investment, rising fuel prices, the SARB’s rate hike, and what all of this means for income, confidence and debt exposure heading into Q2.

7 Jul 12PM 19 min

Durban July’s Billion‑Rand Comeback: Racing’s Revival Story

Hollywoodbets’ Devin Heffer takes us inside the extraordinary revival of South African horse racing. The Hollywoodbets Durban July is now edging toward a R1 billion economic contribution — a dramatic turnaround for an industry nearly wiped out by the Steinhoff fallout and the pandemic. Heffer explains how the Durban July has…

6 Jul 2PM 13 min

600 000 in Sight: SA’s Automotive Comeback Explained

NADA Chairperson Brandon Cohen unpacks South Africa’s remarkable new‑vehicle market performance. We explore why consumers are returning to trusted brands, how affordability pressures shape buying behaviour, the rise of Chinese manufacturers, and the booming demand for used commercial vehicles. Cohen also outlines the risks and opportunities for H2 2026

6 Jul 1PM 15 min

South Africa’s Mid‑2026 Outlook: Oil, Rand & Resilience

PwC Chief Economist Lullu Krugel unpacks South Africa’s slowing but still‑intact recovery as the country enters H2 2026. We explore the cost‑push shock from Middle East tensions, the rand’s volatility, rising input costs, and the implications of a 7% repo rate. Krugel breaks down sector winners and laggards, inflation risks,…

6 Jul 12PM 20 min

Manufacturing Slips: June Absa PMI Signals Q2 Strain

Absa Economist Sello Sekele unpacks June’s PMI decline from 50.8 to 47.3, the impact of easing Middle East tensions on fuel prices, the sharp drop in purchasing price pressures, weakening demand as buyers delay purchases, and why employment and inventories point to continued strain in South Africa’s manufacturing sector.

2 Jul 1PM 12 min

Tax Season Scams: AI Fraud, WhatsApp Spoofing & Digital Red Flags

Cybercriminals are exploiting tax‑season anxiety with AI‑generated phishing emails, cloned SARS websites, WhatsApp spoofing and payroll‑related scams. Lucas Molefe explains why 2026 is a high‑risk year, how scammers mimic official communication, and the digital hygiene habits that protect your identity and refund. Essential listening for every taxpayer.

2 Jul 1PM 9 min