What's Next with Aki Anastasiou

What's Next

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.

  1. Van Zyl Botha on connecting the unconnected through fibre expansion

    15h ago

    Van Zyl Botha on connecting the unconnected through fibre expansion

    Fibre expansion in South Africa's secondary towns is transforming communities. Van Zyl Botha, co-founder and CEO of the Herotel Group, joins Aki Anastasiou to discuss bridging the digital divide outside major metros. Botha details how the network operator evolved from consolidating local wireless ISPs into an infrastructure powerhouse deploying high-speed fibre across 180 municipalities. The conversation covers Herotel’s vertically integrated model, explaining how handling infrastructure construction, installations, and ISP operations internally removes the middleman to lower costs and boost uptime. Botha highlights localized innovations like their flexible 7-day voucher payment systems tailored to the township economy, alongside their redundant "Super Core" data centers that dramatically lower latency for regional users. Finally, he unpacks the business impact of their landmark acquisition by Maziv-aligning them with Vumatel and DFA-and how this partnership scales up operations to bring uncapped broadband to seven million unconnected homes. 0:00 Intro 1:30 Solving the digital divide outside SA metros 5:30 Evolving from local WISPs to national fibre infrastructure 17:40 Why vertical integration beats the traditional ISP model 21:30 Innovations for the township economy: vouchers and aerial fibre 28:00 The Maziv acquisition and scaling to a million homes 36:50 Unpacking the network's redundant "Super Core" secret sauce 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/ #FibreInternet #BroadbandSA #WhatsNext

    47 min
  2. Riaan Esterhuysen on Lexus electrification and the future of luxury EVs

    1d ago

    Riaan Esterhuysen on Lexus electrification and the future of luxury EVs

    In this episode of What’s Next, host Aki Anastasiou speaks with Riaan Esterhuysen, Senior Manager of PR and Corporate Communications at Lexus South Africa, about the brand’s long-standing electrification journey and the future of luxury EVs in South Africa. Riaan reflects on his career with Toyota and explains how Lexus has evolved from pioneering hybrid SUVs with the RX in 2006 to launching fully electric battery-electric vehicles like the Lexus RZ. The discussion explores Lexus’s “multi-pathway” strategy, which combines internal combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery-electric, and even hydrogen technologies to suit different markets and customer needs. The conversation also dives into the design philosophy and customer-centric approach that define the Lexus experience. Riaan explains how Japanese craftsmanship, driver-focused interiors, and refined electric performance shape vehicles like the RZ, which aims to deliver luxury, serenity, and usability rather than just headline speed figures. The episode highlights how Lexus is adapting EV technology for South African realities, including charging infrastructure and driving distances, while positioning electrification as a core part of the brand’s future in the country.

    18 min
  3. Kuben Nair on youth employment, AI and South Africa's jobs future

    6d ago

    Kuben Nair on youth employment, AI and South Africa's jobs future

    Youth 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/

    28 min
  4. What's Next powered by Deloitte - Omeshnee Naidoo on AI readiness for African CIOs

    Jun 23

    What's Next powered by Deloitte - Omeshnee Naidoo on AI readiness for African CIOs

    Artificial 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

    22 min
  5. What's Next presented by Sigfox South Africa – Gregory Rood on the future of smart connectivity

    Jun 22

    What's Next presented by Sigfox South Africa – Gregory Rood on the future of smart connectivity

    What 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.

    38 min
  6. Robert Gwerengwe on electrification and the future of mobility finance

    Jun 17

    Robert Gwerengwe on electrification and the future of mobility finance

    In 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.

    35 min
  7. Leon Theron on Lexus's pursuit of perfection in luxury motoring

    Jun 15

    Leon Theron on Lexus's pursuit of perfection in luxury motoring

    In 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.

    25 min
  8. Siliziwe Mafika on building resilient and agile finance functions

    Jun 11

    Siliziwe Mafika on building resilient and agile finance functions

    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 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.

    21 min
See All (439)

About

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.

Information

You Might Also Like