Investec Focus Radio SA Investec

Two in three cars sold globally will be electric by 2035, says the International Energy Agency. And in Europe - South Africa's largest automobile export market, one in four cars sold are already EVs. SA is way behind this adoption curve, but it's quickly picked up pace in the last two years.
In episode 8 of The Current, we look at what needs to be amped up for SA drivers to shift their mindsets and benefit from the cost and carbon savings of electric vehicles. Host, Iman Rappetti, is joined by Mark Raine, co-CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa; Ndia Magadagela, CEO of Everlectric and Investec's head of Sustainable Solutions, Melanie Humphries.
00:00: Intro
01:54: Meet the guests
03:03: Overview of electric vehicle landscape in South Africa
03:38: SA destined to be an electric vehicle market
05:17: Preferential financing of EVs
05:44: Bringing prices tags on EVs down
08:07: “Range anxiety” and number of charging stations in SA
10:43: Are EV’s really greener than ICE vehicles?
13:36: Recycling of EV’s batteries
15:48: B2B businesses – Leasing of electric vehicles
17:13: Leased EVs and their ESG credentials
18:12: The larger the electric vehicle, the more the cost saving
20:38: Evolution of EVs in public transport, like SA taxis
20:38: EV’s in public transport like SA taxis
21:35: Incorporating your EV battery into a home energy solution
22:27: Automotive manufacturing sector in SA must change to survive
23:47: Stimulating EV manufacturing in SA
25:30: The electric vehicles white paper lays out SA’s roadmap
26:18: Mercedes-Benz’s CEO predicts 10,000 EVs to be sold in 2027
27:35: Closing comments – The EVolution is here

In this week's episode, Investec Wealth & Investment Chief Investment Strategist Chris Holdsworth discusses post-elections in SA, the latest development on growth and inflation in the US and what it means for interest rates as well as inflation and unemployment in Europe and outlook for interest rates.

Not all bonds are equal in a geopolitical storm. Chief Investment Officer for Investec Bank Switzerland Annelise Peers and Investec Wealth & Investment Fixed Income Analyst Awongiwe Booi discuss the role of bonds in times of uncertainty. Listen to the latest episode of the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast.

Podcast key moments:

00:00 – Introduction

01:12 – What impact is geopolitical turmoil having on economies, financial markets and the oil price?

02:36 – How has the bond market reacted to conflicts in the Middle East and the Russia/Ukraine war?

03:44 – What has been the impact of the conflicts and fluctuating oil price on South Africa?

05:32 - How is South Africa’s low growth, high interest rates, sticky inflation and structural issues impacting the local bond market?

06:51 – With strained government finances, how is the global bond market viewing South Africa?

09:10 – Economic growth outlook in major economies

11:27 – What do economic indicators in major markets mean for bond markets?

13:46 – To what extent is Japan a factor?

15:29 – Foreign investors staying the course in emerging markets

18:06 – Interest rates outlook

19:46 – Impact on long-bond yields and currencies

22:44 – Outlook for fixed income markets

Hosted by seasoned broadcaster, Jeremy Maggs, the No Ordinary Wednesday podcast unpacks the latest economic, business and political news in South Africa, with an all-star cast of investment and wealth managers, economists and financial planners from Investec. Listen in every second Wednesday for an in-depth look at what's moving markets, shaping the economy, and changing the game for your wallet and your business.

Read more on www.investec.com/now

Everything Counts is a new bi-weekly podcast series that focuses on money and financial wellness. Hosted by 702's Motheo Khoaripe, each episode tackles various aspects of personal finance, including saving, spending, investing, pitfalls to avoid and tricks to succeed. The podcast aims to provide valuable information and expert guidance to help listeners improve their financial well-being.

This podcast is perfect for individuals of all ages and backgrounds who are interested in managing their money more effectively and achieving their financial goals. Whether you're a recent graduate or someone looking to improve their financial situation, Everything Counts offers practical tips and insights to help you take control of your finances and secure your future wealth.

In this episode, Motheo speaks to leading financial consumer journalist Maya Fisher French, and seasoned financial advisor from Investec, Kgomotso Motloung, about what financial wellness really is and what you need to do to obtain it.

Skip ahead

00:00 Introduction
01:38 What is financial wellness?
03:35 Maya talks about her career move from stockbroker to journalist and how that impacted how she looks at money
05:32 Where do I start?
06:35 How do I approach a financial advisor?
09:18 Money personalities and their impact on my finances?
10:49 How do I structure my financial plan?
14:33 Why shouldn't I be ashamed about asking for help when it comes to my finances?
17:13 How do I calculate my net asset value?
18:01 Plan for when things go wrong
19:14 Where should I get advice from?
20:26 How should my budget work?
21:38 What habits will help me get my finances in order?
23:22 How do I think about insurance?

In this week's episode, Investec Wealth & Investment Chief Investment Strategist Chris Holdsworth looks at a change of sentiment from the FED, what’s happening in commodities, preview of the US election, and the CCPI print in South Africa.

This year, South Africa is set to become the tenth-largest solar market in the world. In 2023 R17.5 Billion rands of solar panels were imported into this country. In the latest episode of The Current podcast series, we’re talking all things solar PV – from market dynamics to how much it costs and whether it makes commercial sense for you to install it for your business or your home. Listen to Investec’s Melanie Humphries, Bernard Geldenhuys, and SAPVIA’s De Wet Taljaard, as they enlighten us on SA’s solar boom.

00:00: Intro
01:56: Meet the guests
02:24: Overview of solar in SA and its domination
03:36: 86% of all solar is residential or rooftop
04:24: Large-scale solar PV projects
05:03: SA in comparison to other country's solar adoption
06:20: The impact of residential solar's boom on the national grid
07:16: The cost implications of installing solar
09:46: Homeowners installing solar for commercial value
11:55: Equitable access to solar power
13:55: Local manufacturing of solar lagging behind
14:49: REIPP Programme attracting substantial FDI
15:19: Feeding excess energy back into the grid
17:32: Transmission is the biggest hurdle for large-scale solar
18:50: What is wheeling and why is it important for IPPs?
21:19: Top considerations when installing rooftop solar
22:28: Maintenance of solar equipment
23:10: Loadshedding and solar's relationship is changing
24:17: SMMEs benefit from solar
25:24: What are the risks to SA's solar boom?
28:28 Closing comments and some practical advice