What's Next with Aki Anastasiou

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451

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Aug 2026

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About the show

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.

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August 25, 202612 min

What’s Next presented by SGS – Johan Eksteen on AI, Compliance, and Digital Trade

In this episode of What’s Next, presented by SGS, Aki Anastasiou is joined by Johan Eksteen, Business Manager for Connectivity & Products for Sub-Saharan Africa at SGS South Africa. They unpack the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape for imported and locally distributed products, and why compliance is becoming more complex as technologies converge and global trade expands. Eksteen explains how stricter requirements, increased documentation, and faster product cycles are forcing businesses to rethink how they approach testing, certification, and market access. The conversation also explores how AI and digital platforms are transforming compliance, making it faster, more transparent, and easier to manage across multiple markets. From cybersecurity risks in connected products to the future of digital trade in Africa, Eksteen highlights how businesses can stay competitive by embracing digital assurance, automation, and smarter compliance strategies.

August 21, 202626 min

Vukani Mngxati on Microsoft's AI future in South Africa

AI in South Africa is entering a defining phase as businesses and workers adapt to rapid digital change. Vukani Mngxati, CEO of Microsoft South Africa, explains what comes next. Mngxati discusses why artificial intelligence represents the most profound technology shift he has seen during his career and how AI is changing the way services are delivered, employees work, and organisations build new technology. He also outlines Microsoft South Africa’s responsibility to make AI adoption inclusive. The conversation covers concerns around jobs, security, responsible AI, and equipping South Africans with the skills to work alongside intelligent agents. Mngxati explains why local languages, African context, and data sovereignty must remain central as AI becomes embedded across the economy. Beyond technology, he reflects on his leadership journey, lessons from navigating major disruption, and why people and purpose must remain at the centre of transformation. 0:00 Intro 1:23 From accounting to technology 5:27 Leadership lessons from adversity 8:00 The biggest technology shift yet 14:15 Microsoft South Africa’s AI vision 18:21 Leadership, purpose, and career advice 22:02 Life outside the CEO role 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/ #ArtificialIntelligence #MicrosoftSouthAfrica #Leadership

August 18, 202621 min

What's Next presented by Old Mutual Corporate - Marvin Nair on investment strategies

South Africa’s two-pot retirement system has changed how members engage with retirement savings, but withdrawal timing can have major long-term consequences. Marvin Nair, Old Mutual Corporate Investment Solutions Executive, explains how greater access to the savings pot is reshaping retirement investment strategy. He discusses why sequence-of-return risk matters when members withdraw during market downturns, and how selling assets at depressed prices can permanently reduce participation in a later recovery. The conversation examines modelling around the March 2026 market decline, when withdrawals coincided with weaker markets and financial pressure on South African households. Nair explains how investment solutions designed to manage volatility can help protect retirement outcomes when timing works against investors. He also shares practical guidance for younger savers, including the value of starting early, contributing consistently, preserving retirement capital, and considering investment solutions that can manage risk before and after retirement. The discussion also highlights why retirement is not the end of the investment journey, as living annuities and post-retirement withdrawals introduce similar timing risks. 0:00 Intro 0:35 Lessons from the two-pot retirement system 3:03 How flexibility changes retirement investing 5:28 Why withdrawal timing matters 8:22 March 2026 market downturn example 12:56 Designing investments for volatility 15:00 Retirement advice for younger South Africans 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/ #TwoPotSystem #RetirementPlanning #OldMutualCorporate

August 7, 202633 min

Zahir Cajee on Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 and AI-powered foldables

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 devices bring slimmer designs, larger displays, and deeper AI integration to Samsung’s newest foldable smartphone range. Zahir Cajee, MX Lead of Product and Commercial at Samsung South Africa, explains how the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8 serve different users. He compares the compact Fold 8’s content-focused design with the Fold 8 Ultra’s productivity, multitasking, camera, and performance capabilities, while the Flip 8 prioritises portability, self-expression, and content creation. The discussion covers Samsung’s redesigned hinges, lighter builds, brighter displays, improved batteries, and Flex Titanium technology. Cajee also demonstrates how One UI 9 and agentic AI can simplify everyday tasks, including checking calendars, responding to messages, editing photos, and working across multiple apps. He explains how Samsung Knox protects personal information, how users can control which data AI features access, and why foldable smartphones are moving into the mainstream. The episode concludes with guidance on choosing the right foldable, alongside South African pricing, pre-orders, trade-ins, Samsung Care+, and launch offers. 0:00 Intro 1:04 Why foldable smartphones matter 2:40 Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8 8:02 Thinner designs and display improvements 14:25 One UI 9 and AI features 20:40 Samsung Knox and data privacy 25:59 Choosing the right foldable 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/ #GalaxyZFold8 #SamsungGalaxy #FoldablePhones

August 6, 202634 min

Nicky Downing on responsible AI governance and business trust

AI governance is becoming essential as businesses automate more decisions and connect artificial intelligence to sensitive corporate data. Nicky Downing, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Guideline BizTech, explains why organisations must build trust, ethics, and accountability into AI systems from the beginning. She introduces RUBIQ Hub, an AI-first digital trust platform designed to help enterprises adopt AI responsibly, securely, and at scale. The discussion examines why many AI projects fail when they begin as isolated technology initiatives without sufficient business context. Downing explains the importance of governance, risk management, compliance, clear objectives, and ethical frameworks before automation is introduced. She also argues that people must remain accountable for AI-supported decisions. The human-in-the-loop model can allow businesses to automate repetitive work while reskilling employees for oversight, communication, and higher-value roles. For South African companies, the episode offers practical guidance on protecting confidential information, avoiding uncontrolled public AI tools, and ensuring that AI agents operate within defined responsibilities. 0:00 Intro 1:02 Nicky Downing’s governance journey 4:19 Building trustworthy enterprise AI 11:49 Why trust matters in AI 17:33 The biggest AI adoption risks 25:21 Keeping humans in the loop 28:32 How the Ethos governance layer works 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/ #AIGovernance #ResponsibleAI #ArtificialIntelligence

August 4, 202616 min

Mirian Lin on enterprise data protection and AI-ready storage

Enterprise data protection is becoming critical as South African organisations adopt AI, expand storage, and defend against ransomware. Mirian Lin, Account Manager at Synology, explains how the company is growing beyond its traditional NAS and SMB base to serve enterprise customers in South Africa. She discusses rising demand across mining, government, manufacturing, media, and education, where secure storage, backup, and data protection are central to digital transformation. The conversation examines data sovereignty, the balance between on-premises infrastructure and cloud services, and Synology’s goal of helping organisations maintain control over their information. Lin also outlines how secure, accessible, and well-managed data provides the foundation businesses need to adopt AI confidently. She highlights common backup mistakes and failing to test recovery plans. The discussion also covers immutable backups, ransomware resilience, enterprise storage, and Synology’s partner expansion across Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and other South African markets. 0:00 Intro 0:24 Synology’s growth in South Africa 2:41 Moving from SMB to enterprise 3:27 Expanding the local partner channel 6:12 Data sovereignty and on-premises storage 8:48 Building AI-ready data infrastructure 10:45 Backup mistakes and strategies 13:33 Enterprise storage and cyber resilience 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/ #DataProtection #CyberSecurity #Synology

August 3, 202616 min

What’s Next presented by Old Mutual Corporate - The future of member engagement beyond Two-Pot

South Africa’s two-pot retirement system is transforming how employees engage with retirement savings, digital tools, and financial education. Michelle Acton, Chief Customer Officer at Old Mutual Corporate, explains how the two-pot system has driven a major increase in direct member engagement across South Africa. She discusses how retirement fund members are using digital channels to check balances, update personal details, submit claims, and better understand their long-term savings. The conversation explores Old Mutual Corporate’s use of WhatsApp as an accessible financial services channel, with member engagement rising significantly as customers gain faster access to information. Acton also explains the technology, fraud prevention, verification, and customer experience changes required to serve hundreds of thousands of retirement fund members digitally. She highlights how improved financial literacy, easier access to advice, and reduced friction can encourage South Africans to preserve more of their retirement savings, contribute more consistently, and make better-informed financial decisions. 0:00 Intro 0:31 Two-pot system and digital engagement 2:51 Making retirement savings more personal 4:38 Direct member engagement 6:14 WhatsApp and accessible financial services 9:23 Modernising Old Mutual’s systems 12:18 Financial education and better retirement outcomes 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/ #TwoPotSystem #RetirementSavings #FinancialServices

July 28, 202626 min

Salvador Anglada on AI-powered financial inclusion in Africa

AI-powered financial inclusion is helping millions of underserved consumers access credit through alternative data and advanced risk modelling. Salvador Anglada, Chief Executive Officer at Optasia, explains how the company uses artificial intelligence to provide small, unsecured loans at scale across 38 countries. He discusses how alternative data can create credit profiles for people excluded from traditional banking systems, supporting more than 32 million credit decisions each day. The conversation covers Optasia’s Johannesburg Stock Exchange listing, why South Africa is central to its African strategy, and the role of major partners including mobile networks and banks. Anglada also explains how technology, distribution partnerships, and local regulatory expertise have supported the company’s rapid growth. He discusses Optasia’s acquisition of a prepaid electricity credit business, the potential to expand electricity financing across emerging markets, and why AI should be viewed as an opportunity to improve productivity. He also shares leadership lessons on building strong teams, lifelong learning, taking bold opportunities, and remaining patient throughout a career. 0:00 Intro 1:41 How Optasia supports financial inclusion 4:40 Leading a purpose-driven business 6:15 Leadership and building strong teams 8:10 Optasia’s JSE listing 10:40 Partnerships across South Africa and Africa 13:26 Technology, growth, and future opportunities 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/ #FinancialInclusion #ArtificialIntelligence #Fintech

July 17, 202622 min

What's Next powered by Deloitte - Andre Vermeulen on AI, human advantage and the future of work

AI and the future of work are transforming every business—but people remain the biggest competitive advantage. Deloitte explains why organisations that combine human expertise with AI will lead the next wave of innovation. Andre Vermeulen, Partner | Human Capital Leader Consulting Services at Deloitte Africa, joins What's Next powered by Deloitte to unpack the key findings from Deloitte's latest Global Human Capital Trends report. He explains why organisations must rethink traditional ways of working, embrace continuous adaptation, and build cultures that allow people and AI to work together effectively rather than compete against one another. The discussion explores the concept of "Human x Machine", why only a small percentage of organisations are successfully embedding AI into everyday work, and how leaders can balance automation with human judgement. Andre also examines the risks of over-relying on AI, including declining critical thinking, data quality concerns and trust, while highlighting practical examples of AI-assisted decision-making from Deloitte's work in Formula 1. The conversation concludes with insights into organisational agility, adaptive learning, and why human capability—not technology alone—will determine which businesses succeed in the AI era. For South African business and technology leaders, this episode offers practical guidance on preparing organisations for rapid technological change while ensuring people remain at the centre of innovation. 0:00 Intro 1:25 Deloitte's Global Human Capital Trends report explained 3:31 Why organisations must become faster and more adaptable 5:05 Human × Machine: the future of AI at work 10:03 The risks of over-relying on AI 15:04 Formula 1, AI and human decision-making 20:07 Why human advantage is the real competitive advantage 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 #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #DigitalTransformation

July 16, 202636 min

Soul Abraham on AI, smarter insurance and the future of customer experience

AI is transforming insurance faster than ever. Soul Abraham explains how Old Mutual Insure is using artificial intelligence to improve customer experience, reduce costs and make insurance more accessible for South Africans. Soul Abraham, CEO of Old Mutual Insure, joins What's Next to discuss how one of South Africa's oldest insurers is preparing for an AI-powered future. Drawing on nearly two centuries of insurance expertise, he explains why building a modern data platform was the foundation for adopting AI, and how the company is using artificial intelligence to empower employees, strengthen underwriting, and deliver faster, more personalised customer service. The conversation explores the three pillars of Old Mutual Insure's AI strategy, the role of cloud infrastructure and data in enabling innovation, and how AI could help improve insurance affordability and penetration across South Africa. Soul also shares his vision for AI-assisted brokers, personalised insurance products, faster claims processing, and why upskilling employees will be critical to ensuring AI enhances—not replaces—the workforce. Looking ahead, he outlines how Old Mutual Insure aims to redefine customer expectations while making insurance simpler, more responsive and better suited to individual needs. For South African business and technology leaders, this episode offers valuable insight into how AI is reshaping financial services and what the future of insurance could look like over the next five years. 0:00 Intro 2:15 Soul Abraham's journey to CEO of Old Mutual Insure 7:58 How Old Mutual Insure is adopting AI 11:06 The company's three-pillar AI strategy 17:14 Improving customer experience with AI 29:15 Upskilling employees for an AI-powered future 32:11 The future of insurance in South Africa 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/ #ArtificialIntelligence #Insurance #SouthAfrica