The best of Kaya Biz

The best of Kaya Biz: Independent car dealers under pressure, when debt becomes a mental health concern, and a leadership masterclass with Mfundo Nkuhlu

Sinenjabulo Sibeko

This week on Kaya Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi, we zoomed in on the forces shaping Africa’s economic trajectory starting with one of the continent’s most pressing challenges: the growing debt crisis. As global interest rates rise and fiscal pressure mounts, we explored what it would actually take to restructure and reset Africa’s financial future.

From there, the show shifted gears into the dynamic world of African tech and the fast-evolving future of payments systems across the continent.

We also revisited South Africa’s transformation narrative by interrogating the real value of BEE share schemes in light of MTN’s announcement to unwind its MTN Zakhele Futhi empowerment vehicle.

And finally, we closed the week with a masterclass in leadership and transformation with banking heavyweight Mfundo Nkuhlu, Chief Operating Officer of Nedbank, who offered rare insights on leadership, economic resilience, and what meaningful change in financial services should look like.

Here are the top 5 stories from the show:

1. In Conversation with Mfundo Nkuhlu, COO of Nedbank

In this edition of Pivot Point on KayaBiz, we profiled one of South Africa’s most accomplished banking leaders, Mfundo Nkuhlu, Chief Operating Officer of Nedbank. With a career spanning both public and private sectors from the Department of Trade and Industry to Nedbank Group’s executive leadership, Nkuhlu brings unmatched expertise in strategic planning, operational leadership, and navigating complex economic environments.

We discuss the evolution of strategic thinking in banking, the post-Covid operating landscape, and South Africa’s position in global financial markets.

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2. MTN Zakhele Futhi Unwinding Unpacked

GUEST: Craig Gradidge, Co-founder and Financial Planner at Gradidge-Mahura Investments

What does the end of MTN Zakhele Futhi mean for retail investors and the broader BEE landscape? Craig Gradidge joins us to demystify the process of unwinding one of South Africa’s most well-known BEE share schemes. From share conversions to cash payouts, we explore whether the model delivered long-term value and what the next chapter in empowerment might look like.

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3. Independent Dealers under pressure in SA’s shrinking vehicle market.

GUEST: Thembinkosi Pantsi, Vice Chairperson – National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA)

South Africa’s new vehicle market remains under strain, and the pressure is mounting on independent car dealers. We speak to Thembinkosi Pantsi from NADA about the realities facing smaller dealerships as shrinking margins, global competition, and shifts in consumer behaviour challenge their survival. We unpack the rise of Chinese car brands, the shift toward multi-franchising, the impact of electric vehicles on service revenue, and whether smaller dealers can still carve out a future in a market increasingly dominated by large groups. Are independents at a breaking point or on the verge of transformation?

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4. South Africa’s grapes ecosystem, exports & the USA market push

GUEST: Mecia Petersen, CEO – South African Table Grape Industry (SATI)

South Africa’s table grape industry has just wrapped up a record-breaking 2024/2025 season, exporting 77.8 million cartons – the highest volume on record and a 5% jump from the previous year. Joining us is Mecia Petersen, CEO of the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), to unpack the strong global demand for local grapes, growing traction in traditional markets like the EU and UK, and a sharp 25% increase in exports to North America

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5. When over-indebtedness results in a diagnosable mental health condition.

GUEST: Aadil Patel, Director and Head of Employment Law at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr

As South Africans grapple with rising levels of personal debt, the conversation turns to its psychological and legal implications. Could over-indebtedness be considered a form of incapacity in the workplace? Aadil Patel offers a legal perspective on one of the more sensitive intersections of finance, employment, and mental health.

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Written by: Bulelwa

Kaya Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi