Kaya Biz dives into US-SA trade tensions, South Africa’s growing fast food spend, and Zeda CEO’s purposeful leadership strategy
Sinenjabulo Sibeko
This week on Kaya Biz, South Africa entered a defining moment in its trade relationship with the United States as the long-looming 30% US import tariffs officially came into effect on August 1. The move puts local exporters under pressure and raises serious questions about the future of AGOA and bilateral cooperation.
Meanwhile, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) was in town to conduct its final greylist progress checks. This was an effort to assess the country’s progress in addressing deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems, specifically in implementing the 22-point action plan agreed upon when South Africa was placed on the FATF greylist in 2023. Their verdict could determine whether South Africa exits the greylist as early as October 2025, or stay longer.
We also sat down with Ramasela Ganda, CEO of Zeda Limited (owners of Avis and Budget car rental brands), to unpack her leadership playbook and why resilience, purpose, and empowering young women drive her forward.
From finance to fraud prevention and the true story behind the JSE Top 40 rally, here’s what moved the money conversation this week:
In Conversation With Ramasela Ganda, Group Chief Executive of Zeda Limited
In this conversation we delve into the leadership journey of Ramasela Ganda, a chartered accountant and visionary reshaping the car rental and mobility industry. With over 25 years of experience across major institutions like Vodacom, Telkom, and Barloworld. Now at the helm of Zeda Limited, she unpacks her thoughts on the resilience of South African consumers, and why empowering young women is not just a passion but a mission.
Fraud And Dishonesty Worth R1.4 Billion Prevented By Life Insurers In 2024
Guest: Jean van Niekerk, Convenor – ASISA Forensic Standing Committee
South Africa’s life insurance and investment sector blocked a staggering R1.4 billion in fraudulent claims this year but criminals still made off with R131.6 million. Jean van Niekerk helps us unpack ASISA’s latest fraud stats and why the sharp 26% spike in fraud cases should be a wake-up call for all stakeholders.
EXPLAINER: Why The JSE Top 40 Isn’t Telling The Whole Story
Guest: The Finance Ghost, Retail Analyst
Yes, the JSE Top 40 is up nearly 19%, but is it painting a misleading picture? We cut through the noise with The Finance Ghost to uncover the story behind the rally: a narrow group of outperformers (Naspers, Prosus, gold miners) are doing the heavy lifting, while most local-facing stocks lag behind. So what does this mean for real investors and the SA economy?
Inside Your Pocket – How Much Do You Spend On Takeaways?
Guest: Doret Jooste, Head of Money Management – Standard Bank
If you’ve ever wondered where your money goes each month, look no further than your food delivery apps. Standard Bank data shows many South Africans are blowing their budgets on fast food, leaving nothing for rainy days. Doret Jooste shares advice on reigning it in without sacrificing convenience.
US Tariffs And Cheap Sugar Imports Threaten Local Jobs And Prices
Guest: Dr Thomas Funke, CEO – SA Canegrowers
South Africa’s sugar industry is caught in a double squeeze: on one end, the US has imposed a 30% tariff on local sugar imports. On the other, ultra-cheap foreign sugar is flooding local shelves – with no price benefit to consumers. Dr Thomas Funke warns that thousands of jobs are on the line, and outlines what policy makers need to do to stabilise the sector.
