The week that was: Highlights from Kaya Biz

Sinenjabulo Sibeko

As we close out another informative and fast-paced week on Kaya Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi, the show maintained its sharp focus on delivering credible, business-critical insights to our audience.

This week’s agenda continued our deep dive into the financial performance of JSE-listed companies, engaging directly with CEOs to unpack their earnings results, operational strategies, and outlooks for the year ahead.

We also saw major developments on the global trade front: the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that former President Donald Trump had overstepped his authority in imposing a sweeping range of tariffs. The ruling blocks the majority of duties implemented during his term, marking a significant shift in global trade dynamics.

And in honour of Africa Day, we took time to reflect on the importance of Africans investing in Africa, not only as a moral imperative but as a strategic move for building sustainable, inclusive economic growth on the continent.

Here are 5 standout conversations from this week:

1. Pick n Pay narrows trading loss by R1 billion

GUEST: Sean Summers – CEO, Pick n Pay

We caught up with Pick n Pay CEO Sean Summers, who provided an update on the Group’s performance one year into its multi-year recovery strategy. The retailer reported a R1 billion reduction in trading losses a 64% year-on-year improvement, significantly outperforming its initial target of a 50% reduction. While management remains cautious, the Group now expects to reach break-even by FY2028, reaffirming its commitment to long-term sustainability.

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2. African Bank celebrates 50 years with 15% profit growth

GUEST: Kennedy Bungane – CEO, African Bank Group

As African Bank marks its 50th anniversary, CEO Kennedy Bungane joined us to reflect on the journey and discuss the Group’s interim results. For the six months ending 31 March 2025, net profit after tax rose by 15% to R202 million.

The results reflect successful execution of the Bank’s “Excelerate” strategy and its ongoing transformation into a fully diversified financial services institution, now serving over 6.1 million customers.

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3. EXPLAINER: US trade court blocks Trump-era global tariffs

GUEST: Donald MacKay – CEO, XA Global Trade Advisors

In a landmark ruling, the U.S. Court of International Trade found that former President Trump exceeded his legal authority in imposing many of the global tariffs that became a hallmark of his administration. Trade expert Donald MacKay broke down what this means for international trade policy, supply chains, and potential ripple effects on emerging markets like South Africa.

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4. Chanel overtakes Louis Vuitton as Porsche retains luxury crown

GUEST: Henry Farr – Valuation Director, Brand Finance

In the world of luxury branding, Porsche once again took the top spot with a brand value of $41.1 billion. However, the real story was Chanel’s remarkable 45% growth in brand value, overtaking Louis Vuitton for second place globally. Brand Finance’s Henry Farr unpacked what’s driving this shift in consumer sentiment and brand strategy in the luxury sector.

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5. In Conversation: Bheki Mkhize, CEO of FNB Wealth and Investments

GUEST: Bheki Mkhize – CEO, FNB Wealth and Investments

Bheki Mkhize joined us to share his journey from the energy sector to leading one of South Africa’s premier wealth management businesses. Under his leadership, FNB Wealth and Investments has grown to over R100 billion in assets under management. We discussed innovation in financial services, the importance of mentorship, and the value of long-term thinking in wealth creation.

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Tune in to Kaya Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi Mondays to Thursdays from 6PM to 8PM.