Investec Focus Radio SA
Investec Focus Radio South Africa features conversations between leading minds from within Investec and other experts on economic, investment and business topics in addition to issues that go beyond wealth.
Macro Monday Ep104: When AI becomes a risk
While US earnings have been strong, more and more companies are seeing artificial intelligence (AI) as a risk, rather than an opportunity, notes Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, at Investec Wealth & Investment International, that while there’s been a selloff in sectors likely to be disrupted by increased AI deployment.
NOW Ep121: Budget Speech 2026 | What’s at stake?
South Africa’s 2026 Budget arrives at a pivotal moment. Debt is hovering near 78% of GDP. Growth is forecast at just 1.5%. Debt-servicing costs absorb around 5% of GDP. And yet, bond yields have fallen, sentiment has improved and S&P maintains a positive outlook. Is this genuine fiscal stabilisation or…
Art in Focus series 2 | Ep 4: Art in nurturing identity and heritage
From stitched fabrics and beaded surfaces to gel capsules and monumental sculptures, this episode of Art in Focus explores how personal memory becomes cultural narrative. Mary Sibande, Sahlah Davids and Leila Abrahams join Tristanne Farrell to talk identity, heritage, healing and how artists transform lived experience into work that resonates…
Everything Counts | Episode 41: Global Shopping for South Africans
Earning, spending, investing and shopping overseas has never been easier, but it has never been more complex either. If your money is constantly moving between currencies, countries, and platforms, it can feel like you’re doing everything right on paper while still losing value through fees, exchange rates and timing. In…
Macro Monday Ep103: PMI numbers point to solid global growth this year
The world economy appears to be in good shape. Global composite purchasing managers index numbers are on the rise, with US manufacturing enjoying a significant uptick in January, and Germany’s factory orders have risen strongly too. All in all, says Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, Investec Wealth & Investment International,…
What next? | Young divided and under pressure
For years, we’ve comforted ourselves with the idea that young people will “save the world.” But is that hope realistic - or an unfair projection? Many young people care deeply about climate, justice and inequality, yet face economic precarity, political disillusionment and shrinking civic space. How can youth today find…
Art in Focus Series 2 | Ep 3: Whose art is it anyway?
When ideas meet machines and many hands shape one work, where does creativity begin? In episode 3 of Art in Focus series 2, Investec’s Tristanne Farrell invites curator Antonia Strauss, artist Aaron Philander and gallerist Brett Bellairs to unpack how technology is transforming not just into how art is made…
NOW Ep 120 | Water risk is business risk
Water scarcity is no longer a future risk. It is already reshaping how businesses operate, invest and grow in South Africa. With water demand in Gauteng at record levels and ageing infrastructure under strain, water has become a material constraint on business continuity, supply chains and long-term competitiveness. For many…
What next? | Changing minds, changing markets
In this episode of podcast series, What Next? Michael Liebreich and Rory Sutherland lift the lid on how to shift behaviour at scale to achieve the energy transition. Marc Khan and Lidnsey Hooper interview the pair on the sociopolitical backlash we have seen in some sectors with regard to climate…
Macro Monday Ep103: Precious metals’ dramatic fall
Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, Investec Wealth & Investment International, makes sense of a busy few days on financial markets, which saw sharp falls in precious metals prices. Despite the dramatic drop in gold, platinum and silver prices, precious metals prices are back to where they were in early January.
Art in Focus Series 2 | Ep 2: Women leading the way in art
From discovering and nurturing emerging artists, to building trust-based relationships with collectors, Emma van der Merwe of Everard Read, Shona van der Merwe of RESERVOIR Projects and Anelisa Mangcu of Under the Aegis, discuss the increasing prominence and role of women in the art ecosystem. These three gallerists open up…
Everything Counts | Episode 40: Debt management for young professionals
Starting your first real job with a decent pay check should feel exciting but what if it mostly feels confusing, stressful and a little scary? If you’ve made money mistakes before, missed payments or taken on debt you didn’t fully understand, you’re not alone… and you’re not out of options…
Macro Monday ep102 | Are US consumers living beyond their means?
Standing in for Chris Holdsworth this week, investment strategist Osagyefo Mazwai looks at the latest US growth numbers. While GDP growth at a headline level looks robust, it reveals some concerns about personal income, which has been lagging expenditure. The US labour market has also been softening, so while the…
NOW Ep119: Davos 2026 | Navigating the new disorder
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos offered fewer illusions, and more realism. The rules-based order is no longer assumed. Geopolitics is now embedded in balance sheets. Scale matters. Delivery matters more. In the final episode of our Davos Debrief podcast series, Investec Group Chief Executive Fani Titi argues…
NOW Ep118: AI | From hype cycle to hard choices
AI has moved beyond experimentation. It now sits at the centre of decision-making. At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, the conversation is clear - how can leaders use AI to drive growth, manage risk and reshape work. In episode 2 of our Davos Debrief series, Jeremy Maggs…
Macro Monday Ep101: Big in Japan – not so big in the US
Chris Holdsworth looks at some of the key takeouts from Investec’s latest global asset allocation committee meeting. These include decisions to maintain an underweight position in US equities – based on the country’s economic outlook and high valuations – and to increase the allocation to Japanese equities.
NOW Ep117: WEF2026 | What markets will be watching in Davos
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is here and markets are paying attention. As leaders gather in Davos, the conversations will likely shape risk premiums, capital allocation and investor confidence in the months ahead. In episode one of our special Davos Debrief podcast series, host Jeremy Maggs is joined by…
Everything Counts | Episode 39: Young professionals and the debt trap
Drowning in credit offers the moment you land your first paycheck? You’re not imagining it, from store cards to buy-now-pay-later, young professionals are being pulled into debt faster than they can say “credit approved". In this episode of Everything Counts, host Motheo Khoaripe sits down with Investec’s Keshnie July, Lending…
Macro Monday Ep 100: A year when valuations mattered
In the first episode of Macro Monday for 2026, our Chief Investment Strategist Chris Holdsworth looks at market performance over the last year. While US equities added 18% in 2025, it lagged behind global equities (up 23%) and an array of countries, including South Africa. One of the top-performing currencies…
Art in Focus Series 2 | Ep 1: The business of art
Listen to Frank Kilbourn of Strauss & Co. and Ashleigh McLean of Whatiftheworld Gallery on how galleries and auction houses navigate market cycles, build sustainable artist careers, and assign value in a constantly shifting art ecosystem. They also share invaluable insider-insights on upcoming artists to watch. Key moments: 00:00 Introduction…