A podcast series powered by Capitec celebrating South Africa’s small businesses and the people behind them.
702, CapeTalk and Capitec Business Banking are shining the spotlight on small businesses – a vital and vibrant part of our economy, and the backbone of our communities – in the Small Business Feature podcast.
Each episode showcases how small businesses operate, what drives their success and how to thrive in today’s economy.
Tune in every Thursday from 6 – 8pm.
Start up or scale up with Capitec, the business bank for everyone.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Hiten Keshave, CEO of Unconventional CA about the real cost of adopting AI for small businesses. As pressure mounts to keep up with rapidly evolving digital tools, many entrepreneurs are subscribing to multiple platforms without fully understanding their return. Beyond monthly fees, the true cost includes time spent experimenting, implementing and training teams.
Motheo Khoaripe speaks to Bulelani Balabal, Business Speaker, Media Contributor and Township Entrepreneur from TEA, about practical cashflow management strategies, unpacking how better tracking of income and expenses, simple accounting systems and stronger financial discipline can help township and SME businesses move from survivalist operations to structured, sustainable growth.
Stephen Grootes speaks to S’onqoba Vuba who is the Co-Founder & MD of Perpetu8, an SME strategy, implementation & fundraising consultancy, about whether funding is always a smart move for small businesses or a potential trap.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Luncedo Mtwentwe, Managing Director of Vantage Advisory, about how South Africa’s failing transport and logistics system is costing the economy nearly R1 billion a day, hitting small businesses hardest, and why infrastructure reform must be deliberately inclusive if it is to support growth rather than deepen existing inequalities.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Jeremy Lang, Managing Director at Business Partners Limited, about the importance of preparing with purpose before attending any networking event, emphasising how research, clear goals, and strong interpersonal skills can transform casual conversations into meaningful professional connections.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Bulelani Balabala, Business Speaker, Media Contributor and Township Entrepreneur TEA about how small businesses can leverage AI, automation and cloud-based tools to improve operations, boost sales and reduce manual work.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Luncedo Mtwentwe, Managing Director of Vantage Advisory, about how escalating geopolitical tensions are filtering through to South Africa’s small-business economy.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Daniel Hatfield, CEO of Edge Growth, about what Budget 2026 signals for South Africa’s small and medium-sized enterprises.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Bulelani Balabala, Business Speaker, Media Contributor and Township Entrepreneur about practical productivity hacks that can help small businesses streamline operations, improve efficiency, and stay competitive in a challenging economy.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Allon Raiz, renowned business incubation pioneer and CEO of Raizcorp, about the common pitfalls small businesses face when developing a strategy.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Bulelani Balabala, Business Speaker, Media Contributor and Township Entrepreneur from TEA, about the importance of planning, goal setting, and building sustainable businesses in 2026.
Stephen Grootes speaks to S’onqoba Vuba, Co-founder and MD of Perpetu8, an SME strategy and implementation consultancy, about whether 2026 is off to a 'new year, new market access' start.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Luncedo Mtwentwe, Managing Director at Vantage Advisory, about how SMEs can expand into Africa in 2026. They touch on strategies for growth, taking advantage of emerging opportunities across the continent and navigating the challenges of doing business in diverse African markets.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Bulelani Balabala, Business Speaker, Media Contributor and Township Entrepreneur at TEA, about how hustle is part of the eKasi culture, and how burnout is a silent threat that can collapse both the individual and the business.
Stephen Grootes speaks to S’onqoba Vuba, Business Strategist, about whether entrepreneurs host year-end functions or take holidays.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Luncedo Mtwentwe, Managing Director at Vantage Advisory, about why South Africans should skip the holiday crowds and explore the hidden gems of the platteland, and how doing so can boost local economies while giving you a more authentic travel experience.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Sonqoba Vuba, Entrepreneur and Business Strategist, about those businesses that are considered to be boring.
Stephen Grootes interviews David Morobe Regional General Manager At Business Partners about the benefits of economic recovery and the fiscal framework for SMEs, the impact of global pressures such as tariffs, SMEs’ confidence in the GNU and the key issues highlighted by our SME Confidence Index.
Stephen Grootes interviews Bulelani Balabala, renowned business speaker and township entrepreneur, about the upcoming Township Economy Awards and Summit that took place on 20 – 22 November.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Luncedo Mtwentwe, Managing Director at Vantage Advisory, about how this year’s Black Friday is less about big brand discounts and more about small business resilience, innovation and the power of buying with purpose.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Rajesh Pasungili, CEO of Resolute Education, about how the organisation uses coding and robotics to bridge the gap between school and university learning. Founded by 2 engineering students, Resolute combines Rajesh’s passion for teaching with his co-founder Gareth’s experience overcoming severe dyslexia to enhance academic performance across subjects like Science, Mathematics, English and Economics. By engaging students through play, Resolute helps them overcome the fear of failure, bring their ideas to life and develop the technological skills needed for a future where most emerging careers will rely heavily on technology.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Brian Pinnock, cyber expert, about the alarming rise in cybercriminal activity in South Africa and the practical steps SMEs can take to protect themselves during Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Bulelani Balabala – business speaker, media contributor and township entrepreneur at TEA – about the challenges many township businesses face when operating outside the formal economy. Without registration, they often miss out on funding, support and formal growth opportunities.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Liezel Jonkheid, Director and Founder of the Consumer Psychology Lab, about why many small businesses lose touch with their customers as they grow. Jonkheid explains how the daily grind of running a business often drowns out customer feedback – until warning signs like rising complaints, repeat sales and stagnant growth start to appear. She unpacks how reconnecting with customers’ needs can reignite loyalty, improve performance and sustain long-term success.
Ray White speaks to Luncedo Mtwentwe, Managing Director at Vantage Advisory, about how Africa’s export competitiveness hinges on urgent adoption of new technologies, closing the skills gap and building integrated infrastructure – or risk being sidelined in the fast-paced global trade arena.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Zanele Matome, Founder and CEO of Welo Health, about why absenteeism from public clinic queues is costing SMEs thousands of productive hours. They explore how Welo Health is tackling sick leave abuse by giving employees quicker access to primary healthcare, the resulting boost to productivity and wellness, and how this model helps ease pressure on the overstretched public health system.
Motheo Khoaripe speaks to Julian Ribeiro, a former advertising executive turned chef, whose new venture – Sadie’s Bistro in Marshalltown – blends fine cuisine with a mission to revive Johannesburg’s inner city and celebrate its rich migrant heritage through food.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Luncedo Mtwentwe from Vantage Advisory, about how South Africa’s tourism sector, despite its immense potential and recent recovery, still faces critical challenges, especially in empowering SMEs to compete globally through infrastructure, digital adoption, and streamlined compliance.
Stephen Grootes speaks to David Morobe, Executive General Manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners, about how the SME sector is pushing for tangible support, including easier access to funding, targeted mentorship, and skills development to help entrepreneurs grow.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Bulelani Balabala, business speaker, media contributor and township entrepreneur TEA, about the crucial role of women in township entrepreneurship, highlighting practical money management strategies that can empower them to build financially sustainable businesses and drive economic growth in their communities.
A concerning new survey shows that 55.3% of small and medium-sized business owners fear they may have to close within the next 12 months due to severe operating pressures. Stephen Grootes speaks to Prof Deon Tustin, CEO of the Bureau of Market Research at UNISA, about the findings.
Charlene Louw, CEO of the Beer Association South Africa (BASA), joins Stephen Grootes in studio to talk about their Brewing Business Success webinar. The webinar aimed to support small brewers in navigating compliance and accessing new markets through practical information and networking opportunities.
Stephen Grootes speaks to Ndumiso Zulu, CEO of the Masisizane Fund, about the most common funding options for startups, how these differ from those for scaling businesses and what entrepreneurs can do to overcome challenges and position their businesses for growth.
Stephen Grootes talks to Bulelani Balabala about his role in shaping policies that support inclusive, sustainable economic growth.
Bulelani is a business speaker, media contributor and member of the Township Entrepreneurs Alliance (TEA). He also serves on the Startup20 Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Taskforce – the G20’s engagement group for startups and entrepreneurship.
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