In this episode of Money, Markets, and Masterminds, Citadel chief economist Maarten Ackerman joins editor Ruan Jooste to unpack what has been a volatile yet unexpectedly resilient year for global markets. From the US dodging recession fears and Europe’s fiscal rearmament to China’s structural slowdown and South Africa’s quiet progress beneath the noise, Ackerman breaks down the global economic crosscurrents shaping investment strategies into 2026.

Morningstar has taken a major step in deepening its local presence, expanding its Manager Research coverage to include South African-domiciled funds for the first time. In this episode of Money, Markets, and Masterminds – part of the monthly Mind over Markets with Morningstar series – Citywire South Africa speaks to Michael Dodd, senior fund analyst at Morningstar South Africa, about how the new analyst-driven ratings bring global standards to local strategies. We unpack what the medalist rating system means for advisers and investors, how South African managers measure up against global peers, and why independent research is key in a market where performance has been driven by a handful of stocks. Listen now to hear how data-driven insights are reshaping fund selection and what’s next for Morningstar’s research footprint in South Africa.

In this Money, Markets, and Masterminds episode, investment strategist and Gibs professor Adrian Saville joins Citywire South Africa editor Ruan Jooste to explore the psychology behind gold. They break down the myth, math, and mania behind gold’s allure - and what its rise says about our collective faith in money, systems, and sanity.

In the latest episode of Money, Markets, and Masterminds, Citywire South Africa editor Ruan Jooste is joined by Morningstar South Africa’s head of investments, Sean Neethling, to unpack one of the hottest topics in finance: the convergence of public and private markets. From hedge funds and venture capital creeping into retail portfolios to new benchmarks mixing SpaceX with the S&P 500, the duo explores whether this democratisation is truly empowering investors – or just adding more complexity. Tune in for insights on fees, transparency, and what the shift could mean for South African portfolios.

In the latest episode of Money, Markets, and Masterminds, Citywire South Africa editor Ruan Jooste sits down with Bryan Nicol, independent financial adviser at Freedom Financial Planning; Duane Naicker, corporate partnerships executive at Alexforbes; and Johann Peens, independent employee benefits Specialist and financial adviser, to unpack one of the industry’s most persistent challenges: the messy handover between employee benefits and post-retirement advice. From the surge in digital platform usage under the two-pot system to the pitfalls of duplication and over-insurance, the discussion tackles how data sharing, fee transparency, product design, and real financial advice—not just benefit counselling—can transform outcomes for members. Tune in for sharp insights on closing South Africa’s retirement savings gap, and why advisers, employers, and providers need to collaborate more closely than ever.

In this sponsored episode of Money, Markets and Masterminds, brought to you in partnership with Investec for Institutions, we sit down with Richard Swain, head of institutional coverage at Investec. With more than two decades’ experience across London and South Africa in derivatives, equities and multi-asset solutions, Richard shares his career journey and lessons from navigating two Russian market crises. The conversation explores how South African pension funds, life companies, asset managers and hedge funds are adapting to shifting markets, what Regulation 28 reforms mean for allocations, and how innovative structuring and technology — from AI to multi-asset solutions — are shaping the institutional investment landscape. Tune in for practical insights on balancing growth, protection and liquidity in a fast-changing world.

In this Mind over Markets episode of Money, Markets, and Masterminds, Morningstar’s head of investments, Sean Neethling, joins Citywire South Africa to unpack the ‘size debate’. From the Russell 2000 index’s rally to South Africa’s cheap but illiquid mid- and small-cap space, we explore whether the recent rotation is a fleeting sentiment-driven trade or a fundamental shift with staying power. Tune in below for insights on valuations, risks and what investors should be watching as portfolios adapt to a world of shifting capital flows.

In this special Money, Markets, and Masterminds roundtable, we take retirement planning beyond South Africa’s borders. Host Ruan Jooste is joined by Mtho Ncube, wealth manager and employee benefits consultant at GTC in Johannesburg; LeRoy Otenyo, employee and retirement benefits consultant at Zamara Group in Kenya; and Edmond Ade, certified financial planner and founder of Premier Private Wealth, with offices in Rwanda and South Africa, for a candid, qualitative look at how employee benefits and pension systems really work on the ground. From Rwanda’s government-matched micro-pension scheme to Kenya’s tech-driven push into the informal sector, to South Africa’s fee and access challenges, the panel unpacks shared hurdles – like low coverage and limited financial literacy – and the creative, culturally attuned solutions emerging across the continent. This is a conversation about lessons worth sharing, and how African markets can learn from each other to build more inclusive, sustainable retirement systems.

In the latest Money, Markets, and Masterminds Long Game episode, economist and investment strategist Adrian Saville shares an evidence-based blueprint for transforming South Africa’s economy. Drawing on six decades of global data, he argues that high savings and investment rates, greater economic openness, and targeted sector development could halve unemployment within five years. From agriculture and tourism to digital banking and business process outsourcing, Saville outlines the practical steps—and public-private partnerships—needed to shift the country from stagnation to sustainable, inclusive prosperity.

Emerging markets are making waves — and South Africa is riding high. In the latest Money, Markets, and Masterminds podcast, Citywire South Africa editor Ruan Jooste is joined by Sean Neethling, Head of Investments at Morningstar South Africa, to unpack why the MSCI EM Index is booming, how global capital is rotating away from the US, and what it means for local portfolios. From Latin America to the JSE, and from gold miners to tech giants, this episode explores where the value lies — and whether the so-called end of US exceptionalism is finally here. Neethling also explains Morningstar’s current allocation strategy, which markets they’re overweight, and how they’re balancing risk in a volatile world.

In this episode of Money, Markets, and Masterminds, Citywire South Africa editor Ruan Jooste is joined by Theoniel McDonald, Head of Financial Planning at Carmel Wealth, senior adviser at Wealth Associates, and a director at the Financial Intermediaries Association. McDonald recently spent eight months building a full cost-to-service model for his practice—and the results, he says, were eye-opening. McDonald started by mapping every step of the advice journey using the six-step FPI framework. He identified 72 underlying actions, from prospecting to annual reviews, and linked each to the responsible staff member, time spent, and tools used. This breakdown revealed where tasks could be automated, delegated, or streamlined. Listen to the conversation to determine how advisers can calculate the actual cost of doing business.

In a market obsessed with momentum and noise, standing still can feel like failure. But what if that’s the smartest move? In this episode of Money, Markets, and Masterminds, investment strategist and GIBS professor Adrian Saville returns to unpack the behavioural traps investors fall into, the global macro shifts reshaping portfolios, and why asset allocation—not flashy trades—is still the unsung hero of long-term success. From diving goalkeepers to gold allocations and Bitcoin doubts, this one’s for advisers and allocators who want signal, not noise.

In the latest episode of Money, Markets, and Masterminds, editor Ruan Jooste speaks with Samukelo Zwane, product head at FNB Wealth and Investments, about the findings of this year’s retirement survey—and what they mean for financial advisers. While awareness around retirement is rising, execution remains weak, and a gap has opened between clients’ confidence and the quality of their plans. Zwane explained why inertia, not apathy, is the biggest threat to retirement readiness, how the two-pot system is reshaping advice, and why a good plan requires more than a checklist—it demands behavioural guidance and the emotional intelligence to meet each client where they are.

In the latest episode of Money, Markets, and Masterminds, Citywire South Africa is joined by Roné Swanepoel, head of sales at Morningstar Investment Management South Africa, for a conversation that brings the behavioural side of investing into sharp focus. This episode marks the 14th instalment of our Mind Over Markets podcast series with Morningstar and tackles one of the most pressing questions facing advisers and investors right now: How do you stay the course when the world feels like it’s coming apart? Swanepoel, who draws on Morningstar’s global research and behavioural frameworks, introduces listeners to the concept of mining for goals – a technique developed by the firm’s behavioural science team to help clients move from vague intentions to specific, emotionally grounded objectives. As she explains, when clients understand why they’re investing — whether it’s freedom, security, or legacy — the noise of the market becomes less distracting. This episode is a must-listen for any adviser navigating client conversations in today’s high-noise, low-conviction environment. Whether you’re facing clients spooked by headlines or needing to revisit your planning frameworks, this is a timely reminder that behaviour matters as much as allocation. Listen below for more below.

In this episode of Money, Markets, and Masterminds, Citywire South Africa editor Ruan Jooste speaks with Premier Miton’s Global head of distribution, Jonathan Willcocks, and head of fixed income, Lloyd Harris about how the firm is navigating today’s fixed income environment and what it means for South African investors. The conversation covers Premier Miton’s Section 65 rollout, portfolio strategy, macro risks, credit markets, ESG integration and how the Premier Miton Strategic Monthly Income Bond fund fits into South African advice models. Whether you’re rethinking duration, credit exposure, or income anchors, this episode offers valuable perspectives from one of the UK’s leading boutique managers.

In the second podcast from Citywire’s London studios, Money, Markets, and Masterminds tackles one of the hottest issues in advice today: regulation. Citywire South Africa editor Ruan Jooste is joined by Jack Gilbert, editor of sister title Citywire New Model Adviser, to map how the global counterparts – South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – are reshaping the landscape. The changes include South Africa’s sweeping Conduct of Financial Institutions bill and the UK’s new consumer duty regime, a new set of rules aimed at improving consumer protection in the UK financial services industry. Listening to this podcast will give readers insights on tech-driven supervision, finfluencer crackdowns, crypto rules and the data demands coming every adviser’s way.

In this episode of Money, Markets, and Masterminds, editor Ruan Jooste sits down with Joseph Stephens, senior analyst at Guinness Global Investors, to unpack how their global equity income and innovation strategies are positioning amid rising tariffs, sector volatility, and shifting investor sentiment. With clarity on dividends, resilience, and risk, the conversation offers timely insight for fund selectors navigating today’s uncertainty. Watch the vodcast version, recorded in London, on www.citywire.co.za.

What if Monopoly wasn’t just a board game but a behavioural finance simulator? Adrian Saville, MBA professor at Gibs, joins Money, Markets, and Masterminds for the fourth instalment of our ‘Long Game’ series — and it’s not child’s play. Citywire South Africa explores how he and his Gibs colleague, Professor Charlene Lew, reimagined the game to mirror real-world investing conditions. Their version introduces income inequality, random shocks, and moral quandaries — all to expose the investor’s greatest risk: themselves. From overconfidence and first-order thinking to coalition dynamics and ethical blind spots, Saville shares the hard-hitting insights that have emerged from 15 years of running this simulation with MBA students. Whether you’re an adviser, fund selector, or simply fascinated by financial decision-making, this episode will challenge the way you think about strategy, risk and behavioural finance.

When a parent passes away, benefits meant for their children often get caught in legal red tape. In this episode, we unpack beneficiary funds, guardianship gaps and why a will may not be enough. Fairheads’ chief executive David Hurford (pictured above) joined Citywire South Africa to explore how advisers can protect families from painful – and costly – estate planning oversights.

In this month’s Mind Over Markets episode, we unpack the first ever South African Active/Passive Barometer from Morningstar. Citywire South Africa editor Ruan Jooste sits down with Michael Dodd, senior fund analyst at Morningstar South Africa, to break down which managers outperformed in 2024 — and which ones didn’t make the cut. From local equity and bonds to global property and emerging markets, this data-driven conversation offers selectors and advisers clear direction on when active adds value… and when passive wins hands down. Tune in for more details.