Agenda

Active vs passive investing seems like an old debate, but what's the current state and future outlook? In the US in 2023, passive fund assets surpassed active fund assets for the first time. Will South Africa follow this trend, and what will the effects be? With ETFs booming globally, will traditional unit trusts decline or disappear in South Africa? We'll also look at quantitative strategies, which mix elements of both active and passive investing, and their future role in our market. Lastly, the panel will discuss two big questions: "How much active management is needed for efficient price discovery?" and "Could too much passive investing cause market risks or create opportunities?"

Sebastian will look at big disrupters, such as geopolitics and AI, and their role in shaping the macro-economic landscape. What are the broader implications of AI on investments; how do global events trigger upset in the markets; and where do opportunities lie?

Join us for a discussion on everything but valuations! South African Equities are cheap, they have been cheap for a long time. That is old news. What will be the catalyst to value unlock? Maybe the “post 2024 election” South Africa is finally what was needed. Today’s discussion is about much more than how cheap SA Equities are – it’s about personal stories, lessons and resilience, challenges, building great teams and looking at South Africa from a slightly different perspective.

We hear from three advisers on everything from the technology they 'can't live without' in their practice, to how they tackle client questions around cryptocurrency. Each of these adviser firms outsource their investments, so what do they each gain back? Is it more time with clients, the bandwidth to focus on growing their business, or the general running of their business? This session is guaranteed 'food for thought' on many of the issues top of mind for advisers.

With a number of high profile corruption prosecutions in the offing, we dive into conversation with those at the coal-face, and consider the role of private companies in the fight against corruption. 2024 marks a watershed year for South Africa; we have until January of 2025 to prove to FATF we are worthy of removal from the greylist. We face the prospect of becoming a permanent fixture, or worse, downgraded still further to the blacklist. What might a public-private partnership look like; what are the upcoming regulatory changes that impact businesses and what responsibilities now lie with businesses to ensure that they are not party to corrupt practices. 

You likely won't have heard of engineer Siyabulela 'Siya' Xuza, founder of Galactic Holdings–whose mission seeks to provide investment in innovative solutions to address the energy needs of emerging markets. In this rare opportunity to see him speak, Siya will tell his compelling story. Siya is as humble as he is inspirational, and his journey is the very definition of 'rags-to-riches'. We don't want to give too much away; it is better to hear Siya tell his story, in his words, with your own ears. You will not be disappointed!