South Africa’s Biggest Cash-System Reform in 40 Years

Loading player...
GUEST: Kokkie Kooyman – Banking Analyst and Director at Denker Capital

Cash is still king for millions of South Africans but the system that keeps it moving is costly, fragmented, and increasingly under strain. In what could become the most significant change to South Africa’s cash ecosystem since the introduction of ATMs, the South African Reserve Bank is planning a sweeping overhaul that could transform how physical money is distributed, accessed, and paid for.

Banking analyst and Denker Capital director Kokkie Kooyman helps unpack the SARB’s proposed Cash Smart Strategy, which includes ATM pooling through white-label machines, the creation of a central cash-management utility, tighter regulation of cash-in-transit companies, and a rethink of who really pays for cash in the economy. We explore why cash still accounts for two-thirds of transaction volumes, why it costs consumers and businesses nearly R90 billion a year, and how crime, fees, and inefficiencies are driving the need for reform.
15 Dec 2025 2PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

INSIDE YOUR BUSINESS: How small steps build big businesses

In an economic environment where many businesses are chasing disruption, Graham Mitchell’s message is almost counterintuitive. After working with more than 180 South African companies with combined revenues exceeding R15 billion, Mitchell argues that the real driver of sustainable business growth is not innovation alone, but disciplined execution. He joins…
4 Mar 3PM 13 min

Discovery delivers strong interim performance

Guest: Hylton Kallner Discovery today announced strong financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2025, delivering robust growth across both its operational composites – Discovery South Africa and the global Vitality composite – and advancing well ahead of its five year growth ambition. The period reflects the powerful…
3 Mar 2PM 9 min

TECH & INNOVATION: Cell C - Business Launch

Cell C Business is re-entering the B2B ICT market with a bold repositioning campaign titled “Nothing Should Stop Your Business”.Farhad Suleman, Managing Executive - Cell C Business provides deeper insight into the stunt activation and its strategic intent, and the broader campaign context.
3 Mar 2PM 13 min

King V, governance risk and access to capital for SMEs

King V is no longer just a governance code for listed giants, it is fast becoming a credibility test for every board that claims to apply it. As capital tightens and lenders scrutinise risk more closely, “apply and explain” is shifting from a compliance exercise to a legal and financial…
3 Mar 2PM 12 min

Future of the JSE

We’re joined today by Lesetja Kganyago, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, for a timely conversation on the state of South Africa’s financial markets and the role of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in a shifting global economy.
3 Mar 2PM 6 min