The latest C-suite Barometer study by Forvis Mazars paints a positive picture for private equity and alternative investments, with 26% of global executives planning to use these channels to raise funds in the year ahead. South Africa is no different to the global trend here, as evidenced by the extent of exits and capital raising transactions in private vs. public markets.

But why is this the case? And will private equity continue to outpace IPOs as the exit mechanism for choice?

To unpack these topics, I was joined by Wiehann Olivier and Johan Marais of Forvis Mazars in South Africa.

Listen to this podcast if: you want to understand the structural advantages that private equity has over public markets, particularly for mid-sized companies.

With edgy branding and a highly unusual approach in South Africa of building from the ground up in public (i.e. while listed on the JSE), Altvest is playing life on hard mode. CEO and founder Warren Wheatley knows this, yet he remains steadfast in his belief about what they are building.

With no shortage of critics (and a few negative clickbaity articles in the press along the way), Warren approached me to have a no-holds-barred conversation with him about literally anything that I felt was pertinent to Altvest investors. I also canvassed my followers on platforms like X to get a sense of the questions they wanted me to ask.

The result? Over an hour of hard-hitting discussion on topics ranging from the branding strategy and underlying assets in Altvest through to the concerns in the market around remuneration and the related party transactions. As balanced and authentic discussions go, you won't find better than this.

As always, the Ghost Mail platform is here to help you form your own view about what's out there in the market. Listen to this podcast and decide for yourself whether Warren and the Altvest team will make this a success or suffer a failure. Remember to speak to your financial advisor, as nothing you hear on the Ghost Stories podcast should be seen as advice.

With half of 2025 in the rearview mirror, it's been a period in which investors have actively looked for opportunities beyond the United States. That's good news not just for alternatives like Europe, but emerging markets like India and China as well.

Kingsley Williams (Chief Investment Officer of Satrix*) joined The Finance Ghost to talk about the key drivers and opportunities in each of China and India. The discussion also included insights from Ghost's bottoms-up analysis of US-based companies and what those strategies teach us about what is happening elsewhere in the world.

There's a lot more in the markets than just the S&P 500. This podcast will appeal to anyone looking to broaden their horizons and enhance their understanding of global investment opportunities.

This podcast was first published here.

For more information, visit https://satrix.co.za/products

*Satrix is a division of Sanlam Investment Management.

Disclaimer:

Satrix Investments (Pty) Ltd & Satrix Managers (RF) (Pty) Ltd is an authorised financial services provider. The information does not constitute advice as contemplated in FAIS. Use or rely on this information at your own risk. Consult your Financial Adviser before making an investment decision. While every effort has been made to ensure the reasonableness and accuracy of the information contained in this document (“the information”), the FSP’s, its shareholders, subsidiaries, clients, agents, officers and employees do not make any representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or suitability of the information and shall not be held responsible and disclaims all liability for any loss, liability and damage whatsoever suffered as a result of or which may be attributable, directly or indirectly, to any use of or reliance upon the information. For more information, visit https://satrix.co.za/products