Q&A with Stephen Grootes: 'The Money Show is a focal point of our economy's story'
Radio veteran Stephen Grootes will join The Money Show on Monday, 5 August as its new host.
File: Money Show host Stephen Grootes. Picture: Karabo Tebele/702
After many years Stephen Grootes has returned to 702 and CapeTalk to host The Money Show.
He takes over from Bruce Whitfield and brings decades of experience and insights.
We had a Q&A session with our new host to get to know the man who will give us expert economic insights, every weekday from 6 pm to 8 pm.
You bring a long career in politics to The Money Show. How do you see the relationship between politics and the economy?
Grootes believes that politics and the economy are essentially two sides of the same coin. Whatever is happening in one is always going to impact the other.
He says that politics and the economy essentially form the crux of everything in our country, and he is excited to explore that relationship in The Money Show.
“It always boils down to the same things. Who gets the power and who gets the money.”
– Stephen Grootes, The Money Show
What are you excited about bringing to The Money Show?
The Money Show brings listeners to the heart of the decisions being made in the economy, and the trends changing our lives.
Grootes believes that growing the economy is about the story; which The Money Show tells so well.
What's your first memory of money?
When Grootes was a child, he was lucky enough to get pocket money, which is how he learnt about money from such a young age.
His earliest memory of money was being a young boy at a toyshop and using the money he saved to buy a set of Matchbox cars.
“I was very excited when I could afford to buy it.”
– Stephen Grootes, The Money Show
What's your money 'indulgence' (i.e. what do you spend money on unnecessarily)?
One thing Grootes is always willing to splurge a little on is subscriptions.
He says his family has too many, from streaming services to magazines, and it is a constant battle between what stays and what goes.
“Sometimes I’m in the corner defending Disney, other times I’m the one saying it is time to go.”
– Stephen Grootes, The Money Show
What do you invest in?
Grootes invests in something more valuable than money: knowledge.
Plenty of his time and money is devoted to subscribing to proper interrogatory media, so he can understand what is going on in the world.
Who would be your dream guest on The Money Show?
Grootes will be speaking to countless interesting guests on The Money Show, but there is one that he would most like to sit down with: Mr Lesetja Kganyago, the Governor of the Reserve Bank.
If money was no object, what would you do with your life?
Grootes says he would be right where he is, on the radio.
“It is a great secret among people who work in radio, who present shows, that you aren’t really working.”
– Stephen Grootes, The Money Show
Favourite holiday on a budget, and with no limits?
On a budget, his favourite thing for a getaway is to go camping with friends and family.
“You can find so many places in South Africa, and there are so many things we can do.”
– Stephen Grootes, The Money Show
If money was no object he would find a beautiful resort, grab a camp chair, and watch the poor souls who are camping.
Catch Stephen Grootes’ first edition of The Money Show on Monday 5 August 2024, on 702 and CapeTalk, or catch up on Primedia+.