Skip to content

Ghost Stories #114: The STADIO growth formula

September 22, 2026 · 35 min

Show notes

A year after becoming the first JSE-listed company to join Ghost Stories for a results podcast, STADIO returns to discuss the next chapter of its growth journey. CEO Chris Vorster and CFO Ishak Kula unpack how the group reached its 56,000-student target and, more importantly, how it plans to grow to 80,000 students by 2030 while maintaining academic quality, affordability and attractive returns on capital.

The conversation explores the building blocks of the STADIO growth formula, from new campuses and blended learning to operating leverage and curriculum development. We also discuss employability, the role of industry partnerships, the Springboks sponsorship, and why management believes the group can continue expanding while investing heavily in the future.

In this episode, we cover:

  • The roadmap from 56,000 students today to 80,000 students by 2030
  • How STADIO balances contact, distance and blended learning
  • The economics of operating leverage in higher education
  • Campus expansion plans and capital allocation priorities
  • Why management believes the Springboks partnership will help build the STADIO brand

This podcast has been sponsored by STADIO, but The Finance Ghost was allowed to ask whichever questions he felt were most pertinent for an investor audience. Please always do your own research and do not treat this as an endorsement of the stock.

All episodes of Ghost Stories

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.