If you’re earning money through social media – whether through sponsored posts, affiliate links, or brand partnerships – SARS has some important news for you. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has officially recognised social influencers as...
In our latest Money Bootcamp episode, myself and co-host Mapalo Makhu are joined by Nonhlanhla Bakasa, founder of AdoWord Multimedia, to discuss the reality of living with a disability. Nonhlanhla has been a "wheelchair rider" since the age of 12...
By Rita Cool, Head: Individual Consulting Strategy - Best Practice at Alexforbes I often like to think of financial planning through the lens of a capsule wardrobe – a timeless collection of essentials that can be adapted as your needs evolve. Just...
Over the last few weeks, I asked many single moms what their greatest concerns were regarding drawing up a will. I collected the many questions and concerns that were sent to me, and sat down with fiduciary expert Deenisha Nadesan of Capital Legacy...
In the latest episode of our Money Bootcamp series, we discuss the sensitive topic of debt. While almost all of us need to use credit when it comes to purchasing a home or a car, if it is not managed carefully, it can become a debt trap which...
If you’re considering choosing a balloon payment when financing a new car, you’re not alone. South African banks report that as many as a third of car loan customers are choosing the maximum balloon payment so that they can reduce their monthly...
Wendy Beaumont, Executive for Unsecured Lending at Nedbank, looks at the pros and cons of taking out a personal loan versus refinancing your existing home loan in order to pay for renovations. Property is one of the most valuable assets you can...
Homeownership represents a significant milestone for many South Africans, but the true cost extends far beyond the purchase price. In our latest Money Bootcamp discussion, Mapalo Makhu and I unpack the unexpected expenses that can catch first-time...
Rory Brachner, founder of Doshguide, explains how paying for a flat-fee financial adviser could be one of the smartest investments you make. Most South Africans don’t think that they can afford expert financial advice, but so many of us spend...
Marriage and homeownership are two significant life milestones, and they’re often closely linked. But as relationships evolve, circumstances can change and when two people who co-own a property decide to go their separate ways, it raises various...
Listen to how one mother managed to shift her mindset to transform her relationship with money. When Thokozani first began her financial coaching journey with Mapalo Makhu, her relationship with money could only be described as “poor and depressing.” Like many working...
“Know your ombud” episode 8 For many South Africans, their pension fund represents their largest financial asset, yet countless members remain in the dark about their rights when things go wrong. In the latest episode of our Know Your Ombud series, I am joined by...
Bongani Msimango, Wealth Manager at Alexforbes, explains why aligning your retirement date with the tax year makes sense. One of the key principles that a wealth manager needs to understand is that although many things are beyond our control – like market performance...
“Know your ombud” episode 7 In the latest episode of our Know Your Ombud series, I am joined by John Simpson, the Ombud for Financial Services Providers (FAIS Ombud). We chat about his office’s approach to handling disputes between financial advisers and consumers,...
Welcome to the second episode of the second season of the Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp, where I tackle various financial topics together with my co-host, Mapalo Makhu. As we dive into July, many of us feel the familiar pang of anxiety that accompanies tax...
Thokozile Kumalo, Tax Consultant at Tax Consulting South Africa, lays out the law when it comes to claiming home-office expenses. As the 2025 tax filing season kicks off, many South Africans working from home are wondering what home-office expenses they can claim as...
“Know your ombud” episode 6 In the latest episode of our Know Your Ombud series, I am joined by Sonya Marais, Senior Adjudicator for the Life Insurance Division of the National Financial Ombud (NFO), who helps us understand the complexities of long-term insurance....
Wiehann Olivier, a Partner and FinTech & Digital Assets Lead for Forvis Mazars in South Africa, explains how a group of politically motivated hackers sent a message to Iran by essentially burning bitcoin worth $2 million. On 18 June 2025, something remarkable...
“Know your ombud” episode 5 In the latest episode of our Know Your Ombud series, I am joined by Edite Teixeira-Mckinon, the lead ombud for non-life insurance at the National Financial Ombud. Have you ever felt overwhelmed or confused by one of your insurance policies?...
Welcome to the second season of the Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp, where I will tackle various financial topics together with my co-host, Mapalo Makhu. In this first episode, we investigate the complicated relationship between emotions and money. We discuss...