Tag: cost of living

Since emerging from the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, various industries across Africa have rebounded relatively well after having to undergo a process of reinvention. Across the continent, key multibillion dollar industries are navigating new challenges to meet consumer needs and retain a strong customer base. For Africa’s entertainment and media (E&M) industry, 2022 was a challenging year.

Retirement is one of those phases of life that invites many perspectives. For some, it's the golden horizon they've been dreaming about, and working towards, their entire career - a chance to finally kick back, relax, and spend their days doing whatever they want.

With the increased cost of living, managing your money in your retirement years can be a challenging exercise for many. Running out of money during one’s retirement years is a prime concern for many retirees.  Although people have reasons to be concerned with the rise of economic pressures and the cost of living, consumers can lessen the risk of running out of money in retirement with proper financial planning and sound money management tools. 

High interest rates increase the income opportunity of one’s savings and investments. In a volatile economic landscape, the importance of prudent financial planning and savvy saving strategies becomes more critical than ever. When inflation is high, the value of money seems to shift like sand beneath our feet, with a knock-on effect on interest rates and the cost of living.

At the current rate of progress, the World Economic Forum says it will take 102 years to close the gender gap in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is therefore vital to ensure girls have equal opportunities not only in the workplace but in school to accelerate closing the gender gap.

The need for trust within the banking sector has, in recent years, never been more important than it is today. Recent times have seen the South African banking public being exposed to news of bank failures elsewhere and if that was not enough worry for the consumers, their stresses are further aggravated by their inability to meet their repayment obligations to their creditors brought about by the rising global cost of living crisis and the ongoing energy crisis.

We have announced the findings of our inaugural Retirement Insights Survey, the first retirement research of its kind conducted by an integrated financial services provider in South Africa. Against the backdrop of widespread belief that South Africa lacks a savings culture, the survey unveils some reasons for disparities in retirement savings beyond apathy or income.

Determining the true market value of a home is about more than design, amenities, kerb appeal, location and size. While those are of course important elements of home valuations, they only paint half the picture for buyers and sellers looking to enter into property transactions.

As the two countries implement reforms, the local situation is unlikely to spiral out of control as it did in France. In October 2010 there were massive strikes across France against pension reform. Activist Jean-Baptiste Reddé’s slogan “Ecoutez la colère du people" (Listen to the people’s rage) became world famous as the symbol that epitomised public sentiment.  

Stokvels are on the move: moving from villages to cities, from beneath mattresses into savings accounts and investment instruments. As they move and evolve, their potential for growth and their ability to create wealth increases.