Momentum promotes financial literacy for true independence this Freedom Month

The Star

29-04-2025

This Freedom Month, Momentum hosted a special brunch dedicated to celebrating financial independence, with conversations centred around building financial literacy and empowerment.
The event gathered leading experts to unpack what success and freedom truly mean for South Africans. The panel featured Prof. Carel van Aardt from the Bureau of Market Research, Hannes van den Berg, CEO of Consult and Executive Head of Momentum Advice, Therese Grobler, Head of Wealth Management at Momentum Financial Planning, and PR specialist Mamello Mosate, with seasoned journalist and broadcaster Dan Moyane as the host.
Nontokozo Madonsela, Group Chief Marketing Officer at Momentum Group, explained that the event was held during Freedom Weekend to underscore the connection between financial independence and freedom. She stressed that financial stability is a key component of true freedom, as it enables individuals to live their lives without the burden of financial uncertainty.
'We deliberately chose the freedom weekend to have this conversation because freedom is not enjoyable if we don't have financial independence and stability, We need to make sure we have the right financial products and services that are unique to your and your family's unique context so that we set up the right legacies that will go on beyond us.'
Research conducted by the Bureau of Market Research in partnership with Momentum revealed that households working with a financial adviser accumulate investment portfolios 9.5 times larger on average than households without professional guidance. This is a striking testament to the long-term value of financial advice.
Additionally, a report revealed that people tend to seek financial advice more when faced with uncertainty or complex decisions.
However, many are reluctant to do so due to fears of appearing financially incompetent, pointing to the need for greater openness and awareness in seeking guidance.
The importance of early financial literacy in schools was stressed, as the youth are seen as the future drivers of the economy. It was highlighted that the earlier individuals begin their financial journey, particularly once they start working, the better prepared they will be for financial success.
Speaking to The Star, Prof. Carel van Aardt from the Bureau of Market Research emphasised the urgent need for financial literacy to be introduced in schools from an early age. He explained that teaching children the principles of financial freedom early on is crucial, especially as many young people today overlook the importance of saving.
'There are many young people who dream of starting their businesses, but they often lack basic financial skills — they don't know how to manage business finances, handle accounting, or make smart investments,' said Van Aardt.
He also highlighted that financial literacy doesn't just teach money management – it empowers young people to start building real wealth. In fact, in other countries that have adopted the OECD framework for financial literacy, many young people have already begun saving for big-ticket items like cars or saving towards their first house.
'We've seen in these countries that kids who learn financial skills early are saving at impressive rates because they understand the long-term benefits,' Van Aardt shared.
The insights come at a time when the demand for reliable financial guidance is rising, with more households seeking long-term security. As South Africans rethink what financial freedom truly means, financial independence and literacy have become essential pillars of the journey, and trusted financial advice is no longer a luxury but a necessity.
'What a lot of people also don't understand is that financial advice is not just about growth but also about risk mitigation, which is incredibly important when it comes to finances,' said Aardt.
The Star
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