Latest news with #BuliNdlovu
Mail & Guardian
10-05-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Education key to financial freedom
Neglect: Women tend to put the immediate needs of their family first, neglecting their own future regarding their work and old age. Photo: Eric Miller/World Bank Financial literacy and education is the key to women growing their wealth and becoming financially independent, even as they bear the burden of income inequality and household expenses. 'About 85% of South African women have bank accounts; they often use them simply as a place to receive funds … rather than engaging with both banking and investment products that could really offer long term financial security,' said Buli Ndlovu, executive head of retail and business banking marketing at Nedbank. 'Once we start educating ourselves about what it means to be A 2024 study by the Research by Global Findex showed that, on average, half of the women in South Africa now have bank accounts and savings. 'These findings are promising as they highlight the effectiveness of the initiatives put in place by the government to promote access to credit for women,' the report noted. But the burden of household expenses is holding women back. 'Most of my female clients — I would say more than 80% — make provision for children's education or something, whereas my male counterparts are more heavily weighted towards their retirement planning and investment portfolios,' said Sheila-Ann Robey, a financial planner at Liberty. 'A lot of what a woman accumulates and saves is for the purposes of other people, especially their children. They're not really focusing a lot of their wealth accumulation and generation towards themselves and their futures.' The report showed that a higher share of women spend more time on childcare and household chores than men. 'The burden of unpaid care work can affect women's labour market participation and career development. Moreover, policies have been slow to acknowledge unpaid care work as an important part of economic activities.' Against this backdrop, Ndlovu said women need to be more aware of the financial services that banks and institutions provide to help them save and accumulate their wealth. 'Just as a start, be aware of your financial situation, be aware of where you are … and you can be proactive about this and educate yourself.' She added that savings, retirement plans, investment plans and the value-added benefits of everyday banking are some of the ways that can help build long-term security. 'I'd always advise people to get someone who is qualified and trained to give you financial advice, because … it will help you learn the correct ways of building and maintaining wealth.' Robey agreed, saying professional support is a good first step, but she encourages her female clients to think about themselves too. 'They need to make some provision for themselves, for their futures. Whether that's for retirement or an investment portfolio or an emergency savings, they have to put themselves first. 'Behaviourally women naturally are savers, and they are naturally risk averse. They lack confidence to enter the equity market from an investment point of view. So that also staggers their growth over a long term in terms of their own wealth accumulation and generation.' The journey to financial freedom starts with small practical steps, one of them is learning how to budget, Robey said. 'Whether you're a salaried employee or a commission earner, know what comes in, know what goes out. That awareness will change your life if that becomes a habit; budgeting will change your life.' Next, women should get familiar with how they can protect their income. 'Ensure your income through an income protection policy, life cover, disability cover, severe illness, because if you lose your ability to work, you will immediately become financially dependent on either your parents or a spouse or the government.' Robey added that investing or having an emergency fund also guarantees financial independence, while estate planning protects wealth and assets after death. 'It costs a lot of money to die. So have a valid will in place, and make sure there's enough estate liquidity.' Ndlovu said women's financial independence is crucial in the face of gender-based violence and financial abuse in the country. 'People remain in abusive relationships because of their finances and not being financially free. Income disparity, unequal asset ownership and financial abuse in intimate relationships are some of the issues that keep women trapped in cycles of dependency and disempowerment.' Robey added that women also need to understand different marital regimes so they can protect themselves and their An antenuptial contract protects the interests of both spouses and an antenuptial with accrual means any asset a partner had before marriage remains theirs and both are entitled to a 50% share of the combined estate growth during marriage. If no contract is entered into then people are married in community of property, which means the property is jointly owned; debt becomes the debt of both; both are placed under debt review and administration; if one is considered a credit risk then both can't get credit; the estate is divided in two on divorce; and you can't buy property individually. 'How you get married to your partner will impact your finances. If your partner dies, your marital regime affects that. If your partner doesn't have sufficient life cover, that will affect you,' Robey said. The financial experts said women tend to steer clear of difficult discussions about money and, in doing so, put themselves last. These mindsets hinder the opportunities they can use to become financially independent. It's never too late to start the journey, they said. 'The best time to start looking at your financial plan is yesterday, the next best time is now,' Robey said.
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
From the field to financial freedom: Supporting financial education through sports
Buli Ndlovu, Executive Head: Retail and Business Banking Marketing at Nedbank Image: Supplied As the nation gears up for the thrilling Nedbank Cup Final, one thing is clear – Nedbank is playing for more than just goals and saves. They're harnessing the power of football to spark real impact off the field, turning the tournament's energy into a catalyst for financial education. In a country where financial literacy can change lives, Nedbank is using this moment to champion smarter money habits, promote financial confidence, and inspire a generation to dream bigger – not just in sport, but in life. For Nedbank, it's not just about lifting a trophy – it's about lifting communities. With the spotlight firmly on the Nedbank Cup Final, the bank is using this cultural moment to do more than entertain but to educate, with the understanding that financial freedom doesn't start in a bank – it starts with awareness, confidence, and accessible learning. That's why the Nedbank Cup has become more than just a sporting spectacle. It's a vehicle for financial empowerment, designed to connect with fans in more relevant and relatable ways. At the centre of this campaign is the vibrant and viral #YaRonaDanceChallenge, an initiative that has taken social media by storm. But behind the moves lies a powerful message that encourages South Africans, especially the youth, to not only express themselves through dance but to take real steps towards financial confidence. "We know that financial education needs to meet people where they are, and right now that's online, on social media, and in modern culture," says Buli Ndlovu, Executive Head: Retail and Business Banking Marketing at Nedbank. This cultural crossover provides an ideal platform to engage young South Africans with practical financial tips. 'The #YaRonaDanceChallenge is more than a trend; it's a chance to start important conversations about budgeting, saving, and setting financial goals,' says Dr Frank Magwegwe, Financial Wellness Expert at Nedbank. 'This movement is a reminder that financial freedom doesn't have to be complicated or intimidating. Sometimes, it starts with a simple step – literally.' In football, financial fitness takes practice, teamwork, and strategy. Through initiatives like the #YaRonaDanceChallenge, Nedbank encourages South Africans to take control of their financial futures. Opening a MiGoals Plus or JustSave Account is the first step in this journey helping you set, track, and achieve financial goals, one step at a time. You can also take the first step towards financial empowerment by joining the challenge! Follow Raizor Steezy's TikTok page, recreate the #YaRonaDanceChallenge today, and stand a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to watch the Nedbank Cup Final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 10 May 2025. How to enter: Follow @Nedbank and @RaizorSteezy . Record yourself doing the #YaRonaDanceChallenge. Upload your video on TikTok, Instagram or X using #YaRonaDanceChallenge and tag @Nedbank and @Raizor_Steezy. See the challenge here:
Mail & Guardian
09-05-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
A love letter to women raising children and bottom lines
Trailblazer: Buli Ndlovu celebrates those raising children and bottom lines – working mothers. Photo: Supplied To the women raising children and bottom lines — this is for you. You are the early risers, making sandwiches with one hand and sending calendar invites with the other. You are the ones who carry tiny humans on your hips and entire departments on your shoulders. You are the soft place to land after a hard day, and the fierce negotiator in the boardroom before it even begins. You are the heartbeat of your homes and the bottom line of this economy. I write this not just as a woman or a marketing executive but as a mother. A mother who has wrestled with guilt and ambition in equal measure. A mother who has said no to promotions because the timing wasn't right and said no to another child — not because the heart wasn't willing, but because the system isn't always kind to women who want both growth and grace. I am raising a five-year-old boy named Lereko. To the world, he's just a little boy learning to swim — just cannon bombs, playful splashes and awkward strokes. But to me? I see a 2042 Olympic champion. I see gold medals. I see purpose. That's what vision is: seeing beyond the now, beyond obstacles, into a future that hasn't yet materialised but will, because of the work we do today. That's why, no matter how big the meeting, I never miss his swimming lessons. Because, even though I'm building brands and shaping strategy from 9 to 5, I'm also building character, teaching discipline and teaching my boy to show up even when it's hard. I'm teaching him that greatness isn't about talent alone, it's about consistency, teamwork and putting in the work even when no one is clapping. (John McCann/M&G) This is the rhythm of our lives as mothers and professionals. We are constantly choosing, balancing, giving. Sometimes stretching so far that we're not sure we'll snap back. And yet, we do. We rise. We lead. We nurture. And we execute. I grew up watching women turn scarcity into stability. Women who made R10 feel like a full fridge. Women who delayed their own dreams so we could have a shot at fulfilling our own. Women who budgeted with precision, planned with hope and gave with abandon. These were our first CFOs — chief family officers, long before they had titles or LinkedIn profiles. These women taught me that money is more than numbers. It's values. It's legacy. Today, I work at a bank that fully understands this. At Nedbank, we see mothers as more than caregivers. We see them as economic architects. Our policies on maternity, flexible work and inclusive leadership are not just about ticking boxes or compliance. They're about shifting culture. About seeing mothers differently and enabling women to rise without asking them to choose between purpose and parenthood. Because when women lead, economies grow. So this Mother's Day, I salute you. The entrepreneurs closing deals with toddlers on their laps. The executives squeezing in homework in-between Teams calls. The teachers, the nurses, the cleaners, the creatives, showing up every single day and still making dinner. You are not invisible. You are invaluable. And to my son, when you read this someday I hope you'll understand that every missed bedtime, every early morning flight, every difficult choice, I made them so you could inherit a world where your dreams aren't limited by your gender, your race, your background or your circumstances. I hope that you will understand that every sacrifice made was for every little boy or girl being raised by a powerful woman. So they can see that it's possible to lead with heart. That love and ambition can coexist. That strength sometimes sounds like a lullaby. And to the women raising children and bottom lines — this is your love Mother's Day! Buli Ndlovu is the executive head of retail and business banking marketing at Nedbank.
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Small moves lead to financial freedom with Nedbank's #YaRonaDanceChallenge
Buli Ndlovu, Executive Head of Marketing for Retail and Business Banking at Nedbank Image: Supplied By incorporating smart saving habits into your everyday life, you can ensure that every move, big or small, counts towards your financial future. To raise awareness about the importance of financial education, Nedbank, in collaboration with TikTok influencer Raizor Steezy, has introduced the #YaRonaDanceChallenge. This challenge not only celebrates the Nedbank Cup but also highlights the value of financial education. It serves as a reminder that financial progress, whether in dance or savings, happens one step at a time. By making smart financial choices and using the right tools, you can build long-term financial stability while still enjoying the things you love. "At Nedbank, we believe in the power of small steps because every rand saved today brings you closer to the financial freedom of tomorrow," says Dr Frank Magwegwe, Financial Wellness Expert at Nedbank. "Through our financial education initiative, we are deeply committed to empowering South Africans with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to take control of their finances." Just like in dance, where every move builds towards a perfect routine, financial success comes from consistency and smart money choices. That's where Nedbank's JustSave and MiGoals Plus Accounts come in. They make it easier to save, redeem rewards, and take charge of your own financial future. Opening a JustSave Account is the first, yet simple and powerful, step to a great savings solution that allows your money to grow effortlessly. The more you save, the more you earn in interest, which helps you reach your goals faster. It's an excellent starting point for anyone looking to build a solid savings foundation. Plus, a JustSave Account comes with the added benefit of zero monthly fees and immediate access to your money whenever you need it. For those looking to save with purpose, having a MiGoals Plus Account is the ideal step. This account lets you set specific savings targets, ensuring you're saving with intention. With competitive interest rates and flexibility, MiGoals Plus helps you stay on track while working towards your goals. Plus, you can enjoy exclusive rewards, including up to 30% off on flights and 50% off on Nu Metro movie tickets and snacks. "At Nedbank, we understand that financial success is a journey, not an overnight achievement. It's about taking the right steps, one move at a time. Much like in dance, where repetition and discipline lead to mastery, small and consistent savings habits pave the way to significant financial rewards," says Buli Ndlovu, Executive Head of Marketing for Retail and Business Banking at Nedbank. So, whether you're stepping up your dance game or your savings game, remember that small steps today lead to big wins tomorrow. Open a JustSave or MiGoals Plus Account today and start moving towards your financial goals, one step at a time. Take the first step towards financial empowerment by joining the challenge! Follow Raizor Steezy's TikTok page, recreate the #YaRonaDanceChallenge today, and stand a chance to win amazing prizes. How to enter: Follow @Nedbank and @RaizorSteezy . Record yourself doing the #YaRonaDanceChallenge. Upload your video on TikTok, Instagram or X using #YaRonaDancChallenge and tag @Nedbank and @Raizor_Steezy. See the challenge here:
