Latest news with #QueenMáxima
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
How financial stress impacts cognitive function and the role of education in South Africa
Discover how financial stress affects cognitive function and why investing in financial education is crucial for improving individual and societal economic health in South Africa. Image: Pexels A lack of financial health isn't just a personal problem – it's a societal crisis, trapping people in poverty, deepening inequality, and even impairing their ability to think clearly. High levels of debt and financial stress cut across income brackets, education levels, and job titles. There is no immunity: financial instability has become the norm, not the exception. Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Financial Health, made this very clear during her recent visit to South Africa, during which she had a round table discussion with guests that included two of our learners who had completed an online course through our partnership with Discovery Bank. In fact, it was during this session that the Queen went so far as to point to a peer-reviewed study, Poverty impedes cognitive function, which found that those who are already struggling financially and then become more anxious about money can lose as many as 13 IQ points. Financial stress literally reduces cognitive function and works out to about a 16% reduction in IQ for South Africans. This isn't isolated research. A paper published in the Journal of Economic Psychology just last year, Financial scarcity and cognitive performance: A meta-analysis, co-authored by several specialists in their field, noted that a lack of financial resources seems to have detrimental effects on cognitive functioning. The good news is that it also found that investing in financial education enhances cognitive functioning as well as improves people's financial situations. Our research, conducted across tens of thousands of learners referred from institutions like 1Life, Discovery Bank, and other major financial services providers, reveals the poor state of financial resilience. Only 35% of participants managed to spend less than their salaries, and just 42% reported having emergency savings. After a financial education course, two-thirds of learners are back to spending within their salaries, and 63% have emergency savings. It is, as Queen Máxima highlighted, exciting to see South Africa making progress in boosting financial health and intentionally moving away from focusing on financial literacy to pursuing financial intelligence and financial health instead. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading A more financially inclusive economy also aligns perfectly with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority's (FSCA's) 2025-2028 strategy. The FSCA is focused on empowering consumers, improving market integrity, and fostering an all-encompassing, innovative financial sector. Their approach supports the UN's vision: people and communities should comfortably cover expenses, handle shocks, and plan for the future. The UN's aims with financial health programmes are to help achieve some of its Sustainable Development Goals, such as reducing – if not eliminating – poverty and inequality. Juxtaposed with this, the FSCA's strategy wants to improve industry practices to ensure fair outcomes for all financial services clients, foster an innovative and sustainable sector, act against misconduct, and help households and small businesses become more financially resilient – especially in an ever-changing digital world. Technology can expand access to financial health as well as make such services more accessible, innovations that Queen Máxima champions. The FSCA agrees but stresses the need for smart regulation. Their pending Conduct of Financial Institutions Bill aims to create a 'regulatory framework that is robust yet streamlined' and future-fit, ensuring consistent and predictable outcomes for all financial customers. Yet, legislation and laudable aims aren't enough. To turn these policy initiatives into real change, we have found the magic in how the capability of improving financial behaviour is intrinsically and authentically implemented through meaningful partnerships across the private, financial services, and education sectors. As business leaders, we have a responsibility to join this revolution to empower people to understand money and investing as well as make it possible for them to implement what they've learned, benefiting themselves, their families, and their communities.
Bloomberg
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Bloomberg
A Migration Museum Opens in a Hotbed of Anti-Immigrant Sentiment
A few years after Frank Kanhai emigrated from Suriname to the Netherlands in 1975, his aunt came to live with him. Despite being unable to speak Dutch, she was still determined to make the six-hour round trip to the nearest Surinamese supermarket. So 14-year-old Frank wrote a short note she could show the bus driver. Today, that note is on display alongside work by Willem De Kooning and Grayson Perry at a new museum in Rotterdam dedicated to human migration. Opened on May 15 by the Netherlands' Queen Máxima, the Fenix Museum is an eye-catching addition to the city's skyline. A 30-meter-high silver staircase, made of 4,000 square meters of polished steel and nicknamed 'the tornado,' erupts from the roof of the former warehouse, an architectural testament to the twists and turns of the migrant journey. Inside, there are works from Syrian artist Abdalla Al Omari and British-Nigerian Yinka Shonibare. One room features a labyrinth made of 2,000 suitcases sourced from migrants to and from Rotterdam.
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
The Trusted Interior Designer of the Dutch Royal Family Sells Her Villa in Marbella for €10.8 Million
Dutch royal family's interior designer lists her Marbella villa for €10.8M. Sale managed by Pure Living Properties in exclusive Los Monteros Playa. MARBELLA, MALAGA, SPAIN, May 13, 2025 / / -- Renowned interior designer Mariska Dietz, trusted by the Dutch royal family and a close friend of Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, has put her spectacular residence in Marbella on the market: Villa Las Tortugas. The luxury real estate agency Pure Living Properties, a specialist in the premium property market, is handling the sale of this property located in the Los Monteros Playa area, with an asking price of €10,850,000. Set on a 3,683 m² plot, this unique estate comprises three independent properties, spacious gardens, various terraces, a sea-view swimming pool, and a gym, among other luxury features. The main villa, spread over two levels, boasts seven en-suite bedrooms, where traditional Andalusian architecture blends seamlessly with tropical design elements and high-end finishes. The interiors, spanning 1,193 m², have been meticulously designed by Mariska Dietz herself to maximise natural light and a sense of spaciousness, creating a sophisticated and welcoming atmosphere, which she describes as her 'Mediterranean dream'. Sustainable materials, such as clay walls and solar panels, reinforce the villa's commitment to efficiency without compromising on aesthetics. 'Villa Las Tortugas is a work of art in itself. Every corner has been designed with clear intention, making it a truly unique property. What's more, it's extraordinarily rare to find a triple plot with three homes in one of Marbella's finest areas. This combination of exclusivity, privacy, and space positions it as one of the best opportunities on Marbella's current property market,' says Javier Nieto, CEO of Pure Living Properties. A Design with Character and Soul Every corner of Villa Las Tortugas reflects the artistic vision and talent of Mariska Dietz, who has worked with international elites and European royalty. 'When I designed this villa, my goal was for every room to tell a story and evoke emotions. It's not just a house – it's a sensory experience,' explains the interior designer, who also designed a mansion in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, purchased by world-renowned singer The Weeknd. At Villa Las Tortugas, the outdoor spaces have been designed to seamlessly integrate with the Mediterranean surroundings. The central courtyard, open and covered terraces, and private pool with open-concept bar create a unique atmosphere, especially crafted to enjoy Marbella's year-round sunshine. Inside, the designer plays with unexpected textures and shapes, combining pieces from different eras and origins. 'I always try to bring a touch of humour and a relaxed feel to every space. Interiors that are too serious lose their soul,' she says. The main living room blends sculptural elements with vintage furniture, bamboo lighting, and abstract art, while the master bedroom, featuring a canopy bed and sand-toned textiles, evokes a deep sense of calm. With steady appreciation and a prime location, Los Monteros – one of Marbella's earliest luxury residential areas – stands out as one of the best places to invest in the city in 2025. According to Pure Living Properties, a real estate agency specialising in premium areas, demand has been steadily increasing, while supply remains limited, particularly in the Los Monteros Playa area, resulting in significant price growth in recent years. Data from Idealista indicates that property prices in the area have seen a monthly increase of +1.3% and a quarterly rise of +3.9% — one of the highest in Marbella during this period — bringing the average price to €4,687/m². This highlights the strength of demand and the vibrancy of the local market. Furthermore, its strategic location just 10 minutes from Marbella centre and 40 minutes from Málaga International Airport makes it a highly attractive option for both buyers and investors. 'Los Monteros is one of the areas with the greatest growth potential in Marbella. Its exclusivity, privacy, and strategic location have made it a hotspot for high-level investments. Demand over the past year has grown exponentially, and forecasts indicate that it will continue to strengthen its position as a key area in the luxury real estate market. Moreover, supply here is very limited, so each property for sale is a rare opportunity,' says Nieto. One of the Most Exclusive Investments in East Marbella Los Monteros Playa is one of Marbella's most privileged and discreet areas, chosen by those seeking tranquillity, security, and direct beach access. In recent years, East Marbella has experienced sustained growth in demand for luxury properties, solidifying its status as one of the areas with the highest potential for appreciation. 'This villa represents the best of luxury design and Marbella exclusivity. Its combination of privacy, high-quality architecture, and an unbeatable location make it one of the standout properties on today's market,' says the CEO of Pure Living Properties. The appeal of Los Monteros has not gone unnoticed by major players in the hospitality and real estate industries. The reopening of the iconic Hotel Los Monteros under the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants brand in March 2025 marked a new milestone for the area, further cementing its reputation as a top destination for international investors. Interest from investors in the United States, the Middle East, and Europe has grown significantly in recent years. As a result, growth in Los Monteros has outpaced other areas in East Marbella, making it a safe bet for those seeking a high-return, appreciating property asset. About Pure Living Properties Pure Living Properties is a luxury real estate agency located in the heart of Marbella's Golden Mile, within the prestigious Hotel Puente Romano. With an impressive track record in the sale and rental of high-end properties, its international team and exclusive portfolio have positioned the agency as a market leader in Marbella's premium real estate sector. Pure Living Properties is distinguished by its bespoke service, tailored to meet the needs of a demanding clientele seeking properties in the most exclusive locations on the Costa del Sol. Carmen Durán CARMEN DURÁN COMUNICACIÓN +34 696 92 97 45 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. 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