Save what you can - your future depends on it

 

Your hard-earned money disappears long before month-end and saving for something meaningful just never seems possible. Rather than worry about what seems like just another financial burden, you put off saving until, one day, you earn more.

Save what you can - your future depends on it. 

But let’s be honest: more money often leads to lifestyle changes, resulting in higher expenses and still no savings.

Saving is not about waiting for a higher income. It is about developing a habit of setting money aside regularly, even in small amounts, to help build a more secure future.

This Savings Month, the Association for Saving and Investment South Africa (ASISA) is challenging you to save what you can, because your future depends on it.

Saving for your future

You need to save for two main reasons. First, life is unpredictable. A small emergency fund can help you pay for unexpected medical costs, replace something that has broken, or cover school expenses without turning to expensive debt.

The second reason is to put money away for retirement. The more you have saved for your retirement, the more independent you can be because you won’t have to rely on your family to help you out. A nest egg in your old age will also enable you to enjoy a more comfortable retirement.

It is less about how much you save and more about making saving a regular habit. Saving R20 or R50 regularly may not seem like much today, but consistently putting something aside helps to build your savings over time. If you leave your savings for some time, the savings you set aside can benefit from compound growth, which means you will earn interest on interest. 

This Savings Month, challenge yourself to save what you can by busting the following myths:

Myth 1: "Starting when I earn more is early enough."

Instead of waiting for the perfect time, start with a small amount you can manage. Even a small amount saved every payday helps create the habit. Arrange for the small amount to be automatically deducted from your everyday account and transferred to your savings account on payday. Your savings should be held in a fixed deposit account to prevent easy access.

Savings tip: Choose one expense you can reduce slightly this month - a cold drink at lunch or takeaways on Friday night - and move that money into a separate savings account.

 

Myth 2: "Saving small amounts isn't worth it."

Many people think saving only works if you can put away lots of money every month. But every successful saver started somewhere.

Once you start, even with small amounts, your confidence grows, and you save more and more. When extra money comes your way, such as a stokvel payout or a work bonus, you can add more to your savings. But don't overlook the power of small amounts saved regularly. Over time, they can make a meaningful difference.

The important thing is consistency, not perfection.

Savings tip: When you save towards a goal, it makes it easier to save consistently. Set up a separate account and name it something meaningful like "Emergency Fund" or "School fees”. Many people are often more motivated to save when they know exactly what they are saving for.

Myth 3: “Dipping into my retirement fund’s savings pot is not a big deal.”

If you are lucky enough to have a retirement fund, you are already saving. But dipping into the savings portion of your retirement fund once a year drastically reduces what you will have available in your old age.

Even if you can replace the money taken from the savings pot in the future, you lose out on the compound growth. The more you take out of your savings pot every year, the less you will have at retirement when you are likely to need it most.

Also, remember that withdrawals from your savings pot are taxed and attract an administration fee.

Savings tip: Aim to build up an emergency savings fund, even if you start small. Instead of having to dip into your retirement savings for every unexpected expense, you can use the money in your emergency fund. This way, you allow your retirement savings to continue growing while avoiding taxes and fees.

Save what you can

You do not need to save perfectly. Some months will be harder than others, and that's okay.

What matters is creating the habit of putting something aside whenever you can. Small, regular savings today can give you more choices, more security and greater peace of mind tomorrow.

This Savings Month, don't focus on how much you can save. Focus on getting started.

Save what you can – your future depends on it.

This content is brought to you by the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) as part of its Savings Month education initiative to help more South Africans #SaveWhatYouCan.

Discover Amazing Thailand

 

By Fred Felton | July 14, 2026

Recently I attended the Amazing Thailand Roadshow 2026. The event aimed to bring Thailand closer to South Africa as demand for meaningful travel grows.

Amazing Thailand. | Photo: Supplied. 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) held a multi-city roadshow in South Africa which connected 20 leading Thai Tourism partners with more than 40 South African professionals to explore emerging travel trends, new tourism products and future collaborations.

In 2025 Thailand welcomed 32.97 million international visitors and generated more than R750 million in tourism revenue, making it one of Asia’s most popular travel destinations.

South Africa is Thailand’s largest source market in Sub-Saharan Africa, more than 72,000 South Africans travelled to Thailand in 2025. On the African continent, arrivals grew by nearly 18% year-on-year, reaching close to 200,000 visitors.

‘’These numbers speak to more than tourism demand. They reflect a growing connection between Thailand and South Africa, built on a shared curiosity, strong partnerships and a genuine interest in exploring each other’s cultures,’’ noted Chiravadee Khunsub, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing Europe, Africa, Middle East and America.

The delegation included hotels, destination management companies and wellness-focused travel providers, showcasing experiences tailored to the SA market. From beach holidays and family getaways to culinary adventures, honeymoon escapes and wellness retreats, the roadshow highlighted the breadth of experiences available in Thailand.

A key theme for Thailand this year is: Unforgettable Experience: Healing is the New Luxury, TAT is placing a big emphasis on wellbeing, sustainability and more cultural experiences.

The aim for TAT is to develop more tailored travel packages while unlocking new opportunities for both markets.

This initiative is supported by Emirates, whose extensive connectivity between South Africa, Dubai and Thailand continues to make travel between the regions more accessible.

TAT says its focus remains on working closely with trade partners and ensuring Thailand continues to appeal to South Africans looking for travel experiences that offer value for money and lasting memories.

Asimile Siyaqhuba - Commercial Sports Facilities

 

Commercial Sports Facilities - Driving Economic Impact Through World-Class Facilities

To highlight the achievements made during the 2021 to 2026 term in office, the City is rolling out its Five-Year Service Delivery Milestone campaign under the theme Asmile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity.

This week the spotlight is on the sporting facilities in the City.

The Commercial Sports Facilities Directorate plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the City’s premier venues operate efficiently while contributing meaningfully to the local economy. Responsible for the management and commercialisation of facilities such as the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium, the directorate oversees event hosting, venue operations, strategic partnerships, and revenue generation initiatives.

By attracting major sporting fixtures, concerts, exhibitions, and corporate events, the directorate maximises facility utilisation while supporting tourism, job creation, and economic growth within eThekwini Municipality. Through strategic planning and strong stakeholder collaboration, the directorate ensures that the City’s world-class venues remain sustainable, vibrant, and accessible to the community.

A key milestone during the five-year period was the successful securing of a dedicated capital budget to implement urgent remedial infrastructure and auxiliary upgrades at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. These critical interventions ensured full compliance with the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act and other applicable regulatory frameworks governing the safe operation and management of major sporting and recreational venues. The upgrades have strengthened safety standards, enhanced operational efficiency, and ensured the stadium’s continued readiness to host world-class events.

To enhance resilience and service continuity across municipal facilities, the directorate installed generators at all community stadia, including King Zwelithini, Princess Magogo, Sugar Ray Xulu, and the Mpumalanga Stadiums at a total investment of R6.8 million. This strategic investment ensures uninterrupted operations during power disruptions and enhances the reliability of these venues for both community and professional use.

At the Mpumalanga Stadium, floodlights were installed at a cost of R8 million, enabling the facility to host night matches and large-scale events, thereby expanding its commercial viability and community accessibility. During the 2023/24 financial year, the change rooms at the stadium were refurbished to meet modern standards. In addition, the directorate completed the refurbishment of change rooms at the Chatsworth Stadium, significantly improving athlete facilities and enhancing the overall user experience.

In the Umgeni precinct, the directorate installed temporary lighting, pre-cast fencing, and guard houses to secure the site in preparation for future utilisation, ensuring asset protection and regulatory compliance.

The implementation of the latest smart access solution at the Moses Mabhida Stadium has been a game changer for event organisers and ticketing agents. With the ability to scan all forms of ticketing, the system has significantly improved the visitor and client experience by offering seamless and efficient access control. This enhancement has increased entry speed while strengthening crowd safety and emergency management measures.

Over the five-year period, the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium has hosted several prestigious sporting events, reinforcing its status as a premier football and multi-purpose events venue. These include major fixtures such as the Nedbank Cup, as well as other high-profile domestic and international football matches and large-scale entertainment events. The stadium continues to serve as a catalyst for economic activity, tourism growth, and the positioning of Durban as a leading sports and events destination.

Asimile Siyaqhuba - Empowering The Youth As The Nation's Future Leaders

 

ASIMILE SIYAQHUBA: EMPOWERING THE YOUTH AS THE NATION’S FUTURE LEADERS

EThekwini Municipality has made youth development a strategic priority through the work of its Youth Development Office, which operates within the Mayoral Parlour.

Highlighting the gains made to empower young people in the City is the Five-Year Service Delivery Milestones campaign being rolled out under the theme Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity.

The campaign highlights transformative efforts that have shaped service delivery during the 2021 to 2026 term of office.

The Youth Development Office continues to play a pivotal role in empowering young people socially, academically, and economically. Through a range of targeted interventions, the office is helping to build a generation of confident, skilled, and self-reliant young residents.

HONOURING TOP MATRIC LEARNERS

One of the office's most celebrated initiatives is the annual Matric Awards Ceremony, held at the beginning of each year. The event recognises academic excellence among matric learners across eThekwini.

The programme honours the Top 20 matric achievers, comprising the Top 10 overall best-performing learners in the metro and an additional Top 10 learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

Each of the Top 20 achievers receives a full bursary to pursue studies at a South African university of their choice, in any field of study. Many beneficiaries go on to enrol in scarce and critical skills programmes, contributing to the country's future workforce needs. The Municipality invests close to R1 million annually to support students throughout their tertiary education journey.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPORT

Through its Back-to-School Programme, the Youth Development Office assists learners from disadvantaged communities by providing essential educational resources.

The programme supplies learners with calculators, mathematical sets, school shoes, dignity packs, toiletries, and sanitary products for female learners. During the 2025/26 financial year alone, more than 1 500 learners from 30 schools around the Municipality benefited from the initiative.

STUDENT RELIEF FUND

The office also has a Student Relief Fund that assists deserving students with registration and admission-related costs, including upfront fees required by tertiary institutions.

During the 2025/26 financial year, approximately R1.3 million was allocated towards this programme, helping young people take their first steps towards obtaining qualifications and securing better opportunities for the future.

 

BUSINESS CHALLENGE

Every June, as part of Youth Month celebrations, the Youth Development Office hosts a Business Challenge aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs whose businesses have been operating for more than a year. The Municipality, along with its partners provide practical business resource vouchers that contribute directly to business growth and sustainability.

Under the programme, the top three entrepreneurs receive business support resources valued at approximately R70 000 collectively, while a further 17 participants share resources worth around R170 000.

YOUTH TALENT SHOW

The Youth Talent Show is an annual programme that creates opportunities for young people to showcase their creative abilities. Through this platform, young people gather to present their talents in various categories, with the winner appointed as the “ambassadors” of the Youth Development Office. Previous winners have gone on to make a name for themselves in the creative space.

Furthermore, throughout the year, the Youth Development Office delivers a variety of projects and empowerment initiatives, including sports tournaments, career expos, leadership development programmes, skills development workshops, and community-based interventions designed to equip young people with the tools needed to succeed.

IMPACT OF PROGRAMMES

Speaking about the impact of these programmes, Youth Development Office Manager Nokuthula Hlophe said the Municipality remains committed to ensuring that young people are equipped with the tools and opportunities needed to succeed while eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba said investing in young people remains one of the Municipality's most important priorities.

Asimile Siyaqhuba - Five Years of Advancing Clean, Sustainable, and Resilient Communities

 

Waste Management Directorate: Five Years of Advancing Clean, Sustainable, and Resilient Communities

Over the past five years, the Waste Management Directorate has made significant strides in delivering efficient, reliable and sustainable waste management services across the City. Highlighting these gains is eThekwini’s Five-Year Service Delivery Milestones campaign being rolled out under the theme: Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity.

The campaign highlights the gains made in ensuring efficient and effective service delivery during the 2021 to 2026 term of office.

As the leading provider of comprehensive waste solutions, the Waste Management Directorate operates an extensive network comprising of 32 depots, six transfer stations, four landfill sites, 22 garden sites with selected public recycling drop-offs, two landfill gas projects, and three leachate treatment plants. This robust infrastructure enables the delivery of essential services to residential, industrial, and commercial customers.

The directorate has consistently provided weekly refuse collection services to over one million households, meeting key service delivery objectives while maintaining high standards of cleanliness. City streets are serviced daily, with the central business district cleaned up to three times per day, supported by high-pressure washing and mechanical sweeping operations. Recognising the unique challenges within informal settlements, the directorate has worked closely with contractors to ensure weekly collection and street sweeping services in these areas.

Illegal dumping continues to pose challenges; however, it is being addressed proactively through the Illegal Dumping Eradication Programme. This programme is implemented through co-ordinated joint operations and dedicated enforcement efforts. In many instances, the City has partnered with stakeholders such as Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa to rehabilitate affected sites through environmental restoration initiatives, including tree planting, thereby enhancing environmental integrity and community wellbeing.

Over the past five years, substantial volumes of waste have been collected annually, contributing to cleaner, healthier, and safer urban spaces. Continuous operational improvements and strengthened regional co-ordination have further enhanced service delivery across all areas of the City.

Beyond waste collection, the directorate has prioritised environmental education and meaningful community engagement. Programmes such as the Back-to-School initiative and the introduction of “Nono,” the City’s waste awareness mascot, have encouraged learners to adopt responsible waste practices from an early age. Public awareness campaigns, including #BinIt, have further promoted proper waste management and sustainability, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility within communities.

Sustainability remains central to the directorate’s mission. Recycling programmes and waste diversion initiatives form the foundation of the directorate’s transition towards a more circular waste economy. Concerted efforts have been made to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill, supporting broader environmental and climate objectives. E-waste and bulk waste drives have provided residents with safe and environmentally compliant disposal options for electronic and bulky household items. These initiatives have helped curb illegal dumping, promote recycling and resource recovery, and advance the vision of a cleaner, healthier City for all residents.

The directorate also manages four strategically located landfill sites that collectively receive approximately 900 000 tonnes of general waste annually, ensuring environmentally responsible disposal and compliance with regulatory standards. Ongoing investment in infrastructure and technology has strengthened operational capacity, while maintaining strict adherence to environmental legislation and best practice standards.

Resource optimisation through route balancing and the implementation of fleet management best practices has enhanced operational resilience, improved fleet utilisation, and ensured service continuity across all service areas.

The directorate has also led numerous community engagement initiatives, school programmes, and clean-up campaigns aimed at promoting responsible waste management, environmental stewardship, and sustainable practices aligned with the National Waste Management Strategy.

The past five years have represented a period of strategic investment, operational enhancement, and unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability, service excellence, and community partnership.

A particularly encouraging development is the directorate’s recent participation in the Metro Trading Services Reform Programme, through which a comprehensive Turnaround Strategy has been developed. This strategy entrenches a long-term, integrated approach to substantially reduce waste, modernise collection systems, and reinvigorate the recycling sector.

Asimile Siyaqhuba - Driving Technology Forward In The City

 

DRIVING TECHNOLOGY FORWARD IN THE CITY

THE INFORMATION Technology Directorate of eThekwini Municipality plays a critical role in shaping the City’s digital future. Its mandate focuses on developing and promoting an Information Communications Technology (ITC) vision that addresses current challenges while enabling long-term growth. Highlighting the technological goals made by the directorate is eThekwini’s Five-Year Service Delivery Milestones campaign being rolled out under the theme: Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity. The campaign highlights transformative efforts that have shaped service delivery during the 2021 to 2026 term of office.

Key strategic priorities include building a paperless environment, ensuring secure and integrated data management, and strengthening reliable ICT infrastructure, including cloud solutions. A central focus of the directorate is the use of Geographic Information Systems, which helps address issues and supports the vision of transforming eThekwini into a modern digital hub for future generations. The Public Wi-Fi Programme forms a central pillar of the City’s Digital Inclusion Strategy and Smart City agenda being driven by the Information Technology Directorate. Director of the Information Technology Directorate Robert Dlamini said over the past five financial years, the Public Wi Fi Programme has significantly expanded equitable internet access across municipal wards. The eThekwini Public Wi-Fi Programme has delivered measurable, city-wide digital inclusion progress. With 75 percent of the strategic target achieved and 98 percent ward-level reach established, the programme remains a critical enabler of social equity, economic participation, and digital transformation within the City.

Strategic Target

The approved long-term strategic target for the programme is 750 public Wi-Fi Sites across the Municipality. This target aligns with a minimum of three sites per municipal ward, the deployment within high-footfall public facilities, prioritisation of underserved and previously disadvantaged communities and the expansion of affordable digital access across all 110 wards.

Infrastructure Growth and Progress

Currently 565 active Public Wi-Fi Sites have been installed (cumulative to date). Dlamini said this represents substantial progress toward universal ward level coverage and positions the Municipality as a leading implementer of municipal digital infrastructure within the province.

Expanding Digital Infrastructure

To date, the Municipality has installed 1 633 enterprise grade Wi-Fi access points across both indoor and outdoor environments. These access points are strategically deployed in high-demand areas to support reliable, high-capacity connectivity for residents and visitors alike.

Accessible Community Connectivity

Public Wi-Fi has been deployed at key locations that support daily life and economic activity, including:

           ·          Municipal libraries

           ·          Sizakala Centres

           ·          Clinics and healthcare facilities

           ·          Schools and community halls

           ·          Sports grounds and public parks

           ·          Tourism hubs such as beachfront areas

           ·          Market precincts and transport nodes

           ·          Key economic corridors, including Florida Road.

Empowering Residents Through Free Access

A key feature of the programme is its free data allocation model, which provides 2GB of free data per user per day, accessible through a secure self-registration portal. This approach ensures fair and consistent access while maintaining sustainability. The Wi-Fi Programme continues to experience strong uptake and usage with over 446 000 registered users to date. There are between 24 000 and 26 000 daily connections and around 2 000 concurrent users during peak periods. These milestones highlight the Municipality’s ongoing efforts to expand digital inclusion.

Asimile Siyaqhuba - City's Proactive Land Release Strategy Unlocks Massive Opportunities

 

CITY’S PROACTIVE LAND RELEASE STRATEGY UNLOCKS MASSIVE OPPORTUNITIES

SIGNIFICANT gains have been made under the City’s Land Release Strategy, which falls under the umbrella of the Property Valuations and Management Directorate which is led by Thapelo Mmusinyane.

Highlighting these achievements is the City’s Five-Year Service Delivery Milestones campaign being rolled out under the theme: Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity. The campaign highlights transformative efforts that have shaped service delivery during the 2021 to 2026 term of office.

The Land Release Strategy was implemented in 2021, and stands as a proud enabler of empowerment, economic impact and success, particularly along Durban’s Beachfront. The strategy aims to enable growth through partnerships, stimulate investment, support small business development, all while advancing spatial transformation.

The beachfront has evolved into one of South Africa’s most compelling urban economic success stories where design, data, and development work together to generate measurable financial value.

Durban’s experience challenges the notion that public spaces are cost centres. They are, in fact, city-scale revenue generators driving measurable returns through rates, rentals, and reinvestment. The promenade’s consistent visitor growth, coupled with a strengthened trading mix, demonstrates how thoughtful urban design can turn municipal assets into engines of inclusive economic growth.

Between 2018 and 2025, monthly footfall along the promenade has grown from an average of 770 000 visitors to more than 1.3 million. In 2024, the precinct recorded 14.5 million visitors, the highest annual total ever measured. By mid-2025, year to-date counts had already exceeded 11.7 million. These are volumes comparable to the country’s top regional malls.

A shining example is the old Circus Circus, which was renovated to a stunning fusion of Africanism and Art Deco and is now the Durban Beach Café. The vision of this establishment was to create an iconic tourism destination restaurant while capturing the spirit of the City. The existing Joe Cools building, a 1700 m² structure that has served the beachfront for over four decades, has reached its functional limit. The data now supports its replacement with a new 4000 m² building, a modern, glass fronted development with expanded terraces, upper-level dining, and flexible event zones designed for year-round activation.

Additionally, the City has received a R1 billion commitment from the Southern Sun Hotel Group to redevelop the iconic Maharani and Elangeni Towers. The billion-rand capital investment will be broken down to R622 million on the upgrade of the Elangeni and Maharani, R157 million on movable assets and R348 million on two additional hotels owned by the same entity. This is in line with a functionality requirement that required bidders to further invest on the Durban beachfront precinct.

Another R5 million will be invested towards the development of the Sunken Garden, which is a municipal park on the beachfront. Just a stone-throw away from these hotels, will be the billion-rand, breathtaking Durban Amusement Park, which was announced in December 2025. The project is being led by a Durban based, 100 percent black owned firm with more than 17 years’ experience in delivering large-scale urban development projects. The development is expected to create approximately 900 construction jobs and over 500 permanent jobs in operations, hospitality, technical services and entertainment programming.

The City has also recently released various strategically located properties across Durban with a combined market value exceeding R360 million, covering 18 hectares. These properties represent a diverse mix of industrial, commercial, mixed-use, and hospitality opportunities.