Capitec joins BASA in youth outreach on financial education

© Wavebreak Media Ltd – 123RF.com

Capitec Bank goes out into vulnerable communities and shares its expertise by helping learners improve their financial literacy. Its first event of the year is on 11 August 2017 at the Labiance Primary School. Western Cape Education Department senior curriculum planner for economics, Thando Sikiti and Thabo Tlaba-Mokoena GM of the financial inclusion division of BASA, will join Capitec’s staff volunteers.

Francois Viviers, Capitec’s executive of marketing and communications, says the bank views financial literacy as vital to transforming South Africa’s low savings culture. “The StarSaver programme is one of various initiatives we proudly take part in, through which our staff teach learners lifelong lessons on the importance of saving and entrepreneurship. As a responsible lender, we believe education will secure our young people comfortable tomorrows and benefit our nation’s GDP.”

Tlaba-Mokoena elaborates, “The motto of the StarSaver programme is ‘Ligotshwa Limanzi’ - a Zulu maxim meaning ‘it’s best to shape a stick whilst it’s still young’. This early financial inclusion is imperative for our country’s economic growth.”

StarSaver has benefitted close to one million learners nationwide, with a Mandela-day aligned programme that relies on financial professionals volunteering to take 67 minutes to teach kids a savings-oriented lesson. These goals align with Capitec’s values to equip people to bank better in order to live better.

Sikiti adds, “It’s crucial for learners to develop good money management habits early. StarSaver forms part of the EMS school subject and we thank banks such as Capitec for giving up their time to add value to students.”