Stories
Given the opportunity to train worksite session and i was training few modules that really made an impact to the lives of the participants. The workshop was conducted in the municipality of Lebane in the community of Ratanda, the Attendance was super exciting and the participants during the MM presentations the was so much engagement, questions and answers 😀 . During the workshop the group had so many dynamics old and young people who attended and where so enjoying each module that was presented each day in the workshop, catering was given to the participants aswell as the certificate of attended that really made a huge impact to so many people who attended 😀 During the MM 6 the where so much life experiences regarding the topic
I successfully completed all Coronation Financial Literacy training sessions in the developing community of Bergman, Bloemfontein. The sessions were hosted at a local church that serves as a hub for community empowerment initiatives aimed at addressing poverty and unemployment.The programme received an overwhelmingly positive response from community members. Attendance was consistently high, with some sessions exceeding the expected number of participants. The participants demonstrated a strong commitment to learning, actively engaging in discussions and activities throughout the training. A notable observation was the high demand for the programme, which occasionally resulted in venue capacity being reached and some participants having to be turned away. Despite the cold winter weather, community members remained eager to attend and learn, highlighting the need for such educational opportunities. One of the highlights of the programme was the privilege of hosting Phothuloha TV during one of our training sessions. Their presence provided valuable exposure to the initiative and helped showcase the importance of financial literacy education within the community. The impact of the training was evident in the enthusiasm shown by participants and their disappointment when informed that the programme had concluded. This response reflected the value they placed on the knowledge shared and their desire for continued learning and empowerment opportunities. Overall, the programme was a success, achieving strong participation, meaningful engagement, and positive outcomes. The experience reinforced the importance of financial literacy education in empowering individuals and communities to improve their financial well-being and future opportunities. The overwhelming interest and positive feedback from participants demonstrate the need for ongoing community-based training programmes that equip individuals with practical skills and knowledge for a better future.
On the 21st May 2026, I facilitated Money fo' Sho session at Tokisho Children Project to youth and young adults who are on a sewing learnership. Tokisho is situated in a village called Mesopotamia in Ga- Mapela, the village is situated in a mining area. In our recap One of the participants said that the one thing he has taken away from the training was how he was going to apply his newly acquired knowledge to his business of sewing protective clothes, which he is selling to retailors in town, to draw a proper budget by applying the rule of 50/30/20 in his business and to ensure that his business spends less than it receives, and to include wages in the overheads to ensure that it is accounted for. At the end of his learnership, he will be managing his business full time and he feels that he has gained enough knowledge to ensure profitability.
I fruitfuly meet the local youth and community members in different locations for money for sho training programme as Avocado Vision in partnership with Sanlam. Groups of youth gathered in every 3 months for short courses in Nkomani youth center where I had a chance to meet them Participants were so elated to be part of the program and being empowered in financial literacy, what draws their attention it's recalling in their dreams and interacting as "where they are with it, how are they going to feel when it comes true". Listence Joama Lekhele shared her earliest memory with money she said "I started saving money since 2018 as I am receiving SRD grant with a goal to buy iPhone. I managed to save up to R4000 and I was in contact with a runner on Facebook claiming of selling iPhone. She Asked upfront payments without knowledge and as I was excited to archive my goal I pay her and she was nowhere to be found again.
I conducted my sessions at Ablaze Care Centre in Ntuzuma township, KZN, I was requested by the group that I trained on Coronation in April, to come back again as they enjoyed the previous sessions. We did 2 Modules, money safety and funerals and finance. In module 2 Sinikiwe Sibiya shared her story where she was tricked by Clientele agents into signing up for an insurance product, telling her that she was signing up for Shoprite vouchers. The good part in her story is that she managed to save her friend when the same people tried to trick her as well. This lady and others were very appreciative of the session. Another highlight was when they planned for the funeral, they managed to save a lot of money which was going to help the children after the death of their mother. I'll share their photos and video here
on 20 may 2026 i had couple of budgeting basics sessions. participants where very excited about the program, and very active during the sessions. most of them never used budget before but during the session they realised the importance of using budget. As they already have lots of debts due to not budgeting. they also liked the pay yourself first method as it will help them to save something before spending their income. overall it was very educative sessions
I had the privilege of facilitating a training session for the Department of Education in Nkowankowa, attended by more than 50 educators. During the session, one participant openly shared that they had developed a significant addiction to the Aviator betting game. The discussion created a safe and reflective environment that encouraged honest self-assessment among participants. This educator's willingness to acknowledge the challenge publicly demonstrated the impact of the training in promoting self-awareness and personal accountability. By the end of the session, the participant expressed a commitment to making positive changes and adopting healthier habits. This moment highlighted the broader value of the training in addressing not only professional development needs but also personal and social challenges that affect educators and their communities. I thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and it reminded me on why we do what we do.
Empowered to Dream, Plan and Achieve: Financial Literacy Programme Impact Story From 01–03 June 2026, Empowerment Private School, in collaboration with Sanlam and Avocado Vision and facilitated by Charles Mokoena, hosted a Financial Literacy and Life Skills Programme aimed at equipping learners and adult students with practical financial knowledge and life-readiness skills. One learner whose experience reflected the impact of the programme was Hope Kamogelo Ntswaki Tlhape. Through the discussions and practical examples shared during the sessions, Hope began connecting financial concepts to real-life situations affecting individuals, families, and communities. She developed a greater appreciation for planning ahead, understanding legal and financial responsibilities, and preparing for unexpected life events. Topics such as funeral costs, estate planning, pension fund claims, and marriage regimes helped her see the importance of informed decision-making. Hope also expressed an interest in investing and entrepreneurship, demonstrating how the programme stimulated forward-thinking and wealth-creation aspirations. Her experience illustrated a shift from simply learning financial concepts to actively considering how they could be applied to improve her future opportunities and financial well-being. The impact of the programme was reflected in the feedback from other participants as well. Thandolwethu Nonjoli was inspired to one day become a trainer and help educate other young people. Lwandle Dube highlighted the enthusiasm of the facilitator, which made learning enjoyable and accessible. Karabo Mosadi described the sessions as professional, informative, and educational, while Nicole Pillay appreciated learning how to manage money responsibly and make it work effectively toward future goals. Simon Moepi shared that the training broadened his perspective on life and finances, and Future Mosese noted that the programme encouraged open-minded thinking and personal growth, finally Thuto Tlhalerwa lamented the fact that the Two Pot system could have been handled better with workers encouraged to learn how to invest and develop themselves entrepreneurially. Collectively, these reflections demonstrate that the programme achieved more than knowledge transfer. It inspired confidence, curiosity, critical thinking, and a stronger sense of personal responsibility. Participants gained practical tools to navigate financial decisions, understand risk, plan for the future, and identify opportunities for growth and self-improvement. The Financial Literacy and Life Skills Programme stands as an example of what can be achieved through collaboration between Empowerment Private School, Sanlam, and Avocado Vision. By equipping learners with relevant knowledge and practical skills, the initiative has helped build a foundation for informed decision-making, financial resilience, and brighter futures for participants such as Hope and her fellow learners. Special appreciation is extended to Ms Judy Pillay for her exceptional passion, dedication, and leadership in her role as School Manager. Her commitment to organising and coordinating the learners, ensuring smooth programme implementation, and creating a supportive learning environment contributed significantly to the success of the initiative.
A Money Fo Sho financial literacy training was conducted on the 25th of May 2026 in the rural community of Mkhizwane in Cato Ridge, where opportunities are limited and access to information is scarce. The training aimed to equip community members especially the young ones with practical knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions, manage their income effectively, and improve their overall financial well-being. The level of enthusiasm and participation displayed by the attendees was remarkable. Participants actively engaged throughout the session, asking questions, sharing experiences, and contributing to discussions. Many participants openly shared personal stories of financial mismanagement, these testimonies underscored the urgent need for ongoing financial education within the community. The session was transformational, inspiring participants to take control of their financial journeys and make more informed choices. Participants strongly requested that similar empowering workshops be conducted regularly to continue building financial knowledge and resilience within the community. Overall, the training was a great success and highlighted the significant impact that such programmes can have in underserved rural communities.