Stories
M J’s Journey: A Glimpse Into a New Financial Future. In the resilient community of Bisiesvlei (Itekeng) near Lichtenburg in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality Northwest, where many families face unemployment and daily service delivery challenges, M J’s story is beginning to shift from survival to vision. For 18 years, M J worked steadily but without financial direction. Income came and went, loans piled up and no assets were built. When the job ended and reality hit hard: debt remained but security did not. Then just one week ago everything changed. M J attended a Financial Skills Seminar by Avocado Vision led by Charles Mokoena. In just six session, Savings and Investment, Boosting My Income, Money Safety, Young People and Money, Buying High Ticket Items, and My Money and the Taxman a new mindset was born. Now M J sees money differently. Instead of asking “What can I spend?”, the question has become “What can I build?” A simple savings plan has already begun. Ideas for additional income streams are taking shape. Old habits of careless borrowing are being replaced with disciplined decision-making. Even future purchases are now viewed through one lens: Does this grow my life or drain it? Though it has only been a week, the future already looks different. M J is mapping out a path toward owning assets, clearing debt step by step, and becoming financially stable not just for personal benefit, but for community impact. As part of the leadership of the Save Ditsobotla Movement contesting the 2026 elections, M J now connects financial empowerment with community transformation especially as the next municipal elections approach. In a place where hope is often tested M J carries a new kind of confidence, not based on money already gained but on knowledge newly discovered. Because sometimes the biggest change doesn’t take years. Sometimes it begins in just one week with the right information, the right guidance, and the decision to never go back. Thank you once more to Avocado Vision Supported by Coronation for changing lives one South African at a time. *(MJ's Full name- Mothusiemang Johannes Bereng)*
On 27 February 2026, I facilitated a Sanlam Worksite Financial Literacy training session at Robert Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley, Northern Cape. This impactful engagement formed part of a broader financial wellness initiative aimed at empowering employees within the South African public health sector with the knowledge and skills to make sound financial decisions in their everyday lives. The training brought together a diverse cross-section of healthcare professionals employed at Robert Sobukwe Hospital, one of the key public health institutions serving the Northern Cape province. The multidisciplinary audience ensured that financial literacy conversations were enriched by a wide range of personal and professional perspectives. Participants included: • Medical Doctors and Clinical Staff • Registered Nurses and Professional Nurses • Administrative and Clerical Personnel • Support and Auxiliary Health Staff • Pharmacy and Allied Health Professionals Healthcare workers, while often highly qualified in their clinical fields, frequently face significant financial pressures, including heavy student loan burdens, irregular overtime compensation, and limited exposure to structured financial education. This makes financial literacy interventions in the health sector particularly impactful and timely. Saving and Investing (Module 2) opened important conversations around one of the most fundamental yet often neglected aspects of personal financial management: the discipline of saving and the power of investing for the future. Many participants acknowledged that, despite earning a regular income, they had little to no structured savings in place. The module also struck a powerful chord with participants, many of whom had never formally considered the difference between simply keeping money in a bank account and actively investing it to grow wealth over time. The discussion around economic forces such as inflation revealed to many that not saving or investing effectively is, in fact, a form of financial loss. Participants were encouraged to assess their own financial timelines and set realistic, goal-oriented savings plans aligned to life stages, from short-term emergency funds to long-term retirement preparation. One of the Nursing Staff said "I always thought saving meant just not spending money. Today I learned that there is a big difference between saving and investing, and that time is one of the most valuable resources when it comes to growing my money. I am going to start small, but I am going to start today". Module 4 generated animated discussion and visible moments of realisation among participants. Many were surprised to learn about the long-term impact of their credit scores on their ability to access financial products, housing, and even certain employment opportunities. The segment on over-indebtedness was particularly relevant, with the facilitator presenting structured, step-by-step options for those who may find themselves in financial distress — including the role of the National Credit Regulator, debt counselling, and the importance of proactive communication with creditors. One of the administrative staff participants said "I did not know that my credit score affects so many things in my life. I have been using credit without fully understanding the consequences. This session has changed the way I think about borrowing money, and I now know what steps I can take if I ever feel overwhelmed by debt". Facilitating this session at Robert Sobukwe Hospital was a deeply rewarding experience for me as healthcare workers give so much of themselves in service to their communities, yet they often receive very little in the way of personal financial guidance. Watching participants connect the dots between their income, their spending habits, and their financial futures was both humbling and inspiring. Participants indicated that they are grateful to Avocado Vision and Sanlam for making this possible and recommended that similar sessions be extended to other departments and facilities within the region, and that follow-up engagements be scheduled to reinforce the lessons learned and track participant progress toward their financial goals.
The SEF training has clearly had a profound impact on both the participants and stakeholders. It's great to hear that the importance of contracts and clear expectations resonated with everyone involved. Empowering participants to recognize the value of their skills and explore opportunities within their current environment can lead to sustainable income streams and community benefits. Key takeaways from the training: - Contract awareness: Highlighting the need for clear expectations in business relationships - Skills valuation: Participants now recognize the lifelong value of their acquired skills - Opportunity recognition: Encouraging exploration of growth opportunities within current roles The SEF programme's impact extends beyond employment – it's equipping participants with skills and business owners with tools for sustainability.
Training was conducted at Metagenics offices on the 13 February to a group of African Language speaking group. The presentation was done in isiZulu , all the participants they said it was the first time for them to be introduced to Financial Education aswell as to learn about a personal Budget planning, to learn about different types of insurance, aswell as to learn about different types of bank account. 90% of the attended people enjoyed the program, participating 😀 writing, setting their Savings Goals that they will be saving starting in things month. Every one enjoyed the activities and mostly the TV activity 😀 the session started at 8:30 am and finished around 16:40 pm . We had tea breaks aswell as a lunch, during the session I gave my group ice breakers aswell as smoking ntakes
I conducted a Sanlam worksite financial literacy training on 17 February 2025 for the department of education in Springs. The intention of the session was to equip the participants with knowledge and tools to help them make sound financial decisions. The participants arrived with great expectancy, they were a mixture of the elderly and the young. As we began the room was filled with energy as most of the elderly were a few years before retirement age. The investments and retirements was the subject of the day. Most participants were excited to discuss about endowments .This group was very interactive and engaging, Time seemed to be moving fast as we came to the end of the session the participants stayed and started chatting by themselves in groups about what was learned in the session and spoke of their gratitude to have had a chance to attend such a session.
on the 09th february 2026, i had some budgeting basics sessions. the session helped the participants realise that they have been spending most on wants which lead them in to debts , they where excited to relook at their budget and pririotize needs over wants and also use snowball methods to pay off debts they currently have.
On the 08th of February 2026 i ran some budgeting basics webinars. in the begining i could the participants still wondering what they are going to gain on the session, but as the session goes they realised that this is a great space to learn. some thing that stood the most is the pay yourself first as they noticed that it can help them to save a portion of their income before spending because if they spend first they end up saving too small or not save at all
On 07 February 2026 I had Budgeting Basics sessions, it was great to see how enthusiasic the participants where. and the fact that they where learning from each other made the session great as some they where free to share even their personal experience. some never saw the importance of having a budget but at the end of session they where looking forwad to using a budget as they saw the impact it have on financies
Boosting My Income- Mankele Adventures 22/01/2026 On the 22nd of January 2026. I had an opportunity to facilitate the workshop for SEF beneficiaries. What a great opportunity to kick off 2026 . The *Boosting Your Income* training was conducted for SEF beneficiaries at Mankele Adventures with the aim of equipping participants with practical financial knowledge and income-generating skills. Many of them came from backgrounds where income is limited and irregular, and most had never received formal training on budgeting, saving, or creating additional income streams. Before the training, participants largely depended on stipends or family support and had limited understanding of how small financial decisions impact long-term stability. There was also a common belief that increasing income is only possible through formal employment, which made many feel discouraged about their financial future. During the training, participants were introduced to key concepts such as budgeting, needs versus wants, saving habits, and simple ways to boost income using skills and resources they already have. Practical examples and group discussions helped them relate the content to their own lives. They were encouraged to think creatively about side hustles, such as selling handmade items, or using digital platforms to market skills. When these ideas were shared on of the participants shared her story that she was part of the consortium that was involved in farming. It was successful to a point that they were suppliers of fresh produce to the local Pick n Pay. However she had to leave because of disagreements and now she is in search of the land where she can start her own farming business. Her issue was resolved immediately when one of the participants offered her the opportunity to come use the land that is big enough for all of them as she was also in the farming busines. This proved that these sessions are great for networking and collaboration as the impact was almost immediate for the participant. The others were grateful that they got to share their business ideas as well as existing businesses and got prospective support from the team present. The impact of the training was evident in the group’s changed attitudes toward money. Many reported feeling more motivated to start small income-generating activities. The training also sparked conversations amongst the about collaboration and supporting one another in business ideas. Overall, the Boosting my Income training empowered the participants with practical financial skills and a mindset shift toward financial responsibility and entrepreneurship. The programme contributed to building confidence, financial awareness, and a foundation for long-term economic participation, aligning with Avocado Vision’s goal of empowering South African’s to improve their livelihoods sustainably.
