PHOTOGRAPHS: ISTOCKPHOTO
DEVELOPMENT
It is estimated that over 65% of South African adults do not save at all
– an alarming statistic when one considers the economic instability
that many South Africans face at one time or another in their lives.
‘With the Teach Children to Save South Africa programme, our
intention is to instil – indeed, popularise – the notion of saving as
a smart, savvy choice among children. We are excited to be working with our volunteer bankers and financial sector professionals
from various banks and financial institutions, who take time out
of their considerably hectic schedules to dedicate an hour to
imparting useful and practical saving skills to South Africa’s
children,’ adds Kuhlase.
Since 2008, volunteer bankers and financial sector professionals
have swapped the boardroom for the classroom to deliver one-hour
savings lessons to more than 350 000 learners in over 1 500 schools,
with the support of 15 banks and 28 financial sector institutions.
The programme is also endorsed by the SADC Banking Association,
and both the Swaziland and Mauritius Bankers Associations have
launched TCTS programmes in their countries.
In July 2009, the Islamic Finance Chapter of TCTS SATM was
piloted, and it has been rolled out annually since then. ‘With the
inclusion of the Islamic Finance chapter of the programme, we’ve
customised the lesson plan to include concepts of money in Islam,’
says Kuhlase. It is important to note that Islamic banking is not only
for Muslims, but is open to all.
A database of schools in South Africa has been loaded onto the
dedicated website, www.tcts-sa.org.za, and upon registering online
each bank/financial institution selects a school/s to be visite