A 2026 GUIDE FOR FIRST-TIME INVESTORS

BY TARRYN-LEIGH SOLOMONS BUILD LONG-TERM WEALTH THE SMART WAY – CLEAR GOALS, LOW RISK, NO GUESSWORK.

South Africans are increasingly moving beyond traditional savings as economic pressures reshape personal finance decisions across the country. While the majority of adults now have some form of savings or investment in place, keeping cash parked in a bank account is proving less effective in an environment marked by rising living costs, elevated interest rates and expensive housing. For many new entrants to the workforce, the focus has shifted to finding investment options that are practical, accessible and capable of delivering growth over time.

This change in behaviour is reflected in the performance of the local investment industry. Collective investment schemes, widely regarded as a starting point for novice investors, continue

18 INBOUND SA / FEBRUARY 2026