Allan Gray Kaya Biz: Recent Episodes
Kaya 959
Join the host of Kaya Biz, Gugulethu Mfuphi, as she takes you on a journey about how you can secure your future, with Allan Gray. In a time when world economies are in a perpetual state of volatility, it is those who stay ahead of the curve and keep abreast with latest trends to respond to the tough economic challenges with sustainable strategies. Tune in, to find out how you can secure your investments, retirement annuity, personal savings and all your valuable assets.
In a world driven by instant news and rapid market reactions, long-term investing can feel counterintuitive. Allan Gray’s Mthobisi Mthimkhulu explains why patience, discipline and diversification remain essential for wealth creation. He breaks down the “behaviour gap,” the risks of emotional decision-making, and how investors can avoid missing out on recovery cycles. www.kaya959.co.za · Kaya 959
Life rarely goes according to plan, and your finances are no exception. From unexpected setbacks to shifting priorities and volatile markets, staying on course requires more than good intentions. Allan Gray's Gladness Rupare joins Gugulethu Mfuphi to discuss why a durable investment strategy, starting early, investing consistently and staying disciplined can help South Africans build long-term wealth, even when life gets in the way. www.kaya959.co.za · Kaya 959
Allan Gray's Meagan Fraser guides listeners through the first week of tax season — from auto‑assessments and pre‑populated errors to missing documents and two‑pot withdrawals. A practical, proactive roadmap to filing accurately and avoiding costly delays. www.kaya959.co.za · Kaya 959
Allan Gray’s Siyasanga Mlozana explains why long‑term retirement success hinges not only on contributions but also on behavioural choices — starting early, staying invested, resisting early withdrawals, and preserving savings when changing jobs. A practical guide to building a stronger financial future. Kaya 959
Periods of global tension and rapid technological change often trigger emotional investing. Allan Gray’s Nomi Bodlani explores why discomfort leads to poor decisions, how to stay disciplined, and what history teaches about long‑term investing during volatile cycles. Kaya 959
This week on Kaya Biz, Allan Gray’s head of Direct and Private Clients, Nomi Bodlani, discusses the habits that set successful investors apart. She’ll cover a range of topics, from having a clear plan and maintaining patience to managing emotions and blocking out short-term noise. Kaya 959
In a welcome shift, the 2026 Budget introduces no major tax hikes while boosting tax-free savings, retirement contribution limits, and offshore allowances. These changes could significantly benefit long-term investors. Shaun Duddy, head of Retail Product Development at Allan Gray, explains how South Africans can make the most of the new tax year. Kaya 959
As we approach the end of the tax year this week, many South Africans are reviewingwhether they’ve made the most of the annual tax benefits offered through retirement fundcontributions. Retirement fund contributions are tax‑deductible within certain limits – and
growth inside these products is tax‑free – which ranks them among the most powerful long‑term investment tools available.
In this Kaya Biz conversation, Allan Gray’s head of Tax, Carla Rossouw, explains how
maximising contributions can reduce your taxable income today, support long‑term growth
and why contributing above the annual limits still benefits you over time. Kaya 959
Compounding is usually discussed and understood in financial terms, but is the effect of compounding behaviour equally as powerful? In this Kaya Biz conversation, we look at three Scenarios using the Allan Gray Balanced Fund to assess the impact of behaviour over the long term. We explore how small actions, consistency and steady progression can lead to positive long‑term outcomes.
As the new year gets underway and many resolutions are pushed aside, Allan Gray’s Mthobisi Mthimkhulu joins the programme to help us get back on track, encouraging us to focus on small, repeatable actions rather than grand gestures. Kaya 959
After a strong year for both local and global markets, many investors are sitting on meaningful gains- but may also be feeling unsure about what comes next. The Allan Gray Balanced Fund delivered an exceptional 24% return in 2025, well ahead of its long-term
average, supported by strong returns from precious metals, offshore assets and local bonds.
A key feature of the local market’s strength was its narrowness, and this is a source of concern, with performance driven by a handful of shares rather than broad-based gains. When markets deliver outsized gains, a key differentiator is behaviour: knowing when to hold steady, when to take profits and how to avoid emotional decision‑making. Kaya 959
Guest – Radhesen Naidoo, joint head of Institutional Clients at Allan Gray
A 25-year period of investing is a long time. To put this into context, if we cast our minds back 25 years, it was the beginning of the new millennium, we had just filed away Y2K crisis preparation plans, and we still watched the SABC news for world updates. Mission: Impossible 2 was the highest-grossing film of 2000 and technology investments were the fashion – as they are today. The turn of the century also marked the launch of the Allan Gray Stable Fund.
Amid a turbulent and uncertain investment landscape, cautious investors often look to preserve capital while achieving above-inflation returns. Radhesen Naidoo, joint head of Institutional Clients at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to discuss why a low-equity unit trust, like the Allan Gray Stable Fund, remains a sound solution for the cautious investor, especially within the current environment. Kaya 959 · Kaya 959
For many South Africans, their retirement savings pot represents the biggest financial asset they hold. Employers have a duty to protect their employees’ financial interests and ensure that the choices made in relation to selecting the retirement funds in which their contributions will be invested are sound and can positively impact their long-term financial outcomes. Equally, employees also have a role to play in securing their financial futures by taking an interest in their retirement products and ensuring that they are on track to achieve a dignified retirement. Whether you’re an employee trying to make sense of your retirement fund or an employer wondering how to better support your team, this conversation is for you.
Belinda Carbutt, investment specialist in the Group Savings and Investments team at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to discuss the world of umbrella retirement funds and what employers and employees can do to get the most out of the product. Kaya 959 · Kaya 959
Guest: Nomi Bodlani, head of Private and Direct Clients at Allan Gray.
After a turbulent six months, investors could be forgiven for looking to eliminate risk altogether. But eliminating risk entirely is not possible (or a good idea): Successful long-term investing is about balancing the risk of loss and the risk of losing out. How can you assess whether your portfolios are resilient enough to weather periods of volatility and deliver outperformance over the long term? And, more importantly, how can you evaluate whether your investment manager is the right captain to navigate troubled waters? Kaya 959 · Kaya 959
Guest - Mthobisi Mthimkhulu, Senior Manager for the Private and Direct Clients.
Many investors underplay the importance of financial advice often to the detriment of the performance of their portfolios over time. A good, independent financial adviser can dramatically improve your financial outcomes by guiding your financial planning decisions over your investing journey, helping you avoid investing pitfalls and ensuring that you remain committed to your goals.
Mthobisi Mthimkhulu, Senior Manager for the Private and Direct Clients, joins Kaya Biz to discuss why partnering with an independent financial adviser is key to conquering your investment goals and building long-term wealth Kaya 959 · Kaya 959
GUEST - Tim Acker - Portfolio manager at Allan Gray
With 2024 being an election year for almost half the world’s population, including South Africa, the US and
the UK, many investors are worried about what the future holds and how it will affect their wealth.
But the times we live in will always be uncertain and the trick is to remember many of the behavioural biases
that erode wealth during periods of heightened risk. In times like these, we can improve our long-term investment outcomes by focusing our efforts on the things that stay the same, rather than the variables that are out of our control.
Tim Acker, portfolio manager at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to discuss lessons for investing through overwhelming
uncertainty. Kaya 959
GUEST - Meagan Fraser, Tax manager at Allan Gray
One of the key benefits of investing for retirement using a retirement fund is the generous tax deduction
taxpayers receive for saving towards their retirement. But is there any benefit in contributing beyond the maximum annual tax-deductible amount to a retirement fund? Meagan Fraser, tax manager at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to unpack the tax benefits of retirement
annuities and explains the pre- and post-retirement benefits of making excess contributions to your retirement fund savings. Kaya 959
GUEST – Richard Carter - Head of Assurance at Allan Gray
According to industry stats, the average South African retiree can replace just 31% of their monthly income when they reach retirement. Most income-earners face the very real risk of outliving their retirement nest egg. Richard Carter, head of Assurance at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to discuss how to plan for and achieve a sustainable retirement income. Kaya 959
GUEST - Mthobisi Mthimkhulu - Direct Clients manager at Allan Gray
In a world where instant gratification is king, it can be hard not to get distracted by the lure of short-term gains. But taking a long-term view of your investments and staying the course can give you the edge to achieve better investment returns over time. Kaya 959
The end of the tax year in February presents an opportunity to evaluate the tax efficiency of
your financial plan. With many competing financial priorities in the current economic
climate, as well as the pending changes to the retirement fund system, you may be
wondering whether maximising the annual tax incentives still makes sense.
Discussion points:
Why is it important to think about tax when you consider your financial plan?
What are the tax benefits of saving for retirement using a retirement annuity?
How do these compare to the tax benefits of investing in a tax-free investment
product?
What happens if we “overcontribute” towards our retirement savings in a year?
How can we benefit from excess contributions?
What practical things can we do to get our tax affairs in order?
For Allan Gray clients, what are the cut-off dates for this tax year’s contributions?
Lastly, the million-dollar question, what can we expect from the 2024 Budget
speech? Kaya 959
GUEST – Shaheed Mohamed, Head of Group Savings and Investments at Allan Gray
School fee increases in South Africa have, on average, been roughly 2.6% above inflation every year since 2012, aside from 2021. In an environment of already high consumer inflation, this packs an extra punch. Many of us rely purely on our salaries to pay for our children’s education. We absorb the cost from month to month, tweaking our budgets to accommodate the ever-increasing expense. But the problem with this is that the cost of education typically grows at a higher rate than the average salary and inflation in general.
Over time, this difference effectively means that a greater portion of your salary will have to be set aside for your children’s education. Shaheed Mohamed, head of Group Savings and Investments at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to discuss the five factors to consider when investing to enable you to provide your children with a good quality education in the future. Kaya 959
GUEST – Marise Bester, senior investment specialist at Allan Gray
The first few weeks of a new year can feel like a clean slate and a good time to give our finances a fresh start. Research suggests that we are most motivated to achieve the goals we set when we action them at the start of a new period. Marise Bester, senior investment specialist at Allan Gray joins Kaya Bizz to discuss how to set achievable financial goals and shares tips for setting quarterly goals that encourage good financial habits. Kaya 959
GUEST – Nomi Bodlani - Head of Direct Clients at Allan Gray
Past performance is often the first and sometimes the only factor investors evaluate when choosing an investment manager. But as the disclaimer goes: ‘Past performance does not indicate future returns’. This is because there is simply no guarantee that performance can be replicated over the long term. Beyond performance, there are several other factors that work in tandem to produce investment returns that shouldn’t be overlooked. Nomi Bodlani, head of Direct Clients at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to discuss the factors investors should consider when selecting an investment manager Kaya 959
GUEST – Gladness Rupare – Investment specialist at Allan Gray
The season of “irresistible” specials has officially kicked off and the temptation to overspend lies around just about every corner. In the hive of festive activity and faced with ‘deals that are too good to resist’, it’s easy to forget your financial goals and spend more than you planned.
Practicing self-control and harnessing the willpower to subdue our impulses to spend are key to achieving our long-term savings and investment goals. Gladness Rupare, investment specialist at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to discuss how you can tame your festive season spending and keep your savings goals on track. Kaya 959
GUEST – Lise-Mari Crafford, head of ManCo Distribution at Allan Gray
In any period of change, like the current high inflationary environment escalating living costs across the board, we are forced to make adjustments to our finances. Not all adjustments are necessarily negative ones, and they can be leveraged to form new, positive habits that can help us achieve better financial planning outcomes over the long term. Lise-Mari Crafford, head of ManCo Distribution at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to discuss some of the positive changes you can apply right now to recalibrate your personal finances. Kaya 959
GUEST - Tamryn Lamb, head of Retail at Allan Gray
This year, as Allan Gray celebrates 50 years of long-term investing, its first unit trust, the Allan Gray Equity Fund celebrates its 25th anniversary. When the fund launched 25 years ago, Nelson Mandela was the president, financial markets faced a liquidity crisis after Russia unexpectedly defaulted on its foreign debt, the prime interest lending rate was 21.5%, a dollar cost R5.50 and it cost R126 to fill a 50-litre petrol tank.
Though things have changed significantly since, the reality is that the year doesn’t stand out. At any given point in time, investors in equity markets have to contend with a range of challenges and market uncertainty, and weigh up various probabilities to produce the best possible outcomes. Tamryn Lamb, head of Retail at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to reflect on some of the learnings over the last 25 years and to share some of the behaviours that help equity investors achieve better long-term outcomes. Kaya 959
GUEST – Richard Carter, Head of Assurance at Allan Gray
While South Africa’s retirement fund system has consistently produced inferior outcomes for savers, it is also ranked among the bottom 10 systems in the world. Savings leakages and low private pension fund participation are noted as the weak links dragging the overall system ratings down. Through retirement reform interventions like the two-pot retirement system, the government hopes to change investors’ savings behaviour and improve retirement outcomes over the long term.
Richard Carter, head of Assurance at Allan Gray, joins kaya Biz to discuss the challenges and opportunities with South Africa’s retirement fund system and what can be done to encourage higher savings rates among investors. Kaya 959
GUEST – Varshan Maharaj - Portfolio manager at Allan Gray
One of the benefits that frontier markets offer South African investors is exposure to sectors that might not be available on the domestic stock market. Frontier markets can provide long-term investors with an exciting hunting ground for investment ideas, but being able to weigh-up the risks in these environments, is key to success. Allan Gray portfolio manager Varshan Maharaj joins Kaya Biz to unpack the frontier universe and discuss some of the pockets of opportunity for local investors looking to access sectors and companies that aren’t available on the JSE. Kaya 959
In six months’ time, the proposed “two-pot” retirement system is set to launch in South Africa, and with it, retirement savers will be able to access a portion of their savings ahead of retirement. Resisting the temptation to dip our hands into the proverbial cookie jar may prove challenging for many, but understanding the short- and long-term impact of accessing the savings withdrawal benefit may help you think twice.
Jaya Leibowitz, senior legal adviser at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to discuss the implications of not preserving the savings component of your retirement pot and the questions to consider before accessing your long-term savings. Kaya 959
ALLAN GRAY – Key questions to help you prepare for a secure retirement
GUEST - Mica Townsend - specialist in the Group Savings and Investments team at Allan Gray,
While our personal circumstances may differ, as retirement savers, we share one common goal – to have saved enough to ensure that the income we receive in retirement is sustainable for life and keeps pace with inflation. The reality, however, is that less than 10% of South Africans can afford to retirement comfortably. As life expectancy rates
continue to climb, it is even more critical to adequately plan for your retirement. There are several important questions to consider, both in the lead-up to and at retirement, which will influence whether you are able to retire comfortably. Mica Townsend, specialist in the Group Savings and Investments team at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to discuss key questions to consider to plan for a secure retirement. Kaya 959
GUEST – Radhesen Naidoo - Joint head of Institutional Clients at Allan Gray
In tennis, a match may last for two to three hours, and a tournament lasts for two weeks, but a career, multiple years. To play exceptionally well consistently is difficult. Similarly, many investment managers may achieve stellar investment returns over one quarter or a year, but over decades and through different market cycles, outperformance becomes challenging.
An interesting aspect about professional sport is the margins by which you win. Being marginally better can translate into substantial advantages. In the world of long-term investing, every 1% return matters a great deal to your investment outcomes over time.
Radhesen Naidoo, Joint head of Institutional Clients at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to discuss why a difference of 1% is so meaningful to long-term investing success. Kaya 959
GUEST – Saleem Sonday, head of Retail Distribution at Allan Gray
When emotions get in the way of investing, it can lead to a shortfall in the returns an investor can earn. This is an example of how behaviour can get in the way of investors reaching their long-term investment goals. Another example is attempting to time the market by switching between funds at the wrong time. This is particularly prevalent during times of uncertainty, like we are currently experiencing, when the temptation to move to safety is heightened. But this can erode returns. Kaya 959
GUEST – Earl Van Zyl - Head of Retail Product Development at Allan Gray
Achieving long-term investment success is simple… But not easy. It demands unwavering determination to stick to your investment strategy and stay committed, even during turbulent times. This is the view of Earl Van Zyl, head of Retail Product Development at Allan Gray, who says that investing for real returns should be top of mind for all long-term investors, throughout their investing journey. But what does this mean? Earl discusses his three golden rules. Kaya 959
GUEST – Meagan Fraser, tax specialist at Allan Gray
The income tax season is officially open. As a taxpayer, understanding what your filing obligations are is crucial to ensuring that you remain tax compliant. During this tax season, the South African Revenue Service is once again making use of the auto-assessment process, but a few things have changed. Meagan Fraser, tax specialist at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to discuss everything you need to know about filing an income tax return this year Kaya 959
GUEST – Mthobisi Mthimkhulu, Direct Clients manager at Allan Gray
As long-term investors, we often say that there is no such thing as a free lunch: Performance is seldom delivered in a straight line, get-rich-quick schemes usually end in disappointment, and building long-term wealth takes time.
This means that long-term investors must exercise patience, have conviction in their investment strategies, and apply a consistent approach in order to meet their investment objectives. This is also true of tax-free investment (TFI) products: The real benefits are derived over longer periods of time. Mthobisi Mthimkhulu, Direct Clients manager at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to discuss tax-free investment accounts and how to maximise the benefits they offer. Kaya 959
GUEST – Nomi Bodlani, head of Direct Clients at Allan Gray
In the world of investing, like so many facets of life, the decisions you make today will impact your financial wellbeing in the long term – for better or worse. The secret to successful investing lies in your ability to make well-informed decisions and to stay committed long enough to reap the rewards. Nomi Bodlani, head of Direct Clients at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to discuss financial principles to master at the start of your investment journey that can help set you up for financial success in the future. Kaya 959
GUEST – Mica Townsend, specialist in the Group Savings and Investments team at Allan Gray
There has been a drive from single employer standalone funds to multi-employer umbrella funds, with the number of standalone funds dropping significantly from 774 in 2015 to 398 in 2022. The shift has largely been driven by the authorities to encourage consolidation within the industry to reduce costs and improve the service offering, as well as by employers to simplify the regulatory burdens of operating a retirement fund. Below we dispel some of the fears employers may have in moving to an umbrella fund. Kaya 959
GUEST – Marise Bester - Investment specialist at Allan Gray
While equity markets are volatile and can underperform cash and bonds over shorter periods, over the long term, investors are compensated for this volatility with substantially higher returns. Equities play an important role in any multi-asset class portfolio – including those of risk-averse investors who seek long-term real growth, but also need to protect the purchasing power of their investment. But how much equity exposure is enough, and how can investors balance the risk-return aspect of their portfolios? A low-equity unit trust can offer a solution.
Marise Bester, investment specialist at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to discuss why a low-equity unit trust like a stable fund can offer a solution for the cautious investor. Kaya 959
GUEST – Tim Acker, portfolio manager at Allan Gray Summary:
As inflation in developed markets remains at elevated levels, interest rate increases have become a pressing issue. There is much debate on whether higher rates will lead to a slowdown significant enough to tip the global economy into recession. Either way, the repricing of risk and liquidity will eventually find its way into the real economy. Against this, how should equity investors consider positioning their portfolios to benefit from the current environment? Tim Acker, portfolio manager at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to discuss the global risks that currently exist and why local opportunities are more attractive at present. Kaya 959
GUEST – Thalia Petousis - Portfolio manager at Allan Gray
The South African money market is fast becoming a saver’s haven. The overnight repo rate of 7.75% as at end-March reached its highest level in almost 14 years. The extent to which the South African Reserve Bank will keep hiking interest rates will depend on how confident it is that consumer price inflation is moving closer to the 4.5% target. As the impact of loadshedding bleeds into an elevated cost of production and wreaks havoc on food retailers’ business operations, the rate at which food inflation is rising is cause for concern. Kaya 959
GUEST – Gladness Rupare - Investment specialist at Allan Gray
The New York Times recently reported that a growing number of workers are getting access to a new job benefit: help with saving for unexpected expenses. The financial stress on workers brought about by both the pandemic and rising inflation, as well as employers’ need to attract employees in a competitive job market, is making rainy-day savings a hot job perk, with companies like Starbucks announcing emergency savings options for workers. But if you don’t have access to such a perk, what is the best way to plan for an emergency fund? How much should you set aside, and how can you ensure your money grows in a high inflationary environment? Kaya 959
GUEST – Nomi Bodlani, Head of Direct Clients at Allan Gray
When it comes to investing, most of us have good intentions, but the temptation to overspend often holds us back from achieving our financial goals. Understanding your environment and how it shapes your financial behaviour can help pave the way for making better decisions. Nomi Bodlani, head of Direct Clients at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to discuss how our environment shapes our behaviour and shares tips to help investors pave the way for better decision-making. Kaya 959
UEST – Thalia Petousis, Portfolio manager at Allan Gray
South Africa appears to have taken a step back from a threatening fiscal cliff, with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivering a Budget speech that he described as one focused on making “tough trade-offs in the interests of the country’s short- and long-term prosperity” and not austerity. With the dust settling on the 2023 Budget Speech, Thalia Petousis, portfolio manager at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to discuss the highlights from the Budget speech and whether the projections laid out for the country’s long-term finances and economic outlook are credible and can be delivered on Kaya 959
Carla Rossouw, Head of Tax at Allan Gray
Tax efficiency is a key aspect of a healthy financial plan. By making sure your tax affairs are in order, considering the tax implications of your investment decisions and maximising the tax benefits on offer, you can improve your financial outcomes. With the end of the current tax year approaching at the end of February, now is the time to take advantage of the tax benefits provided for through retirement products and tax-free investments. Carla Rossouw, head of Tax at Allan Gray joins Kaya Bizz to share some practical tips. kaya 959
Mthobisi Mthimkhulu - Private Clients manager at Allan Gray talks about How do I overcome the barriers to investing?
Not sure how to save money? Follow these five easy steps.
Investing is not a complicated activity only for rich people. It’s a great way to create financial security and everyone – even you – should get started, sooner rather than later. The hardest part is overcoming the initial barriers to saving.
Our excuses are our biggest barriers to saving
While it may be really tough to make space in an already-stretched budget, taking small steps to develop a saving habit, and a lifestyle of saving, will make a big difference to your future.
One way to get started is with a spending detox. A detox is a process followed over a period of time to rid your body of toxins. Likewise a spending detox will help you rid yourself of extravagant spending habits. We eat a lot of unhealthy food that we don’t need. Similarly, we spend money wastefully. In our instant gratification culture we get a rush out of spending.
The spending detox is about getting control back by reining in this unnecessary spending and breaking the habit of swiping your card willy-nilly. The good news is we are not talking cold turkey here; rather a gradual change in attitude to the way you spend. kaya 959
According to local data, parents can expect to pay between R2.5 million – R4 million to educate a child from primary school to tertiary level over the coming years. With the cost of education soaring, relying purely on your salary to finance your children’s education is becoming increasingly difficult. Kaya 959
Major global events over the past three years have driven home an important life lesson: the need to expect, and plan for, the unexpected. When it comes to our personal finances, this means balancing the need to have some emergency cash available, with the need for earning inflation-beating returns over the long term. What is the best way to think about building your portfolio during times of extreme uncertainty? Cedrick Pila, IFA Distribution regional manager at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to discuss why a diversified portfolio protects long-term investors against uncertain outcomes. Kaya 959
The stock market is a lot like the ocean, with rising tides, ebbs and flows. Navigating these choppy waters can be challenging without the guidance of a good independent financial adviser who can help long-term investors stay the course and avoid destructive behaviours that lock-in permanent losses. Ahead of World Financial Planning Day tomorrow (5 October 2022), Nomi Bodlani, head of Direct Clients at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to discuss why partnering with an independent financial adviser can improve your investment outcomes and build long-term wealth.
With the cost of living escalating, inflation reaching all-time highs, rampant rolling blackouts, and the very real risk of the South African economy slipping into a recession, many investors may be left feeling less optimistic about their financial futures. It is easy to get bogged down by the current state of affairs, but as long-term investors, history reminds us that periods of strife often present new opportunities, and that is why being successful at investing requires a degree of optimism. Lise-Mari Crafford, head of ManCo Distribution at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to explain why being optimistic about our personal finances matters, and how we can find optimism when the world is a mess. Kaya 959
Many investors overlook the importance of estate planning when thinking about their broader financial planning. Neglecting to think about what will happen to our assets when we are gone can have disastrous consequences for our loved ones, particularly if they are minors and dependent on us. Next week is National Wills Week, which is a good prompt to get your affairs in order. Nishaat Limbada, head of Group Compliance at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to discuss the importance of estate planning and thinking about what will happen to your assets, including your investments, when you pass on. Kaya 959
Most of us know what it means to build resilience in the context of health and wellness. But, what does it mean to be financially resilient? Building financial resilience can help investors manage the impact of rising inflation and interest rates. Cedrick Pila, IFA Distribution regional manager at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to provide insight into how long-term investors can build financial resilience. Kaya 959
The uncertainty and prolonged financial distress brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has led many investors to operate in survival mode and to prioritise their short-term needs, often at the expense of their longer-term financial interests. Marise Bester, ManCo specialist at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to discuss the idea of “cathedral thinking” and how it can be applied to help us achieve better investment outcomes in the long term. Kaya 959 Website
According to a recent retirement industry survey, the average South African retiree can replace just 31% of their monthly income when they reach retirement. Most income-earners face the very real risk of outliving their retirement nest egg. Saleem Sonday, head of Group Savings and Investments at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to discuss how you can take proactive action now to prevent a financial day zero when you are no longer actively earning an income. Kaya 959 Website
With the end of the tax year approaching, now is the time to take advantage of the tax benefits made available through retirement products and tax-free investments. We are joined by Carrie Norden, senior tax specialist at Allan Gray, to tell us how we can make the most of tax benefits. Kaya 959 Website
The first few weeks of a new year can feel like a clean slate and a good time to give our finances a fresh start. Research suggests that we are most motivated to achieve the goals we set when we action them at the start of a new period – be it a new week, new month, new year or at a special occasion such as a birthday. This cognitive phenomenon is known as the “fresh start effect”. Allan Gray’s Nomi Bodlani joins Kaya Bizz to discuss ways we can leverage the “fresh start effect” to set achievable financial goals and promote aspirational behaviours. Kaya 959 Website
Netflix’s smash hit show Squid Game may not be for everyone due its shock factor and gruesome violence, but it is a relatable story that hits close to home for many over-indebted households. Allan Gray’s Cedrick Pila joins Kaya Bizz to share some of his favourite lessons from the series
Siyasanga Mlozana joins us to talk about how we can use our bonuses to give our retirement savings a much need boost. The new COVID-19 variant reminds us that we are not out of the woods just yet – even though some indicators suggest that our economic activity is showing encouraging signs of recovery. One thing the pandemic has taught us is that we should save for the future – and this rings true for our retirement saving too.
After 18 months of lockdowns and the easing of travel restrictions, optimism is finally returning to many South Africans who have had to halt their dreams of dashing off to far-off destinations or taking a well-deserved break closer to home. If you are planning to travel, there are a number of important things to keep in mind to ensure that you don’t derail your long-term financial plans. Allan Gray’s Cedrick Pila joins us to tell us more. Kaya 959 Website
The market tends to proceed in a random fashion over the short term, but there are a few themes driving activity at present. Jacques Plaut, portfolio manager at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to take us through some of the themes that local investors should keep an eye on. Kaya 959 Website
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) continues to focus on introducing online and digital services, simplifying the tax-filing process, and making it easier for us as taxpayers to comply. Tax season is officially underway and filing returns provokes anxiety in many of us. Carla Rossouw, Tax lead at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Biz to help us figure out if we need to file a tax return and discusses how to go about it. Kayafm
Many of us are still reeling from the effects of COVID-19 on our lives, our health and even our investments. History reveals the only asset class that has consistently delivered returns in excess of inflation is equities. But after the rollercoaster ride of the past year, many investors are understandably feeling somewhat punch drunk, and are grappling with how to position their portfolios when they value both capital preservation and growth. With the continued uncertainty, it is tempting to switch in and out of investments as you try to chase the money, but this can lead to poor investment outcomes. Marise Bester, at Allan Gray, is here to share some thoughts. Kayafm
As a young professional, it is easy to get sucked into focusing on your career, the immediate needs of supporting a family, and working towards your various goals. As a result, we often overlook the importance of building a firm financial foundation that can sustain us through life’s various seasons and ensure that our needs are provided for in retirement. Phiko Peter, client relationship manager at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to share some ideas that should be implemented as soon as you start earning an income to ensure that you build a solid financial foundation. Kayafm
In recent years, social media platforms have become a popular source for personal finance information and advice – with users sharing tips on everything from the latest stocks to buy and products to consider, to behavioural hacks to help you manage your monthly budget and more. But can you trust everything you see online? The recent FinTok craze on TikTok has demonstrated how scammers and fraudsters take advantage of unsuspecting young investors who source financial advice online. Nomi Bodlani joins Kaya Bizz to discuss the dangers of taking financial advice from online social platforms and share some tips to help us scam-proof our investment decision-making. Kayafm
Lower interest rates are a life jacket for those who are in debt or paying off home loans, but they have negative consequences for savers. The repo rate is currently at 3.5%, the lowest in the country’s history, but with members of the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee subtly altering their collective stance on rates at their March meeting, it’s worth asking “where to from here for rates and money market returns?” Thalia Petousis, portfolio manager at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to explain the current environment and how interest rates impact our returns Kayafm
Most of us are familiar with what inflation means for our pockets – we can all attest to how inflation has affected the cost of goods and services over time – but inflation also has numerous implications for the markets and our investments. A great reflation versus inflation debate dominated discourse in global fixed income markets during the first quarter of the year, and “where to from here for inflation?” seems to be a key question hanging over the markets. So, what is the difference between inflation and reflation, and how are your investments impacted? Londa Nxumalo, portfolio manager at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to explain it all. Kayafm
Although we all have different circumstances, we all want the income we receive in retirement to be sustainable for life and to be enough to maintain our standard of living. Ideally, we also want our income to keep pace with inflation each year. However, the reality is that less than 10% of South African retirees have saved enough money to retire comfortably. As life expectancy goes up, it is even more critical to plan for your retirement. There are several important questions to consider, both in the lead-up to and at retirement, which will influence whether you are able to retire comfortably. Marise Bester, specialist in the Retail Distribution team at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to help us tackle some key questions to help us prepare. Kayafm
Risk-averse investors fled the market in droves as the COVID-19 crisis hit, opting for the security of money markets, rather than suffering through the volatility. However, it seems the appetite for equities has returned now that the markets are flying. While this behavior is understandable, it is also counter-productive for long-term investors. Many who followed this pattern would have locked in losses and missed out on the recovery. Tim Acker, portfolio manager from Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to discuss why investing in a low equity fund could be better than trying to time the market. Kayafm
The COVID-19 pandemic has sent global divorce rates soaring by up to 30% over the last year, adding to the life-altering trauma that many families have experienced as a result of the virus. Even though some estimates suggest that over 40% of marriages end in divorce, most couples aren’t prepared for the range of challenges that may arise when filing for divorce. In addition to its emotional impact, the decision to get a divorce often has significant long-term financial implications for both parties. Jaya Leibowitz, senior adviser at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to talk about what divorce means for your retirement savings. Kayafm
With thousands of investments to choose from, many investors unwittingly reduce their returns over time by switching in and out of investments, being swayed by the prevailing market sentiment and letting their emotions take over. Building wealth is a long-term endeavour and those who manage to do it successfully have mastered a number of key habits that set them apart. Nomi Bodlani, head of Strategic Markets at Allan Gray, joins us to share some of these habits and explain how we can adopt them to improve our own investment outcomes. Kayafm
Set against a backdrop of lower overall returns, it is important to ensure that you are incorporating tax-efficient strategies in your broader long-term financial plan which make the most of the existing vehicles and products on offer. Tamryn Lamb, head of Retail distribution at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to help us understand how to get the most out of our tax-free investment accounts – a timely message as we approach the end of the tax year approaches. Kayafm
The final month of the tax year is upon us, prompting us to review our finances ahead of filing our returns later this year. This tax year has been particularly challenging for most South Africans, and many of us have had to dip into multiple income streams. Whether you have always had multiple sources of income or have tapped into additional income streams this year, you need to make sure that the correct tax rates are being applied, or you could find yourself facing an unexpected tax bill when tax filing season arrives. Carrie Norden, tax manager at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to help us avoid this scenario. Kayafm
Last year was really challenging for most South Africans. We were reminded that life is unpredictable and that our financial circumstances can change at any time, which is why good financial planning is extremely important. The good news is that It’s a new year and we have a new opportunity to take charge of our finances. Allan Gray’s Noluyolo Betela joins Kaya Bizz to tell us how we can give our finances a fresh start by addressing our current money challenges and putting a plan in place to achieve our long-term financial goals. Kayafm
2020 has been a difficult year for South African households: COVID-19 has meant that many of us have lost some or all of our income, placing additional strain on a country with high levels of debt and unemployment, and a poor culture of saving. As Black Friday approaches, kicking off the annual festive season spending splurge, Tamryn Lamb, head of Retail Distribution at Allan Gray, joins KayaBizz to share some insights and ideas to help us avoid many of the poor financial decisions we often make at this time of the year and improve our financial position as the new year approaches. Kayafm
While the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for emergency savings as a buffer against tough times, it has also created anxiety for investors who are worried about their income security and market volatility. As a result, many investors who have been fortunate enough to retain their income streams during the lockdown period are sitting on some extra cash which they may have invested. Nomi Bodlani, head of Strategic Markets at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to tell why it is a good time to accelerate your long-term investment efforts if you have the means to do so. Kayafm
We have undoubtedly entered a difficult period for money market funds. The overnight repo rate of 3.5% is the lowest in South Africa’s history, and offers only a marginal uplift relative to inflation of 3.1% year on year for August 2020. Other market forces are also at work in keeping money market returns low. Thalia Petousis, portfolio manager at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to explain what this means for investors who have become accustomed to real returns from these low-risk investments. Kayafm
It is financial planning week – which always serves as a useful reminder to make sure that our financial plans are on track. This year, this task is especially important when we consider that the pandemic has meant that many things haven’t gone according to plan. Investors who are financially resilient are more likely to overcome unexpected hurdles and achieve success in the long run. Marise Bester, a specialist in the Retail Distribution Team at Allan Gray says that anyone can become financially resilient by developing the right habits and adopting a holistic approach. She joins Kaya Bizz to tell us more. Kayafm
Today is the September equinox - the official start of the new season. Over time it’s easy to accumulate bad financial habits and lose sight of your long-term goals, but the fresh season brings with it an opportunity to spring clean your finances, get your financial house in order and make sure that you are on track. Noluyolo Betela, client relationship manager at Allan Gray, joins us to discuss which financial habits you should toss, and which you should keep. Kayafm
Today, cautious investors are allocating ever-increasing amounts of their capital to fixed income, including money market, bond and income funds. This is an understandable reaction to a five-year period of poor real equity returns and the increasing uncertainty we face as we live through the COVID-19 pandemic. But is there still a place for real assets in your conservative portfolio? Sean Munsie, portfolio manager at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to discuss. Kayafm
A number of studies have concluded that, in general, women achieve better investment outcomes than men. This is largely due to better investor behaviour. In the spirit of Women’s Month, Allan Gray’s Lettie Mzwinila joins Kaya Bizz to touch on some of the reasons why women may have the upper hand when it comes to investing and shares some of the things women can do to improve their chances of long-term investment success. Kayafm
In this period of great uncertainty, one thing you can count on is tax. Tax filing season kicks off on the 1st of September, and if you have earned an income during the 2019/2020 tax year, you may need to file a return. In response to COVID-19, the South African Revenue Service has tried to simplify the tax filing process for individual taxpayers and remove the need to visit branches. For the first time, a significant number of taxpayers will be auto-assessed throughout the month of August. Carrie Norden, tax manager at Allan Gray, joins us Kaya Bizz to tell us more. Kayafm
As we wind up savings month, it is useful to pause and think about how we plan to approach our personal finances for the rest of the year. Now we know that we are notoriously bad at saving in South Africa. The recent pandemic has reminded us how important it is to put money aside for our various goals and build a culture of saving. Nomi Bodlani joins us to reflect on some of the common personal finance and investment mistakes we make when we’re just starting out and talk about how we can position ourselves for long-term financial success. Kayafm
One thing the current pandemic has highlighted is that life doesn’t always go according to plan – and this often means we have to shell out money when we are least prepared for it. These unexpected expenses can have a significant and lasting impact on our long-term financial health. By building emergency reserves we can make sure that we are able to respond to life’s crises without compromising our financial standing or taking on expensive debt. Noluyolo Betela, client relationship manager at Allan Gray, joins KayaBizz to discuss the ins and outs of putting an emergency fund in place. Kayafm
When last did you have a financial wellness check? With the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic still to come, remaining healthy is naturally top of mind. When prioritising our wellbeing, it is important to also pay some attention to our personal financial health. Tune in to Kaya Bizz podcasts on kayafm.co.za, to listen to Gugulethu Mfuphi as she speaks with Lettie Mzwinila from Allan Gray who shares some ideas to help you review your current circumstances and prepare for the tough months ahead. Brought to you by Allan Gray. Long-term investing. Allan Gray is an authorised financial services provider. Kayafm
As we commemorate Youth Day and turn our focus to young South Africans, we are reminded that young people face numerous challenges as they lay the foundation for their careers, aim for financial freedom and map out the path to achieving their investment goals. COVID-19 has thrown many of us a curveball – affecting our job prospects, job security and forcing many of us to reassess our financial circumstances. Nomi Bodlani, head of Strategic Markets at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to talk about how we can approach getting started and staying the course through this challenging time. Kayafm
With COVID-19 posing a real threat to our health, looking after our physical wellbeing is naturally top of mind. Given the far-reaching effects of the pandemic on our lives and livelihoods, it’s also critical to make sure that our personal finances are in good health. Lettie Mzwinila, Strategic Markets specialist at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to discuss the concept of financial wellbeing and share some ideas around how you can perform your own financial wellness check. Kayafm
Many of us are feeling overwhelmed as COVID-19-related deaths, job losses and financial stress begin to have a real impact on our lives. The data is daunting, the headlines are overwhelmingly negative, and it seems as though things may get even worse before they get better. Given this reality, it may be hard to find many things to feel hopeful about, but scientific research suggests that optimism can play an important role in getting us through times of distress and paving the way for a better future. Lise-Mari Crafford, head of ManCo Distribution and Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to tell us more. Kayafm
If you have been keeping an eye on your investments, you may have noted some volatility in your portfolio over the last few weeks as the markets have reacted to our fears around coronavirus, ratings downgrades, Eskom and a host of other issues. While it may be tempting to cash in your investments and keep the money under your mattress, over the long term, this type of knee-jerk reaction can really cost you. Lettie Mzwinila Kayafm
We often talk about how our emotions can impact our financial habits and investment decisions – so it is completely understandable that many of us will have experienced extreme emotional stress around the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic over the last few weeks. With a lockdown in place and a struggling economy, it feels like extreme uncertainty is our new reality. Allan Gray’s Mthobisi Mthimkhulu joins us to talk about how we can cope with the trauma of the COVID-19 crisis. Kayafm
South Africa faces a daunting future. Many companies are expected to experience economic hardship and may even have to close their doors as an unfortunate consequence of this difficult economic time. This will ultimately force many businesses to let employees go. Besides the emotional turmoil that employees face when they lose their jobs, many don’t receive the assurance that their pensions are safe. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority recently warned that many distressed employers will default on their employees’ contributions to retirement funds. Saleem Sonday, head of Group Savings and Investments at Allan Gray, joins us to shed some light on employee rights and responsibilities when it comes to retirement savings. Kayafm
As we adjust our lifestyles and working habits to curb the spread of the corona-virus, it is natural to experience fear and anxiety. Over the last few weeks, these emotions have split over into the markets, which have experienced unprecedented volatility and declines. With fears of an economic slowdown and even a global recession, it is becoming more difficult for investors to keep calm and stick to their investment plans. Tamryn Lamb, head of Retail Distribution at Allan Gray, joins us to shed some light on some of the current movements and help us maintain a rational approach. Kayafm
If you have been keeping an eye on your investments, you may have noted some volatility in your portfolio over the last few weeks as the markets have reacted to our fears around coronavirus, ratings downgrades, Eskom and a host of other issues. While it may be tempting to cash in your investments and keep the money under your mattress, over the long term, this type of knee-jerk reaction can really cost you. Lettie Mzwinila Kayafm