Sanlam Moola-Money: newlywed winners’ kick-off married life with R500K to invest
Pilot Sive Mbana and her new husband, marketing manager Solam, have beaten 15 families to win the inaugural Sanlam Moola-Money Family Game Show on eTV. Just three months after tying the knot, the couple’s financial knowledge saw them take home the grand prize of R500 000 on the 26 June finale of the country’s first financial education TV show – and to secure the ultimate prize, financial confidence.
The Mbanas plan to use their winnings to build wealth through investments. They narrowly beat identical twins, actors Lizwe and Sizwe Khumbuza, on a tough retirement question in the last few minutes of the nail-biting finale.
Sanlam Moola-Money’s popularity grew quickly after it launched on 3 April, drawing more than a million views per episode. Hosted by lockdown comedy sensation Tyson Ngubeni and personal finance guru, Nicolette Mashile, the show also featured two charity episodes with Boity Thulo taking on TT Mbha and Goodluck taking on Mafikizolo.
From Bryanston, Johannesburg, the winning couple says the experience and the win helped them start their marriage off right. “It was amazing – we went from a pretty basic knowledge of finances to understanding the difference between an annuity and unit trust fund! Apart from the financial reward, the journey on the show has done wonders for our confidence in each other. We plan to use the winnings to set ourselves up for our future – we’ll work with a Sanlam financial advisor to find a suitable investment for it.”
Sive says the couple’s livelihood was impacted by Covid-19. “I am a commercial pilot and was out of work due to the pandemic. My husband works in marketing, for an alcohol company. Our household has been hit quite hard by the pandemic. Our participation not only eased some of our short-term financial worries but taught us how to take a long-term view on our financial situations. We will make sure we always have a safety net for any future crisis (but let’s hope we don’t need it!).”
For Sive, watching the show was far more relaxing than competing in the show! “Being in front of the camera was incredibly nerve-wracking. We couldn’t believe how many people were on set putting the show together. All the way from the security team to the wardrobe people, make-up artists and production assistants that helped us, it was amazing.”
What were the winners top three take-outs?
1. Planning goes much further than just a monthly or annual budget.
2. The sooner you start to save and invest, the better off you will be.
3. Financial confidence means security which allows you to enjoy life to the full.
Adele Barnard was one of several Sanlam financial advisors who appeared on the show to share a money tip with viewers. “Advocating financial literacy and education is very near and dear to my heart. So, this game show was a dream come true! I loved every minute. The show is about changing the financial conversation and making it less intimidating for all ages.”
Sanlam’s purpose is to help Africans live with confidence and improving financial education levels through edutainment drove the decision to produce Sanlam Moola-Money. Sydney Mbhele, Chief Executive: Brand at Sanlam believes the success has been the format, “Introducing audiences and contestants to the fundamentals of money management and wealth creation through engaging hosts and a compelling quiz format has definitely been the key to the success.
“For us it was about creating opportunities for South Africans to live with financial confidence. We wanted to encourage people to tackle the taboo topic of money, by shifting attitudes and setting shared goals. So much of money mind-sets are established during childhood. It is also vital families involve children in the process. Ultimately, one day, we’d like to get everyone to get to the point where they’d be happy to have their financial acumen tested on live TV!”
