Shape your own financial success story
When I was 18, I had little idea what an actuary really did. A chance encounter with a mentor on my school’s parent-student council set me on a path into actuarial science, where I discovered a career that combined analytical rigour, strategic thinking and the opportunity to impact real people’s lives.
Today, as CEO of Wealth Management at Momentum Wealth, I lead the very business where I began my career and one I passionately believe can empower South Africans, especially women, to take control of their financial futures.
Most of us agree that a secure financial future is about more than money. It’s also about power, dignity, and self-determination, which in turn allow you to maintain your well-being and even leave a legacy to those who matter most to you. It’s being able to live a life in accordance with your values, supporting the causes you care about and keeping your independence.
If this future feels out of reach, you’re not alone. Change is possible. Momentum’s recent The Success Women Want report found that for 68% of South African women, financial independence is the very foundation of what success means for them. Yet only one in three said they felt financially secure today.
This gap is why adaptive, values-aligned investing isn’t a luxury for women. It’s essential to bridge the difference between defining success and actually living it.
Play by your own rules to win the game
Achieving a financial goal isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s much easier when women stay true to themselves and connect to their own wisdom. I always think true belonging, both in life and in markets, comes from playing by your own rules.
We often think financial services are all about logic. But emotional self-awareness is a critical skill. When you understand yourself, your emotions and your impact, you can make better decisions and stay the course.
Pay attention to financial decision-making. Are you making your own decisions, or are you deferring to somebody else’s advice without checking that it’s right for you? As one of my favourite sayings goes: “Follow your heart but take your brain with you.” This means trusting your own instincts and values, while also consulting with your financial adviser to ensure your decisions are sound and strategic.
Investing is a long-term endeavour, so you also need grit or resilience. Grit is absorbing pressure, adapting, and coming back stronger. It’s about digging deep to push forward and stay focused on your goals.
You don’t have to do this alone. Momentum Wealth helps women invest while focusing on stability, accumulation, and protection. We help you achieve foundational steps like savings, debt reduction, and securing income, and then, together with your financial adviser, support you to achieve your long-term goals.
Starting early puts compound interest on your side
The best advice I can give is to save and invest as early as possible rather than waiting until saving feels more comfortable or achievable. Start with your first pay cheque. If you’re already working, start with your next pay cheque. The sooner you start, the quicker compounding can start working for you.
Albert Einstein called compound interest “the eighth wonder of the world”. According to Einstein, “he who understands it, earns it; he who doesn't, pays it.”
Compound interest gives you an extraordinary power to grow wealth over time. When you earn interest on the original amount you invested and then earn interest on top of that- your money can grow at an extraordinary rate. Thanks to the exponential effect of compounding, even smaller amounts invested early can grow into significant amounts of wealth over time.
This strategy rewards patience and long-term thinking, making it one of the most effective ways to build your wealth.
Stay true to yourself to achieve your goals
When it comes to money, don’t sacrifice your savings to fit in with the crowd. Stay true to your values and beliefs. Embrace resilience to push past setbacks and keep focused on your long-term goals. And tap into your emotional awareness to make decisions that align with your dreams and aspirations.
Most importantly, start saving and investing as early as you can. Compound interest is a powerful force that rewards patience and long-term thinking. Even small amounts invested consistently can grow into significant wealth over time.
No matter your background or current situation, you deserve to live with financial confidence and peace of mind. The only limits are the ones you place on yourself.
