Sanlam’s National Start Something Day
Posted by Reality | May 27th, 2011 | 69 Comments
Sanlam addresses lack of savings culture with ‘National Start Something Day’
Cape Town, 11 May, 2010: Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan recently said that South Africans aren’t saving enough. And Sanlam – a leading financial services provider – agrees, citing statistics from its recent Employee Benefits Benchmark Survey* that indicated 38,3% of active members said they are lagging behind to meet their future financial goals. To help overcome this worrying trend, it has earmarked 2 September, 2011 as ‘National Start Something Day’ to inspire everyday people to take up a new hobby, learn a new language or even set-up a business venture. Its aim is to cultivate a community of go-getters that plan ahead and make dreams realities instead of waiting for things to happen – an attitude that more often that not ends with too little, too late: be it skill, opportunities or savings.
Clement Nhlangwana, Sanlam Personal Finance marketing manager says, “It’s no secret: South Africans aren’t saving enough. This is often because it isn’t ‘fun’, can take a long time to amount to something substantial or the money is needed for other, more pressing things. At Sanlam, we believe the sooner you start investing in something – be it a hobby, saving for your child’s education or launching a business idea – the sooner you’ll get to enjoy the rewards. And the greater they’ll be.”
He goes on to say that sound financial planning, like mastering a sport or learning Italian, takes commitment, and is rarely an over-night thing. Yet few actually take the time to identify their financial goals, make a plan for the future and then start saving – even if it is with just R10 a day. “Instead they are easily distracted, don’t have enough self-belief in their own abilities, procrastinate or simply don’t have the will. By launching ‘National Start Something Day’ we hope to encourage people to ‘just do it’ and start that one thing they’ve procrastinated about, put off until a better time – waiting until next New Year’s Day isn’t an option! – or didn’t think they could achieve – much like their financial wellbeing.”
Leading up to National Start Something Day on 2 September, South Africans are invited to pledge their individual ‘start’ on Facebook and motivate others to share their inspiring commitments such as starting a youth development programme (Ndileka Nombula Ndishq); opening a computer training centre (Mbali Mphuthi) or recycling (Isaac Seretse).
“The point isn’t what you start; it’s that you start it. So, whether you want to start writing a novel or saving for a family holiday, the same principles apply: set a start date, make a plan and stick to it. Overtime, you’ll have met your first publisher or have created amazing holiday memories. It’s all possible, it just takes action.”
To follow the campaign and see who pledges to start what by 2 September, or to participate in National Start Something Day, visit http://www.facebook.com/startsomethingday.
For more information, visit www.sanlam.co.za
