Maysure Financial Services

03/11/2026

South Africa wants to become a bigger player in global finance and that could eventually matter for local investors too.

Moneyweb reports that the South African Reserve Bank and National Treasury are proposing a new **Synthetic Financial Centre**, designed to allow authorised local financial institutions to manage more offshore assets from South Africa.

Why does that matter?

South Africans are estimated to hold around R5 trillion in offshore portfolio assets, while billions of rands in financial-services fees currently flow to overseas providers.

The proposal aims to bring some of that activity back home by allowing qualifying South African firms to manage international investments locally, while still keeping the underlying assets offshore.

If implemented well, the potential benefits could include:

• More international investment-management activity taking place in South Africa
• More local jobs and specialist financial-sector skills
• Greater competition between providers
• More choice for investors
• Potentially lower investment-management fees over time

This is an encouraging development, but it does not change the fundamentals of good investing. Offshore investing is still about diversification, risk management and making sure your portfolio is aligned with your long-term goals.

The interesting part is that South African investors may eventually have more ways to access and manage offshore investments without so much of the financial activity, expertise and fee income leaving the country.

It is also important to note that the proposal does not remove existing offshore limits for retirement funds. The current 45% prudential foreign-exposure limit would remain in place.

So this is not about opening the floodgates to offshore investing, it's about making South Africa more competitive as a place from which global investments can be managed.

If successful, that could be good for the financial sector, good for competition and, ultimately, good for investors.

Read the full article on Moneyweb:
https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/economy/south-africas-bold-plan-to-become-a-global-financial-centre/

South Africans have an estimated R5trn in offshore assets that could be managed from SA, and a proposal by the Reserve Bank and National Treasury plans to do just that.

02/11/2026

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein

Not every opportunity arrives wrapped in good news.

Sometimes it comes disguised as a challenge, an unexpected change or a situation that forces us to rethink the way we've always done things.

While we can't always choose the circumstances we face, we can choose how we respond to them.

A setback might encourage us to explore new possibilities. A difficult decision might help us discover what truly matters. And an unexpected change could lead us somewhere we never imagined.

This Monday, remember that challenges don't always mean you've reached the end of the road.

Sometimes, they're simply an invitation to find a different way forward.

Here's to a week of seeing possibilities where others might only see obstacles. 🌿

27/10/2026

South Africa’s debt outlook is improving, but not everyone agrees on what happens next.

Moneyweb reports that Fitch Ratings expects government debt to stabilise at around 78% of GDP over the next two years, but then edge higher again to 79% by 2028/29.

That differs from National Treasury’s view that debt has already peaked and should gradually decline to 76.6% of GDP by 2029/30.

Moody’s is closer to Treasury’s position, saying debt appears to be on a “clear, albeit gradual” downward path. It has also described the latest budget update as credit positive.

So what does this actually mean?

It means South Africa has made progress, but the outlook still depends heavily on economic growth, fiscal discipline and the country’s ability to absorb future shocks.

Weak growth remains one of the biggest risks. Even if government spending is better controlled, debt becomes harder to reduce if the economy itself is not growing fast enough.

This is a useful reminder that financial health is not judged by one number in isolation.

The same is true in your own financial plan.

Debt matters, but so does income growth.
Savings matter, but so does how consistently you contribute.
Investment returns matter, but so does the time you stay invested.

Improvement is positive, but sustainability is what really counts.

For South Africa, the next major signals will come from Moody’s and Fitch when they review the country again in November and December.

For households, the principle is simpler: keep reducing unnecessary debt, build resilience into your budget, and make sure your long-term plan is strong enough to cope with setbacks as well as good years.

Read the full article on Moneyweb: https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/economy/fitch-diverges-from-national-treasury-on-debt-outlook/

While Moody’s sees debt on a downward path.

26/10/2026

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” Hans Hofmann

Life has a way of becoming complicated.

More responsibilities, more commitments, more expectations, and somewhere along the way, we can lose sight of what really matters.

But sometimes, moving forward isn't about adding more to our lives. It's about making room for what deserves our attention.

That might mean simplifying your finances, reassessing your priorities, setting boundaries or choosing to spend more time doing the things that bring you joy.

A meaningful life isn't necessarily one filled with more. It's one filled with more of what matters.

This Monday, ask yourself: What could I simplify to make room for something better?

20/10/2026

South Africa could be in line for some very welcome economic news.

BusinessTech reports that South Africa may receive a credit-rating upgrade as soon as next month, with both Moody’s and S&P currently holding the country on a positive outlook.

You might be wondering why does this matters?

A better credit rating signals that international investors see less risk in lending money to South Africa. Over time, that can help reduce the cost of government borrowing, support investor confidence and create a healthier environment for the rand, interest rates and economic growth.

The encouraging part is what is driving the optimism.

South Africa’s debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to decline for the first time in more than two decades, while the budget deficit may also come in better than previously forecast.

That does not mean every economic challenge has disappeared.

Growth is still relatively weak, global risks remain, and rating agencies will want to see continued improvement in government debt, deficits and economic performance before making bigger moves.

This is a good reminder that financial stability is built gradually.

The same principle applies to your own finances. Reducing debt, keeping spending under control, building reserves and making consistent long-term investment decisions may not feel dramatic from month to month, but over time they strengthen your financial position.

Countries build financial credibility through discipline.

Households do too.

Read the full article on BusinessTech:
https://businesstech.co.za/news/finance/880466/south-africa-lined-up-for-great-news-next-month/

Economists believe this week's MTBPS could see South Africa's credit rating upgraded as soon as Novermber.

19/10/2026

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” Oprah Winfrey

We're often so focused on what comes next that we forget to appreciate what we already have.

The goals we've achieved. The challenges we've overcome. The people who make our lives richer, and the everyday moments that remind us why we work so hard in the first place.

Ambition is a wonderful thing, but so is gratitude.

Building a better future shouldn't mean forgetting to enjoy the life you're living today.

As you start this new week, take a moment to recognise something good in your life, no matter how ordinary it may seem.

After all, a life well lived isn't only measured by what we achieve, but also by what we appreciate along the way.

Have a wonderful Monday! 🌿

15/10/2026

There is some good news in South Africa’s retirement picture, but the numbers still show how important it is to start early and save consistently.

According to the latest Alexforbes Member Insights report, the proportion of members on track to retire with at least 75% of their final salary has improved from 6% in 2021 to 10% in 2025. That is progress, but it also means 9 out of 10 contributing members are still not on track to reach that level of retirement income.

The article highlights one of the biggest reasons why: contribution rates are simply too low. The average retirement fund member is contributing around 11.2% of salary, while the commonly quoted benchmark in the article is 15% over 40 years to target a 75% replacement ratio.

Time also matters enormously, the longer you wait to start saving seriously, the more difficult it becomes to catch up later. Someone who saves consistently over decades has a very different outcome from someone trying to make up the gap in the final years before retirement.

There is another encouraging sign too: more retirement savings are staying invested instead of being withdrawn when people change jobs or retire. Preservation rose to 52% of assets at the end of 2025, up from 44% in 2022.

Retirement planning is not about finding one magic investment, it's about getting a few important things right for a very long time:
- Start as early as you can
- Contribute consistently
- Increase contributions when your income grows
- Preserve your retirement savings when changing jobs
- Give your investments enough time to compound
- Review your retirement plan regularly rather than waiting until retirement is close

If you are already behind, that does not mean it is too late.

It means you need to understand the gap and make deliberate decisions about contributions, investment strategy, retirement age and the income you will realistically need.

The encouraging part of this report is that retirement outcomes can improve, the important part is that they usually improve because people act.

Read the full article on Moneyweb: https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/companies-and-deals/alexforbes-data-shows-10-of-retirees-now-on-track/

Alexforbes Members Insights 2026 reveals most people do not save enough of their salary each month for a sustainable retirement

13/10/2026

Your health plan and your financial plan are more connected than they may seem. This News24 partner article from Fedhealth looks at how medical aid could evolve beyond simply paying claims, towards helping members manage health risks earlier and potentially supporting longer-term financial wellbeing too.

The thinking is straightforward: healthier people may face fewer avoidable medical costs, while people who understand and manage their health risks earlier may be better positioned to protect both their quality of life and their finances.

The article also highlights a broader reality.

People are living longer, healthcare costs continue to rise, and many South African households are already under financial pressure. That means medical expenses, insurance, retirement savings and everyday cash flow increasingly need to be considered together rather than as separate parts of a plan.

Health is a financial-planning issue. An unexpected illness can affect much more than your medical bills. It can affect your income, savings, debt repayments, retirement contributions and the financial stability of your family.

That is why a strong plan should consider:
- Appropriate medical aid and healthcare cover
- An emergency fund for costs medical aid may not cover
- Income protection and disability cover
- Critical illness or severe illness cover where appropriate
- Retirement planning that allows for future healthcare costs
- Preventative care that may help reduce bigger problems later

The article also explores how medical scheme plans to use health assessments, digital tools, wearable data and rewards to encourage members to engage with their health earlier.

Whether or not you use these specific products, the underlying principle is worth paying attention to looking after your health today can help protect your financial options tomorrow.

Good financial planning is not only about building wealth. It is also about protecting your ability to enjoy it.

Read the full article on News24:
https://www.news24.com/brandstory/partner-content/how-staying-healthy-could-become-part-of-your-financial-plan-20260917-0791

Good health gives us the freedom to live life to the full – to work, care for our families, make plans for the future and look forward to what comes next.

12/10/2026

“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” William Bruce Cameron

We often measure success through numbers.

Our income. Our savings. The value of our possessions. The milestones we've reached. But some of life's greatest achievements can't be measured on a spreadsheet.

Having time for the people you love. Feeling secure in the decisions you've made. Being able to enjoy the life you've worked so hard to build.

Financial success isn't only about accumulating more. It's also about having the freedom to focus on what matters most to you. This Monday, remember that a rich life is about more than money.

06/10/2026

Life insurance is important. So why do so many younger South Africans still hesitate to take it out?

BrightRock recently spoke to young South Africans about their concerns around life insurance, and the same themes came up again and again: complexity, affordability, trust, and the feeling of paying for something you may never personally use.

Those concerns are understandable.

Life cover can feel intangible. Unlike a savings account or investment, there is no balance growing on an app. The benefit exists to protect against events most of us would rather not think about, such as death, disability or serious illness.

But that is also exactly why the conversation matters.

Life insurance is not really about “getting your money back”. It is about protecting the financial consequences of something going wrong.

That could mean:

• Settling debt so it does not become someone else’s burden
• Replacing income that a household depends on
• Protecting a child’s education
• Providing financial stability after illness or disability
• Giving your family time to adjust without an immediate financial crisis

The article also highlights another important concern: how much cover is actually enough?

There is no universal answer.

The right amount depends on your debt, income, dependants, monthly expenses, healthcare needs and what you would want your financial responsibilities to look like if your circumstances changed. And because those things change over time, your cover should be reviewed too.

If life insurance feels confusing, the solution should not be to avoid it. It should be to ask better questions.

What exactly am I covered for?
What exclusions apply?
How much cover do I genuinely need?
Can the structure change as my income and responsibilities change?
Who are my beneficiaries, and are they still correct?

Good financial planning should make insurance easier to understand, not bury you in terminology.

You do not need to buy the most cover. You need the right cover for the life you are actually building.

Read the full article from BrightRock:
https://www.brightrock.co.za/media-centre/sa-youth-express-their-concerns-around-life-insurance

For Sarah, a 28-year-old marketing professional, life insurance has always felt like something she knows she needs but struggles to fully connect with. “Mentally wrapping my head around the fact that money is leaving my account now and I won’t really see where it goes, that’s the hard part,...