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from the editor

jULY IS NATIONAL

SAVINGS MONTH

ands up anyone who has been caught
short by having too little (or zero)
Hin the way of savings to fall back
on during this stressful time of lockdown,
when most people are experiencing financial
hardship. Let the record show this hand raised
up really high.
I had just completed an expensive renovation
to my home, so my credit cards were maxed
out and my overdraft was almost at its limit
when the pandemic decided to disrupt life as
we knew it.

Some analysts have suggested that talking
about Savings Plans at a time when most
people are battling to put food on the table
is a tad unrealistic. But financial planning,
as we’re often told, should encompass short
term, medium term and long range strategies.
And planning ahead to firm up a new savings
strategy is surely a sign of optimism and the
belief that our future can become all that we
want it to be, once again. motto: Skimp on your necessities so you can shares the first part of his chronicle about his
buy the luxuries. Again, that does require visit to Bhutan.
The South African Savings Institute has some planning as one has to know how
nominated July as our National Savings much the luxuries will cost to determine how For those readers who are enjoying time
Month and the timing couldn’t be more apt much one should shave off one’s ‘necessities in the garden, we highlight the benefits
as we start to emerge from the severity of the expenditure’, but I believe there is some of growing the water-wise plant called
various levels of the lockdown. There is the wisdom in her philosophy. Perhaps, though, Spekboom. This amazing succulent not only
hope that consumers will start to change their the surplus should be split into savings first, adds character and charm to the garden, it
habits and develop more of a savings culture and then some rewards – after all, life can’t be removes a lot of carbon dioxide from the air,
when conditions stabilise, but time will tell. about doom and gloom all the time, one has has medicinal properties, and its leaves can
to be able to lighten up at some stage, as well. be used to enhance various culinary dishes.
A very wise lady who I was friendly with some Furthermore, it grows in just about any
time back, (who has since passed on), had a Talking about lightening up, one of the ways conditions, provided there’s good drainage,
to lighten the load of financial distress is and it’s easy to propagate. No wonder they
through collaboration and in this issue we call it a miracle plant!
have an article about a new initiative that has
been put together to help those who had Whether we have managed to flatten the
been employed or running businesses in the pandemic curve, or we’re heading towards
travel and tourism sector, which is possibly climbing some steep slopes going forward,
one of the hardest hit industries worldwide we urge you to stay vigilant and stay safe.
due to the pandemic. Called Mzansi Tourism
Champions, its main platform is a website that Till next time, take care.
enables those in need to link up with people
who have the skills, abilities and finances to Warm regards, Ann
assist them. If you would like to get involved,
do take time to read the article and register
on their website. Ann Arnott

An activity closely allied to our tourism sector wINNER Editor
here in Africa is wildlife conservation and we
have an article compiled by James Clarke The winner of the Mother’s Day
that touches on the effect that the pandemic Makeover Competition is
appears to have had on the elephants of Thula
Thula. It seems that they, too, have noticed Anne Martin of Dainfern Valley.
the impact that lockdown is having on their
human custodians. She wins a R5 000 voucher from
Immersion Hair and Nail Spa.
Adding a bit of nostalgia, we look at the
heydays of raising funds through staging golf CONGRATULATIONS!
days at the Dainfern Golf Club and Ron Searle

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