September 11, 2025

Stormers vs. Lions – except we’re talking lifestyles and economics The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst, accelerating the adoption of remote work (WFH) and reshaping South Africa’s economic landscape. While Gauteng has long been the nation’s economic powerhouse, the Western Cape – particularly Cape Town – has emerged as a formidable competitor.  This shift is not only evident in economic output but also in tax contributions and the migration patterns of high-net-worth individuals (HNWI’s). Economic Contributions: Gauteng vs. Western Cape Using 2023 data – as there’s little more accurate data from recent years – Gauteng accounted for approximately one-third of South Africa’s GDP, cementing its status as the country’s financial and industrial hub .  The province’s economic strength is bolstered by its dominance in finance, real estate, and business services, which collectively contribute around 27% to its GDP. Conversely,... Read More

When to turn off the tap – The challenges of financial parenting If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve paid for more than just the basics over the years.  School fees, new takkies, music lessons, class trips, overseas sports events, and birthday parties – all form part of the parenting package.  But what happens when those children reach adulthood, and these expenses keep coming? Supporting your child into early adulthood is part of the job. It’s a requirement almost always undertaken lovingly. But it comes at a cost – often one that’s overlooked in long-term financial planning.  And while there’s no shame or blame in helping, there’s wisdom in asking: ‘how long should I keep paying?’  and ‘at what cost to my own goals?’ Let’s unpack this with a typical scenario, an example you may find familiar. You, the parent... Read More

When will crypto be a conventional component of a South African’s investment portfolio? Few questions put to financial advisors generate more mixed reactions than those about cryptocurrencies. On the one hand, headlines suggest that investors who ‘got in early’ on Bitcoin are now enjoying extraordinary wealth. On the other, equally striking headlines tell of spectacular collapses, fraud, and regulatory clampdowns. For South African investors, particularly those nearing or already in retirement, the very notion of holding cryptocurrencies can feel daunting: an asset class you don’t understand, coupled with FOMO (fear of missing out) if others are making fortunes. Advisors hear both sides of this anxiety: ‘I don’t want my retirement security tied to something I don’t understand.’ ‘Are we missing out by being too conservative?’ Both perspectives are valid.  And both are the right starting point for a balanced conversation.... Read More

Do you know your annuity arse from your annuity elbow? Or, more politely speaking, do you know your retirement annuities from your living annuities?  When meeting a prospective financial planning client for the first time, the existence of an annuity (or a bunch of them) is often mentioned.  It requires a reasonable amount of further investigation to understand the actual investment product being referred to.  Within the South African financial planning context there are around ten different types of annuities available, some of them fundamentally different from the others. While we at GTC keep reiterating that consultation with a professional financial planner is essential, it is also true that you, as the investor, there is a need to be as informed as possible as the final decision vests with you.  It should never be that you are implementing any financial... Read More

Gary Mockler Group Chief Executive Officer   ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________   The second half of 2025 has arrived with as much pace and unpredictability as the first.  Markets remain volatile, politics remains noisy, and investors continue to ask the same fundamental question: how do I position myself to reach my financial goals when the world around me refuses to sit still? This quarter’s collection of articles is written with exactly that balance in mind – opportunity on the one hand, prudence on the other. The rise of crypto as a potential component of mainstream portfolios has long hovered between hype and hesitation.  As our article points out, the shift from fringe experiment to regulated, institutionally recognised asset is real.  Bitcoin ETFs now trade in global markets, regulators have sharpened their frameworks, and liquidity is far deeper than a decade ago.  But volatility... Read More