Pupils from Realogile High School in Alexandra were among their counterparts from various other schools countrywide who were bussed to cinemas to learn the tricks of saving from the Smartbucks3 movie.
The cinema level of Sandton City’s Ster Kinekor came alive on 14 September as hundreds of pupils from various previously disadvantaged schools, government officials, actors and sponsors gathered for the launch of the financial literacy programme popularly known as Smartbucks – mind your moolah.
The programme is designed to combat the poor culture of saving among South Africans. Though the movie is an edutainment programme, it is hoped pupils will be able to learn the tricks of being money and savings savvy.
“It is often said that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks, and in line with that adage, we are therefore trying to teach the little ones these tricks of saving, and hope [that] when it comes from them to their parents, the parents will pay particular attention,” said Primestars Marketing CEO Martin Sweet when he welcomed guests and pupils to the screenings which will run every Sunday for the coming three weeks.
Stanlib managing director for retail, Bongani Mageba, urged pupils to grab the opportunity with both hands, saying nowadays money determines where and what type of life you live, making it imperative to have a sound understanding of financial management.
Chief director at the Department of Basic Education, Seliki Tlhabane, urged pupils to get out of the habit of borrowing, and learn to save and live within their means. While Liberty’s Michael Gondo cited various cases of people who won substantial amounts of money in the Lotto programme, but because of poor financial management, they lost out on all their millions.
“Think of your money as a seed, and if you eat your seed, it will never germinate and grow. From today, never eat your seed but instead plant it to germinate and grow bigger,” said Gondo.
