Olifantsfontein Primary learners get smart with money
More than 200 Olifantsfontein Primary School learners got a hands-on introduction to money management, teaching them how to budget, save, and spend wisely.
Olifantsfontein Primary School became the centre of financial learning when more than 200 Grade 7 learners took part in a special financial education activation, as part of Money Smart Week South Africa 2025.
The initiative, hosted by the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, Nedbank, and Mjojo Finance Play, ran under the theme: Smart Money: Financial Foundations for a Resilient Future.
The focus was on equipping young people with practical financial skills that will prepare them for life beyond the classroom.
Learners spent the morning in late August engaging in interactive sessions that included financial games with Mjojo Finance Play, and a visit to the Grade 7 MoneyTime classes, where they were introduced to concepts such as saving, budgeting, and making smart money choices.
For many, it was their first structured exposure to financial education. Principal Lesibani Molepo said the programme would leave a lasting impact. “It is a vital life skill that they will carry into high school and beyond.
We are deeply grateful to SAIA and its partners for bringing this programme to our school and helping us invest in the future of our children.”
At the heart of the activation was MoneyTime, an online financial literacy programme under the MyLife Wealth Creator platform.
Designed to make learning fun and practical, the programme allows learners to participate in simulations where they apply financial knowledge in real-life scenarios.
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Themba Palagangwe, SAIA’s governance and transformation general manager, said: “By introducing these concepts at the primary school level, we give learners the tools to make informed money choices — skills they can also take home to their families. SAIA is honoured to be part of sparking a culture of financial responsibility that will grow with these children.”
Echoing the importance of collaboration, Johan Olivier, managing director of MyLife, said the success of financial education depends on strong partnerships.
“Through MoneyTime, we have seen how practical and engaging tools can make financial learning a reality. Together, we are ensuring that young people not only understand the value of money but also gain the confidence to use it wisely.”
Now in its seventh year, Money Smart Week South Africa has become a national movement, uniting government, regulators, financial institutions, and community organisations.
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