Local author teachers financial literacy through storytelling
A local author is turning storytelling into a powerful tool for financial education, helping young readers build smart money habits from an early age.
Smangele Phiri, a financial services professional and law student, has published her first book, titled Kenzo and the Giant Savings Box.
The book follows the story of a young boy named Kenzo who embarks on a journey to understand something that is unfamiliar to him. Along the way he discovers that habits can grow into something meaningful.
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The Entokozweni-born writer said that in dealing with South Africans, she has witnessed a critical gap – where people have access to financial products, but lack the understanding to use them effectively. This strengthened her belief that financial inclusion should be treated as a basic right instead of a privilege.
“I firmly believe that access without understanding is what sets us up for failure. True financial inclusion goes beyond access, it is about equipping people with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to make informed financial decisions that can change the trajectory of their lives,” she said.
Kenzo and the Giant Savings Box educates children about finances, as Phiri believes that they are a blank canvas that need to be freed from negative financial experiences.
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“My intention is not to teach financial literacy in a rigid or technical way, but to open the conversation in a manner that is engaging, relatable and accessible. I want this book to serve as a practical tool for parents, guardians and educators who are looking for ways to introduce these important lessons early in a child’s life,” she said.
