A South African programme teaching preschool children about saving, budgeting, and banking is gaining international recognition after years of development and research.

Sandton Fun Factory celebrated its Excellence in Financial Literacy Education (EIFLE) Recognition Award at Pappas Restaurant in Sandton on May 9.

Read more: Sandton Fun Factory earns global recognition for early childhood financial literacy programme

CEO Mariana Naude said the programme began after discovering that South Africa lacked locally designed financial literacy material for young children. “International programmes could simply not work for South Africa, because of inequality in our education system. We had to create something suited to our own communities.”

The programme introduces lessons on earning, saving, budgeting, donating, and banking through stories, games, and classroom activities. Research conducted by educational institutions later confirmed the programme’s value and recommended the use of storytelling and mascots to help children understand financial concepts.

Naude said the initiative eventually produced 72 illustrated storybooks featuring characters Bully the Bull and Lily the Ladybug. “What the research showed us is that imagination helps children understand abstract concepts.”

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@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Marian Clark explains what financial skills she thinks children should learn before becoming adults and CEO Mariana Naude reflects on the EIFLE Recognition Award for Sandton Fun Factory. Video: Duduzile Khumalo #Sandton #Funfactory ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

The initiative later partnered with Discovery Bank to assist with financial education support and community outreach. The programme has since expanded to hundreds of nursery schools across the country, with educational toy kits and books distributed nationwide.

Naude said the recognition was the result of collective effort from teachers, researchers, designers, sponsors, and community partners. “You all hold part of this puzzle. Without you, the programme would not have been complete.”

Educational supporter from Discovery Bank Marian Clark commended the initiative and its long-term impact. “This is a legacy that you are building. It is creating opportunities for future generations.”

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