Tshegofatso Moselakgomo inspires us all

Tshegofatso Moselakgomo made the decision to save for her siblings’ education after both her parents passed away in 2008. In her opinion, education is absolutely vital to ensure a bright future and, with Sanlam’s help, she is ensuring that her brother and sister will have the opportunity to go to university after school.

We chatted to this inspiring woman about her goals for the future and her thoughts about saving.

Tshego, you’ve been through a difficult time. What inspired you to start saving money for your siblings’ future?

Seeing how many young people, especially orphans, are unable to pursue a higher education and seeing those who do not even complete their Matric year made me realise that I did not want that for my siblings. What inspired me is that I thought about who will help them further their studies so that they can achieve their hopes and dreams and I realised that I would have to be the main source of their further education. All along I have wanted to open bank accounts for them so I save a little each month for them.  

Why is education so important to you?

My mother always wanted us to go to the best schools. She was my after-school teacher and she is the one who played a vital role in showing me the value of education. Looking around me in 2008 when I found myself without parents, I told myself that education is a weapon that I can use to put food on our table.

What lessons have you learnt about saving money?

Even if you start small, you can achieve your dreams. Emergencies do not warn you before they come so it is important to have everything that you can afford to save, saved.

What advice would you give to people about how to save money?

Before you reward yourself once you have received a salary, save. You will thank yourself in the future. We must try to live on the cash principle rather than the credit principle. Start saving the little you have today. Saving can give you a financial relief in the future.

What are your hopes for the future?

I want to graduate from university. I see myself as a successful business woman in the future. I believe my future will not be the same as my past because I have the power to influence and shape it.

What are your hopes for your siblings?

I would love to see them in universities one day aspiring to achieve a profession they love. My hope for them is that they should achieve more than I have, and will, achieve.  

What advice could you give to people who want to positively change their lives?

It does not matter what happened yesterday, look ahead and prepare for the future. Let your past be an encouragement to strive for a successful future.  

How has your past helped you to make the good decisions you have made?

Ever since I was in primary school at age 10 I realised that saving is an important thing to do. My mother was part of a stokvel group and she also had some savings and that is one the things that helped me to realise how important saving is. I used to get R3 and lunchbox to take to school, and my classmates and I used to contribute R2 a day each from Monday until Friday and then one of us would take all the money that Friday. After my mother and father passed away, I was a mother, a father and also a sister to my siblings. I had to know how to budget for a household with the money I could get but fortunately by then I had learnt how to save so I did not struggle that much with allocating money for our basic needs. I have been given an opportunity to further my studies and I will do my best and God will do the rest.

Sanlam’s Start Something New campaign has helped many, including Tshego, realise their dreams. The idea behind this campaign is that individuals publicly pledge their intention to start something new. If the Sanlam team feel that a pledge is inspired enough, they will award the pledger with the money needed to start up their new initiative.  
Sanlam is giving away R200 000 in total of monetary prizes. To find out more about the Sanlam campaign and to pledge an initiative of your own, click here (http://www.startsomethingday.co.za/)