Maya on Money

Protect yourself against ticket scams

Guest Author — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:10:35 +0000

Football experts are warning supporters around the world to remain cautious when buying 2026 FIFA World Cup tickets online, as growing global demand for matches is expected to create major opportunities for ticket scammers and fraudulent resellers. The concerns follow reports that more than 500 million ticket requests were submitted for the 2026 FIFA World […]

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URGENT SECURITY WARNING: AI Deepfake Investment Scam

Maya Fisher-French — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:53:28 +0000

We have been made aware of a sophisticated fraudulent video circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms. This video is a malicious “deepfake” — an artificial intelligence (AI) manipulation that completely fabricates a broadcast. The video illegally uses advanced AI technology to impersonate me, alongside well-known South African financial journalist Bruce Whitfield. It features […]

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Unlocking financial freedom with a debit order

Maya Fisher-French — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 04:50:14 +0000

In my latest podcast, I caught up with Adrian Hope-Bailie, the founder of Fynbos Money, to discuss their new products, which include retirement annuities and family accounts. I must be honest: I am a fan of what Fynbos Money is doing, because whenever I speak to young people who are just starting out and receiving […]

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Cash in a lower-rate cycle: safe haven or silent risk?

Guest Author — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 04:55:44 +0000

Zander Loots, financial adviser at Alexforbes, warns investors about the risk of holding too much cash as interest rates trend lower. Cash offers comfort. It doesn’t fluctuate, it’s easy to access, and the balance doesn’t move when markets wobble. Many clients tell me, “At least the cash is safe.” But as interest rates trend lower, […]

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What smart investors do when markets dip

Guest Author — Tue, 26 May 2026 04:55:32 +0000

With the Middle East conflict rattling global markets, Consult by Momentum CEO Johan Minnie explains why your best strategy right now is staying calm, staying invested, and diversifying smartly. You probably got a fright if you opened your investment portfolio in the last few weeks. We all did. Global volatility always wreaks havoc on carefully […]

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Understand how much capital gains tax you must pay when selling your home

Guest Author — Tue, 19 May 2026 04:20:53 +0000

Robyn Kymdell, admitted attorney at Foreign Buyer Property Solutions, delves into the minutiae that need to be considered when determining how much capital gains tax needs to be paid on the sale of one’s primary residence. In his 2026 Budget speech, the Minister of Finance announced an adjustment to the capital gains tax (CGT) exclusion […]

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Same car but very different insurance premiums?

Guest Author — Tue, 12 May 2026 04:55:34 +0000

Why is it that two South Africans can insure the same make and model of car and still end up paying very different monthly premiums – sometimes by hundreds of rands? The reason is that insurers don’t only quote based on the vehicle itself. They also consider the risk profile of the driver and how […]

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A buyer’s and seller’s guide to the five Certificates of Compliance

Guest Author — Tue, 05 May 2026 04:55:08 +0000

When selling your home, one of the less frequently discussed (but important) considerations is the need for several Certificates of Compliance (CoCs). These CoCs are required prior to the official transfer of a home, as proof that some of the non-negotiables of the home are in good working order. “While these CoCs must be completed […]

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Cabinet approves new visa and citizenship policies

Guest Author — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:55:38 +0000

Cabinet has approved the Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection (CIRP), marking one of the most complex and consequential governance undertakings of South Africa’s democratic era. The policy is a significant move towards promoting economic development, enhancing national security, clamping down on fraud and abuse, and improving service delivery through digital transformation. […]

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You can now use WhatsApp to check if you have unclaimed dividends

Guest Author — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:55:29 +0000

As we move into the second quarter of 2026, it’s a great moment to pause and reflect on the progress made on the goals that were set at the start of the year: review budgets, make adjustments where needed, and look for practical wins such as checking for unclaimed dividends or confirming the beneficiary status […]

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Navigating market turbulence: Why $100 oil isn’t the crisis it used to be

Maya Fisher-French — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:55:01 +0000

While the war in the Middle East is devastating lives and will have lasting geopolitical consequences, market commentators do not believe that the high oil prices will have a negative impact on markets. They do believe that now is not the time to panic. Despite the reawakened fears of inflation as energy prices rocket, data […]

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Know your retirement income options

Guest Author — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:55:26 +0000

When you reach retirement age, hopefully you have accumulated enough money to live off. But that’s only half of the job done. You also need to understand how best to use that money in order to generate an income for the rest of your life. There are different types of annuity products to choose from, […]

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A foreign buyer’s guide to securing a mortgage in South Africa

Guest Author — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:55:27 +0000

Michelle Phillips, Senior Attorney: Exchange Control & SARS Engagement at Tax Consulting SA, breaks down the sometimes confusing rules that govern the amount that banks are allowed to lend to a foreigner who wants to buy a property in South Africa. As an international buyer, you qualify for a mortgage in South Africa when buying […]

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What to do if you’re turned down for a home loan

Guest Author — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 04:55:33 +0000

Gavin Lomberg, CEO of ooba Home Loans, has some practical advice if you find yourself turned down for a home loan. Contrary to popular belief, a rejected home loan application does not necessarily signal the ‘end of the road’ on your homebuying journey. Although an initial rejection can feel discouraging, there are free and easily […]

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