Momentum Group Foundation partners with Universities South Africa to scale financial literacy across all universities

The Momentum Group Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Universities South Africa (USAf), marking the start of a landmark partnership that will see Momentum’s Consumer Financial Education (CFE) programmes delivered across all 26 public universities in South Africa.

Through this collaboration, university students nationwide will now gain access to Momentum’s Motheo Financial Dialogues and Savvy Starters programmes – two flagship initiatives designed to equip young people and aspiring entrepreneurs with the financial skills and confidence needed to navigate adult life. Moreover, the courses will be offered at no cost to the students.

Dr Edwell Gumbo, Director of Entrepreneurship at USAf, says: “Universities South Africa is thrilled to partner with the Momentum Group Foundation in advancing the vision of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme. Together, we are shifting the narrative from job seeking to job creation, nurturing a generation of graduates who are innovative, resilient, and ready to shape the future of our economy.”

From left, top row: Mr Nomo Khumalo (Momentum Health); Ms Salem Nyati (Momentum Group Foundation); Ms Tshego Bokaba (Momentum Group Foundation);  Mr Mahlubi Chief Mabizela (USAf); Dr Edwell Gumbo (USAf). Bottom row: Professor Bernadene de Clercq (UNISA); Dr Phethiwe Matutu (USAf).

The partnership gives USAf access to Momentum’s research-backed Consumer Financial Education curriculum, developed in consultation with financial experts, academics, and behavioural scientists. Both programmes will be offered in three learning modalities – face-to-face, self-study and blended – ensuring flexible access for all participants. Students who successfully complete the courses will receive a certificate of completion from the Momentum Group Foundation’s Consumer Financial Education.

Motheo Financial Dialogues targets final-year students and those entering the workforce, introducing them to fundamental financial concepts such as budgeting, saving, managing debt, and understanding credit while also exploring the connection between money decisions and mental health.

Savvy Starters, delivered in collaboration with USAf’s EDHE, supports students actively pursuing entrepreneurship by helping them separate personal and business finances, strengthen financial discipline and build resilience through eight practical modules.

Ms Salem Nyati, Consumer Financial Education Specialist at the Momentum Group Foundation, says: “This partnership represents a significant step towards taking financial literacy to scale for young South Africans. By embedding financial education within the university ecosystem, we’re reaching students at a pivotal stage – just before they enter the world of work or launch their first business. This is where financial habits are formed. We want young people to start strong, with the tools and mindset to make informed financial choices that set them up for lifelong success.”

According to Dr Phethiwe Matutu, CEO of Universities South Africa (USAf), the partnership reflects a shared vision of empowering South Africa’s youth. “Our universities have a responsibility to produce well-rounded graduates – individuals who can navigate both the professional and financial challenges of adulthood. By partnering with Momentum, we are helping to cultivate a financially capable generation that can contribute meaningfully to our economy.”

The collaboration has been guided by a core group of contributors, including Professor  Bernadene de Clercq from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and Ms Tshego Bokaba, CSI Manager at the Momentum Group Foundation, who were instrumental in shaping and driving the initiative forward.

The Momentum Group Foundation’s Consumer Financial Education programmes are accredited and aligned to the Financial Sector Code, reflecting the Group’s commitment to driving inclusion and empowerment through education.

Momentum Group Holdings Limited, is one of South Africa’s largest insurance-based financial services groups. In South Africa, the company is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE code: MTM) and on A2X Markets Exchange as a secondary listing (A2X code: MTM). It is also listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange in Namibia (NSX code: MMT).  The Group was formerly known as Momentum Metropolitan Holdings. (www.momentumgroupltd.co.za)

Through its client and retail-facing brands Metropolitan (www.metropolitan.co.za) and Momentum (www.momentum.co.za), and our other specialist brands, including Guardrisk (www.guardrisk.co.za), and Eris Property Group (www.eris.co.za), the company exists to build and protect our client’s financial dreams. The Group provides long and short-term insurance, retirement planning, deceased planning, including funeral cover, wills and estate planning, asset and property management services, including investments and savings products, healthcare administration, managed care and health risk management, employee benefits, including healthcare and retirement provision, and financial planning.

Universities South Africa (USAf) is a non-profit membership organisation representing 26 South African public universities. USAf, through lobbying and advocacy, promotes and facilitates prime environments for universities to function effectually and contribute to the social, cultural, and economic advancement of South Africa. USAf is committed to the promotion of strategically planned entrepreneurship development via the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme, as a comprehensive response to advancing and strengthening entrepreneurship development, leadership and management capacity in the entire sector.

EDHE’s mission is to address the prevalence of graduate unemployment and the imperative of growing additional income streams for universities. Through the EDHE programme, a comprehensive approach has been taken towards advancing economic participation of students and graduates within universities that are gradually being positioned as entrepreneurial ecosystems. The EDHE Programme is aimed at developing the entrepreneurship capacity of universities, students and staff.