Financial independence for women is ‘non-negotiable’

MORE women should start empowering themselves via financial literacy to achieve independence, according to financial markets analyst and Ubuntu Invest CEO, Nelisiwe Masango.

Masango, 28, who is one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 50 Black African Women Entrepreneurs to Watch, believes that creating a financial plan and sticking to it is the best course of action.

“Women, in particular, should stay committed to becoming financially independent. It should simply be non-negotiable. In a male-dominated world, not only does money give you the freedom to live on your own terms, but it also brings a sense of pride and dignity,” Masango said.

“The best way to achieve any goal is to actually start. Create a plan, make the necessary sacrifices and tell a friend, so you can stay accountable and dedicated to your cause.”

She said society often had biased stereotypes of women because of motherhood and marriage and other norms that contribute to the lack of ambition women are perceived to have, but that is not the case.

“The true obstacles we face are self-doubt, lack of information and limited resources. Any woman can achieve her financial goals, given the right guidance,” she said, adding her inspiration came from the Chris Gardner story in The Pursuit of Happyness.

Following the launch of her financial training academy, Bear Run Investments, in 2018, Masango became the youngest owner of an accredited financial training institution. Ubuntu Invest also helped her to become the first black female chief executive of a regulated derivatives brokerage firm.