National Savings Month. As South Africa celebrates National Savings Month, the Prescient Foundation has announced the expansion of Project One Rand, a financial literacy initiative designed to help young people develop responsible money management skills. The programme has now reached more than 1,000 Grade 10 learners across KwaZulu-Natal, empowering students to build healthy financial habits before entering adulthood.
What Is Project One Rand?
Project One Rand is a financial education programme created and delivered by the School of Savings South Africa with support from the Prescient Foundation. The initiative teaches Grade 10 students practical financial skills through engaging classroom lessons and hands-on activities.
Rather than focusing on advanced financial topics, the programme encourages learners to understand the basics of saving, budgeting, and making smart spending decisions. Its simple message—save just R1 every day—helps students develop consistent saving habits that can last a lifetime.
Programme Expansion Reaches More Schools
The programme was first introduced as a pilot project in 2023, beginning with three secondary schools in Durban. Due to its positive impact and growing interest, Project One Rand has now expanded to six participating schools.
The newly added schools include:
- Northmead Secondary School
- Mountview Secondary School
- Glenhaven Secondary School
With this expansion, the programme has successfully reached over 1,000 Grade 10 learners since its launch.
Teaching Students the Value of Saving
The core objective of Project One Rand is to help students develop healthy financial behaviors through small daily actions. Learners are encouraged to:
- Save R1 every day
- Understand the difference between needs and wants
- Monitor and track their spending
- Practice delayed gratification
- Build confidence in making financial decisions
Each participant receives educational materials, including a workbook, an activity guide, and a personal money box. These resources allow students to put financial lessons into practice both in school and at home.
A Practical Learning Experience
Unlike traditional financial education that often focuses on investment products or banking services, Project One Rand emphasizes behavioral change first.
The programme is delivered through classroom sessions and interactive activities built around three important principles:
- Decision
- Direction
- Discipline
These principles encourage learners to make thoughtful financial choices and develop long-term saving habits.
Prescient Foundation Highlights Positive Results
Nicole Pinto, CEO of the Prescient Foundation, believes financial education is one of the most valuable investments that can be made in young people.
According to Pinto, the partnership with the School of Savings South Africa goes beyond classroom theory by helping learners develop confidence, discipline, and practical money management skills they can use throughout their lives.
She also praised the enthusiasm shown by learners during the 2025 quiz and speech competitions, where students demonstrated a strong understanding of saving, spending wisely, and making responsible financial decisions.
Why Financial Literacy Matters in South Africa
South Africa continues to face challenges such as low household savings and increasing consumer debt. Many young people reach adulthood without receiving proper financial education, making it difficult to manage money responsibly.
Project One Rand aims to address this issue by introducing financial literacy at an early stage. Instead of teaching complex financial products, the programme focuses on building positive financial behaviors that learners can carry into adulthood.
Experts believe that developing saving habits early can help young people become financially independent, avoid unnecessary debt, and make informed financial decisions in the future.
Partnership Driving Long-Term Impact
Joe Chetty, Founder of the School of Savings South Africa, expressed appreciation for the Prescient Foundation’s continued support. He noted that the partnership is helping expand the programme to more schools while creating a generation of learners who understand the importance of discipline, patience, and long-term financial planning.
The collaboration demonstrates how educational institutions and private organizations can work together to improve financial literacy among South African youth.
Conclusion
As Project One Rand continues to grow, the Prescient Foundation remains committed to equipping more young South Africans with the knowledge and habits needed for financial success.
By encouraging learners to save just R1 a day, the initiative proves that even the smallest financial habits can lead to meaningful long-term change. Through practical education, discipline, and consistent saving, Project One Rand is helping build a financially confident generation prepared for the future.
