Established in 1976 for free speech
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After a tough year economically, high unemployment and more retrenchments, many South Africans are finding themselves deeper in debt. More than seven million credit consumers have impaired credit records and four out of ten consumers are three months or more in arrears with their debt payments. How have South Africans managed to dig themselves into so much debt and how can they get out of it?
We seek answers from Elias Masilela, who heads up the South African Savings Institute, set up to promote the culture of savings in the country. Elias is also currently the Chief Strategist at Sanlam. He joined Sanlam in July 2005, as its Stakeholder Strategy Head, following his role in the National Treasury as the leader of the social security and retirement reform programme. This is currently the biggest policy and legislative change that South Africa is faced with, since the adoption of the constitution.
Elias holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences (Economics and Statistics) from the University of Swaziland (UNISWA) and a Master of Sciences in Economic Policy and Analysis with a specialisation in Money, Banking and International Economics from the Addis Ababa University (A.A.U.).He has also completed courses at Harvard University, on Macroeconomic Policy and Management as well as Global Financial System: Structure, Crisis and Reform.
In May, 2008, he was appointed by President Thabo Mbeki to the Board of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). In August 2008, he was appointed by the Minister of Finance, Trevor Manuel, to the Board of the Government Employee Pension Fund (GEPF).
He has also lectured widely and is a writer. His book, "Number 43 Trelawney Park; kwaMagogo" was launched in June 2007, and made it to the Top 40 List for the much coveted Alan Paton Award in the same year.
Elias' speech will dovetail with the beginning of South African Savings Month.
| Date | Monday, July 26, 2010 |
| Time | 12:30 for 13:00 |
| Venue | The Wild Fig, Observatory |
| Cost | R120 Members R160 Guests |
| R.S.V.P. | Gloria at 021 683 3990 or headoff@mweb.co.za |
| Payments | Payment can be made on the day at the venue by cash or cheque (not credit card) or prior to the function by electronic transfer. Please do not deposit cash into the account as bank charges are too high on cash deposits. Info for online deposits: FNB, Cape Town,Br Code 201409, Account 50260072365 |
Thanks to our sponsors BP SA Pty Ltd, Distell, DBSA, Bass Gordon, CEF and BATSA.