The University of KwaZulu Natal Bachelor of Commerce graduate joined 10X from Sygnia, where she was Business Development Executive. She has also previously held roles at Old Mutual Wealth, Nedgroup Investments, Liberty Group and Discovery, but for many people the interesting part of her resumé focuses on motivating and educating young people and others.
Skwambane, whose CV lists “motivational speaking at township schools for matric students” as among her extra mural interests, launched Be-Fin-Savvy (Ezemail) in 2014. The initiative brings financial education to people in previously disadvantaged communities.
She says: “Through social entrepreneurship I felt that I could really add value to the lives of people in the previously disadvantaged communities through financial education to bring about financial inclusion, financial stability and financial freedom, thus enhancing people’s lives both pre and post retirement.”
Her duties at Be-Fin-Savvy (Ezemali) included: teaching individuals about money matters, changing attitudes and motivating behavioural change towards financial decisions as well as education on entrepreneurship. She also met with government and corporate players to secure funding for the initiative.
“We live in a society where people – and this is not just people in previously disadvantaged communities, but South Africans at large – do not understand the importance and the concept of retirement/financial planning. I believe it really boils down to financial literacy, and education in general, and simplifying this seemingly complex subject as part of the solution,” she adds.
Hilan Berger, Head of Institutional Business Development at 10X, says: “I am confident Mokgadi will add a lot of value by applying her unique experience and her passion to 10X’s stated mission of helping South Africans retire with dignity.”
He says he is really looking forward to Skwambane’s arrival at the fast-expanding business, because “we have more work than we have man (or woman) power for”.
Skwambane said she was looking forward to joining 10X, “a company with a conscience” and feels certain that she will be able to stay true to her passion.
“I'm excited to be part of the 10X family and be part of the team of legs on the ground that are enhancing and changing South African lives for the better,” she said.
