All dry {{ FIRSTNAME | there }}? Scientists have developed a solar panel that can switch to converting raindrops into electricity (100 volts per drop). 😲🧠

In Today’s Open Letter

We’ve seen numerous tech products try to digitise stokvels – but this is a completely new, socially powered take… 

Stokvels are arguably among the oldest group savings mechanisms in South Africa, dating back to the 1800s.

Today, 11 million people belong to over 800k SA stokvels, seeing around R50 billion in transactions per year. Yet it’s mainly informal and thus not benefiting from modern financial tools, including basic interest accrual and transparency.

That’s why, since first writing about stokvels 3 years ago, tech players have tried to digitise this market — from friction-removing payments with PayShap to group chip-in products and even StokFella digital stokvel tech.

And they’ve taken great strides: In 2024, StokFella added 400 stokvels and handled tens of millions in collections and payments.

But, there clearly remains a hurdle to mass adoption.

The little black book of money moves

For decades, stokvels have run on entries into the classic black hardcover Counter Book. It’s a simple system built on deep social trust, community and the spirit of ubuntu, but with no paper trail or processing fees.

Ironically, some of SA’s most disciplined savers (stokvel members) are unbanked (between 4 and 20 million South Africans don’t have financial access, depending on who you ask). And, quite likely, they’re not very keen on replacing their tried-and-tested system with an app (and the fees that come with digitisation/formalisation).

But, just as we recently saw Takealot use township personal shoppers to drive adoption in informal sectors, the answer might be tech-savvy community members showing stalwarts the way.

The local player employing the community to digitise stokvels

Stokvel Academy is a social enterprise that professionalises and digitises informal savings groups through a youth-led agent model.

Rather than a do-it-yourself app, Stokvel Academy operates through the Stokvel Agent Accelerator: They are training 25 unemployed youth to act as digital bridge-builders who don’t just hand over software; they actually sit in the meetings, digitise the records of over 3’400 groups, and provide the governance training and financial education workshops.

The goal isn't just to keep better records; it’s to prove that a digitised stokvel is a formal economic entity.

And they’re supported: In late 2025, Stokvel Academy secured an undisclosed round of funding from E Squared Investments (which also recently partnered with Sanlam to power HAVAIC Fund 3) to scale their vision as part of a massive 18-month pilot across Soweto and the Vaal, reaching nearly 28’000 members.

When the Gogo running the meeting has her records on a dashboard instead of a notebook, she isn't just managing a grocery club anymore. She’s managing an investment vehicle that the rest of the world can finally see.

We’re watching this space…

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🏦 Nedbank Goes Digital, Hard. Nedbank has dropped a cool R2.6 billion into tech over the past year as it doubles down on its digital innovation. Another signal that SA’s big four are serious about modernising platforms, enhancing CX and driving operational efficiency. Goodness.

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Yesterday, we showed you how Breaze's bringing same-day delivery for any size store to SA, asking how fast you expect delivery these days. Most are OK with next day…

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ ⚡ Same day or I'm annoyed (17%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 📅 Next day is fine (46%)

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ 📦 2–3 days, I've got patience (34%)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🛍️ I still prefer in-store (3%)

Your 2 cents…

Indeed, Dawn. Hmm, wonder if this opens the doors for more mom and pop food offerings in SA. 🛒✨

South Africa earned $669m from wine exports in 2025, with one country still dominating demand.

SA wine exports grew by $21.5 million to $669 million in 2025.

💡 The UK remains the biggest buyer, accounting for $143.8m (21%).

💡 The Netherlands moved into second place, with exports rising to $55.6m, overtaking Germany.

💡 Canada climbed to fourth, boosted by declining exports to the United States and Namibia.

The US decline has been especially sharp: exports have fallen every year since 2021, dropping from $63.2m to about $31m today. But newer markets are growing as the UAE, Zimbabwe and Russia all posted gains in 2025.

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