In this podcast Maya speaks to Johan the winner of the 2023 Absa/City Press Money Makeover Challenge about how he reduced his debt by over R85 000, built up an emergency fund of R42 000 and increased his retirement contributions – all in just six months.

Joined by his financial adviser Takalani Badugela, Johan discusses how small day-to-day choices over time created a significant debt burden and about his decision to enter debt review. Johan is an inspirational story of what is possible when you commit to a goal.

Each year six people are selected for a money bootcamp. Each candidate is paired with an Absa financial adviser and together they set the goals for the following six months. This is the seventh Money Makeover Challenge and this year the candidates exceeded their goals and expectations. This challenge is absolute proof that you can turn your financial situation around in just six months – but it requires commitment.