Maya on Money

In this episode of the Maya on Money podcast, host Maya Fisher-French engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Thoneshan Naidoo, CEO of the Health Funders Association, around the complexities of medical schemes in South Africa. The episode opens with a case involving a father fighting for life-saving medication for his son, highlighting the pressing issues surrounding medical care costs and access to innovative treatments.

Thoneshan explains prescribed minimum benefits (PMBs) that medical schemes are mandated to cover, the challenges posed by outdated legislation, and the ethical dilemmas faced in healthcare funding. The conversation unpacks how medical schemes operate, how claims are funded, and the financial dynamics of risk pooling – including the implications of voluntary membership on healthcare costs.

Key topics discussed include:

- The significance of prescribed minimum benefits and their current limitations
- The ethical considerations in funding high-cost treatments versus preventative care
- The impact of an ageing population on medical scheme sustainability
- Proposals for reforming PMBs and implementing low-cost benefit options
- The future of medical schemes in the context of National Health Insurance and regulatory challenges

If you want to understand more about the complexities of medical schemes and the ongoing debates surrounding healthcare access and affordability in South Africa – this episode is really worth listening to.

Here is the link to the full HFA State of Medical Schemes Report 2026 (SOMS): https://hfassociation.co.za/images/docs/20260904%20HFA%20SOMS%20Report%202026%20Final.pdf

In this episode of the Maya on Money podcast, host Maya Fisher-French explores the evolving landscape of stablecoins and their implications for everyday consumers. Joined by Wiehann Oliver, Partner and Global Co-Head of Digital Assets at Forvis Mazars, they discuss the recent high court ruling regarding the treatment of cryptocurrency in South Africa and how this impacts exchange control regulations.

The conversation explains the fundamentals of stablecoins and how these digital assets, pegged to stable currencies like the US Dollar, can revolutionise payment mechanisms, particularly for cross-border transactions. Wiehann provides insights into the legal complexities surrounding cryptocurrency and the potential for stablecoins to serve as a hedge against local currency devaluation.

Key topics discussed include:

This episode is essential for anyone looking to understand the future of money and the role of stablecoins in reshaping financial transactions. Tune in to learn how stablecoins could become a vital part of your financial toolkit.

In this episode of the Maya on Money podcast, host Maya Fisher-French and Adrian Hope-Bailie, the founder of Fynbos Money to discuss the importance of building an emergency fund and investing, how to use both a TFSA and a retirement annuity as part of your retirement plan, and why you really should start a TFSA for your child rather than just buying them more sneakers.

Sponsored by Fynbos Money

In this episode of the Maya on Money podcast, we delve into the world of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with expert guest Niki Giles, head of strategy at Prescient Fund Services. As the popularity of ETFs continues to rise, we discuss the fundamentals of ETFs, their benefits, and how to get started investing.

We begin by explaining what ETFs are and how they differ from traditional unit trusts, highlighting their low cost and accessibility, which have democratised investing for many. The conversation also covers the evolution of ETFs from passive index-tracking funds to actively managed funds, examining the implications for investors in terms of fees and performance.

Key topics discussed include:

- The basics of exchange-traded funds and their advantages for new investors
- The difference between passive and actively managed ETFs
- Cost considerations and how they compare to traditional unit trusts
- Strategies for choosing the right ETFs for your investment goals
- The importance of diversification and long-term investing

This episode is a valuable resource for anyone looking to navigate the ETF landscape, providing insights and practical tips for making informed investment decisions. Tune in to learn how you can start your investment journey with as little as R100 and harness the power of compounding for your financial future.

In this episode of the Maya on Money podcast, host Maya Fisher-French dives deep into the intricacies of estate planning for offshore investments. With her own recent restructuring experience, Maya opens up about the challenges of managing foreign dividends and the growing tax implications of wealth accumulation over time. To help navigate these complexities, she invites Elana Nel, Fiduciary Specialist at Ninety One, to share her expertise on how to effectively plan for the future when dealing with both local and foreign assets.

The discussion covers a wide range of critical topics, including the impact of situs tax, the importance of understanding different jurisdictions' tax rules, and the necessity of having separate wills for local and offshore assets. Elana elaborates on the potential pitfalls of estate planning, especially for families with members living across various countries, and highlights the significance of double taxation agreements.

Key topics discussed include:

- The complexities of estate planning with offshore investments
- Understanding situs tax and its implications for South African investors
- How exchange control affects the winding up of estates with foreign assets
- The role of wills in managing local and offshore assets
- Strategies for simplifying estate administration through investment wrappers

This episode is a must-listen for anyone with international investments or those looking to ensure their estate is managed effectively across borders. Tune in to gain valuable insights that could make a significant difference for you and your beneficiaries.

In this episode of the Maya on Money podcast, host Maya Fisher-French discusses the recent changes affecting small business finances following the national budget announcement. With the VAT threshold and turnover tax limits both increased to R2.3 million, Maya unpacks what this means for small business owners and whether they should consider deregistering for VAT.

Joined by Seelan Muthayan, director and head of VAT at BDO, they explore the pros and cons of remaining a VAT vendor versus deregistering, emphasising the complexities involved in VAT returns and the potential impact on cash flow. Seelan shares valuable insights on the implications of deregistration, including the risk of audits and the perception of reliability among clients.

Key topics discussed include:

- The implications of the increased VAT threshold for small businesses

- Pros and cons of deregistering for VAT

- Understanding turnover tax and its eligibility requirements

- Common pitfalls in claiming home office expenses and how to navigate them

- Advice on maintaining compliance with SARS and preparing for future audits

This episode includes essential information for small business owners looking to optimise their tax strategies and navigate the evolving financial landscape. Tune in to gain clarity on these significant changes and make informed decisions for your business.

As the end of the tax year approaches, it is time to maximise your tax deductions and contributions to tax-free savings accounts and retirement annuities. Joined by Janine Langenhoven, senior legal counsel at Ninety One, Maya explores the often-overlooked tax benefits of exceeding the annual contribution cap on retirement annuities of R350 000. Janine explains how excess contributions can roll over to future years, allowing for tax deductions later, and discusses the implications of these contributions at retirement.

They also discuss the dos and don'ts for parents who may want to give their children a head start on their retirement savings.

Key topics discussed include:

-          The mechanics of exceeding the R350 000 contribution cap and the tax benefits associated with it

-          How excess contributions can lead to tax-free withdrawals at retirement

-          The role of retirement annuities in estate planning and their implications for beneficiaries

-          Strategies for parents considering retirement annuities for their children

-          Important considerations for tracking contributions and ensuring compliance with SARS

This episode provides essential insights for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of retirement annuities and optimise their tax strategies effectively. 

The cryptocurrency landscape is evolving at a breakneck pace, leaving most of us feeling bewildered by the myriad of terms and concepts. 

This stablecoin aims to blend the benefits of blockchain technology with the reliability of regulated financial systems, targeting the South African and broader African markets.

Joining Maya is Warren Ross, the managing director of Super Money SA, who breaks down the complexities of stablecoins in simple terms. Listeners will learn what sets stablecoins apart from traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, how their value is maintained, and the mechanisms that ensure stability. Warren also addresses the crucial aspect of trust and transparency in the cryptocurrency space, explaining the need to provide audited proof of reserves and maintain robust compliance measures.
 
Key topics discussed include:

• The fundamental differences between stablecoins and volatile cryptocurrencies
• How the ZAR Supercoin is pegged to the South African rand and the implications for users
• The role of market makers in maintaining the stability of the coin
• Use cases for stablecoins, including its potential for lower transaction costs and faster payments
• Insights into the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies in South Africa and the importance of compliance

Whether you’re a seasoned crypto enthusiast or a newcomer trying to navigate this complex world, this episode offers valuable insights into how stablecoins can play a significant role in the future of finance in South Africa and beyond.