Frankie sang, “I did it MY way!” Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
We are all unique, no matter how similar we may think we are to somebody else, no two of us are exactly the same. We are a product of our lives, our experiences good and bad and our environment. I am one of five siblings and every one of us is different in many ways, especially in how we behave around money.
As much as we know this, many retirees look to others who look like them when planning and living their retirement. Partly to blame for this is the financial services industry, which deals with our retirement. It likes to place us into groups, or buckets based on a profile, as this makes it easier for them to deal with us.
A quick Google search tells us that only 6% of South Africans are on track to retire comfortably. What we need to understand is that within that 6% are hundreds of thousands of individuals, couples, families, and extended families who are dealing with this retirement THING. To treat them all the same makes no sense.
If your retirement plan or life (if you are in it) looks the same as the person next door or up the street, then consider that maybe you have some work to do. Retirement should be as individual as the unique path you have followed through your life up till then. While on the outset some things may look similar, I believe that most retirees can enhance this phase of their life by digging deeper into what is possible for them.
Perhaps this sounds a bit airy fairy, but do you want to look back one day and possibly regret that you have not lived life more by design than on remote? If this is something you want to consider then know that it is not that difficult to do. Book that quiet weekend away that you know you need and go alone or just with your loved one. Being in nature always refreshes our sensors and minds. Running water, crashing waves, big skies, fresh mountain air and the sounds of birds at sunrise, bring peace and clarity to our minds.
Think about when you have been at your happiest, most fulfilled and at peace. Write these moments down and plan how you can get more of them. Even retirees live in a busy world these days where days, weeks and months roll into each other, its almost unavoidable and not necessarily horrible, but is it want we want?
Having enough money to retire is the first step to a happy retirement but it is not a guarantee to a dignified and fulfilling retirement.
Hope you enjoy this Greg…..
Dirk Groeneveld, Certified Financial Planner.
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Bromley, a renowned big wave surfer from Kommetjie in Cape Town, has represented South Africa in the big wave arena for several years. His fearless approach and exceptional skills have earned him huge esteem in the local and global big wave surfing community.
This is what sets him apart and has seen him get another invite into the most prestigious big wave event in the world. For a full list of entries go here – Eddie Would Go!
Apart from big wave competitions, the Monster Energy athlete has also garnered massive respect for his free-surfing sessions in some of the biggest waves in the world. Dungeons and Sunset Reef in Cape Town, Mavericks in the USA, Jaws and Waimea in Hawaii, Nias in Indonesia, and Mullaghmore in Ireland are his locales when he chases the biggest winter swells.
“Every year, I make the big trek over to Mullaghmore, Mavericks, Jaws, and Waimea on the crazy swells when everywhere else is maxed out,” said Bromley. “I am incredibly proud to represent South Africa in the Eddie, the most prestigious surf event on the planet!”
Bromley at Jaws/Pea’hi © Marcoi Arellano
The contest location for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational presented by Rip Curl is the famous Waimea Bay, on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. As in years past, the contest will run if wave face heights consistently reach 40 feet between December 14, 2024, and March 13, 2025.
“As a surfer from South Africa, we are far removed from the global action,” reckons Bromley. “However, we do have Dungeons, one of the heaviest and scariest waves in the world, although it rarely breaks.
The Eddie Big Wave Invitational, presented by Rip Curl celebrates the current lineage of big wave surfers and the ones that came before. The legend of Eddie Aikau, after whom the event is named, is an integral part of Hawaiian Culture. Eddie Aikau was a championship athlete, a waterman, and a family man who truly cared for others. His legacy and the event named in his honour hold a special place in the hearts of surfers and fans alike.
The last time the Eddie ran was on January 22, 2023; it saw over 2 million streaming views from fans in over 195 countries worldwide.
The 39th annual Eddie Big Wave Invitational aims to focus on Hawaiian Culture and share Hawaii’s stories and legacy with the world. The Waimea Valley, which extends behind Waimea Bay, is rich with historic Hawaiian cultural significance.
see more: Whale Breaches During Olympics Surf Event – Photo Of The Day
The electrical substation in Boskloof, Humansdorp is set for a R22 million upgrade. This will enhance the electricity supply to KwaNomzamo.
The project will see the installation of an additional 15MW transformer, along with associated equipment, increasing the substation’s capacity. This from 7 Mega Volt Amps (MVA) to 22MVA. This increase will significantly enhance the electrical supply in the region. It is equivalent to powering over 366 000 sixty-watt light bulbs.
The R22 million upgrade is particularly vital for supplying electricity to the new housing units planned under the Kwanomzamo Housing Project. This housing initiative is part of a broader Human Settlement Project. It was was approved by the Department of Human Settlements in 2009.
Kouga Municipality Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, highlighted the importance of this R22 million upgrade. He stated: “This is a critical development for the region. The expanded capacity will not only improve the reliability of electricity supply. It will also lay the groundwork for the future growth of KwaNomzamo and surrounding areas.
“It represents our commitment to providing sustainable infrastructure that supports community progress.”
Kouga – On 20 August 2024, Kouga Municipality Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornmann wrote to the National Electricity Regulation of South Africa (NERSA) objecting to the proposed 40% electricity tariff increase in 2025.
Yesterday, 7 October 2024, Bornman launched a petition. He encourages all residents of the Eastern Cape to sign the petition, which will be delivered to Parliament.
“Kouga Municipality is working hard to create an environment that makes business here easy and attractive to investment,” said Bornman. “A ridiculous increase, as proposed, will most certainly render our efforts fruitless as it will significantly inflate business operating expenses, leading to potential closures and job losses.”
Kouga Municipality Executive Mayor Bornman added that this increase will force vulnerable communities to choose between essential needs like electricity and basic necessities such as food.
Residents against the proposed increase, are encouraged to sign the petition at https://4i959i3h.forms.app/online-petition-form. Alternatively, visit the Kouga Municipality website at www.kouga/gov.za and click on Notices and News.
See also: Kouga plants over 100 indigenous trees in afforestation effort
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