Old Mutual x SheInvests: How South African Women Are Rewriting Their Financial Stories
Money talk isn’t always glamorous, but for South African women in 2025, it’s deeply personal. Between rising costs, career juggling, and the daily pressures of running households, many women are feeling the financial squeeze. Yet, if there’s one thing the latest Old Mutual Savings and Investment Monitor (OMSIM) 2025 shows us, it’s that women are not backing down.
The insights are being released as part of the JSE’s SheInvests 2025 programme, which is a campaign that highlights the steps women can take to move from goals to long-term financial security. Women are brought together to build financial knowledge and assurance. And now, in fact, they’re rewriting their financial stories with grit, creativity, and growing confidence.
The Weight of Pressure, the Spark of Resilience
The numbers reveal what many women already feel: 43% are under considerable financial stress, and for single mothers, that climbs to nearly 49%. These numbers reveal that while overall financial stress indicators have stabilised since 2024, women are experiencing greater strain than the broader market.
But here’s the striking part — despite the weight of that pressure, women remain hopeful. More than three-quarters believe their personal finances will improve within the next six months, the highest score since 2020. Furthermore, 34% of women express optimism in their financial position. It’s a spirit of hope that speaks to the heart of resilience.
As Vuyokazi Mabude, Head of Knowledge & Insights at Old Mutual, puts it: “Women are navigating an increasingly complex financial landscape, yet what stands out is their determination and optimism. By participating in platforms such as SheInvests, we are helping women turn their financial goals into practical strategies for lasting stability.”
Shifting From Financial Stress to Confidence
What’s also changing is how women see themselves as decision-makers. Confidence in savings and investments is steadily rising, with 36% now feeling assured in their choices — a figure that has been climbing for three years. More women are also reaching out for professional guidance, with 45% working with financial advisers compared to 40% just two years ago.
SheInvests isn’t just about surviving the present; it’s about laying bricks for a stronger future.
However, the numbers also reveal that 47% of working women form part of the sandwich generation, a term used to define women who support both their children and their parents. This is significantly higher than men, and more concerning, 66% of working women earn under R30 000, far below what is necessary to support a big family. This explains why women are more financially stressed than men when it comes to family dynamics.
Side Hustles & Income Security
Income security remains the top financial priority for women, particularly younger females. Many women are diversifying their income streams to manage risk and support household expenses.
If there’s one thing South African women know, it’s how to hustle. The survey shows that 56% are “poly-jobbers”, blending day jobs with side hustles, freelancing, or passion projects. Social media is also stepping in as a surprising income booster. Of this, 35% are earning through platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.
And it’s not just about making ends meet — almost half of women (47%) own or co-own a business, proving that entrepreneurship is no longer the exception, but part of the modern female playbook.
Goals That Matter Most
However, debt remains a significant concern, with more than half of working women frequently worrying about it. Encouragingly, 55% report that their debt levels have declined compared to a year ago. Women are also actively preserving savings, with fewer dropping into reserved or pausing investment contributions.
More so, ask a South African woman what she’s saving for, and you’ll hear the same heartfelt priorities: children’s education, a comfortable retirement, emergency funds, and freedom from debt. Eight in ten women have a clear goal in mind, but fewer believe they’ll reach their long-term dreams.
That’s where access to the right advice matters most. Half of working women still don’t know where to turn for financial guidance, a gap Old Mutual aims to close through initiatives like SheInvests 2025, which creates safe, empowering spaces for women to learn and grow.
Beyond the Numbers: SheInvests 2025
Yes, the statistics show stress. But they also show something more powerful: a story of resilience, resourcefulness, and rising confidence.
South African women are not waiting for circumstances to change — they’re finding ways to adapt, innovate, and move closer to financial independence. And with the right tools, support, and community, that optimism could be the strongest currency of all; which is where SheInvests comes in. The campaign includes:
– Teaching how women can monetise their wealth
– Teaching how once can fund their investment journey while navigating current economic challenges
– Educating about Exchange Traded Funds
– Educating about financial literacy and confidence in decision-making
– Eliminating financial fear
– Introducing the basics of financial technical know-hows
As Mabude concludes: “Our goal is to ensure that every woman has access to the guidance and support she needs to achieve financial security. We want to empower women not only to cope with immediate pressures, but also to plan with certainty for the future.”
Old Mutual emphasises that no matter where one is in their financial journey, they help them grow from there. Their participation in SheInvests 2025 stems from the proverb: “Educate a man, you educate a person. But educate a woman, and you educate a community.”
