By Tshiamo Molanda, Head of Personal Banking South Africa at Standard Bank By almost any measure, South Africa’s under-35s are leading a profound shift in how money moves through the economy. The 2026 Standard Bank Youth Barometer shows that they have embraced digital payments at a pace that far exceeds older generations. They are more...

 Inflation is not just affecting household budgets, it’s also reshaping how consumers think, plan and make financial decisions. Financial pressure for South Africans is increasingly defined by persistence rather than crisis. Consumers are adjusting continuously to higher transport costs, rising electricity tariffs, growing debt pressure and the rising cost of everyday essentials. Even financially engaged...