Mozambique Representative Notes Nine Months Without Kidnappings and Calls for Investment in the Country

Every July marks Savings Month, which encourages South Africans to put more money aside for the future. However, this initiative raises a complex question: how can one save when they are barely making ends meet?

State of Savings in the Country

The latest available data on household savings paints a worrying picture. According to information from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), the household savings rate in South Africa fell to -1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025. This means that, on average, households were spending more than they were earning instead of saving money. Simply put, many families lack any financial cushion to cover unexpected expenses.

Shifting the Approach to Saving

This statistic highlights the need for a change in the mindset of South Africans regarding savings. Savings Month serves as a useful reminder that financial well-being is not measured solely by the size of an investment portfolio. For many South Africans, the greatest financial success is having enough resilience to handle unexpected life expenses without resorting to debt.

South Africans have experienced years of rising costs of living. Although inflation has slowed, many families continue to feel the cumulative effect of increased tariffs on electricity, municipal payments, insurance, school fees, and transport, leaving little room for savings.

The Gap Between Advice and Reality

This has created a disconnect between traditional financial advice and the reality faced by many households. Advice about retirement savings in 30 years remains relevant, but it is difficult to stay invested if any unforeseen expense forces the use of savings or the taking out of expensive loans.

Instead, South Africans should rethink the purpose of savings. An emergency savings account is not intended to yield the highest return. Its job is to absorb life surprises without disrupting long-term financial plans. If a car breaks down, a boiler explodes, or income unexpectedly disappears, this financial buffer will provide options. Without it, one setback can negate years of sound financial decisions.

Positive Changes and Barriers

There is good news for those striving to ensure long-term financial security. This year's budget included several positive measures for savers, including increasing the limit of the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) from 36,000 to 46,000 rand. While the author welcomes these incentives, he believes that tax benefits alone will not solve the savings problem in South Africa.

Tax incentives are important, but the TFSA is not suitable for short-term or emergency savings. Incentives do not change behavior on their own. People start saving regularly when it is simple, accessible, and automated. The biggest obstacle is not a lack of intention, but rather the belief held by many that they don't have enough money left at the end of the month to start.

The Importance of Consistency

Mindsets are hard to change, especially when people believe that significant savings require large sums. One of the most common misconceptions is that savings only become worthwhile when one can set aside substantial amounts. In reality, consistency matters far more than size. Forming a saving habit—even a small amount, such as a couple of hundred rand transferred with the salary—creates momentum and facilitates increasing contributions over time.

Ultimately, Savings Month should be aimed not at making people feel guilty for not saving, but at helping them build financial confidence. Saving is not about striving for perfection. It is about creating sufficient financial space to address today's problems while simultaneously investing in tomorrow. Once this resilience is built, a person will be in a much stronger position to build long-term wealth.

According to the Report on Energy Transition and Efficiency, in 2024, 92.9% of residential premises in Cabo Verde were supplied with electricity, while 7.1% remained without access to this service.

Differences Between Urban and Rural Areas

In urban areas, energy access stood at 94.3%, but this figure dropped to 88.6% in rural areas, where 11.4% of households lacked electricity.

Sources and Behavior in Energy Efficiency

The state grid remains the main source of power supply, with only 0.4% of households using solar panels. The document also analyzed energy efficiency-related behavior and found that 54.2% of people aged 15 and over in 2024 did not take steps to reduce consumption.

Among those who implemented saving measures, the most common actions were turning off equipment when not in use and reducing operating time. The stated reason for saving electricity was most often the need to lower expenses.

Regional Characteristics and Use of Firewood

This data was obtained from the efficiency and energy transition module integrated into the Multipurpose Continuous Survey (IMC) in the fourth quarter of 2024. Among the islands, Brava island shows almost full electricity coverage, while Fogo island has the least favorable situation, with 10.4% of housing lacking access. Santiago and Sal islands also show figures below the national average.

In rural areas, one-third of all households still uses firewood for cooking.

Early in the morning, around 05:00, as motorcycles begin circulating through Beira's main avenues, women take up spots at stops in areas such as Matakuane, Makurungo, and Nangau. They combine transporting passengers and goods with the responsibility of supporting their families.

Success Stories of Female Drivers

Augusta Munjela, 48, is one example, having become a notable figure in the Matakuane corridor. A former widow and mother of five, she has been driving a moto-taxi for seven years. This activity began after she lost her business at the Goto market.

A turning point was Cyclone Idai in 2019, which destroyed twelve of her stalls. Even earlier, in 2008, she lost her husband. Augusta recalls: 'Everything connected for me. I lost my husband, then I lost my business. I was left with nothing.'

In the absence of other income sources, she decided to take up motorcycle driving. Initially, she only accepted female passengers, believing it would be safer and help her avoid conflicts. However, she realized she was losing money, forcing her to overcome her own prejudices when two men needing a ride appeared.

The Impact of the Pandemic and Education

According to Augusta, the COVID-19 pandemic strengthened her decision, as small business incomes declined, and her children enrolled in higher education. She recounted: 'I didn't have money for education. I took the moto-taxi job very seriously because it was necessary. I valued this activity when I desperately needed funds.'

Currently, she uses the income from the motorcycle to fund her children's studies at Likungo University and Zambezi University, including her daughter who is studying medicine. She states: 'What seemed impossible for a mother without an education, the motorcycle gave me.'

Despite her successes, Augusta admits that the work involves difficulties and risks. She shares: 'Firstly, it requires determination and effort. Moreover, faith is everything. When I leave home, no one knows what will happen.'

Discrimination and Support

Besides the daily challenges of driving, she faces discriminatory remarks, such as, 'A woman doesn't know how to drive.' Nevertheless, she notes that when she arrives first, no one says anything.

She calls on other women wishing to start this venture: 'Let them be very strong and take me as an example. Today I feel like a powerful woman. We are not weak women. We fall, but we get up, without complaining or going from door to door. Have morale, courage, and do not be ashamed, because shame will not get us anywhere. Do your job.'

Other Examples and Economic Autonomy

In Beira, there is also Balbina Silvio, 47, who has combined teaching with a small business supported by motorcycle use for over ten years. She explains: 'You cannot live only on a salary. The cost of living is high, and I have five children to raise, as well as other family members. I thought about doing other things to help at home.'

The motorcycle, acquired by the family, became a working tool for transporting goods and supplying her own business. Balbina states: 'Life is expensive. We didn't have transport at home, only the motorcycle. I started doing this job and I still enjoy it.'

This activity allowed her to gradually expand her business, moving from selling drinks to other commercial initiatives. She shares: 'I am gradually prospering. I don't think I started that way, but I am already reaching a high level.'

The teacher also advocates for women's economic independence: 'I wish all women would think like this. Instead of us searching for losses or looking for other men, we should embrace business to survive.'

Despite the progress made, she hopes to expand her business and asks for help from those willing to support her venture honestly so she can acquire more goods and move forward.

Official and Association Comments

For Jasinta dos Remedios, President of the Beira Municipal Assembly, the increase in women in the moto-transport sector reflects a growing demand for economic opportunities. She states: 'It is an honor for me to see women fighting to overcome the country's socio-economic problems. Taking up this space is a concrete step towards achieving parity.'

The author believes that this activity is both a form of entrepreneurship and a response to unemployment. 'Women do this because there are no jobs in Mozambique. There are women with acceptable academic levels, but since there is no work, this activity functions as entrepreneurship,' she asserts.

However, Jasinta dos Remedios warned about the need to strengthen training and road safety for sector workers. 'It is important that these women are qualified and licensed. They must know the traffic rules, because without that, it is a risk,' she insists.

She also calls for more training events: 'It is necessary for the Municipal Council or legal institutions to train women, as well as men, to avoid many accidents and damage that may occur.'

The President of the Beira Moto-Taxi Association, Jacob Pereira, views the influx of more women into this sector as a positive sign for the sector. 'It is a sign of growth. It encourages other girls, other owners, to do the same and provide for themselves. It helps stimulate economic activity.'

According to the leader, the association collaborates with the National Institute of Road Transport (INATRO) and a driving school to conduct educational and retraining activities. 'The goal is to ensure that everyone knows the traffic rules and defensive driving techniques. An accident is not related to positions. Even I, as president, did not refuse training. I learned things that never occurred to me.'

Jacob Pereira adds that only specialists who complete the training will receive a fitness certificate. 'Anyone without a certificate will be punished for engaging in this activity without the appropriate qualification,' he warns.

Moto-taxi drivers surveyed by Lusa, some of whom fear speaking openly, report shifts that can exceed 12 hours a day, exposure to traffic accidents, robberies, and instances of harassment by some passengers, especially at night.

In a sector that has been associated with men for decades, the growing presence of women at Beira moto-taxi stops demonstrates gradual changes in the labor market, marked by informality, where many find a source of income to support their families and ensure the continuation of their children's education.