EasyEquities Blog

From South Africa to Omaha: Retail Investors Take the Spotlight

Written by Cay-Low Mbedzi | May 7, 2025 12:21:28 PM

From South Africa to the United States, EasyEquities investors are putting retail investing in the spotlight - making the journey to Omaha, Nebraska, to attend the annual General Meeting (AGM), a dream come true made possible through EasyEquities. 

Among the attendees was Masetshaba Shadi, who captured the sentiment of the experience: “The Sage of Omaha never disappoints. It was an unbelievable experience. Thank you, EasyEquities, for making the process to attend so easy.” She also had the opportunity to visit Warren Buffett’s house, adding a personal and memorable touch to the trip.

AGMs are annual events where shareholders get updates, vote on key matters, and engage with company leadership. Thanks to EasyEquities, these events are now accessible to everyday investors, not just institutions. EasyEquities users enjoy shareholder privileges like dividends and participation in AGMs. This year, they experienced one of the most iconic events in global finance, once reserved for financial giants, now open to individual investors.

Timeless Lessons and Historic Announcements 

The 2025 AGM was filled with memorable moments. Warren Buffett announced his decision to step down as CEO after more than 60 years, with Greg Abel set to take over. Despite the leadership change, Buffett emphasised that Berkshire’s core philosophy remains unchanged: surround yourself with honest, curious, and like-minded people.

He also revealed that Berkshire is holding $348 billion in cash - a reflection of their patient investment approach - and reminded investors, “Nobody knows what the market is going to do, so be prepared to act when the opportunity comes.” On a more somber note, he shared that Berkshire’s insurance division didn’t turn a profit this quarter, largely due to the devastating California wildfires. 

Retail Investors Embrace the Experience 

Dubbed the “Woodstock for Capitalists,” the AGM draws thousands of shareholders from around the world, all eager to hear Buffett’s insights on investing, business, and life. Attendees left inspired and equipped with practical takeaways. Buffett reaffirmed his commitment to lifelong learning, revealing he reads over 50 income statements each month, and recommended the book Becoming Katharine Graham. He also offered this advice to young investors: “Associate early with people better and smarter than you.” 

 

Reflecting on her trip, investor Masetshaba shared: “The letter from EasyEquities made it easy for me to get access to the AGM. The friendships I formed with other investors, shopping at the event - especially the See’s Candies chocolate - and visiting Warren Buffett’s modest home… it was an unforgettable experience. On Monday, my sister and I even visited a local radio station, 95.7 in Omaha.

"When you understand how money works, it's easier to be a good steward of it - distributing it wisely and attracting abundance. I believe everything is abundant,"  Masetshaba said in the interview. "It doesn't matter where you work - whether you're a janitor, a government employee, or a fund manager - if you understand the simple principle of spending less than you earn, you've already won half the battle. If one of us can do it, then we must tell others they can too. We need to lead by example and show that investing and building generational wealth isn't reserved for a certain type of person. We must be purposeful and intentional when it comes to investing. Invest early to gain financial freedom"

For Masetshaba, it was an unbelievable occasion to see the Sage of Omaha on stage, sharing wisdom and business advice for over six hours, especially at his age. The highlight was when he announced his retirement as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. "I’m definitely doing it again next year. Thank you,  Masetshaba signing out from Omaha!” 

Conclusion 

With EasyEquities, investing is simple, accessible, and rewarding. From earning dividends to attending AGMs, investors gain real ownership and real experiences. Events such as AGMs are more than just meetings - they’re spaces where learning, inspiration, and community come together. So why wait? Start investing today, and next time, you could be the next EasyEquities investor participating in the global conversation, sitting alongside some of the world’s most respected investors. To learn more about AGMs, you can click here or below 

 

 

 

Any opinions, news, research, reports, analyses, prices, or other information contained within this article is provided by an employee of EasyEquities, an authorised FSP (FSP 22588), a registered credit provider (NCRCP12294) and a licensed over-the-counter derivatives provider (ODP 44), as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice for the purposes of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002. First World Trader (Pty) Ltd t/a EasyEquities (“EasyEquities”) does not warrant the correctness, accuracy, timeliness, reliability or completeness of any information (i) contained within this research and (ii) received from third party data providers. You must rely solely upon your own judgment in all aspects of your investment and/or trading decisions and all investments and/or trades are made at your own risk. EasyEquities (including any of their employees) will not accept any liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage, including without limitation, any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on the market commentary. The content contained within is subject to change at any time without notice. EasyEquities did not pay for the trip referenced, and only a letter of representation was provided.