Youth Month: The Importance of Investing Early

Investing young is crucial because it uses compound interest to grow wealth significantly over time. Young investors can take more risks, recover from losses, and build substantial retirement funds, contributing to financial independence. It also helps protect against inflation and promotes financial discipline, ensuring long-term financial stability.

As part of Youth Month, we had the opportunity to engage with one of our Easy community members, Mark Anthony Kana; an entrepreneur and Business Management student at the University of Venda. According to Mark, starting your investment journey early is crucial due to the power of compound interest and the long-term growth potential. Investing early on in life gives you more time to gain experience and to learn from your mistakes.

Mark is the founder of Stacks International, the Entrepreneurship Coordinator of STOPTHESPOT (an NPO that supports young people by tackling socio-economic, cultural, and gender equality issues), and the Marketing Manager for Tshinwa Fhasi. He is actively involved in various training programs and has a keen interest in wealth creation, financial literacy, and residential real estate. He is also the founder and host of the Wealth Blueprint podcast. Last month, Mark hosted a financial literacy seminar at the University of Venda on investing using EasyEquities. The event emphasised the importance of investing early, educating attendees on its benefits, and giving them some practical steps. It aimed to empower the community with financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills, addressing the knowledge gap among young people by including expert speakers.

“The event was a great success. We had a fantastic turnout, with enthusiastic participation from the attendees. The speakers, representing organisations such as STANLIB, NYDA, SEDA, SARS, and Vandalamo Financial Services, delivered valuable insights. The interactive sessions were well-received, and the event's success has encouraged us to plan more of such events in the future,” Mark explained. 

One of the participants who received an EasyEquities voucher commented: "This will help kickstart my investment journey. I can use this voucher as a convenient way to start investing and building wealth over time. Thus, it helps me plan for a re-imagined future." Another voucher recipient added that they plan to invest in Capitec Bank Holdings Limited they believed it had a history of good returns.

As an investor himself, Mark shares his own strategies for selecting investments, which include:

• Reading Reports: "I review annual and quarterly reports on Google Finance for financial health and growth prospects."
• Following News: "I stay updated with market events via financial news websites and stock market apps."
• Analyzing Trends: "I study chart patterns to find buy-low, sell-high opportunities."

We also had the opportunity to learn about Mark's specific investments and his reasons for choosing them:

• Nvidia (NVDA): "Nvidia's leading role in AI and GPU technology, driving innovation in gaming and autonomous vehicles, makes it a compelling investment. Investing in AI now is investing in the future." 
• Satrix MSCI India Feeder ETF (STXNDA): "This ETF offers exposure to India's fast-growing economy, providing diversification and tapping into the growth potential of Indian companies."
• Apple (AAPL): "Apple's strong brand, innovative products, and loyal customer base make it a solid investment, consistently generating revenue with market-leading products like the iPhone and MacBook."

“To the youth, I want to say: Take charge of your financial future today. The earlier you start, the more time your investments have to grow. Don't be afraid to learn and make mistakes along the way; each step brings you closer to financial independence,” Mark said. “Surround yourself with knowledge, seek out mentors, and stay disciplined in your financial goals. Remember, wealth creation is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay committed, stay informed, and you'll see the fruits of your efforts in the long run.”

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