Testimonials

I worked with Maud Raseroka for a number of years at Sasol Synfuels International, a business unit that was assigned to search for Gas-to-Liquids (GTL), Coal-to-Liquids (CTL) opportunities internationally. Her role involved leading and implementing HR operational activities, assisting with designing and updating organisational structures, recruitment, facilitating performance management activities between managers and employees, driving training and development to ensure that employees attended training to address identified gaps, preparation of the budget, to name just a few.

She was also responsible representing HR in New Business Development projects, throughout the phases of the projects (i.e. from idea generation) ensuring that HR activities were covered and signed off before Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) and Secondment Agreements were signed with potential partners, providing HR support to projects overseas, developing mobilisation plans, staffing plans, ram-up plans and sourcing plans to support the projects internationally as well as expatriating and repatriating employees at the end of their international assignments with different projects. She also lead HR function before the plant was built in Sasolburg, ensuring that all HR activities were implemented including during pre-commissioning, commissioning, start-up and operation of the plant. She has a very good understanding of HR and provided more than just HR support to the business. Maud will bring a lot value to any organisation.

Mrs Mpho Raseroka served as a Trustee and Chairlady at Silver Stream Estate South Body Corporate, consisting of 140 units, for several years and I had the privilege of working closely with her.

She has an excellent understanding of all areas involved in scheme management and dedicate her time and knowledge to the best of her ability, to ensure growth and harmonious living all resident.

Under her leadership, the scheme managed to stay within budget and saved costs resulting in no levy increase for two years in a row, in turn providing financial relief to the owners by putting money in their pockets. She went above and beyond to ensure proper management of the scheme with a hands-on approach daily and eliminated any potential risks.

She and the other two Trustees who supported her had a vision to grow the finances of the scheme and to ensure that maintenance is kept up in terms of their 10-year maintenance plan. At the recent AGM new Trustees were elected and she handed over a well-managed scheme with excess funds of R2 million rand.

In my 33 years of being a portfolio manager, I have never witnessed such hard work and dedication and most of all perseverance. She is cheerful and loyal and has a great sense of humour. Her impact had massive contribution towards invested owners and she will be an asset to any community scheme.

My name is Karabelo. After speaking to Maud Raseroka about finance, I realized her knowledge on the subject was one I wanted to employ and become financially free too. So invited her for a Women's Day event at work and she transformed many people's lives.

Today I am not perfect, but I have learnt the importance of paying a little more on the bond repayment. R500 more has shaved off a few years off my bond repayment. So this financial advise has changed my life and the lives of many of my colleagues.

There I was years back working fulltime job getting salary every month like everyone else but my financial status was disaster. I had accounts that needed to be paid every month. Despite doing odd jobs on the side, I could not save anything for rainy days. I would get paid, spend all my money as saving was not a culture for me.

I met my mentor who educated me about value of money and how I can change my situation. I had no idea how that was going to be achieved. You can imagine. To adjust from my old routine of spending money that I did not have to cutting some luxury was a nightmare. Having to leave things that I love, it was torture, The thought of putting away something aside every month was like robbing myself.

With time, I got used to the idea that I needed to commit to this change, though at times it was worse experience. Finally, I managed to pay my bills and still put something away. After all what I thought was torture became a lifestyle. Now I am more responsible, having a peace of mind and financially independent.

Looking back now, that was the right thing to do. I can manage my finances better. I have learned that you can achieve any goal.

My name is Lebogang Abegail Kgobodi, I am writing this letter to highlight my experience with Ms Raseroka. My first meeting with Financial Coach Ms Maud was on the 28 September 2015 whereby we discussed the following:

• My current financial situation
• My debts in total
• How we can eliminate the debt and start saving

Firstly, I managed to pay off my son's school fees in December 2015 instead of having to pay it monthly. This I have been able to maintain for the past 5 years without fail.

The plan has taught me how to eliminate debt and not depend on actual debt to live my life, so whatever I am done paying, the money would rollover to eliminate other debts that I had. As I type this letter, I can confirm that I do not have debt at this point in my life that is until April 2022.

I have purchased a brand new home for me and my son and the first date of occupation is 01 April 2022. I am currently tring to save as much as I can, however I can say that my life is making financial sense at the moment. The words that always play in my head are if you did not budget for something then know that you cannot afford it.

From here on, I can safely say financial stress is becoming a thing of the past, the encounters that I have had with my God sent Financial Coach has been a life changing one.

Getting used to not relying on credit to maintain my life was not easy, however the benefits that came with it I am able to pass on to my sone.

I am more financially savvy my money and believe it or not, this month's salary is able to make friends with last month's salary. That should give you an idea of how far I've come.

After the conversation I had with Maud Raseroka regarding the basic principles of managing one's finances, I started applying them and disciplined myself to achieve them. It is such a liberating feeling to not live in fear. In the past, I used to be so scared that should any financial disruption happen in my life, how will I manage it, but after our conversation the fear is slowly dissipating. I am now confident to take calculated risks because I know that I have savings that can cushion the blow for that period. As a young person living in era of instant gratification, I have learned that it's okay to defer the gratification and build a solid financial capital that will give greater returns in future. Thank you so much for indoctrinating those fundamental principles in my heart. My financial status has improved drastically from where it was.

Some people deserve more than just a thank you! Thanks for doing what you did; you are kind beyond belief. You helped me manage my finances very well and today I own a car- Yes, my own car!

To date, I am still doing the following:

1. Short-term and long term goals
2. Record your expenses
3. Budget for savings
4. Find ways to cut your spending
5. Decide on your priorities
6. Make savings automatic
7. Watch your savings grow

My heartfelt gratitude goes out to you. You are a treasure in life. All the best for the future and keep on changing people's lives.