Stian de Witt, CFP

As a Certified Financial Planner®, I’m trained to start with one question before any big decision:

What does this do to cash flow, capital, and long-term options?

That applies to cars too.

If you evaluate a vehicle emotionally, you’ll choose one way.
If you evaluate it financially, you start asking different questions.
And the answer often comes down to this: is the car a lifestyle choice… or a recurring capital decision?

I recently bought a second-hand BYD Dolphin (10,000 km) for R450,000 as my daily-use vehicle.

Not because it’s trendy — but because when you run the numbers properly, it’s exceptionally capital-efficient.

And this wasn’t a compromise on comfort or tech either. It’s quiet, comfortable, well-equipped, and genuinely easy to live with day-to-day.

Here’s what the maths looks like using the same framework I use with clients (prime finance, 48 months, conservative depreciation):
• Monthly finance: ~R11,700 vs ~R32,500 (a typical R1.25m SUV)
• Energy cost: R0 (off-grid home charging) vs ~R12,000/month in fuel
• Depreciation over ~4 years: ~R250k vs ~R750k

All-in over four years:
• Typical SUV: ~R1.64m
• BYD Dolphin: ~R360k

That’s roughly a R1.28m difference.

And the key point: you don’t “make your money back” only when you sell the car.
You recover value every month through lower interest, lower depreciation, and better cash flow.

This isn’t ideology. It’s simply capital efficiency — and for many households, it can meaningfully improve monthly breathing room without giving up a good driving experience.

Would you ever consider separating “daily efficiency” from “occasional capability” when choosing a vehicle — or do you prefer one car that does everything?

NMG Benefits

Last night I was honoured to receive the FPI Diversity & Inclusion Award 2025. I’m humbled—and I’m making a public commitment.

My goal: to help raise up 300 Black financial planners in South Africa.

We’re already on this journey at NMG Benefits, actively developing Black financial planners through mentoring, training and real opportunities.

This isn’t a BEE tick-box exercise. It’s about cultural relevance, excellence and impact. And to be clear: this is about people, dignity and opportunity—never quotas or commoditisation. In our South African context, Ubuntu matters: we rise by lifting others.

My inspiration is the story of Gideon: an army refined from thousands to 300—chosen for vigilance, courage and character. That’s the kind of “300” I’m believing for in our profession: warriors for clients, communities and integrity.

I often say we must “mine the gold” in South Africa—not people as commodities, but the God-given potential, skills and character in each person, refined into agents of change for families, communities and our industry.

Over the next few years we’ll invest in:
• mentoring and coaching,
• practical training and pathways into advice,
• partnerships with firms, universities and funders.

If you’re an aspiring planner, a leader who can open doors, or a partner who wants to build this with us—DM me. Let’s equip, empower and elevate talent together.

Thank you to FPI and to everyone who champions inclusion not as charity, but as performance and purpose.

NMG Benefits

NMG Benefits Stian de Witt, CFP

Why partnering with an IFA matters:

https://www-businesstechafrica-co-za.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.businesstechafrica.co.za/business/banking-and-finance/2024/06/19/heres-why-business-owners-should-work-with-independent-financial-advisers/amp/

Setting financial goals NMG Benefits, Stian De Witt

https://www.citizen.co.za/business/personal-finance/how-to-set-your-financial-goals-for-2024/ #

How to set your financial goals for 2024 | The Citizen Setting financial goals for the year is a proactive step toward achieving financial success and security.

https://youtu.be/kxCkhUSMDSA?si=tTqS3RM3Kvn49781

Stian de Witt, CFP

Looking beyond budgeting for the New Year’s individual fiscal goals Financial planners have stressed the importance of looking beyond budgeting for the New Year’s individual fiscal goals. This includes reflecting, looking ahe...

Stian De Witt

Why a will & estate planning go hand in hand - bbrief A will and estate planning ensure that assets are distributed according to your wishes and avoid disputes that can arise after your death.

Had the privilege of of talking to Maya on her podcast about ageing parents and their finances:

‎My Money My Lifestyle: Supporting your aging parents on Apple Podcasts ‎Show My Money My Lifestyle, Ep Supporting your aging parents - 21 Sept 2023

https://motoring.co.za/personal-finance/my-money/6-things-every-south-african-should-know-about-drawing-up-a-will-08357e5a-288b-4365-8b5b-d04742fc3573

6 things every South African should know about drawing up a will Opinion: We often think of wills and estate planning as something for old people. But the reality is that unexpected death, disease or injury can occur at any time, writes Stian de Witt.