SAVE REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH YOU EARN
IF you like to look through the window in the morning like me, you will see that the sky still looks similar to what it looked like yesterday, the leaves, the chirping birds, the mist and rising sun at a distance from the east. Its another Monday, but it's not the same Monday as any other, it is World Savings Day!
World Savings Day is set aside to reflect, celebrate and sensitise our communities on the value of savings. This year the day is being commemorated under the theme “Sustainable Finance: savings are globally diverse, united in responsibility”
We cannot commemorate World Savings Day in Zambia without acknowledging the pioneer of Savings; Zambia’s founding Father Dr Kenneth David Kaunda who established the new NATSAVE post-independence under ACT 423 of 1972. Then NATSAVE mobilised savings for developmental projects.
In Zambia, the World Savings day ( WSD) has been celebrated since 2010 through the National Savings and Credit Bank, NATSAVE. However, the day was first officially commemorated in 2014 as part of the implementation of the National Strategy for Financial Education. It has since become a big day that brings together different players in the finance sector to celebrate savings and honour institutions and individuals that have been exceptional in driving the agenda of savings in the country.
However, Savings remain a global challenge which needs to be overcome because it is a fundamental social agenda which can reduce income inequality and poverty. There is therefore be a clear call for action by all stakeholders beginning at individual level.
In the quest to continue executing our original mandate as a savings Bank and vision of “Delivering Financial Inclusion”, we continue to participate in events that help in raising the bar in financial literacy in the country.
For us as NATSAVE, World Savings Day goes beyond October 31 because savings should be talked about every day. We have also been intentional in designing home grown Savings and Credit solutions for our customers.
We believe that saving should not be reserved for adults. Children should be taught how to manage their finances. Another aspect of note is that one does not need to be rich in order to save. People can save regardless of how much they earn.
Today, we encourage you to adopt a savings formula, where you determine a percentage for savings from your income before spending as opposed to spending then save the “change.”
This year’s World Savings Day theme, “Sustainable Finance: savings are globally diverse, united in responsibility” resonates with NATSAVE’s commitment to offering a platform for sustainable finance which goes beyond encouraging our customers to save but also providing affordable credit to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and SMEs. Savings are diverse that’s why we deliver financial inclusion to every Zambian without discrimination. We believe in seeking viable collaborations to serve the Zambian people better.
World Savings Day, which is also referred to as World Thrift Day was pioneered by Filippo Ravizza, an Italian Professor on October 31st in 1924. Professor Ravizza declared this day mainly to bring awareness amongst family groups to save for their future; children, medical emergencies and unforeseen circumstances. __________________________