By Kristin Putter*
It’s easy to understand how many South Africans are driven to desperation when they’re caught in a financial pinch. For many, it’s not about getting ahead, it’s about staying afloat.
You may already be doing what you can. Cutting back where possible. Trying to budget. Stretching your income a little further each month. And yet, it still feels like it’s not enough.
And this is where temptation starts to creep in. When something comes along that promises quick money, something that looks like a way out, it doesn’t just feel appealing. It feels necessary. Like an opportunity you can’t afford to ignore.
And that’s exactly why these schemes are so effective.
Every week, South Africans are reminded of the consequences. Pyramid-style schemes that collapse without warning. Crypto “investment platforms” that disappear overnight. And there’s a growing concern about gambling and the toll it’s taking on already stretched households.
Why the ‘quick win’ is so appealing
Let’s be honest: if someone told you that you could double your money in a few months, you’d at least be curious, right? That’s human.
And it’s exactly what these schemes rely on.
In recent years, thousands of South Africans have been drawn into so-called ‘business opportunities’ that promised fast, passive income. Some presented themselves as digital platforms. Others as crypto trading systems. Some even operated through WhatsApp groups, dressed up as stokvels or community savings clubs.
They often looked legitimate, with slick apps and professional branding. And sometimes, associations with well-known sports figures and celebrities that gave them a veneer of credibility.
It’s not just scams
Not all financial damage comes from scams. A lot of it comes down to behaviour, and the same desire to get ahead faster than is realistically possible.
The rise in online gambling across South Africa is a good example. With easy access on your phone and constant marketing, it’s never been easier to place a bet or chase a quick win. It often starts off feeling harmless, even fun, but the long-term impact can be serious.
Small wins build confidence, making losses easy to justify. But over time, the habit becomes repetitive, and the costs start to add up. What feels like a quick opportunity slowly turns into a steady drain on your finances.
Whether it’s a pyramid scheme, a crypto ‘investment platform’, or a betting app, the driver is much the same.
It’s the belief that there’s a faster, easier way to build wealth, and that you might have found it.
The reality about building wealth
The truth, however, is far less exciting and far more reliable. Building wealth doesn’t happen in sudden leaps or through once-off opportunities. It’s the result of a series of consistent, often unremarkable decisions made over time.
It requires patience, discipline, and a willingness to stay the course even when progress feels slow.
This means spending less than you earn and creating space to save. It means investing in credible, regulated opportunities rather than chasing the latest trend. And it means giving your money time to grow, rather than constantly interrupting the process in search of something better.
A simple decision framework
When you’re presented with a new ‘opportunity’, it helps to slow the process down and apply a simple framework.
Start by asking whether the returns being promised are realistic, especially within the given timeframe. High returns over short periods should immediately ring alarm bells.
Then ask yourself whether you truly understand how the investment works and where the returns are coming from. If the explanation is vague, overly complex, or relies on recruiting others, it’s worth stepping back.
More importantly: does it align with your financial plan, or is it simply appealing to emotion in the moment? I suggest that you try strip away the marketing, the testimonials, and the sense of urgency, and focus on the underlying fundamentals.
If those fundamentals don’t hold up, the best decision is often to walk away.
The long game is the winning game
It’s easy to feel as though you’re falling behind, especially when you hear stories about how others appear to be making quick wins. The truth is that these stories rarely reflect the full reality, and often leave out the risks, the losses, and the outcomes that didn’t go as planned.
Sustainable wealth is built over time through consistency and sound decision-making. It’s not dependent on timing the market perfectly or finding the next big opportunity.
You don’t need a shortcut, you need a strategy and the discipline to follow through on it because there’s no fast lane to building real wealth.
* Kristin Putter is a paraplanner to marise Reinach CFP® and Charize Beukes CFP® at Brenthurst Pretoria.
Megan joined the Brenthurst Wealth team in March 2026 as an Administrative and Fiduciary Services Assistant at our Val de Vie Office in the Western Cape. Prior to joining Brenthurst, Megan gained three years of experience in the retail sector, where she developed management and client service skills.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Esmarelda Isaacs-Andreas joined the Brenthurst Wealth Stellenbosch office in October 2025, taking on the dual role of Receptionist and Fiduciary Administrator.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Ashley joined Brenthurst Wealth in January 2025 as Office Administrative Assistant and Receptionist for the Stellenbosch Office.
René Heystek joined Brenthurst Wealth in November 2023, as receptionist and administrative assistant in the newly established George/Garden Route office.
Michelle Heystek has built a career in the financial services over the last two decades, after obtaining her B.Com degree in Financial Management in 2005. Once she joined Brenthurst in 2006, she continued her academic journey, obtaining her Certificate in Wealth Management from INSETA in 2007, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State. In 2008, she earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.
Anelle joined Brenthurst Wealth as a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant to Brian Butchart in the Cape Town office in December 2023. She has a wealth of knowledge from working as a liaison between Financial Advisers and clients at TMA and Absa Investment Management Services (Aims) since 1998. She obtained her B. com degree from the University of Port Elizabeth in 1997.
ADMITTED ATTORNEY | FINANCIAL PLANNER & HEAD OF BRENTHURST FOURWAYS
Sanet was appointed in April 2020, joining our Cape Town team as an Executive Administration Assistant to Renee Eagar. She has been in the financial services industry since 1990. Her previous experience includes positions at Sanlam, BJM and ABSA. She spent her last 12 years working at Alexander Forbes Private Client Wealth as a Senior Wealth Management Assistant. She has received numerous accolades over the years which include but not limited to, Alexander Forbes Client Service Excellence – Silver award in 2014,2015 and 2017. Sanet has also obtained her Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5) in 2012 and achieved “Best Student of the Year” from Moonstone.
Maria Smit is a Certified Financial Planner® with over 10 years of experience in the financial planning industry.
