EASIER LIVING AHEAD FOR BRONWYNN

Easier living is ahead for Bronwynn Appleby as she enthusiastically describes her plans to for saving — and spending — her Envision windfall. Bronwynn originally came under the Kumba umbrella as a facilities management contractor a few years ago.

“When my contract came to an end, I felt that I just didn’t want to leave this company,” she says. “I’d never come across anything like it — a company that really cares about the personal safety of everyone it employs and that makes working life so comfortable and pleasant for its staff.”

Bronwynn enrolled on some commercial courses, applied for a position at Kumba and was appointed as Martin’s PA two years ago.

“The Envision pay-out has just been the cherry on the top for me. The first thing I’m going to do is squash some debt, including against what I owe on my car and invest some funds for a rainy day — and then travel is next on the agenda! I’m planning to take a lovely family holiday in December and in 2012 we’re going on a cruise.

“I’m also planning to further my studies to advance my career. As you can tell, these funds are giving my family the opportunity to do some things we weren’t able to do before!

“With Christmas just around the corner, I’m also going to do some shopping and spoil my loved ones a little bit more this year. I support a local home for the aged and will be giving them a something extra this time as well. I believe in spreading the cheer!”

Brownynn is a keen gardener and has had her eye on a beautiful wrought-iron gazebo for some time.

“With my birthday coming up in January, that gazebo will soon be in my garden, as I plan the most special birthday celebration ever,” she says. “I don’t normally make a fuss when my birthday comes around, but this time I’m going to pull out all the stops and go big with all the trimmings.”

Bronwynn conveys her heartfelt thanks to Kumba for their generosity in engineering an employee share option scheme of this nature that is making such a significant difference in the lives of many employees.

INVESTING IN A SAFE HOME ENVIRONMENT

Amanda was appointed as a permanent staff member in 2011, but has been associated with the company in a temporary capacity since 2009.

“I was so excited when I heard about it that I couldn’t wait to get home to tell my husband about the Envision pay-out,” she says. “We’ve given it a lot of thought since then and we’ve decided to use a portion of these funds to improve the safety of our home.

“All this talk of safety at work has really rubbed off on me and I’ve noticed several areas at home which could be made safer.  My husband and I intend to remain in our present home after we retire and we need to make sure that it will be safe for us in our old age.”

Although Amanda has two adult daughters — one of whom is also receiving an Envision pay-out — she also has an eight-year-old “laat lammetjie” with a lot of education still ahead of him.

“We’re going to invest a portion of the funds to ensure my son receives a good education,” she says. “I have two beautiful young grandchildren as well and they will also be receiving an investment in their future education.  But more immediately, I can’t wait to spoil them all with some wonderful Christmas presents this year.

“I might also spend some money on a few new programmes for my PC that I’ve had my eye on for a while and I would like to have a really nice camera.”

Amanda says the ‘financial fitness’ programme made available to all Envision beneficiaries was an excellent reminder of the basics of good financial planning.

“I’m so grateful to Kumba for everything this company has done for me,” she says. “There is such a great environment around here that it doesn’t feel like coming to work — it’s more like spending time with another part of my family. 

INVESTING IN WHAT IS TRULY VALUABLE IN LIFE

Marshall Phiri has been keeping a watchful eye on the share price and his excitement matches the healthy state of Kumba shares as the payday for the Envision share option scheme approaches.

“My family was very happy and excited to hear about this ‘early Christmas bonus’ — they know they’re in for some special treats,” says Marshall, who has been employed by Kumba since 2007.

“A significant portion of my pay-out will be going straight into reducing my home loan and another portion will be invested for my children’s education.

“After that, I’m taking the family to Cape Town for a fantastic holiday. This will be the first time my children, who are aged eight and four, will see the sea and they can’t wait. I’m so happy that they will be able to return to school next year with many stories of a wonderful family holiday.

“It goes without saying that my wife will be getting some extra budget for shopping and on Christmas day everyone will be getting lovely gifts.”

Marshall says although much of the ‘financial fitness’ programme was based on common sense, it was great to be reminded that it is more important to invest in the things that are really valuable in life, rather than wasting money on useless items which will never become assets.