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.

THE TIME HAS COME

“The time has finally come to receive this gift and I’m very thankful for the financial freedom the Envision pay-out will bring me and my family,” says Andries Mankge. “Life will be very different in 2012 and I’m going to sharpen my focus on managing my money in a much wiser way from now on.”

Andries joined Kumba as a truck driver in the open pit and later applied for his present position as Process Controller.

“I know how difficult it is to carry a burden of debt,” he says. “It can be very hard on a family and I never want to be in that position again. When I receive the Envision pay-out, my Number 1 plan is to pay off all my debt. Then, Number 2 on my list is to set aside funds for my children’s education. No-one knows what will happen tomorrow, so I want to make sure that they will have good lives.

“This money has come just in time for me as I’m close to retirement. What’s left will be put into an investment until I decide exactly what to do with it. I want to manage it in such a way that after retirement, my standard of living carries on just as it was when I was working.

“I would like to thank the special person who came up with the idea of Envision. I hope that God blesses that person — thanks to him we will be comfortable from now on. I also hope Envision carries on for the next generation, because it will certainly turn our community around for the better.

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.