_: Thousands of eDumbe community members and pupils of Paulpietersburg Primary School have today become the beneficiaries of the popular Saving Campaign driven by the MEC for Finance in KwaZulu-Natal, Ina Cronjé, at Bilanyoni Community Hall.

The campaign, targeted at preparing communities to save for the festive season and beyond, was attended by the Mayor of eDumbe Municipality, Bonginkosi Nxusa, councillors and amakhosi of the local community.

Cronjé, who kicked off the campaign by teaching a class in Paulpietersburg Primary School along with a team from Provincial Treasury as part of ‘Teach Children to Save Campaign’, said everyone needs to spend money wisely and get value for it.

“If we stop wasting our money, then we can have some of it waiting for disaster and other unforeseen circumstances. Draw up a budget each time you plan to use money so that you can keep track of how you use it,” she said.

Cronjé said communities must help to report fraud and corruption if they hear or see it taking place in government institutions as this robs the communities of money that ought to have been used to improve their lives.

Nxusa said they appreciate the chance to be involved in campaigns and programmes that educate communities about financial management.

“We support the call that people must save and invest their money. We also want to make a call that it is important to prioritise education. Parents must save for their children’s education because this is part of building the future of the nation,” he said

The campaign was fortified by the participation of departments of Health, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Home Affairs, Economic Development and Tourism.