From Faith to Financial Freedom: How Dudu is Redefining Wealth

“How you earn your income is not necessarily your career.” – Dudu

Dudu describes her life as a “pizza” with eight slices, each representing a core aspect of her identity, yet all connected and part of a whole. From her unwavering faith to her commitment to health, relationships, and community, every slice reflects her belief in living a purposeful, abundant life.

“I am in a lifelong partnership with God and I wake up every day with expectation and curiosity in seeing what God is going to have ‘us’ do that day. I’m always excited about what’s next,” she says. Her passion for trying new things and her willingness to embrace the unknown are defining traits. Whether it’s serving through her non-profit or being dragged along to her husband’s road running races, Dudu approaches life with energy, curiosity and compassion.

Dudu’s early relationship with money

Dudu’s relationship with money has been a journey of learning and unlearning. Starting work while still in high school, she spent years earning without saving. 

“I didn’t have a good relationship with money. It was all spending and no saving,” she recalls. “But over time, I’ve become clearer about my financial goals.”

Reflecting on her childhood, Dudu shared how money wasn’t a topic openly discussed at home. “I grew up believing that money was scarce,” she said in the interview. “My parents’ generation focused on survival, and there wasn’t much room for planning or investing.” This shaped her early habits of living paycheque to paycheque.

The trigger to start investing

Dudu’s wake-up call came during a family financial emergency. “That moment made me realize how unprepared I was,” she revealed. “I knew I needed to make a change, not just for myself but for my family’s future.”

This turning point led her to seek out resources, mentorship and communities that could help her build financial literacy and unlearn old habits.

“You have to start somewhere,” she says. “For me, it was attending workshops and asking lots of questions.”

It wasn’t until later that Dudu began to see money as a tool for opportunity rather than just survival. Her determination to create a different legacy for her children drove her journey to getting on top of her finances. “I want my kids to attend an international traveling school, where they’ll study, work, and play in four different countries each year. It’s about opening their minds and giving them a different way of thinking.”

She started investing in the Satrix Top 40 ETF and eventually built a diversified portfolio. “I started small,” she shared. “It was scary at first, but as I learned more, I became more confident. You don’t have to know everything – you just have to start and have the right folks around to learn from.”

Today, she has a clear goal: to save R2 million by 2028 to fund her children’s education. “It’s forced me to think differently about where and how I invest,” she explains. “I’m such a planner now.”

The power of collective wealth

In 2016, Dudu joined Basadi Pele, a women-led savings and investment group. What began as a stokvel has evolved into a structured entity with a board, shareholders, and an investment committee. The group pools resources to invest in various opportunities, from listed entities to private businesses.

“The women in this group inspire me,” she says. “They’re CFOs and investment managers, young black women doing amazing things. Being part of this collective has taught me so much about wealth creation and the power of the collective.”

The group’s commitment extends beyond individual gain. It’s about changing the narrative for future generations. “White families have historically had access to trust funds and generational wealth. For black families, saving has often been a luxury. We need to be intentional about what our children know so that their future looks different from our past,” Dudu says.

Group investing: Benefits and drawbacks

While Dudu speaks highly of the benefits of group investing, she’s candid about its challenges. “It requires a lot of trust and clear communication,” she notes. “When you’re pooling money, you have to be aligned on goals and risk tolerance.”

Tips for group investing:

What to do:

• Make sure all members share similar financial goals and risk tolerance.
• Establish clear rules, roles, and responsibilities within the group.
• Have regular meetings to discuss progress and address concerns.
• Work with professionals where possible to vet investment opportunities.

What not to do:

• Don’t skip due diligence when considering investment options.
• Don’t join a group without fully understanding its objectives and structure.
• Avoid overcommitting financially; make sure the expected contributions align with your budget.

However, Dudu believes the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. “The knowledge-sharing alone makes it worthwhile,” she says. “You’re not just investing money; you’re investing in each other’s growth.”

Why Franc works

Dudu’s foray into Franc began through a fellow group member who recommended the app as an easy and accessible way to invest. She started small and appreciated the simplicity of its setup. “Franc is perfect for someone like me, a business owner who needs easy access to investments,” she notes.

Lessons learned and shared

Dudu’s journey is filled with lessons she wishes she had known earlier. “If I could go back, I’d save 20% of everything I earned,” she reflects. “It’s about establishing the principle and habit of saving.”

Her financial goals are now firmly rooted in purpose. She owns three properties, contributes to her children’s education funds, and continues to grow her investments through individual and group efforts. “Having clear goals changes everything. You know why you’re saving, and it keeps you disciplined.”

A legacy of abundance

Dudu’s story is one of intentionality, resilience, and faith. She sees her financial journey not just as a personal mission but as a responsibility to inspire others.

“I’ve been blessed, and I acknowledge that upfront,” she says. “But it’s not just about me. It’s about showing others what’s possible. If I can do it, so can you.”