Nicola Mawson

Freelance Journalist

Judge rejects daughter’s 'dementia' claim, reverses R650,000 Cape Town property sale

Nicola Mawson|Published

A Western Cape High Court judge has ordered a daughter to return her 77-year-old father’s home after finding she never paid the agreed purchase price.

Real take-home pay falls to lowest in two years: Here's what the average South African now earns

Nicola Mawson|Published

Average take-home pay rose to R21,510 in May, but inflation pushed real earnings down to R20,262, the lowest level in about two years.

The average South African earns R21,228 a month, so why is one tiny surprise leaving millions broke?

Nicola Mawson|Published

South Africans take home an average salary of R21,228 a month, but are left with very little to cover emergencies.

What makes you a billionaire? It depends who's counting

Nicola Mawson|Published

On paper, becoming a billionaire sounds simple: accumulate assets worth at least $1 billion. In practice, it is anything but.

Family feud ends in court: Cape Town father wins back home from daughter

Nicola Mawson|Published

A Western Cape High Court judge has ordered a daughter to return her 77-year-old father’s home after finding she never paid the agreed purchase price.

Can South Africa's average salary still buy a middle-class life?

Nicola Mawson|Published

South Africans take home an average salary of R21,228 a month, but are left with very little to cover emergencies.

Here's how you can save up to R2,000 a month this winter

Nicola Mawson|Published

Saving electricity during the cold months, however, is less down to selecting an appliance that sucks up more power and more either moving to a warmer part of the ...

When a divorce isn't a divorce

Nicola Mawson|Published

Millions of South Africans are living together without legal protection. When it ends, there is no divorce court to turn to.

Gas or electricity: which is cheaper for heating your home? It's not as straightforward as you think

Nicola Mawson|Published

Heating a home through winter can cost more than R2,000 a month, but the cheapest energy source depends on where you live. We compared gas and electricity across ...

Inside SA’s property market: which provinces delivered the biggest gains

Nicola Mawson|Published

Could Limpopo be the next property hotspot? Discover how its 18.5% surge in property values outshines the Western Cape in 2026.

Fuel costs push inflation to 4.5%, but easing food prices offer rate relief

Nicola Mawson|Published

Fuel prices pushed inflation toa 21-month high but there might not be a ret hike.

Simple winter hacks that could cut your heating costs by over R1,000 a month

Nicola Mawson|Published

Electric blankets, door snakes and closed curtains may not be as exciting as a new heater, but they can save South African households hundreds of rand a month.

Why leaving your geyser alone this Winter is costing you more than you think

Nicola Mawson|Published

Geysers quietly drain electricity in winter. Here's how timers, insulation and smarter habits could save households up to R700 a month.

Super El Niño could push inflation into double digits

Nicola Mawson|Published

While lower oil and fuel prices could provide short-term relief, the longer-term risk to inflation may come from drought conditions and their impact on agricultural ...

How South Africans can cut winter heating costs by more than R1,000 a month

Nicola Mawson|Published

Electric blankets, door snakes and closed curtains may not be as exciting as a new heater, but they can save South African households hundreds of rand a month.

When the contract ends and the bills don't

Nicola Mawson|Published

One freelancer lost about three-quarters of his income overnight. Here is what he did and what the experts say about it.

The true costs of winter heating: What South African households need to know

Nicola Mawson|Published

Warm air is sneaking out of your house and costing thousands over time with culprits like single-glazed windows and empty offices adding to your heating bill.

Longer lives are creating a new healthcare challenge

Nicola Mawson|Published

South Africans are living longer and surviving serious illnesses at higher rates, but the gains are creating a new healthcare challenge.

Did you win the housing lotto? South Africa's top-performing property markets revealed

Nicola Mawson|Published

Could Limpopo be the next property hotspot? Discover how its 18.5% surge in property values outshines the Western Cape in 2026.

Gas or electricity: Which is cheaper for heating a home this winter?

Nicola Mawson|Published

Heating a home through winter can cost more than R2,000 a month, but the cheapest energy source depends on where you live. We compared gas and electricity across ...

South Africa’s banks see credit market rebound as bad debts begin to ease

Nicola Mawson|Published

South Africa's largest banks say non-performing loans have stabilised and credit losses are returning to normal levels after several difficult years.

South Africa’s R45bn fuel bill starts showing up in the economy

Nicola Mawson|Published

A R45 billion fuel-price shock is beginning to ripple through the economy, as rising costs, higher interest rates and weaker confidence weigh on activity.

The surprising reason your electricity bill is soaring this winter

Nicola Mawson|Published

Many South Africans worry that electric blankets are behind soaring winter electricity bills. The numbers suggest room heaters may be the real culprit. But it all ...

When a Power of Attorney isn’t enough

Nicola Mawson|Published

A Power of Attorney is less powerful than most families assume – and the window to use it may be shorter than you think.

The golden secret: How Africa’s high-net-worth elite defied the odds last year

Nicola Mawson|Published

African high-net-worth wealth rose 7% in 2025, driven by stronger gold prices and international investment, according to Capgemini's World Wealth Report 2026.