Project One Rand is helping more than 1 000 Grade 10 learners develop practical money management skills by encouraging them to save just R1 a day.
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As South Africa marks National Savings Month, Grade 10 learners are taking part in Project One Rand, a financial literacy programme encouraging young people to save just R1 a day while developing practical money management skills.
The programme, developed and delivered by the School of Savings South Africa with support from the Prescient Foundation, has expanded from three to six schools, reaching more than 1 000 Grade 10 learners across KwaZulu-Natal since its launch.
Project One Rand was launched as a pilot in 2023 across three Durban secondary schools and has since grown to include Northmead Secondary School, Mountview Secondary School and Glenhaven Secondary School.
The programme aims to help learners establish lifelong saving habits, build financial confidence and develop responsible decision-making skills before entering adulthood.
At the centre of the initiative is a simple challenge: saving R1 a day. Learners are encouraged to save consistently, understand the difference between needs and wants, track spending habits, practise delayed gratification and build confidence in everyday financial decisions.
From understanding needs versus wants to building saving habits, Project One Rand is helping learners develop financial confidence before adulthood.
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Each learner receives a workbook, activity-based learning guide and money box to help translate financial concepts into daily action.
The programme is delivered through classroom-based learning and experiential activities focused on the principles of Decision, Direction and Discipline.
“It’s about building financial habits that last a lifetime,” says Nicole Pinto, CEO of the Prescient Foundation. “Financial literacy is one of the most powerful tools we can give our youth. Through our partnership with the School of Savings, we are supporting an approach that goes beyond theory. It builds habits, confidence and practical decision-making skills that learners can carry into adulthood.”
Pinto said the foundation had been encouraged by learner engagement with the programme.
“In October 2025, we attended the quiz and speech competition involving participating schools, and we were genuinely impressed by how much the learners had absorbed. Their understanding of saving, spending and financial decision-making was evident and encouraging.”
The initiative comes as South Africa continues to face household financial pressures, including low savings rates and high levels of consumer debt.
Pinto said early financial education was an important intervention in helping young people develop better money habits.
“Many young people are not introduced to basic money management early enough,” she said.
“This programme focuses on foundational behaviour first. How to think about money, how to spend wisely, and how to build discipline through small actions.”
Unlike traditional financial education models that begin with complex investment concepts, Project One Rand focuses on behavioural foundations before financial products.
Nicole Pinto, CEO of the Prescient Foundation.
Image: Supplied
The approach aims to strengthen decision-making skills, encourage responsible spending habits, build long-term savings behaviour and improve financial confidence among learners.
Joe Chetty, founder of the School of Savings South Africa, said the partnership with the Prescient Foundation was helping extend the programme’s reach.
“We are grateful for the support of the Prescient Foundation in helping us extend this programme to more learners. Together, we are building a generation that understands not just money, but discipline, patience and long-term thinking.”
As Project One Rand continues to expand, the Prescient Foundation said it remains committed to equipping young South Africans with tools to save with purpose, spend with intention and build financial futures.