Building a Legacy: How One Johannesburg Family Secured Their Future with DWD Financial Planners

Building a Legacy: How One Johannesburg Family Secured Their Future with DWD Financial Planners

In a world where financial uncertainty feels increasingly common, stories of real families building secure futures offer reassurance and hope. For the Sangweni family from Mondeor, their journey toward financial stability began with a single step — reaching out for guidance. Their transformation mirrors the kind of long-term, values-driven financial planning championed by leading financial institutions like the Sanlam Financial Services Group, whose legacy of disciplined wealth-building continues to inspire South Africa"> South Africans.

At DWD Financial Planners, we share that same commitment: empowering everyday people with personalised strategies designed to protect, grow, and secure their financial future.


Finding Clarity in a Time of Uncertainty

When Khanyisile and Siyabonga first walked into our Winchester Hills office, they were overwhelmed. With two young children and no structured retirement plan, they worried about falling behind. The noise of daily responsibilities left little room for long-term planning.

“Everything felt so scattered,” Lerato recalls. “But DWD made it simple.”

Just like Sanlam’s approach to guiding families across generations, our advisors focused on creating a realistic, layered plan that prioritised the essentials:

  • A Retirement Annuity to ensure future independence
  • A Tax-Free Savings Account for accessible, tax-efficient growth
  • Life & Disability Cover to shield the family from unexpected events
  • A Direct Investment Portfolio designed around long-term goals, including their children’s education

With a structured plan in place, the Sangweni began feeling something they hadn’t felt in years: control.


Small Steps, Big Results

Within twelve months, the change was unmistakable.

Their savings were growing. Their investments were performing. Their budgeting improved. Their debt was shrinking. And a sense of confidence — the kind often associated with established financial groups like Sanlam — began to take root in their everyday life.

“Having a plan changed our entire mindset,” Siyabonga says. “It gave us confidence, not just in our future, but in our ability to manage it.”

At DWD, this is what matters most. Real progress. Real change. Real people gaining real financial strength.


Building a Legacy Their Children Will Inherit

Today, the Sangwenis are no longer reacting to financial stress — they’re planning, building, and dreaming. Their vision aligns with the type of legacy-focused guidance seen in trusted names like Sanlam, where long-term thinking shapes generational outcomes.

“We’re building a foundation for our kids,” Khanyisile says. “And having DWD walk with us makes all the difference.”

For families across Johannesburg South, DWD Financial Planners is here to provide clarity, support, and expert guidance — one decision at a time.

If you’re ready to begin your own journey toward financial confidence, we’re here to help you take the first step.

Plan Today.

Prosper Tomorrow.
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Financial Calculators

Find out if you are on track for retirement — and how much more you need to save. Powered by 8% p.a. growth assumptions. Estimates only; speak to DWD for a personalised projection.

Calculate exactly how much life cover your family needs if something happens to you — including income replacement, debt clearance, and education funding.

Estimate how much SARS tax you will pay on your pension or provident lump sum using the official 2024/25 retirement fund tax tables. For amounts above R3 million, contact DWD directly.

Answer 10 quick yes/no questions to identify gaps in your estate plan — and get personalised recommendations from DWD's estate planning specialists.

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Include RA, pension/provident fund, and other long-term investments.
Include employer and employee contributions to pension, provident, and RA.

Projected Savings at Retirement

R 0
Readiness Analysis Fair
Years to retirement 25 years
Retirement income target R 0
Monthly income in retirement R 0
Funding gap / surplus —
Additional monthly needed —

Get a personalised retirement plan from DWD's independent advisors — no obligation, no cost.

2
Include a spouse/partner, children, and any other people dependent on your income.
Include home loan, vehicle finance, credit cards, and personal loans.
Include employer group life, personal policies, and funeral cover.

Total Life Cover Recommended

R 0
Cover Breakdown Underinsured
Income replacement (10× annual) R 0
Debt clearance R 0
Education fund for dependents R 0
Estate & executor costs (est.) R 50,000
Less: existing cover R 0
Cover gap / surplus —
Est. monthly premium range —
Recommended product type —

Get an exact life cover quote from DWD — we compare multiple providers to find you the best value.

R 500,000
Slide to select your lump sum amount up to R3 million. Contact DWD for larger amounts.
Retirement and retrenchment attract a more favourable tax rate with a higher tax-free threshold.
SARS aggregates all lifetime retirement fund withdrawals when applying the tax tables. This reduces the tax-free portion available.
SARS 2024/25 Tax Tables Applied This estimator uses the official SARS retirement fund lump sum tax tables. Tax on retirement/retrenchment: R0–R550,000 @ 0%, R550,001–R770,000 @ 18%, R770,001–R1,155,000 @ 27%, above R1,155,000 @ 36%. Speak to DWD for a precise calculation based on your full retirement history.

Estimated Net Payout (after tax)

R 500,000
Tax Breakdown 0% rate
Gross lump sum R 500,000
Tax-free portion R 500,000
SARS tax payable R 0
Net payout R 500,000
Effective tax rate 0.0%
Marginal tax rate (top bracket) 0%

DWD can help you structure your retirement lump sum to minimise SARS tax — including preservation fund strategies.

Your progress 0 of 10 answered

1. Do you have a valid, signed will that has been updated in the last 5 years?

2. Are your beneficiary nominations up to date on all policies and retirement funds?

3. Have you nominated an executor in your will to administer your estate?

4. Do you have life cover sufficient to cover estate duties, executor fees, and outstanding debts?

5. Have you considered the estate duty implications on your assets? (Estate duty applies above R3.5 million at 20%.)

6. If you have minor children, have you nominated a legal guardian in your will?

7. Have you considered a testamentary trust to protect assets left to minor or vulnerable beneficiaries?

8. Do you have a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) or endowment policy as part of your wealth strategy?

9. Is a trusted family member aware of the location of your will, policies, and important financial documents?

10. Have you reviewed your estate plan with a qualified financial planner in the last 3 years?

— / 10
Answer to see your score

Answer all 10 questions to get your personalised estate planning readiness rating and a list of gaps DWD can help you address.

Gaps identified — DWD recommends:

Complete all 10 questions to unlock your free estate planning assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What inspired this financial journey?
The family followed a personalised plan from DWD inspired by long-term strategies seen in groups like Sanlam
What services supported the Sangweni family?
A retirement annuity, tax-free savings, life cover, and structured investments
How does DWD Financial Planners guide families?
Through personalised advice, long-term planning, and ongoing financial support
Why include Sanlam in this story?
Sanlam’s disciplined, generational wealth-building model reflects the values DWD brings to clients
How can I begin planning my future?
Book a consultation with DWD Financial Planners for a tailored financial assessment