By Jeannie D
If there’s one thing I love, it’s an adventure. And while my usual idea of adventure involves boarding a plane or setting sail, today’s journey took me somewhere completely different—the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. But let me tell you, stepping onto that stage felt just as thrilling as discovering a hidden beach in Greece or a tucked-away bistro in Paris.
I had the absolute honour of hosting the JSE launch on Shyft: a game-changing moment that makes investing in South Africa’s top companies as easy as tapping a button. And trust me, if you’ve ever second-guessed getting into investing, this is your sign to start.
Lights, Camera, Stocks!
There’s something truly special about standing inside the JSE, the heartbeat of our country’s financial markets, knowing that what we were launching today would give every South African the chance to own a piece of it.
So a bit about my own journey with Shyft. If you’ve been following me, you’ll know I first discovered the app as my ultimate travel money hack. Whether I was shopping in London or indulging in Porto’s culinary delights, Shyft made spending seamless, with the best exchange rates at my fingertips.
But my curiosity didn’t stop at travel—I took my first leap into investing with Shyft last year, snapping up a New York-listed Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) that tracked the S&P 500. And let me tell you, I was blown away by how simple, empowering, and exciting it felt to watch my money grow. The best part? The messages from so many of you asking, “Wait, how did you do that?” That was when I knew: this was something worth talking about.
Mzansi, It’s Time to Invest
With JSE now available on Shyft, South Africans can invest locally just as easily as offshore. Our markets, our companies, and our growth—right there on your phone, with commission-free trades for April (yes, free!).
After my intro, I handed over to the incredible Valdene Reddy, Director of Capital Markets at the JSE, before diving into an insightful fireside chat with key players from Shyft and Standard Bank. We unpacked what this launch means, how it aligns with Africa’s growth story, and why making investing accessible is more important than ever.
The panel had all the answers—from what’s next for Shyft investors (crypto? AI? Fractionals?) to why this isn’t just for Standard Bank customers (anyone can download Shyft and get started).
So, What’s Next?
With the formalities wrapped up, we toasted to this incredible milestone over a delicious breakfast. But here’s what really stuck with me—this isn’t just about finance; it’s about freedom.
For so long, investing felt intimidating—reserved for experts or people in suits. But today proved otherwise. If you can shop online, you can invest. And personally? I’m loving the shift from filling carts to filling my portfolio.
So, if you’ve ever thought about investing but weren’t sure where to start, now’s your chance. Download Shyft, grab those commission-free trades in April, and start building your future—one smart investment at a time.
Because let’s be honest—shares last longer than shoes.
