Wednesday, 12 August 2026

Listeners were urged to think beyond nappies and school fees: Momentum said pregnancy planning should include medical aid, emergency savings, income protection, therapy, and the parent’s own costs and time off work.

Momentum put a rough figure of about R1.8 million on raising a child to 18 for a middle-income family, stressing that education in South Africa is not free and plans must stay flexible.

The career segment drew a clear divide: many callers said exposure matters more than early pressure, with advice to build decision-making, resilience and subject choices before high school rather than forcing a profession.

The death-doula masterclass argued that families should prepare a “purple file” with accounts, passwords, deeds, keys and other admin so estates are easier to manage after someone dies.

Mona and Dion said a death doula’s job is non-medical, emotional and spiritual support, including honouring the dying person’s wishes, using a proxy, and not imposing another person’s religion or interventions.