Five things you might not know about SA’s youth consumer class

Loading player...
GUEST – Brandon de Kock - BrandMapp’s Director of Storytelling

Young South Africans between 18 and 37 years, internet-connected and living in households with incomes of R10k+ a month, now make up the majority of the country’s tax paying base. This ‘youth consumer class’, a blend of older Gen Zs and younger Millennials, were born into democracy and are now old enough to carry its weight. Their context is defined not just by Wi-Fi and WhatsApp, but by inequality, hustle culture, loadshedding, resilience, and hope.

While their counterparts in lower income communities are unfortunately still mired in the unending battle for educational and job opportunities, the country’s youth consumer class is largely well-educated or getting there, and 24% of them are already earning R20k per month or more. They are making smart decisions by choosing industries with growth potential, upskilling online, and leveraging digital tools to manage money, build personal brands, and work independently.
17 Jun 2025 5AM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

SA's role in annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos

At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos this week, South Africa is presenting a pipeline of investment-ready infrastructure projects aimed at attracting global capital and long-term partnerships.Is it still useful for South Africa to be there, or would the effort be better spent fixing problems back home? Chief Economist…
19 Jan 1PM 19 min

Careers Corner: Job Guide for 2026

Pnet has released its latest Job Market Trends Report, including the Pnet Job Guide for 2026, revealing where joand Customer success at Pnet. Paul Byrne, Head of Insights, Customers Success at Pnet.
19 Jan 1PM 19 min

EXPLAINER - Why some sports stars are worth more than companies.

An 18-year-old footballer valued at more than R6 billion has reignited a global debate: how do we really put a price on modern sports stars? Following a new long-term contract at Barcelona, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has been named the world’s most valuable footballer — outranking established global icons and…
15 Jan 3PM 22 min