Du Preez Financial Services

27/02/2026

A Wake-Up Call
When I retired from professional surfing, I thought I had earned a head start. Surely, I thought, there would be a natural next step? Surely there would be a door waiting to open?

There wasn’t.
I always thought it was going to be Instinct, the company I had built, but I got into a dispute with my partners and I sold my shares.
I had spent fourteen years on the world tour. I had won events in Hawaii and across the globe, won a world title, helped build the professional circuit, built a global brand, and traveled the world doing what I loved. I had a university degree. I had business experience. I had relationships across the industry.

The center of the surf business world was California and that is where I had to be. I remember flying in from South Africa and walking into the headquarters of some of the biggest surf companies in the world. These were brands I had helped shape through competition and culture. I wasn’t asking to be CEO. I was simply asking for an opportunity to contribute.

One by one, the answer was no.

As an athlete, you live in a world where you think your name carries some weight. You walk into a contest, and people know who you are. You have paid your dues and there is respect. Then one day, it can feel like it’s gone. The scoreboard resets to zero.

And that was when I learned that there is no golden pathway waiting for you just because you were great at something once. Your reputation does not guarantee you a future…

I had to start again. I had to knock on doors. I had to learn anew. I went back to university and graduated with a Master of Science in Leadership. I had to accept that the skills that made me successful in the water did not automatically translate to success in business. Eventually, one door did open through Ian Yolles and Yvon Chouinard at Patagonia. They gave me a chance, and I have never forgotten that outstretched hand. I gotta say it was exciting and daunting to start again.

It was a wake-up call - we all have to be ready and willing to paddle back out like a beginner.

Exactly what I am doing right now with the re-ignition of Instinct in the USA.

PS: Thanks to everyone for the truly kind and warm comments after this post - really took me by surprise! Got me stoked. And many have asked where they can get Instinct: www.instinctsurf.com

25/02/2026

This is quite concerning
Let's hope voters catch a wake up

25/02/2026

25/02/2026

🧾 Key Takeaways from the 2026 Budget
💰 Fiscal Strategy & Economic Outlook
The government is prioritising fiscal stability with a disciplined approach to spending and debt. �
News24
Gross debt is expected to stabilise this year and begin declining over the medium term, a first in nearly two decades. �
TimesLIVE
The consolidated budget deficit will narrow over the next few years (to ~3.1% by 2028/29). �
TimesLIVE
South Africa’s economy is forecast to grow modestly, with expected average growth reaching around 2% by 2028. �
NovaNews
🧑‍💼 Taxes & Personal Finances
No broad personal tax increases were introduced. �
NovaNews
Personal income tax brackets and medical tax credits are fully adjusted for inflation — this provides relief to taxpayers and tackles “bracket creep” for the first time in years. �
Business Day
Tax-free investing limits and retirement deduction caps are being raised to encourage savings. �
NovaNews
Previously proposed R20 billion in tax increases has been withdrawn due to improved revenue performance. �
SAnews
👵 Social Spending & Support
Government will spend R2.67 trillion in 2026/27 across national priorities. �
NovaNews
Social grants (old age, disability, child support, foster care) will increase above inflation, with specific monthly rises from April 2026. �
NovaNews
🪖 Security & Infrastructure
Peace and security spending will increase to support law enforcement and SANDF deployments, including new roles like the Border Management Authority. �
Sunday Tribune
Infrastructure investment remains a central focus, with over R1 trillion planned for growth-enhancing projects in transport, energy, and logistics sectors. �
SAnews
📈 Market & Economic Signals
The South African rand strengthened following the speech, reflecting investor confidence in fiscal discipline. �
News24
📊 Big Themes
Stability over shock tax hikes
Inflation-linked taxpayer relief
Social support protection and expansion
Structural reforms and infrastructure investment
Debt peak and gradual reduction
🟡 In short:
The 2026 Budget was conservative but positive, focused on fiscal responsibility, providing relief to individuals, protecting social services, and laying a foundation for more sustainable growth.

Du Preez Financial Services

Eric Scott Financial Adviser
Wayne Du Preez
Matt Van Rensburg

25/02/2026

Is it a problem

Du Preez Financial Services
Wayne Du Preez

19/02/2026

Gister het AfriForum aangekondig dat ons pre. Ramaphosa en die Suid-Afrikaanse regering dagvaar oor hul poging om gesondheidsorg deur middel van NGV te kaap. Ons het 'n perskonferensie by die verlate Kempton Park "spookhospitaal" gehou, want hoekom bloot die potensiële toekoms onder NGV beskryf as ons dit vir mense kan wys?

16/02/2026

Declining inflation in the US (like the recent drop to 2.4% year-over-year in January 2026, below expectations and the lowest since May 2025) generally has a positive impact on American stock markets in the medium to longer term. Here's why and what it means right now:
Key Positive Effects
Boosts expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts — Lower inflation gives the Fed more room to lower interest rates (or pause hikes) without risking overheating. Cheaper borrowing costs make it easier for companies to invest, expand, and profit, while also making stocks more attractive compared to bonds.
Supports consumer spending and corporate earnings — Easing price pressures mean households have more real purchasing power (real income gains), fueling retail, services, and overall economic growth—key drivers for stock performance.
Reduces recession fears — Disinflation signals a "soft landing" (cooling prices without a sharp economic downturn), which historically lifts equities, especially growth-oriented sectors like tech and consumer discretionary.
Major forecasts for 2026 (e.g., from Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan) remain bullish on US stocks, citing ongoing AI-driven earnings growth, dovish Fed policy effects from prior cuts carrying into this year, and declining inflation trends supporting double-digit gains in indices like the S&P 500.
Recent Market Reaction (to the January CPI Report)
The softer-than-expected January data (released February 13, 2026) initially supported stocks:
Treasury yields fell (e.g., 10-year yield dropped), signaling lower rate expectations.
Stocks steadied or edged higher intraday, with the Dow and S&P 500 closing modestly up or flat on the day.
Odds for a Fed rate cut (e.g., in June) rose slightly in futures markets.
However, broader context shows mixed results:
The week ending February 13 was rough overall (worst week of 2026 so far), with the S&P 500 down ~1.4%, Nasdaq down ~2.1%, and Dow down ~1.2%.
Tech-heavy sectors faced pressure from AI disruption worries and other factors (e.g., Amazon's slide), offsetting some inflation relief.
Markets remain choppy due to countervailing risks like potential tariff-driven inflation upticks later in 2026, immigration policy effects, and high valuations (e.g., S&P 500 CAPE ratio near dot-com levels).
Sector-Specific Impacts
Growth/tech stocks (e.g., Nasdaq components) benefit most from lower rates and economic optimism.
Value/defensive sectors (e.g., utilities, real estate, consumer staples) often outperform initially as yields fall.
Cyclicals (e.g., financials, industrials) gain from stronger growth outlook.
Overall, declining inflation is a tailwind for US stocks (Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq, etc.), contributing to optimism for continued gains in 2026—though short-term volatility persists from policy uncertainties (tariffs, Fed path) and sector rotations. If disinflation continues sustainably toward the Fed's 2% target, it could fuel further upside, but any reversal (e.g., from tariffs) might pressure markets. Keep an eye on upcoming data like the February CPI (due mid-March) for confirmation.

15/02/2026

13/02/2026

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Smarter prevention. Stronger advice.

Your Adviser Support team

11/02/2026

Go Tristan Roberts

The 2026 IBC World Tour is back in Morocco to kick-off another season of the Bodyboarding World Tour.Keep tuned in from February 2nd until the 12th to watch ...

11/02/2026

Well done