By Tokiso TKay Nthebe
When I started my corporate career in Lesotho as a 23-year-old graduate trainee, I made one of the most common financial mistakes young professionals make—I delayed investing.
Instead of putting money into long-term financial planning, I spent my paycheque on takeouts, nights out, fashion, and unnecessary debt. And while there’s nothing wrong with enjoying your hard-earned money, these “treats” should be planned and budgeted for.
Looking back, I wish I had understood the power of starting small and early. If you’ve made similar money moves or are just starting your career, this is your cue to press reset. It’s never too late to begin your investment journey.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through practical investment planning tips, the importance of money management, and how building financial health now can change your future.
What Is Investing—Really?
Let’s break it down.
Saving is setting money aside for short-term goals with little or no risk.
Investing, on the other hand, means putting your money into assets like stocks, bonds, property, or collective investment schemes to grow it over time.
Yes, investing comes with risk, but it also offers the chance for higher returns. Think of it as planting a tree: you water it consistently, protect it from storms, and over time, it grows.
Where Do You Start?
Before you dive in, here are three essentials to figure out:
- Your Investment Vehicle: Are you going for stocks, bonds, ETFs, unit trusts or something else?
- Your Risk Tolerance: How much financial risk are you comfortable with?
- Your Investment Horizon: How long do you plan to stay invested—5, 10, 30 years?
These questions will shape your investment strategy and build a strong foundation for better money management.
Why Starting Early Changes Everything
The earlier you start investing, the more powerful your money becomes. This is thanks to something magical called compound interest, where your money earns interest on interest.
Let’s make this real with a local example..
Table 1: Investing and starting at different ages.
| Age of Starting | Monthly contribution | Interest Rate | Investment Period (months) | Future Value |
| 20 | LSL500 | 7% | 480 | LSL1 320 062 |
| 30 | LSL500 | 7% | 360 | LSL613 543 |
| 40 | LSL500 | 7% | 240 | LSL261 982 |
| 50 | LSL500 | 7% | 120 | LSL87 047 |
Illustration only. Does not include inflation or contribution increases.
Meet Nthabeleng, who begins investing LSL500/month at 20. By retirement, she’s built over LSL1.3 million in wealth—far more than someone who starts a decade or two later. That’s the power of compounding, working silently but powerfully in the background.
5 Simple Lessons for Smart Investment Planning
1. Investing is a Long-Term Game
There are no shortcuts to building wealth. Start early, stay consistent, and think long-term. Let your money grow while you focus on your purpose.
2. Do Your Homework
Don’t just follow TikTok or YouTube trends. Get reliable investment education, speak to licensed financial advisors, and always invest with regulated financial institutions.
3. It’s Never Too Late to Start
Missed your 20s or 30s?
No worries. Start today. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.
4. You Don’t Need to Be Rich to Invest
Start with what you have—even LSL500 or LSL1,000/month. Over time, those small steps lead to big milestones.
5. Reinvest to Maximise Compounding
If you earn interest or dividends, don’t withdraw them—reinvest instead. Let your money work even harder for you.
Why Financial Health Starts With You
True financial health goes beyond budgeting and debt. It means building financial resilience, understanding your options, managing money well, and planning for the future with confidence.
At TKO Financial Wellness, we’re passionate about helping Africans—whether in Maseru, Nairobi, Lagos, or Gaborone—build wealth intentionally through relatable and simple investment education.
You don’t need fancy degrees or six-figure incomes. You just need the right mindset, tools, and support system.
Ready to Begin?
Let’s change the narrative around money—one investment at a time.
About the Author
Tokiso TKay Nthebe is a personal finance author, podcast host, and lead advisor at TKO Financial Wellness & Advisory. He helps millennial and Gen-Z professionals across Africa build financial confidence, plan better, and have healthier relationships with their finances.
Visit: www.tkofinancialwellness.com
Email: info@tkofinancialwellness.com
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