How Focus Became the New Currency at Momentum’s “Science of Success” Masterclass

Momentum hosted its annual Science of Success Masterclass recently, turning a full day of learning into what felt like a festival of financial clarity. Even from the outside looking in, it was clear that this year’s event leaned heavily into one big theme: focus. Not the vague motivational-poster type, but the practical, measurable kind that actually moves households forward.

The programme was stacked from early morning, split between the Ivory and Ebony auditoriums, with guests moving between keynote sessions, masterclasses and conversations designed to reframe how South Africans approach money, protection and long-term planning.

A Reputation Worth Guarding

The morning kicked off with a razor-sharp session led by media law expert Emma Sadleir, who unpacked the science of protecting your reputation in an era where a single post can spiral faster than your morning coffee order. It set the tone: success doesn’t sit in spreadsheets alone, it sits in how you present yourself, how you’re perceived and the risks you manage long before they become crises.

Dr. Price Pritchett

The headline moment came at midday, with international keynote speaker Dr Price Pritchett taking the stage. Known for his work on high-performance psychology, he drew on Momentum’s own Financial Advice Report, underscoring one striking statistic: households who work with accredited advisers grow their investments dramatically more than those who don’t. In other words, success is chemistry, your effort + professional guidance + the right environment. That formula came up repeatedly throughout the day.

The Masterclasses: Four Rooms, One Goal — Better Financial Decisions

After lunch, attendees spread out across two stages for a series of masterclasses covering the building blocks of financial wellness.

Tax

This session was anchored by Keitumetse Sesana representing industry insights, alongside Thinus Marais from Momentum. Together, they unpacked the complexities of tax in a mobile, globally fluid world, from navigating hybrid careers to optimising tax positions for families planning big moves or earning from multiple income streams.

Retirement

The retirement conversation brought together Bruce Cameron and Tshepo Mathatho from Momentum. Their session was honest and practical, focusing on ageing with intention; legally, medically and financially. They made a strong case for planning that adapts with life, not against it.

Critical Illness

A deeply human session led by Thanya de Carvalho, who brought the lived experience of surviving critical illness, paired with medical and industry perspectives. Her honesty gave weight to the financial realities that often get glossed over. It turned into one of the most eye-opening discussions of the day.

Wealth

A crowd favourite. This wasn’t charts-and-portfolios; it was mindset. Why people self-sabotage, why fear keeps people from making even small investment decisions and how culture, upbringing and behaviour shape wealth-building more than salary ever will.

The Moderators Who Carried the Conversations

Momentum gathered a genuinely dynamic line-up of moderators, each shaping their sessions in a distinct way:

• DJ Warras Radio host, TV personality, entrepreneur and cultural commentator. His sessions had pace, humour and that trademark sharpness that keeps panellists honest.

• Dr Michael Mol Medical doctor, broadcaster and business executive. He steered the Critical Illness conversation with a balance of clinical understanding and human sensitivity.

• Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp Broadcaster, businesswoman and podcast host. Warm, quick-witted and great at pulling out the “why” behind the data, especially in the Wealth masterclass.

• Nico Panagio Award-winning presenter, actor and purpose-driven entrepreneur. Smooth delivery, strong structure, he has a way of grounding big concepts in real stories.

• Nosipho Tshabalala Conversation strategist and moderator. Precise, articulate and excellent at turning panel discussions into actionable insights.

• Zimasa Vabaza Media entrepreneur, strategist and digital host. Brought an energetic, tech-informed perspective that resonated strongly with the younger, digitally tuned-in audience.

  
  

Why This Event Mattered

The day reinforced a hard truth South Africans already know but rarely articulate: financial success isn’t random, it’s engineered.

Every session circled back to the same principle:

• Focus on what matters.

• Build a plan with experts, not guesses.

• Act early, not urgently.

• Protect your present while designing your future.