At the conference, Mr Mtimba presented his paper titled “Exploring the Role of Social Media as a Financial Socialisation Agent of Responsible Financial Behaviour among Young Adults.” His study examines how social media serves as a financial socialisation tool, offering young adults accessible and relatable financial knowledge. However, he highlights the associated risks, including misinformation, lack of credibility, and ethical challenges arising from unregulated financial advice. The paper provides valuable insights for the financial services industry, educators, and policymakers on promoting responsible financial literacy through social media and recommends further empirical research into the influence of financial content creators (“finfluencers”) within the African context.
Mr Pandie, in collaboration with Dr Jasmine Kinsman, presented a paper titled “Developing a South African Zakat Literacy Index (ZLI) for Financial Planning and Advice Professionals.” The study focuses on Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, and its significance as an annual charitable obligation for Muslims. Recognising the lack of a local tool to measure Zakat literacy, the researchers adapted the Indonesian BAZNAS Zakat Literacy Index to the South African context. Through a qualitative desk research approach, they redefined indicators such as general Zakat knowledge, obligation to pay, calculation, and Zakatable assets to align with South Africa’s demographic, cultural, and financial environment. The resulting South African ZLI provides a structured and contextually relevant framework for assessing Zakat literacy among financial planning professionals, fostering culturally competent and inclusive financial advice.
The participation of Mr Mtimba and Mr Pandie at IBC 2025 demonstrates the Department of Business Management’s dedication to producing research that addresses contemporary issues in financial behaviour, digital influence, and inclusive financial practice, while contributing to broader discussions within the global academic community.