We’re all playing a version of financial Tetris in a tight economy, doing what we must to keep the lights on (sometimes literally). Many South Africans are adapting their payment habits to better match how they live and what they earn and how you pay your bills can be just as important as paying them on time – from EFTs and payment apps to supermarket tills and tap-to-pay options.
For example, Lerato, a working mom in Pretoria, is wondering if there is a better way to manage payments : “I just want to know, what’s the best way to pay without needing to take time out to visit payment offices, during business hours ?”
Choosing how you pay can be the difference between stress and control “In this economy, flexibility isn’t a luxury, it’s how people stay afloat” says Clinton Leask, Head of Product at Pay@. That’s why he’s breaking down five smart ways to pay, tailored to your lifestyle and cash flow.
1. For control, pick in-person payments at retail stores
In cash dominant communities, walking into a retail store remains the most trusted way to settle bills. For Xolani, who freelances as a social media manager in Gqeberha, cancelling the debit order on his cellphone contract was a game-changer. “It kept bouncing and messing with my account. Now I pay it at my closest retailer when I get paid. I feel more in control.”
There’s something reassuring about handing over your money and walking away with a printed receipt. Retail tills now double as bill counters which connect you to hundreds of service providers nationwide at retailers like Shoprite, Boxer, and PEP, or your closest spaza shop.
2. For instant, on-the-go payments, pick mobile payment apps
Dineo, an influencer, uses payment apps for everything from taking care of her electricity bill to paying her WiFi provider “I don’t carry cash, so I just settle the bill on my phone as soon as I get the reminder.”
Then there’s Tshepo, a tech entrepreneur in Cape Town, who swears by mobile apps. “My phone is my bank, my wallet, my PA”. With mobile payment apps, users can scan a QR code, settle a bill in seconds, and get instant confirmation. Many apps now offer features like auto-reminders, payment history, and multi-account support. They also work well for informal services, once-off payments, or paying from anywhere, no queues, no slips.
3. For flexible or fluctuating bills, pick Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs)
EFTs are great for non-recurring bills, like therapy, or even medical co-pays. They are the go-to for meticulous planners like Miriam, a small business owner and mom who likes to manage payments from her desktop. They allow her to pay for her beauty products, service providers, and her solar service with precision and ease. “I like knowing exactly what’s going out and when,” she says. “I’m in control.”
Remember you need to be precise. For EFTs to work, you need be in the habit of double-checking your details.
4. To tap and go, pick digital wallets
For many young professionals, digital wallets offer quick, tap-and-go convenience. Sihle uses his digital wallet to pay for food delivery, and even his gym fee. “It’s just faster than logging into anything.”
Digital wallets often sync with loyalty programmes and can store multiple cards securely. Think of them as the smart shortcut.
5. No bank account? No stress! Stay safe and cash free, pick vouchers
Safety and convenience are everything. With vouchers you can pay your bills without needing a bank account or the risk of carrying cash. And you can do it right where you are, at your local spaza shop.
For Nomvula, a domestic worker living in Katlehong, vouchers have changed how she pays her bills. “I used to catch a taxi to the mall, month end” she says. “Now I buy a voucher at the corner spaza shop, and can pay anytime. It’s quick and it’s safe.”
Whether it’s funeral cover or insurance premiums, vouchers let you pay when it suits you, no debit orders or bank fees. Giving people like Nomvula power over their payments.
So, what’s the best method? A mix that works for you
Most South Africans now use a combination of methods, from EFT for flexible bills, app payments for casual services, in-stores for cash payments, and vouchers for fixed essentials.
