Individuals only save about 1c out of every rand earned. The government, which should be showing a good example, is the worst offender in this respect. It borrows billions every year, not for investment in productive capacity, such as roads, harbours and schools, but just to pay for a bloated civil service. Yes, interest rates in South Africa are high in real terms, but they have to be. As a nation, we are on a spending binge far beyond what we can really afford.
Interest rates are therefore likely to remain high.
If you do borrow to finance a money-making venture, cost the exercise carefully. Second, the government's continued profligacy makes it certain that your taxes will go higher and you will get even less for your money. There are still plenty of tax breaks and opportunities to get rich. Third, the old truths that became unfashionable and were discarded in the golden age after World War 11, such as living within your means, saving for a rainy day, and not getting into debt, are making a comeback. They're as boring and depressing as sticking to a diet, but will make increasing sense as the financial environment responds and adapts to the gathering pace of social transformation.