Zihaad Israfil, CEO of CFI Financial Group South Africa

"As we come to the end of the year and start to think about holidays and fun, it can also be a time of reflection. This year, Human Rights Day really brought home to me that dignity is not only about how we are treated, but also about whether we have real choices in our lives. We often talk about rights in terms of politics or social freedoms, but another right rarely gets the attention it deserves — the right to participate in the economy.

"In South Africa, too many people still feel like the financial world was designed for someone else. The systems look complicated, the language feels like a password you were never given, and the starting points can feel more like barriers than invitations. When people are shut out, their opportunities shrink. And when opportunities shrink, so does the chance to build stability, wealth, and a future with options.

"To me, financial inclusion is not something reserved for a fortunate few. It is a basic human right, one tied directly to dignity, fairness, and economic justice.

"For too long, participation in financial markets depended on who you knew, what you earned, or where you lived. That model belongs in the past. Inclusion starts with lowering the walls that keep ordinary people out.

"That means making trading accessible without minimum deposits that intimidate new users. It means giving people a safe place to learn before they risk a cent. It means platforms that work on a cellphone as well as on a laptop, so location and income do not determine your future.

"Access is just the first step. A person can be given the doorway, but if what waits on the other side feels confusing or intimidating, they will step back. That is why financial literacy is the foundation of real inclusion.

"People need learning tools that speak to them in a way that feels familiar and respectful. Sometimes that means using the languages they grew up with. Sometimes it means slowing things down and explaining concepts without assuming prior knowledge. Everyone deserves the chance to understand money without feeling judged, overwhelmed, or shut out.

"At CFI, we take that responsibility seriously. We create multilingual learning content, run free webinars, and encourage people to practise in demo accounts because confidence begins with understanding. When people finally see how something works, when the pieces start making sense, they realise they can do more than they thought.

Technology should level the playing field

"I hear people say all the time that the markets are too complicated or 'not for ordinary South Africans.' The truth is that technology has already changed that story. A well-designed platform can simplify things that once felt impossible. Tools that clearly show risk, explain why a decision makes sense, or break down how prices move can give first-time traders the confidence to take their first step.

"And for me, the test of any platform is whether it helps people feel safer, more informed, and more in control. If it does not, then it is not serving them.

Partnerships make inclusion real

"Inclusion cannot be delivered by one organisation. It takes a network of educators, community leaders, global partners, and local mentors working together to make learning accessible and trusted.

"We work with groups who share the belief that everyone deserves a fair chance at financial stability. When communities learn together, they rise together.

"When people gain access to markets, they gain more than a trading account. They gain agency. They gain the ability to plan, save, invest, and make decisions that shape their children's lives.

"To me, that is the heart of Human Rights Day. It is about giving every person the practical tools to build a life with dignity.

Three simple ways to take your first step toward financial inclusion:

• Join one of CFI's free weekly webinars to get real-time market insights and education in plain language. These are designed to be beginner-friendly and offer space to ask questions.
• Create a free demo trading account on the CFI website. This lets you practise in a risk-free environment using real market data, so you can build confidence before committing any money.
• Visit the CFI Education Hub at https://cfi.trade/en/za/education to access multilingual content, easy-to-follow guides, and videos created for everyday South Africans.

'You deserve a place in the market and tools that are intuitive, secure, and accessible. You deserve an education that meets you where you are. You deserve the chance to build wealth on your own terms.

"Inclusion is not an abstract ideal. It is a daily practice. And if we commit to it, we can shape a future where economic participation is not determined by background, but by ambition."