By Zuko Komisa
- 65% of South Africans do not possess a will, whilst only 28% hold a valid, signed, witnessed, and safely stored document.
- Cultural norms and multi-generational financial care heavily complicate estate planning, particularly for first-generation wealth builders.
- Misunderstandings surrounding estate size, procrastination, and hidden liquidity issues frequently lead to severe legal and financial disruptions for surviving families.
Despite carrying substantial financial responsibilities for immediate and extended families, an overwhelming majority of South Africans remain unprepared for end-of-life estate management.
The Sanlam Legacy 2026 Survey, which polled 1,200 respondents, highlights a stark reality: 65% of citizens do not have a will, and a mere 28% hold one that is legally valid, properly executed, and safely stored.
This inertia stems from deep-rooted cultural taboos, inherited habits, and everyday administrative friction.
A significant 44% of respondents wrongly believe they “do not own enough” to justify drafting a will, whilst a third cite a lack of time as their main barrier.
Moreover, for the growing number of first-generation wealth builders who support extended relatives, the absence of clear planning leaves multi-generational dependants highly vulnerable.
Kaya Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi spoke to Advocate Sankie Morata, CFP® and CEO of Sanlam Trust, who highlighted that effective estate planning is fundamentally an act of care rather than a bureaucratic exercise:
“Drawing up a will and dedicating time to proper estate planning no matter how big or small the estate is about the people you love, not the paperwork. It protects what you have built, provides clarity for your loved ones, and creates a stronger foundation for future generations.”
Listen to the full conversation here:
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