The protea represents resilience, change, and diversity. It is known for its ability to thrive in harsh conditions and for its diverse forms and colours, making it a symbol of strength and adaptability. In other words, the perfect emblem for the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI) awards ceremony and gala dinner.
On Tuesday, members of the FPI came together at the Century City Conference Centre to celebrate the top achievers in their field. The gala dinner formed part of the Professional’s Convention held from 13 to 14 August. Each table was adorned with a beautiful protea flower arrangement and a beaded protea keychain for each guest, reflecting the evening’s theme of excellence and resilience.
The most anticipated award of the evening was that of Financial Planner of the Year. Following a rigorous evaluation process, the title came down to three contenders: Gareth Collier, a director and shareholder at Crue Invest; Rudolph Geldenhuys, a senior financial planner at WealthUp; and René van de Spreng, a wealth manager and director at Apex Private Wealth.
With guests providing a drum roll, excitedly drumming out a beat on their tables, the name of Geldenhuys was called.
In a pre-recorded video shown on the night, Geldenhuys shared that he had entered the competition with one very simple goal in mind.
“And that is to grow. I wanted to grow in my skills as an individual. I wanted to grow in my skills as a financial planner, and I wanted to grow my skills as a partner to my clients to help them achieve their future goals.”
He said, every now and again, it’s probably a good idea to step back and have a look at what you’re doing and ask yourself the question, why are you doing it?
“And that’s what the competition has allowed me to do. It’s allowed me to have a look at our processes and our planning structure and ask the question, is this the very best that we can do for our clients? Is this the very best that we can deliver?”
Geldenhuys said what he gained from the competition was strengthening existing connections within his position and establishing new connections.
“If you want to grow as a financial planner, if you want to get better, if you want to make a greater impact, if you want to help your clients succeed, not just in the very near term, but for generations to come, enter the Financial Planner of the Year competition. It’s going to grow you. It’s going to stretch you, it’s going to challenge you, and it’s going to make you the best planner that you can be,” he said.
The 2024 Financial Planner of the Year Award: Rudolph Geldenhuys, FPI chief executive Lelané Bezuidenhout, Gareth Collier and René van de Spreng.
Money talks
Another evening highlight was the Harry Brews Award, which went to Bruce Whitfield, the host of the popular podcast The Money Show.
The Harry Brews Award recognises an individual who makes a significant contribution to the financial planning profession through service to society, academia, training, government, media, and any other professional activities.
Although Whitfield was unable to attend the ceremony, he did send a personal message.
According to Whitfield, one of the finest decisions he had made in the 20 years of hosting The Money Show was calling on a young Financial Planner of the Year, “a guy called Warren Ingram”, to join him on air “to see whether or not we’ve got on-air chemistry”.
“And for more than a decade, Warren, every single Thursday, more latterly on a Tuesday evening, turned up and took my abuse and provided for listeners of The Money Show the most extraordinary depth of insight and common sense – good guidance, which most people ignore most of the time, but fundamentally change lives. If anybody actually deserves this award, it is he and not I, but I’ll take it because my name is on it not his. I am really, really touched and very, very grateful to be recognised,” Whitfield said.
High flyers
Other notable achievements celebrated on the evening included:
- The 2024 Top Candidate in the CFP® Professional Competency Examination: Charl Bouwer. The award goes to the candidate who achieved the highest mark in CFP® Professional Competency Examinations.
2024 Top Candidate: Charl Bouwer.
- The “It Starts with Me” Award: Nonhlanhla Nxele. The award recognises an individual who endorses the CFP® mark, and the professionalism that accompanies the mark, embedded in what they do. They are acknowledged for their contribution towards professionalising financial services and for their tireless efforts to promote the CFP® designation.
Starts with Me Award 2024: Adele Whyte, FPI HOD: Membership Hub, and Nonhlanhla Nxele.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Tsungai Masendeke. The award goes to the person who displays commitment to diversity and has had a significant impact on individuals, communities, or organisations promoting inclusivity and creativity within the financial planning profession.
Diversity and inclusion: Tsungai Masendeke.
- The 2024 FPI Student Financial Plan competition winners: Nkosingiphile Kubheka, Nambitha Masuku, and Masego Mametja.
Student Competition Winners: Nambitha Masuku, Masego Mametja, and Nkosingiphile Kubheka.
New frontiers
FPI chief executive Lelané Bezuidenhout wrapped up the evening’s festivities with heartfelt thanks to every member for their support. She expressed optimism about the FPI surpassing 5 000 members this year, saying, “I believe we will”.
Bezuidenhout also announced that the FPI is expanding its reach to neighbouring countries, including Namibia and Mauritius.
“This is a very exciting journey that we’re going to walk. It means we will have to deal with different regulators, different territories, different universities… We have to go and look at what the different NQF systems look like in the other territories. So, it literally feels like we’re climbing into a bit of a space shuttle, and we’re on our way to a different planet. I hope there’s oxygen. So, we really look forward to the journey that we’re going to walk over the next three to five years.”
