Every rand you earn in South Africa represents your hard work, but when the rand weakens, your money’s value does too. For many migrants supporting families back home, that means school fees, building projects, or household needs suddenly cost more than expected. You’re working tirelessly to create a better future, but unpredictable exchange rates can make it feel like your efforts don’t stretch as far as they should.
That’s why Mama Money has introduced a smarter, more secure way to protect what you’ve earned: the Save in USD feature. Available directly in the Mama Money App, this innovative savings option allows you to convert your rands into US dollars, helping you shield your money from currency fluctuations and plan confidently for the future.
Whether you’re saving for your child’s education, building your dream home, or simply keeping something aside for emergencies, Save in USD gives you control, stability, and peace of mind — all from the same trusted app you already use to send money home.
Between 2022 and 2025, South Africa’s rand has shown sharp fluctuations against the US dollar, creating uncertainty for those sending money abroad. For migrants working in South Africa, this volatility directly affects how much their families receive in countries across Africa.
Average ZAR/USD exchange rate:
The rand weakened by about 13% from 2022 to 2023, then stayed near record lows in 2024.
When the rand weakens, each R1,000 sent home buys less in USD or local currency. A fall from R16 to R18.50 per dollar means nearly R150 less value per R1,000 converted — a big difference over time.
The value of money doesn’t always stay the same. When a currency like the South African rand goes up and down in value, something known as currency volatility, it can have a big impact on how much your family actually receives back home.
Imagine this: Chipo, a nurse from Zimbabwe, earns R10,000 each month. When the rand is strong, her family gets a fair amount in USD or Zimbabwean dollars. But if the rand weakens just before she sends her money, the amount they receive suddenly drops, even though Chipo worked just as hard. The same can happen for families in the DRC or Nigeria, where money sent home might cover less than expected because of daily exchange rate changes.
For migrants supporting loved ones, this uncertainty makes it difficult to plan. One month’s remittance might cover school fees or a building project, but the next month it may fall short. It can also cause stress when unexpected emergencies arise, because the value of your savings can shift overnight.
At Mama Money, we understand that every rand counts. That’s why we’re committed to being a safe home for your money, helping you keep it secure, stable, and ready for when your family needs it most.
With Mama Money’s new “Save in USD” feature, you can now protect your hard-earned cash by purchasing US Dollars directly in the Mama Money App, safely and instantly. The money you’ve already loaded into your Mama Wallet can be converted into USD with just a few taps, giving you more control over your savings and shielding your funds from rand volatility.
It’s simple, fast, and designed for everyday people. No paperwork, no trips to the bank — everything happens inside your Mama Money App. You can view your USD balance anytime, move money back to rands when needed, or send it home when the time is right.
This feature is exclusive to Mama Money App users, making it easy for our community to save securely, grow steadily, and plan confidently for the future — all in one trusted place.
Investing in crypto assets may result in financial loss. Mama Crypto Value Services (Pty) Ltd is an authorised financial service provider (FSP 54238).
Across South Africa, thousands of migrants are discovering that saving in US Dollars gives them more control, stability, and peace of mind. Whether it’s protecting your money from a weak rand, planning for your children’s future, or preparing for life’s unexpected moments, saving in USD through the Mama Money App makes every effort count.
The rand goes up and down in value almost every week, which means your hard-earned money doesn’t always hold its worth. When you save in USD, you shield your savings from sudden drops in the rand, keeping your money strong and secure.
By saving just $50 every month, you lock in your money’s value, no matter what happens to the exchange rate. So, when the time comes to send money home or cover an important expense, you know exactly what your savings are worth.
This stability gives you confidence and control, allowing you to plan ahead without worrying about the unpredictable ups and downs of the currency market.
Every rand you earn is a step toward a better future for your loved ones. Whether it’s your children’s education in Kinshasa or building a family home in Harare, saving in USD ensures that your long-term goals stay secure, even when the rand doesn’t.
Take Brighton, a Zimbabwean truck driver. He decided to save $20 per month through Mama Money’s “Save in USD” feature. By December, he had $240 safely stored in a stable currency, ready to pay for his daughter’s school fees in Harare, without worrying about exchange rate losses.
Saving in USD helps you plan with purpose, knowing that what you put aside today will still hold its value tomorrow.
Life can be unpredictable, especially when your family depends on you from afar. With USD savings, you can build a small emergency cushion that’s always ready when needed.
For example, Angela, a Malawian restaurant worker in Cape Town, keeps a portion of her earnings in USD to cover unexpected medical expenses for her parents back home. When the time comes, she can send money instantly, without losing value to exchange rate changes or delays.
Having USD savings means you’re always ready to help, no matter what life brings. It’s peace of mind, right in your pocket.
Getting started with Save in USD is quick, safe, and completely digital —no forms, no queues, no waiting. Everything happens right inside your Mama Money App.
Here’s how it works:
1. Open the Mama Money App
Log in to your existing Mama Money account on your smartphone.
2. Load Money into Your Wallet
Add funds easily via EFT, bank card, or cash load at supported partners.
3. Select ‘Save in USD’
Choose the ‘Save in USD’ option in your Wallet and enter the amount you’d like to convert from rands.
4. View Your USD Balance Anytime
Track your savings in real time within the app; your USD balance is always visible and secure.
5. Convert or Send When You’re Ready
Move money back to rands or send it home whenever you choose, using the daily USD↔Rand exchange rate available in the app.
Currently, interest is not offered on USD savings, but this feature may be introduced in the future.
At Mama Money, your security always comes first. As a trusted and regulated financial service provider, Mama Money gives you a safe space to manage your money, whether you’re sending, saving, or storing it. With transparent exchange rates, no hidden fees, and a simple app that puts you in control, you can focus on what truly matters: building a better life for yourself and your family.
All USD savings are managed through Mama Crypto Value Services (Pty) Ltd, an authorised financial service provider (FSP 54238). This means your savings are handled with the same care, compliance, and protection you’ve come to expect from Mama Money.
Because you work hard today to build tomorrow, and Mama helps make that possible.
The Save in USD feature is part of Mama Money’s mission to make managing your finances simple, flexible, and secure. It connects seamlessly with your Mama Wallet, allowing you to load money once and use it in multiple ways, send to loved ones, pay instantly, or start saving for the future.
Together, the Mama Wallet and Save in USD features give you full control over your money, whether you’re planning for emergencies, school fees, or long-term goals back home.
For more practical tips on protecting your earnings and planning ahead, explore our blog:
Save Smart: How Migrants in South Africa Can Benefit from USD Savings
Every dollar saved is a step toward your dream — whether that dream is a new home, your child’s education, or the security of knowing your family is cared for. With Mama Money, your savings are stable, secure, and always within reach. You’re not just protecting what you earn; you’re building a better tomorrow, one dollar at a time.
Take control of your financial future today.
Download the Mama Money App and start saving in USD.
Your money. Your way. In Rands or Dollars.
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