{"id":63677,"date":"2023-06-30T06:51:23","date_gmt":"2023-06-30T04:51:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/?p=63677"},"modified":"2023-07-05T15:54:19","modified_gmt":"2023-07-05T13:54:19","slug":"interview-mosala-philips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/interview-mosala-philips\/","title":{"rendered":"Old Mutual’s Mosala Philips talks financial planning, freedom, and go2berg"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In our testing economic climate, it’s encouraging to see a company throw it’s weight and marketing budget behind a mountain biking event, and that’s exactly what Old Mutual have done with their sponsorship of the recently completed go2berg<\/a>. We sat down with Mosala Phillips, Chief Marketing Officer of Old Mutual to find out more about what the brand sees in mountain biking, and go2berg in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is it about cycling and specifically the go2berg team that drew Old Mutual to partner with a mountain bike stage race like go2berg?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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So I think for us, it’s not really about cycling. We partnered with go2berg, more because of what the event aims to do. It aims to harness a passion for cycling, and to to showcase the natural beauty of the country. It also aims to help the communities that it passes through and remind riders that there are communities in the country that continue to be in need, and thus inspire ideas of partnership and development. It gives riders the opportunity to get away from the daily grind of the cities, and time to reflect to connect with themselves as well.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it’s not really about cycling, but it’s really about what go2berg aims to do, which is very much linked to our core values as a company. We are mutually invested in the continent, and really partnering with communities.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

That ties into my next question, which is: is your involvement and your investment in the event a vote of confidence in cycling in South Africa and in the future of South Africa?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I think that key for us is not for people to think that we are a cycling brand, we’re not a cycling brand. But we are about supporting activities that help people better themselves. Cycling, helps with health, it helps build community amongst cyclists, and it helps with overall wellbeing.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

go2berg, is probably one of the more unique races in the country in that you have more time to build some form of relationship with the people that you’re riding with. With most cycling races, like one day races and shorter events, it’s all about you and your bicycle.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think that what we like about go2berg is, it’s about you, your bicycle, the nature of the country, the people that you’re riding with, and the communities that you’re riding through. And this bringing together of people just happens to be achieved via cycling.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Can you talk me through the economic impact on the towns and the race villages that the event went through?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I think one of the things that I like about this particular event is the amount of time that is spent with the farmers, and with the small businesses along the way.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The intention is to supply the race needs and source from the communities along the way as much as possible, so they become part of the event. To quantify that is probably a little bit tricky, but I think the test of that is if it does not add any value to the communities, they will not welcome you back. And they do. It’s quite a fun event for them as well.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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My last question then is how do the lessons learned from preparing for and completing a race like go2berg apply to banking, insurance, finance and investment?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I think at the heart of insurance is that it is there to give you a peace of mind. But most importantly, it’s one of those things that is an enabler for you to do what you need to do.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, for example, if you have an expensive carbon fibre mountain bike, and it’s not insured, and there is a jump you need to jump: how you tackle it, will be very muted and reserved if you know at the back of your mind that the bike is not insured. It will not enable you to do what you need to do. So insurance is an enabler for people to be their best and do their best. It’s an enabler for people not to be scared to take the leap. Excuse the pun.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial planning is important for anyone to be able to accommodate a sport like cycling within their limitations. There’s food, school fees, houses to be paid off, and everything else. If you don’t have those basics sorted out it becomes very prohibiting to do the sport. But with a good financial advisor, you are able to meet those needs. Then you can have your bike.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don’t do bicycles, but every time I get on my motorbike I appreciate that freedom that you have. You can feel the wind, and smell the flowers. You pass certain places all the time with your car, but actually, when you pass them on the bike and the Jacaranda trees are out and you’re like, “Whoa”.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s really about freedom. If you’re into cycling, you are a big subscriber to freedom.<\/em> That’s the heart of it. Financial planning and insurance is really about freedom<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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