Lobola Legacy Fund
A research-driven design project reimagining Lobola as a financial empowerment tool for South African families. The project closest to my heart.
Passion Project · Social Impact
Product Design Lead
MY ROLE
Mar 2023 - Nov 2023
TIMELINE
Social Impact Design
FOCUS
ROLE
Product Design Lead
IA Design
Usability Testing
Service Design
CX Design
UX Research
Persona Building
Journey Mapping
TOOLS
Figma
Maze
Optimal Workshop
THE PROJECT
The Lobola Legacy Fund is a digital platform designed to modernise lobola practices for young South African couples and their families. Lobola, the practice of a groom's family presenting gifts or money to the bride's family is one of the most meaningful cultural practices across many South African cultures. It is an act of love, respect, and family connection. It is also, for many young couples, a significant financial undertaking with no formal systems of support. This platform changes that.
GOAL
To bridge tradition and innovation by designing a digital platform that enables young couples and their families to build financial stability, preserve cultural values, and address the financial challenges tied to Lobola; through investment tools, donations, and strategic collaborations.
THE CHALLENGE
Traditional Lobola practices often place financial pressure on grooms, reinforcing economic inequality and gender disparity. Balancing the preservation of Lobola's cultural significance with the need to adapt it to contemporary economic realities was the core design tension. There was also a significant financial literacy gap limited access to tools and education about capital management for young couples at this critical life stage.
ROI
The platform revitalises lobola traditions while adapting them to current financial needs; encouraging a new narrative around responsible financial planning tied to cultural practice. Couples gain long-term financial security through education, investment opportunities, and savings. The Lobola Legacy Fund establishes a benchmark for integrating cultural preservation with economic development, a replicable model for other traditional practices facing modernisation.
Everlytic
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© 2026 Kgomotso Jolinah Mahlangu