EasyEquities CEO’s message for South African investors

Amid rising global tensions, market shifts and the AI race, Purple Group CEO Charles Savage offered some key advice for South African investors.

Speaking on the geopolitical events that have transpired from the end of February 2026, Savage said that a few things stand out to him.

“Sovereignty feels different,” he said. “Military and economic power are asserting themselves faster than global institutions can respond. The old global order feels more fragile than it did a few years ago.”

“United States military capability remains formidable. When it acts, it acts decisively. That reality will not be lost on leaders globally. And with great power comes great responsibility.”

Savage explained that this responsibility applies to both military hardware and, increasingly, to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“This conflict reinforces something important. The AI race is not just economic. It is strategic. Intelligence systems, data platforms and defence infrastructure are now deeply intertwined.”

Oil spiked but did not explode, with incremental OPEC+ supply and the Strait of Hormuz remaining open, reinforcing expectations of containment and an orderly sell-off.

“My stance is simple. I am a cautious and selective buyer of risk into weakness rather than a seller into fear. Gold continues to do its job.”

According to Savage, market activity in the United States is telling its own story, with inflation surprising on the upside, credit spreads widening, and private credit showing strain.

Banks have been hit hard, Treasuries caught a bid, and the United States 10-year Treasury note slipped below 4%, bringing return of capital back into focus.

He added that the “AI theme is splitting”, with some hardware and infrastructure names surging while others face margin pressure.

“Pure-play disruptors are feeling direct AI competition. This is not indiscriminate optimism. It is repricing.”

Survivor’s premium

Positively, Savage pointed out that South Africa increasingly feels like a physically and financially calmer place relative to parts of the world.

Precious metals remain supportive, banks have rallied strongly over the past month, and resource names continue to attract capital.

The 2026 Budget also quietly leaned pro-investing, with tax brackets adjusted for inflation, capital gains exclusions increased, and the offshore discretionary allowance doubled from R1 million to R2 million.

In addition, the Treasury also increased tax-free savings allowances and allowable retirement contributions. While this is “nothing revolutionary”, Savage applauded the fact that participation was encouraged, not penalised.

“More and more, it feels like the survivor’s premium for staying, both living and investing in South Africa, is increasing and will do so for some time to come.”

When it comes to AI, Savage referenced a recent article from Currency, which mocked the idea that AI is about to trigger a human intelligence displacement spiral, and noted that markets briefly priced in an apocalypse.

But corporate behaviour tells a different story. Jack Dorsey, for example, cut nearly half of Block’s workforce, framing the move around intelligence tools that enable smaller, more productive teams.

“Both personalities exist,” Savage said. “Some dismiss AI. Some market AI. Some build with AI.” He noted, however, that only the latter approach truly compounds value,

“The future will be owned by those who lean into AI properly. The first wave of displacement will affect individuals who ignore it. The second wave will affect those who claimed to embrace it but created no measurable value.”

“AI increases output per person. Those who compound that leverage will win. For South Africa, productivity is not optional.”

Looking at current structural shifts, Savage added that there is one statistic, in particular, that stands out to him.

“Data centre construction has surpassed office construction. More capital is being deployed to house servers than people. That tells you where the world is heading.”

“And it should signal to the leadership at EasyProperties that there is an opportunity worth finding for our investors, too.”

Taking a step back from the current environment – the war, the AI race, the volatility – Savage said his thinking still comes back to the same place.

“Trust compounds. Productivity pays. Participation rewards. Markets will oscillate. Narratives will overreach. Fear will spike. That’s what markets do. But disciplined builders win.”

“We live in South Africa, and we invest in a global world. The opportunity, as I see it, lies where those two meet. So stay thoughtful. Stay deliberate.”