Bala comes from the isiZulu ukubala — to count. Balawise is about counting wisely: giving South Africans clear, accurate numbers before they make money decisions.
What we do
Balawise brings together 40 calculators for the questions South Africans ask most often: how much tax comes off a salary, what a bond will cost, how much transfer duty is payable, what severance pay the law requires, how an estate is taxed and who inherits without a will, how far a tank of petrol goes and how many electricity units R500 buys.
How we keep the numbers right
- Official sources first. Rates come from SARS, National Treasury, the South African Reserve Bank, the Department of Employment and Labour, Statistics South Africa, Eskom, municipalities and the legislation itself.
- Every rate is dated. Each calculator shows which tax year, fuel month or tariff period it uses, and when we last checked it.
- No invented figures. If we cannot verify a rate — for example a municipal electricity tariff — we say so and let you enter your own, instead of guessing.
- Tested maths. Calculations are covered by automated tests built from hand-worked examples and published thresholds.
- Estimates are labelled. Results are tagged as official, estimate, your assumption or indicative, so you know what you are looking at.
How Balawise is funded
Balawise is free to use. In future it may show clearly labelled advertising and partner offers (for example from home loan originators or insurers). Advertising and commissions never change a calculation or the order of a comparison.
Your privacy
Calculators run in your browser. We do not ask for your name, ID number or an account, and the figures you type are not sent to us. See our privacy policy.
Spotted something?
If a rate has changed or something looks wrong, please tell us or email hello@balawise.co.za. Corrections are our top priority.