Back in the day, the festive season certainly seemed like a simpler time. Remember receiving your end-of-year bonus in a brown envelope? Probably not the safest method today! How about spending a week prepping by scrubbing windows, washing all the bedding, dusting off “special occasion” crockery, and cleaning every corner of the house with Boney M blasting in the background?
So much has changed since then.
One welcome change, however, is how we shop and spend during the festive season. Across the globe, people are going cashless and banks are making it simpler and safer for us to do so.
Snubbing that ATM
Although cash is still king in Mzansi – with nearly half of adults withdrawing their entire income upon deposit – South Africans are quickly shifting towards cashless payment methods as a more secure alternative.
In fact, Standard Bank customers spent 57.6% more on digital devices in the last year than the year before. This reflects a shift in consumer behaviour towards digital payment solutions, a trend that’s ramping up across Africa, with digital payment revenues growing at an impressive annual rate of 20%, according to McKinsey.
According to data from The Outlier, Apple Pay has emerged as the preferred digital wallet among Standard Bank customers, representing a whopping 86% of digital transactions. It makes sense then why many Shyft users link their cards to Apple Pay to transact with the tap of a phone or watch.
Whether it’s sending remittances to loved ones, shopping online for the perfect gift, or making holiday bookings, this payment duo simplifies your festive finances.
Did you know?
South Africa’s e-commerce user base is set to nearly double, rising from 11.7 million in 2025 to 21.52 million by 2029.
Here’s how to link your Shyft cards to your Apple Wallet:
IMPORTANT – You must have a Shyft physical or virtual card to get started. Don’t forget to top them up before transacting.
Via the Shyft app
- Open the Shyft app and access the “Quick Actions” menu.
Select “Manage Cards” and choose the Shyft card you want to link (remember, it can be a virtual or physical card). - Tap “Add to Apple Wallet” and follow the on-screen prompts.
Once successful, you’ll see a confirmation message and your linked card will proudly sport an “Added to Apple Wallet” tag.
Via your Apple Wallet
- Open your Apple Wallet and tap the “+” icon to add a new card.
- Follow the prompts to capture your Shyft card details in your Apple Wallet.
- That’s it! Once the process is complete, you’ll be able to select your Shyft card as a payment method the next time you use Apple Pay.
So, what are the benefits of Shyft and Apple Pay this festive season?
Send money safely and swiftly
If you have family or friends abroad, Shyft makes sending them funds easier and safer. There’s no need to wait in lines or worry about cash security; instead, money can be sent directly to anyone anywhere in the world, with fixed rates for international transfers. Better yet, if your loved one has a Shyft account too, you both benefit from free and unlimited Shyft-to-Shyft payments.
Bonus tip: So the teens want to enjoy their holiday at the mall, but you can’t stand the thought of all that festive foot traffic. Give them a Shyft rand card pre-loaded with a fixed amount and let them loose, while you put your feet up and relax with some Christmas classics.
One-of-a-kind gift giving
Holiday gift shopping doesn’t have to be limited to what the closest mall has to offer. A simple Google search will reveal a treasure trove of unique gift ideas, perfect for the more discerning members of your family. With Shyft, you can shop anywhere in the world for those can’t-get-them-anywhere-else goodies. Simply top up your virtual card with your forex of choice, and easily secure that limited-edition Stanley cup so aunt Carol can be primed for her “new year, new you” power walks.
With the added safety layer of Apple Pay’s security features – such as Face ID, Touch ID, and encryption – transactions are secure, so you can focus on finding the right stocking fillers without worrying about compromised details.
Embracing an era of ease
The rapid adoption of digital wallets and cashless payments on our continent signifies a fundamental shift in how we interact with banks.
Sure, prices may never go back to what they once were (looking at you, Choice Assorted!), but simplicity is still within reach. This holiday season, redefine your shopping experience (from stocks to stocking fillers) with Shyft!
