South Africa's 'grey rand' assisting new parents
Bizcommunity.com 29 July 2006-06

The arrival of a child is an enormous realisation for any new parents and the cost is even more of an alteration in their lives. This is where more and more grandparents are stepping 'up to the plate' to meet with the ever growing cost of having a baby. A large majority of grandparents would like to see their grandchildren with the best on the market and are only to proud to make the purchase for them.

The increase in South Africa's baby sector, (retail, wholesale, distribution and manufacturing) is awe-inspiring to any individual, employee or entrepreneur, who has been part of it over the past five to eight years. Not all new parents can afford the luxury and designer goods that are readily available, and in some cases necessary today. More grandparents are at the tills settling the bill. Many of these grandparents will state that they are only too happy to assist their children with several lavish purchases to ease their lives with their grandchildren.

Bernadette Hammersley of Cape Town, proud grandparent to Isabella, says "it is very difficult to say no to a grandchild when they look up to you as the one who would ordinarily 'spoil' them and you, as a grandparent, only want the best for them." This is evident in more than several situations around South Africa. Top furniture company, Petersen's has said that "grandparents are playing a big part in the upbringing of their grandchildren. This is perhaps due to the fact that in some cases both parents have to work with parenting being rather costly. Having children is a large step bringing loads to learn and loads to buy into your life. It is therefore comforting for first time parents to have some financial help when it comes to kitting out the baby room and knowing exactly what is needed. Some of our clients come to the showroom to have a look, and then bring their husbands and their parents, just to get everyone's opinion. Invariably the grandparents end up paying for the nursery furniture - which they regard as a family heirloom. Grandparents are more selective when it comes to quality; they must have the best for their grandchild and so would rather spend more on quality pieces than save money. This is also a time where grandparents have a bit more cash to spend, which they could ill afford when their children were growing up, and feel strongly that they'd like to 'make up' for those have-not years."

Baba Indaba has noticed the strength of the grey rand and by encouraging this, visitors to Baba Indaba are not only parents, soon-to-be parents but grandparents too. "This reality is pivotal and we welcome grandparents on Friday, 28th July to, Baba Indaba, as it is a special grandparents day. Grandparents are instrumental in shaping the lives of our children in South Africa, we therefore want to applaud them by allowing free entrance to Baba Indaba on Friday," says Natalie Naude, Show Director of Baba Indaba. "The grey rand has immense strength within South Africa and therefore we have the honour of enjoying their input and company on Friday."

No doubt, you are a caring parent who wants to absorb as much info as possible and be exposed to the latest happenings in the baby market - therefore Baba Indaba is the only place to be at the end of July. The exciting world of parenting and children with loads of fun, edutainment and entertainment will be at Baba Indaba on 28-30 July 2006 at the Cape Town Convention Centre.

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