Built for families who want clarity, not noise
Pass It On Create was founded in 2011 with a simple purpose: help South African families and business owners make sensible decisions about wealth, estates and legacy. Many clients come to us at a point where life is moving fast, a business is growing, a parent is ageing, or a family needs to talk about what happens next. We bring structure to those conversations so people can make choices with confidence.
Our work is steady and practical. We do not push products or rush decisions. Instead, we help clients understand what they own, how it is held, where the pressure points are and what can be done now to reduce stress later. That includes estates, wills, trusts, retirement income planning and the family discussions that sit around them. The aim is simple, assets should pass on with as little confusion as possible.
What we mean by generational wealth
Generational wealth is not only about growing assets. It is also about keeping them organised, protected and ready for the next handover. That may mean updating a will, setting up a trust structure, reviewing beneficiary nominations or making sure there is enough liquidity to settle estate costs without forcing a quick sale of property or investments.
We look at the full picture. For some clients the priority is retirement income planning. For others it is succession, family harmony or preserving a business for children and grandchildren. Our process takes those goals and turns them into a workable plan. We make room for the practical matters too, like municipal transfer timelines, property administration and the realities of cross-country family arrangements.
- Estate Planning and Will Coordination
- Trust Structuring and Beneficiary Reviews
- Retirement Income Planning and Plan Reviews
- Asset Mapping and Liquidity Analysis
How we work with clients
Our process starts with listening. Every family has its own history, its own tensions and its own hopes. Some are managing a family business. Others have property, investments and a mix of local and offshore assets. We begin by mapping what is in place, what is missing and what needs to be reviewed. Only then do we recommend the next steps.
Clients usually come to us through one of our advice areas in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Paarl, Johannesburg, Durban, Somerset West, Claremont or via online advice nationwide. Meetings can be in person or by video, which suits families spread across provinces. We keep the communication clear and measured, and we make time for proper questions. A rushed decision in this area can cause trouble for years, so we prefer to do things carefully the first time around.
Where needed, we also facilitate family meetings and trustee briefings. These conversations can be difficult, but they often prevent confusion later. When everyone understands the plan, there is less room for conflict and more room for cooperation. That is usually what families want, even if they do not say it out loud at first.
The values that shape our advice
We value calm thinking, honest guidance and practical follow-through. Clients should know what a decision means, what it costs, what the risks are and how it affects the people they care about. We take that responsibility seriously. Good advice should leave people clearer, not more uncertain.
Our team also believes that legacy planning must respect both the numbers and the family. A sound structure on paper is not enough if the people involved do not understand it. That is why we explain matters in plain language and keep the focus on what is useful in real life. We are comfortable talking about sensitive subjects, including incapacity, business succession and the difficult question of who will carry things forward.
- Clear advice without product pressure
- Respect for family dynamics and personal wishes
- Attention to detail in trusts, wills and records
- Practical planning that stands up over time
The people behind the firm
Pass It On Create is led by Lukhanyo van der Merwe, our Managing Director. He works alongside a team with specific strengths across estate planning, trust structures, retirement planning and client service. That combination matters because legacy work is rarely one-dimensional. It usually involves several moving parts that need to line up properly.
Anika Fourie heads estate planning, with a focus on wills, beneficiary arrangements and the finer points of succession. Sibusiso Dlamini supports clients with wealth planning conversations that connect long-term goals with day-to-day reality. Megan Naidoo works on trust structures, Ruan le Roux assists with retirement income planning, and Zanele Mokoena helps keep client communication organised and responsive. Together, the team brings a measured approach that suits families who want a stable hand on the wheel.
Why Stellenbosch suits the work we do
Stellenbosch is a good base for this kind of work. It sits close to family businesses, professional firms and property owners, while still giving us reach into the wider Western Cape and beyond. Many of our clients balance local responsibilities with national interests, and some have family members in different parts of the country. That is why we support advice across Cape Town, Paarl, Johannesburg and Durban, with video consultations available nationwide.
The environment also keeps us grounded. Around here, people understand the need to plan ahead, whether that is for harvest time, school fees, a business transition or the next generation. We bring that same practical mindset to wealth planning. It is not about making things complicated. It is about making sure the right documents, conversations and structures are in place before they are needed. A little prep now can save a lot of strain later.
What clients can expect when they contact us
Clients reach us through the enquiry form on our contact page, and from there we guide the next step. The first conversation is usually about understanding the family structure, the assets involved and the outcome the client wants. From there we identify the plan review, trust work, estate work or succession discussion that should happen first.
We work best with people who want clear, calm guidance and are prepared to act on it. That includes entrepreneurs who want to protect a business, parents who want to simplify the road ahead for children, and households that need practical help with beneficiary reviews or asset mapping. Our role is to bring order, keep things moving and make sure the legacy is handled with care.
- Initial enquiry through the contact form
- Review of assets, documents and family goals
- Advice on the next practical steps
- Support through implementation and review