SA has R88.56 billion in unclaimed financial assets, R4.5 billion of which is in unclaimed dividends. That’s idle money that could materially improve the lives of millions of people. The JSE’s Claim It campaign is working hard to reconnect an estimated 375 000 potential beneficiaries with their unclaimed funds.

‘The Claim It campaign is important because it helps ordinary South Africans get back money that belongs to them or their families, often without them even knowing it exists,’ says Ursula du Plooy, the JSE’s Head of Company Services. ‘Many people miss out on dividends because they have changed jobs, moved to a new address, changed their banking details or inherited shares without realising it. This campaign helps fix these longstanding issues by educating potential claimants, making it much easier to check and claim what they’re owed.’

Since its launch in February 2025, the Claim It campaign has seen strong national traction and high public engagement. ‘In the first weeks alone, more than 21 000 applications were submitted by South Africans checking whether they or a relative were owed dividends,’ says Du Plooy. ‘Many of these applications resulted in successful beneficiary matches, indicating that the campaign is effectively reconnecting people with funds that have been out of reach for years.’

To date, more than 94 000 applications have produced more than 14 000 matched applicants across all registers. Of those, more than 9 000 applications have been matched to R10.39 million in unclaimed funds, with a further estimated R19 million pending payment. The campaign is now expanding its collaboration base as awareness grows and more organisations show interest in joining the initiative. To support this expansion, the JSE is actively strengthening the campaign through national outreach, improved digital channels and simplified verification processes – all of which make participation easier for additional companies.

‘Ongoing communication efforts, enhanced user-friendly technology such as online and mobile verification, as well as alignment with broader financial sector initiatives, create an environment that encourages more organisations to come on board,’ says Du Plooy.

The campaign’s verification channels include a website (jse.co.za/claimit) and a call centre (0861 401 105), which people can contact to see whether they or a relative is owed dividends. The secure and streamlined process verifies shareholder details and ensures dividends are paid out efficiently.

‘The system is intentionally designed to be simple, secure, accessible and user-friendly,’ says Du Plooy. ‘The website, call centre and walk-in centre exist to make verification easy, especially for people without internet access or those who need human support.’

To further modernise the campaign and make it more accessible to more people, the JSE has introduced WhatsApp as an official Claim It smart verification channel. Using their mobile phone, individuals can simply scan a QR code to open a verification form via secure chat. They then complete the form for identity verification, biometric scans and address confirmation. After verification, they will receive a secure chat notification of any unclaimed dividends due.

‘This addition is particularly impactful in South Africa, where WhatsApp is the most widely used communication platform,’ says Du Plooy. ‘The onboarding process takes just a few minutes with no queues, paperwork or long forms. Online and on WhatsApp, the process is entirely digital and can be completed on mobile or desktop.’

The Claim It campaign is about far more than recovering old dividends. ‘It’s about changing how people interact with the financial system, making it easier, more accessible and more supportive for everyone,’ says Du Plooy. ‘It’s also a way to support families. Whether it helps with daily needs, education or financial stability, this money can make a real difference.’

By Mark van Dijk
Image: iStock