Standard Bank donates millions for national heritage

Standard Bank today announced a R5 million sponsorship towards the building of the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the Waterfront in Cape Town.

The five-year grant is one of the bank's socio-economic development initiatives aimed at preserving national heritage.

The Nelson Mandela Gateway is an important development aimed at orientating visitors before they visit the Island. It will play a vital role in importing knowledge, understanding and background information to local and international visitors.

As part of the sponsorship, the bank will donate R1 million a year over five years until 2005.

Ashiek Manie, Standard Bank Western Cape Provincial Director says: ''Standard Bank is a bank with rich heritage and thus we see ourselves as an integral part of South Africa's heritage. We are therefore seeking relevant and meaningful ways to demonstrate our commitment to rebuilding South Africa by deriving strength from our past. Robben Island is one such initiative.

"We are interested in supporting and contributing towards the future success of Robben Island, not only as a valuable tourist attraction for Cape Town, but as an integral part of South Africa's heritage that may never be forgotten.

"We hope that our donation will assist visitors to understand and appreciate the role that the Island played in the past but more importantly, the healing effect it will have on the future generation."

Says Denmark Tungwana, Deputy Director, Marketing, Protocol and Fundraising of Robben Island: ''We are extremely grateful to Standard Bank for their ongoing support in all projects we undertake, in our endeavours to present the Island's rich historical significance to the nation. Standard Bank has supported other initiatives on Robben Island in the past, including the Robben Island Jazzathon held this year and taking place next year in February 2002."

For further information contact Michelle Piefel at Lakwela Communications on 021 465 7045 or 083 661 4117.