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May 2002
Standard Bank committed to banking the nation
Standard Bank is to provide Internet banking access to thousands of public service employees as part of a joint initiative between government and the private sector to improve computer literacy.
The project, known as Golaganang (Golaganang is Tswana for "come together"), aims to provide government employees with affordable multimedia personal computers, colour printers and Internet access, supported by information communication technology (ICT) training.
This offer will be made to 1.1 million public service employees. The initial aim is to connect 50 000 families to the Web and provide basic computer training to 200 000 people. Standard Bank customers will be given access to Internet banking as part of the package.
Private sector partners in this initiative are Hewlett Packard, Micosoft, Telkom, Standard Bank and CS Holdings, a computer training company.
Says Herman Singh, Director Online Business at Standard Bank:
"We are delighted to be a partner in such a socially uplifting project. It forms part of our broad strategic vision of ‘banking the nation’ and, in addition, it will help provide thousands of people
with affordable access to the Internet."
South Africa’s current computer and ICT training levels are very low, while access to computer hardware and software are unaffordable for most people, especially those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Singh says this initiative reflects Standard Bank’s commitment to public-private partnerships. "This is a very powerful alliance. We are proud to be in partnership with the government and a group of world-class business leaders."
He says this is the "first step in a long journey". Plans are under way to offer this package to other state employees, such as teachers and police, as well as to employees of large corporates.
"Standard Bank’s objective is to grow our Internet banking base by about 25 per cent a year". At the moment, Standard Bank has over 200 000 active Internet banking customers.
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