At a press conference held in Durban, Myles Ruck, Standard Bank Deputy Chief Executive, presented a cheque to Dr. Zweli Mkhize, KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC and trustee of the Orphans of Aids Trust.

In addition to its financial commitment, which will be distributed over three years, the bank has undertaken to use its Joy of Jazz concerts to fundraise for the Trust. For every ticket sold to the next four jazz festivals, one rand will be donated to the trust.

The bank's independent counselling service provider, ICAS, has also offered to provide counselling services to the Trust's projects at no cost.

The Orphans of Aids Trust, a public-private sector partnership, was formed to help provide for thousands of KwaZulu-Natal children who have been orphaned by Aids. The trust distributes financial and material support to organisations and agencies that provide relief and support to Aids orphans.

Its patrons include Deputy President Jacob Zuma and King Goodwill Zwelithini. Says Myles Ruck: "The bank recognises its obligation, as one of South Africa's leading corporations, to contribute to the broader socio-economic goals of education, health and general social upliftment.

"The HIV/Aids pandemic is one of the most challenging issues facing every one of us, and Standard Bank recognises the threat it poses to society. Our involvement with the trust is just one example of our commitment to the communities that support our business. "We believe that we cannot conduct business as usual if the communities we operate in are threatened by deprivation, hunger and disease. We are prepared to join forces with all concerned South Africans to help alleviate the plight of those affected or infected by HIV/Aids."