Corporate Social Investment (CSI)

Flagship projects

Financial Literacy – R3,8 million in 2005

Standard Bank has committed to spend R10,3 million on financial literacy over the next three years. Our Financial Literacy programme (a joint venture between Standard Bank, the Department of Education, Liberty Life and Mindset) was launched in 1999, after research had indicated very low levels of financial literacy amongst South Africans. The programme is part of the government’s outcomes-based education programme.

Aimed at young South Africans, the programme has three primary objectives:

• Increase and improve financial literacy and awareness.
• Improve personal financial management skills.
• Promote entrepreneurship and financial independence in pursuing careers.

Since inception, over R16 million has been spent on the project and more than 1,6 million learner guides and 11 000 educator guides have been distributed countrywide, with the assistance of provincial education departments. It is estimated that over three million learners have already used the resources.

Mindset – R3,5 million in 2005

Mindset Network is a non-profit, South African organisation aimed at personal, social and economic development of all people in Africa. Mindset creates, sources and delivers on a mass scale quality educational resources through appropriate medium to the primary and secondary schools, health workers, vocation and enterprise community and other under-resourced communities.

The Mindset Network project was launched in 2003 with Standard Bank as a founding partner. A high school channel, Activate, delivers free educational content material on Mathematics, Science, Biology and English.

Mindset Network implements and distributes educational content through Mindset Learn, Mindset Health and Mindset Cabanga.

Materials are distributed in South Africa as well as in 16 other African countries through television (DStv-Channel 82), print (Sunday Times) and web format.

Marang Centre for Maths & Science Education at Wits – R1,2 million in 2005

The Marang Centre is based at the Wits Education Campus and aims to improve the quality of maths and science teaching through teacher development activities and the promotion of high quality, relevant and innovative research. The research and development will aim to produce best practice guidelines for multi-lingual classrooms. Over the past three years, Standard Bank has invested over R4,2 million.

City Year – R750 000 in 2005

We have committed three year funding for the National Youth Service Initiative (NYSI) through the City Year programme.

The NYSI was developed with a view to address socioeconomic problems affecting South Africa’s youth.

City Year aims to bring together services and training, which will lead to meaningful employment and further education for the youth.

Employees at our Ellis Park branch volunteer through City Year to assist learners of the Yeoville Community School.

Other CSI projects

Project	Description	Amount
Liberty Learning Channel	Supports a growing learning community by providing a multi-media, holistic education solution to South Africa.	R6 500 000
United Cricket Board	Part of Standard Bank’s provincial cricket development initiatives.	R2 856 000
University of the Western Cape	Funding of the Finance Department Chair and the Management Department Chair.	R1 000 000
Robben Island	Funding of the Robben Island Multi-Purpose Centre.	R1 000 000
Enlighten Education Trust	Provides assistance to under-privileged and under-resourced schools.	R787 000
PAST	The Palaeoanthropic Scientific Trust assists in securing the future of research into the origins of mankind.	R700 000
Topsy Foundation	Provides a holistic assistance approach to families affected by HIV/Aids which includes home-based care, in-house care and skills training/poverty alleviation initiatives.	R652 000
Sparrow Ministries	Provides an interdenominational ministry that provides help and cares for destitute terminally ill adults and children with HIV/Aids.	R500 000
16 Days of Activism	Fights the cause for women and abused children, human rights, people living with disabilities and the fight against HIV/Aids.	R500 000
Cape Women’s Forum	Contributes to the building of a motivated and skilled workforce in the agricultural communities.	R500 000
Maropeng	Five years ago Standard Bank donated 100ha of Mogale’s Gate to the Cradle of Humankind for the building of Maropeng, an interpretation centre that takes visitors through the evolution of humankind.	R469 000

Celebrating women

Standard Bank was the main sponsor of the Top Women in Business and Government awards, acknowledging the contribution of women in business and government. We continued our commitment and support of the 16 Days of Activism campaign against the abuse of women and children.

Women for housing.

Employees making a difference

Apart from financial support for community development, we encourage our employees to work as volunteers with charities. To facilitate and encourage this, we offer a matching funds programme for work done by employees.

CSI in the rest of Africa

In each country of operation, we conduct our core business with more than profitability in mind, adhering to high ethical standards and ensuring that we are able to understand and meet the unique needs of African societies.

As such, we follow a planned programme of investing in African initiatives able to mitigate the continent’s most pressing social and economic problems. Each of our banks in Africa devotes one percent of its after-tax profit to social investment projects.

Mindful of the fact that the countries of Africa need to develop their individual economies to the greatest possible extent if the lives of their people are to be improved, we strongly support programmes that improve and disseminate the skills needed to compete successfully in the global marketplace.

The cornerstones of Standard Bank’s Africa CSI strategy are to:

• Promote positive perceptions of Africa by creating awareness of its achievements.
• Foster the development and spread of expertise in science, technology and engineering.
• Develop the skills needed in modern commerce and trade.
• Support the aims and activities of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), especially in terms of human resources development.

We encourage all of our employees to contribute their skills to broader society and support our CSI activities, from selecting projects through to driving interventions and ensuring sustainability over time. In this way we are able to ensure that our African CSI projects are able to meet the particular needs of local communities.

CSI in CIB International operations

During 2005 our international community and social spending reflected our commitment to our African roots by sponsoring activities that have an African connection or that contribute in some way to the local community.

In Jersey we helped to arrange an African Schoolchild North Coast Charity Challenge – a 20-mile walk along the coastline to raise money for the Tetekela Centre, a day-care centre for street children in Zambia. We also sponsored Jersey’s “Open Garden Festival”, with the proceeds being donated to the Jersey Hospice.

In Jersey and the Isle of Man, we contributed to the under-16 cricket festivals. Jonty Rhodes treating young cricketers on both islands to some coaching was a special highlight.

We also supported charities that benefit some of the other countries in which we operate. In Moscow, we sponsored the Financial Institutions Charity Ball, which raises money for Action for Russia’s Children. In London, we were the sponsor of the 2005 Emerging Markets Benefit Ball, the proceeds of which will go to Cotlands in South Africa, Task in Brazil, Health Unlimited in Guatemala, and SOS Children in Jamaica. Direct support was also given to several other charities, including The Children’s Trust, SOS Children’s Villages and The Community Chest.

Left: Standard Bank KZN employees adopted the Ningizimu Special School as a project of care. 
Right: Employees of Bellville support Langa Cheshire Home as a community initiative.