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Community

Public Affairs

Public interest projects

Standard Bank supports initiatives and projects that focus on issues of public interest, including BEE, the strengthening of civil society and promoting democracy.

Public interest projects we supported in 2005 include:

  • The African Renaissance Conference which looks at the challenges of the African continent and service delivery capacity at local government level.
  • The International Children’s Day Celebrations, focusing on the rights of children.
  • The Women’s Dialogue Conferences in Gauteng and Limpopo provinces, which discussed the challenges faced by women in post-1994 South Africa.
  • The Institute for Local Government Management, which examined the challenges faced by local government.
  • The South African Local Government Bargaining Council, which was addressed by President Mbeki and discussed the challenges of local government and the role of government and labour in addressing these challenges.
  • The South African Business Coalition Against HIV/Aids, which examined the role of business in dealing with HIV/Aids.
  • A partnership with the Africa Editors Forum in hosting its second conference, which focused on Africans reporting for Africa.
 
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Corporate memberships and participation

In our effort to build strong relationships with key stakeholders in South Africa and internationally, we participate in different industry and business associations, some of which include:

  • Business Against Crime.
  • Business Leadership South Africa.
  • Business Trust.
  • Business Unity South Africa.
  • Institute of Bankers.
  • Institute of International Finance
  • International Monetary Conference
  • International Monetary Fund
  • National Business Initiative.
  • South African Chamber of Business.
  • South African Grantmakers Association.
  • South African Institute of International Affairs.
  • South African Business Coalition Against HIV and AIDS.
  • South African Institute of Race Relations.
  • World Economic Forum.

Premier Service Excellence Awards

The Premier Service Excellence Awards is a partnership between seven provincial governments in South Africa (Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Western Cape) and Standard Bank. The awards are aimed at promoting excellence in service delivery in the public sector and recognising those public servants who have gone beyond the call of duty to provide services effectively and efficiently in pursuit of the Batho Pele Principles (Putting People First).

Political contributions

In 2004 the bank announced a departure from its policy of not making political donations. In recognition of South Africa’s tenth anniversary of democracy, R5 million was donated towards funding the national election. Fifty percent was distributed to political parties according to representation in parliament prior to South Africa’s general election. The remaining 50% was distributed according to the same formula based on representation post the April 2004 election.

The bank believes that active and strong civil society formations are critical in strengthening a multi-party democracy system. In light of this, the bank has again reviewed its political party funding policy to include funding of political parties whose philosophy and proven track record are consistent with the principles of the South African constitution. An amount of R10 million has been set aside to provide funding to political parties over the next five years according to representation in Parliament.

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