Standard Bank partners with Rhiza Holdings to host inaugural Corporate Social Investment Graduate Volunteering Day
Standard Bank, the biggest bank in Africa by assets, recently partnered with Rhiza Holdings to host an inaugural Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Graduate Volunteering Day.
The joint Graduate Volunteering Day is designed to provide the graduates with meaningful exposure to real community-impact initiatives.
“As a responsible corporate citizen that cares deeply about the communities we serve, we recognise the importance of equipping young people with practical experience, social awareness, and opportunities to contribute to purposeful work. Experience is just as important as qualifications and we strongly believe in empowering young people in preparation for working life,” says Pearl Machabe, Head of Corporate Social Investment at Standard Bank.
To support this mission, 145 graduates will be allocated to three different impact sites, where they will participate in hands-on activities that reinforce teamwork, service, and problem-solving:
- Boepakitso Primary School (Soweto) – contributing to school upliftment initiatives.
- Rhiza Farm (Diepsloot) – learning and supporting sustainable agricultural projects.
- Rhiza IT Hub (Diepsloot) – engaging with technology and community-focused digital initiatives.
Rhiza Holdings was established in South Africa in 2011. The organisation has a rich history of philanthropy and community-driven initiatives, with specific focus on driving sustainable development and holistic change across the country’s vulnerable townships.
“We are proud to partner with an organisation like Standard Bank that shares our vision for empowering our most vulnerable communities. Through the experience these learners will undergo, we aim to nurture a generation that is not only skilled but also socially conscious. The skills imparted from experience will stand the participants in good stead for their future,” says Alef Meulenberg, Founder and Executive Chairman from Rhiza Holdings.