Back: JR Masilela (Bokamoso Secondary School), M Grobler (Absa), Kevin Buys (Absa). Front: M Malabela (Absa), A Rakoma (Absa), E Uren (Absa), MA Molepo (Bokamoso Secondary School) and B Motona (Absa)

The Absa teams from Schoeman Street and Pick ‘n Pay branches handed over donations consisting of boxes of chalks, A4 papers as well as hand towels to the Bokamoso Secondary School.

Bokamoso Secondary School is situated in Seshego in Limpopo and they sent through a letter of request for assistance to Absa, where they specifically requested A4 paper which they intend using for making copies of the previous  five years’ question papers which their learners will use to prepare for exams. This they say, will go a long way towards helping them in improving their current pass rate at the school.

Absa’s mission is to be the leader in Corporate Social Investment (CSI) in creating sustainable employment and entrepreneurship solutions as well as capabilities in communities, through mutual partnerships, thereby positioning Absa as a good corporate citizen*. Our mission is therefore to be the best Foundation in the support of Banking on Brighter Futures.

“We have taken note of the reports that our country’s children are rated as some of the worst readers on the continent,” says the local Branch Manager for Absa Schoeman Street, Martin Grobler.

“We are mindful of Tata Madiba’s words, that ‘there can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children’. Our involvement in initiatives that seeks to advance education and improve the conditions in the schools and centres of learning seeks to advance the levels of literacy in our society,” emphasises the Branch Manager for Absa Pick ‘n Pay, Elizabeth Uren.

“We are proud of the collective efforts of our staff members who really reached out in ensuring that today’s handover is possible,” concludes Grobler.

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Absa donated R300 000 to the Bophelong Day Care Project. At the handover were: Bethuel Lekalakala (Project Manager Bophelong Day Care Project), Martha Tladi (Absa CSI Consultant), Joel Mabusela (Chairperson Bophelong Day Care Project) and Elizabeth Uren (Absa Pick and Pay Branch Manager)

In its efforts to contribute to poor communities, today Absa injected a further R300 000, 00 to the Bophelong Day Care Project, which brings Absa’s total contribution to R570 000, 00 since 2008.

The Bophelong Day Care Project OVC Support programme was established during 2003 after a long research work on the pandemic effect of HIV/AIDS. The organisation operates in Zebediela Estate at Lepelle Nkumpi Municipality within Capricorn District Municipality. It was challenged by the escalating death within the farming community as a result of HIV/ AIDS. The communities brought in Orphans for assistance with food, social grants, clothes and school uniforms. The project grew from HIV AIDS programme to a Drop in Centre and is embarking on sustainable income generating activities for Support Group and Youth Programme for Grade 12 learners. The Absa funds will be invested towards training 32 Care Giver training on HIV/AIDS, OVC programme, facilitation, operational items, monitoring and evaluation, assessment, Youth development programme for four Grade 12 Learners, and for administration. The Absa funding will be utilised towards Care Giver training, OVCs programme, Youth Development and three income generating projects.

It is the joint aim of Bophelong Day Care Project and Absa to develop a project that is not only self sustainable but profitable with the aim of ultimately decreasing reliance on donor funding. Absa has been the major funder of this project since 2008.  

“One of Absa’s driving goals in Corporate Social Investment is to deliver a better life to as many South Africans as possible,’ she said, adding that by providing people with entrepreneurial skills is just as crucial as it will enable the foundation to run its organisation much more efficiently. Absa will continue to seek initiatives that contribute positively to the poor, rural communities, as a responsible corporate citizen, this is strategically imperative for the Group,” Ralinala said.

Mavis Mathabatha (Project Manager), Helen Mazwi (Caregiver) and Martha Tladi (Absa CSI Consultant) at the cheque handover to Sedikong sa Lerato project.

In its efforts to contribute to poor communities, today Absa injected R350 000 to the Sedikong sa Lerato project which will go towards supporting the Moringa production, expansion of the farm, materials, managerial and technical training, mentorship, transport, additional borehole and administration.

Sedikong sa Lerato (Circles of Love in Sepedi), was established in January 2006 by the rural community of Tooseng in Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality, within the Capricorn District Municipality. The main objectives of this project are to address social ills such as hunger, poverty, unemployment, health with special emphasis on HIV and Aids, escalating the number of orphans and vulnerable women.

Sedikong sa Lerato is involved in multi-purpose activities such as bakery, gardening, drop-in centre and Moringa farming projects. Moringa herbal product was started by local community as a small scale farming project. Research shows that leaves of the Moringa tree are nutritious, far more than the vitamins and minerals contained in fruits and vegetables. It contains more protein and calcium than milk, plus all nine essential amino acids.

The project is able to provide food security and employment through its vegetable garden, since they supply both local and international markets with the end product of the Moringa tree.

The Moringa trees project is unique and will improve the lives of the local community in the province as well as the international community. In addition, the project stands to benefit 20 unemployed rural participants.

Echoing the partnership, Absa Regional Executive, Happy Ralinala, said “The Sedikong sa Lerato Project is an example of how communities can address poverty alleviation and the empowerment of rural communities through skills training and job creation. The ramifications and effects of HIV and Aids becomes bigger in conditions of poverty.”

“One of Absa’s driving goals in Corporate Social Investment is to deliver a better life to as many South Africans as possible,’ she said, adding that Absa will continue to seek initiatives that contribute positively to the poor, rural communities. As a responsible corporate citizen, this is strategically imperative for the Group,” Ralinala concluded.

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Graduates of the Letsema Learnership Programme who will work in Absa Polokwane.

What is Letsema Learnership programme and its objective?

The Letsema Project was launched in March 2004 as part of the Banking Sector’s commitment to the Financial Services Charter and the National Skills Development Strategy.

This project aims to provide learners with a formal qualification and practical experience in the banking sector.  Learnerships were introduced in the Skills Development Act (1998) in order to give government a tool to invest massively in the skills development for empowerment and economic purposes.  Learnerships combine both knowledge and work experience components of learning.  This is believed to be the most time and cost effective way to empower learners with economically relevant skills that give them better employment prospects than traditional knowledge –heavy qualification, or work experience- heavy trades.

Learnerships therefore are and important tool in the hands of government which seeks to reduce unemployment and poverty.  Develop the skills of the South African workforce.  Increase the levels of investment in education and training by both employers and employees.  Improve employment prospects of previously disadvantaged persons.  Ensure the quality of education and training both in and for the workplace.  Assist work seekers to find work, provide and regulate employment services

The Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA) of South Africa developed this programme across the banking sector with the following intent:

· To support transformation and people development through partnerships with the Banking Sector.

· To enable stakeholders to advance the national and global position of the broader banking and microfinance sector Provide opportunities to matriculants to obtain a qualification and experience to position them for future careers in Banking.  The programme requires a combination of theoretical and practical knowledge with the aim of enhancing the youth’s employability.

Thus far 6186 learners were recruited for the learnership. The project boasts close to a 90% successful completion rate and an 80% plus employment rate. The 1000 learners who are part of the 2011 intake will be graduating in March 2012.

When is it launching and how long will it take?

In 2012 Absa will host 587 of the 900 learners recruited for 2012. Our continued support for these programmes is due to the successes that we have experienced in previous years. Learnership programmes are key contributors to skills development, job creation and social responsibility in the South African banking sector and other sectors.

The learnership will commence on 1 February 2012 and last till 31 January 2013.

 Why is Absa participating in the programme?

 Absa has supported this programmes since its inception in 2004 and recognises the value of building our country’s talent pool. The uptake of graduates from the programmes suggests that the learners are becoming a valuable skills resource which the banking sector utilises as a buffer against skills shortages. Learners who become permanent employees reduce our dependence on temporary employees and are seamlessly integrated into the Absa environment.

How will business benefit out of the programme?

The strategic intent of the BANKSETA aligns with the retail strategy, which requires more optimal deployment and utilization of available resources in Retail Distribution.  This requires that we look at this programme from a learning and development perspective as well as a staffing solution perspective.

The business rationale for Absa is to:

Enable the intent of the BANKSETA.  Opportunity and Skills development.

Providing learners with an “Absa Experience” that will further build the employment brand.

Developing a multi-skilled capability/Resource for utilization across at least two front line roles.

Developing skills and capability for further utilization in Absa Flexi Staffing Solutions, Absa Group or Banking Industry.

Increasing customer experience and income whilst reducing our cost to serve.

Providing business with a capable, compliant and fully licensed frontline resource that can be utilised during peak periods of the business to enable improved customer service, potentially at a lower cost than current available solutions.

Utilising the Letsema programme is a preferred talent Pipeline for front line Supervisory roles.

Reducing our dependency on vendors and utilize available resources more optimally.

Where will these learners be based in the business?

The project is implemented nationally and 15 employers are participating in 2012. (Absa, Standard, FNB, Nedbank, SARB & African Bank….)

587 learners will be joining Absa on 1 February 2012. 500 of theses learners will be placed nationally in Retail Distribution.

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Absa Small Business’ Enterprise Development Centre celebrated with entrepreneurs who were enrolled on their Enterprise Growth Programme (EGP) 2011 recently.

Delegates graduated after accessing the following business tools:

• Various business services through the bank's Enterprise Development Centres such as access to internet, boardroom facilities, printing facilities etc; 
• A seven-month training programme covering financials, marketing etc; and continual support through the bank's financial support centre. 
• Technical experts as well as mentors to offer advice.

The purpose of the EGP is to:

• Offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional mentorship programmes already offered in the market.
• Boost the growth of existing and potential new SMEs
• Make Enterprise Development work in SA
• Ensure that business owners become successful and have confidence in managing their business’s financials effectively to ensure maximum success rates
• Reduce the bank’s risk when offering loans to SMEs

Some of the highlights of the programme:

• 90% completed the programme 
• 10% drop out
• 31% actively utilise the Financial Support Centre
• 51% used some practical learnings from the course to change an important driver in their business
• 80% payment on the Business Essentials

“We all know that with the current economic challenges that are even affecting the more established economies, by placing more emphasis on small businesses, we will be bettering our chances of creating employment and thereby contributing meaningfully towards our country’s economy,” says Shantal Pillay, General manager for Absa’s Small Business. "Small Business is serious business in Absa and we are equally delighted that we could contribute this way, into the lives of the graduates.” 

The programme leader was Erwin Middleton, Enterprise Development Consultant at Absa. 

The graduates and Absa staff:

Graduates, Absa staff and guests at the graduation. Nico Prinsloo of MyPolokwane gave a lecture on the value of Social Media for small businesses during the programme:

Photos: Lensflaire

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With September being Heritage Month, it is befitting to direct attention to the importance of building a strong financial heritage for yourself and your family.

A Trust is a key instrument that could be used to protect one’s assets. The importance of estate planning, including the setting up of a Trust as an estate planning tool, cannot be over emphasised.

A Trust is a written agreement between the founder and the trustee in terms of which assets are transferred by the founder to the trustee to administer on behalf of nominated beneficiaries. A Trust is therefore, a convenient vehicle that offers you a comprehensive range of functions, including the protection of the interests of your beneficiaries.

Some of the advantages that a Trust offers include the following:

    Estate Duty, Executor’s fees and other costs can be minimised.
    To provide for your children’s’ future educational needs.
    Protects irresponsible beneficiaries from themselves, as well as third parties.
    Professional services from an impartial Trustee (e.g. Absa Trust) with a wealth of knowledge, experience and resources.
    A convenient vehicle to manage assets on behalf of more than one beneficiary.
    Income benefits.
    Meeting the stipulations of a divorce order.

There are several types of Trusts, including Testamentary Trust and the Living or Inter Vivos Trust. 

A Testamentary Trust is established in terms of your Will and seeks to manage and protect the assets of minors, other family members, charities or other nominated beneficiaries.

The Testator/ Testatrix can determine the conditions and termination date of the Testamentary Trust.

The Living or Inter Vivos Trust is a flexible estate planning and asset management tool that will make it easier for you to meet your objectives. It will enable you to preserve and manage your assets today, while planning wisely for tomorrow. This Trust is created while you are alive and is a flexible, dynamic entity that will grow, acquire or dispose of assets, make donations and meet payments.

The Trust Deed for the Living Trust is registered with the Master of the High Court. There are certain costs involved, but the cost of setting up a Trust and the administration thereof should be weighed against the future benefits and savings through the Trust. The Founder can determine the conditions and termination date of the Living Trust.

Other forms of trusts include an Employee Benefit Trust or Beneficiary Fund.  This is a convenient vehicle for the investment and administration of lump sum benefits that are payable from the Pension or Provident Fund following an individual’s death.

A Third Party Trust has its origin in injuries that are sustained in a motor vehicle accident. It is established by a court order or agreement and is managed by a Trust company for the benefit of a road accident victim.

An Agency Trust or Financial Management Trust, also known as Power of Attorney, is set up to administer the assets of individuals who are unable or unwilling to do so themselves. This is a flexible financial solution that allows you peace of mind with the knowledge that your financial affairs are in good hands. The client remains the sole owner of his/ her assets, while an authorised person or company attends to the administration thereof.

In the case of a Curatorship, the Master of the High Court appoints a Curator Bonis to manage the financial affairs of an individual who may be incapable of doing so due to reasons such as mental incapacity.

Setting up a Trust requires knowledge of both the legal principles and the framework governing Trust instruments. It is advisable to make use of the services of professionals when setting up a Trust. 

For more information on these trusts and related service offerings, speak to your Absa Bank Consultant or a Financial Adviser at your nearest Absa Branch.

Vanya Terblanche is the National Manager: Trust Services at Absa       

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Absa in Hans van Rensburg Street, Polokwane entered two teams for the 2011 Cansa Polokwane Relay for Life event that will be held in October.

Businesses can still enter for the event to use it as a team building opportunity.

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Absa, as a partner of the Nelson Mandela Foundation since the declaration of July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day by the United Nations in 2009, is to embark on its “take action, inspire change” campaign in an endeavour to improve literacy among children.

The bank’s latest literacy campaign follows soon after recent media reports that painted a very disappointing picture of the state of literacy among children in South Africa.

“We have taken note of the reports that our country’s children are rated as some of the worst readers on the continent. Absa will be using Nelson Mandela International Day to encourage our employees to participate in literacy-related activities that we hope will inspire change in our children,” says the bank’s General Manager for Corporate Social Investment, Mihloti Mathye.

“Teams of Absa employees across the country will be visiting primary schools over two weeks this month, to read the children’s abridged version of Long Walk to Freedom to learners. We will also be donating copies of the book to the schools’ libraries,” she added.

Mathye says the book is particularly appropriate at this time as it celebrates Madiba’s life while promoting awareness of his contribution to our society to the next generation of leaders.

“We are mindful of Tata Madiba’s words, that ‘there can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children’. On Madiba’s birthday, Absa will be joining many organisations globally to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate,” concludes Mathye.

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Absa Limpopo recently donated R 1 000 000 to four community organisations in Limpopo. The handover was held at Bolivia Lodge outside Polokwane with the premier of Limpopo, Mr Cassell Mathale as the guest of honour.

The event was also attended by Mihloti Mathye; General Manager - Corporate Social Investment of Absa, Happy Ralinala; Absa Regional Executive and Happy Ntshingila; Chief Marketing and Communication Officer of Absa.

Absa Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Open Days reflect on the past year and celebrate Absa’s national, provincial and local social responsibility milestones and achievements.

Absa’s CSI objectives are aligned to those of the national agenda and seek to enhance initiatives that help in job creation, poverty alleviation, skills development and the upliftment of disadvantaged individuals
and communities.

“Through such programmes, most of the bank’s initiatives aim to cushion the threat of food security to indigent communities and to help in the attainment of the continent’s millennium development goals,” said
Absa CSI general manager, Mihloti Mathye.

The Open Days are another opportunity for Absa and its partners to reflect on the country’s current social, developmental and economic needs as well as to celebrate Absa’s key CSI
successes.

The Open Days also present an opportunity to raise awareness about CSI activities among Absa employees and to encourage the spirit of volunteerism, for which the Absa Group is widely renowned.

For meaningful community impact, Absa works in partnership with various stakeholders and partners. The Open Days, therefore, present an opportunity to celebrate these partnerships, share best practice and
recognise innovation.

“Additionally, the Open Days afford us an opportunity to update stakeholders on Absa’s CSI strategy, celebrate our joint achievements and solicit feedback from stakeholders,” stated Mathye.

Each year, three provinces are selected for the Open Days. More than R1 million are handed over to various community organisations and partners in each of the selected provinces.

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The Mapatata A Limpopo choir will represent Absa Limpopo at the 7^th Absa Internal Choir Festival at Monte Casino on the 20^th of July.  The choir consist of 32 talented Absa employees from as far as Musina and Burgersfort who love singing and use this unique Absa initiative to display their talent. Choirs will compete on two songs; a prescribed Absa song as well as an own choice song compiled by the choir themselves.  

Agnes Qwabe, Project Director, Martha Manamela, CSI Consultant, Absa, Billy Moloto, Chairperson and Hannetjie de Wet, Regional  Manager West of Absa.

Absa recently donated R250 000 to the Fanang Diatla Self Help Project in Ga-Mathabatha in Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality of Limpopo.

Through this funding, 34 people will acquire quality technical and managerial skills in vegetable gardening, poultry and juice-making. This will contribute to more women and children being able to participate in the mainstream economy.

Regional Executive for Limpopo, Happy Ralinala, said that Absa is proud to be associated with initiatives like this one as it is an opportunity to contribute towards Absa’s early childhood development programme. “At Absa we have always taken pride in being part and parcel of the communities that we serve and this campaign attests to our constant efforts at being a people-oriented organisation. We will continue to be involved in social responsibility initiatives that directly impact our communities,” said Ralinala.

Fanang Diatla Self Help Project was established in 1999. Its main objectives are to address social ills such as health, especially HIV and AIDS, the escalating number of orphans and vulnerable children as well as poverty eradication through creating sustainable multi job creation sub-projects for the rural community, specifically the youth and women.

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The Absa Small Business Banking team donated toiletries, toys and baby clothes to the Crisis Centre at Polokwane Child and Family Care Society.

Child and Family Care is still in need of a lawn mower, Wendy House and trampoline to keep the children busy.

Call them at 015 297 3326 if you can help.

Hans le Grange and Cheryl Gibson of Meals on Wheels, Gerrit Nel, Mathilda Erasmus, Karen Rall and Kgaugelo Sehlapelo of  Absa Private Bank at the handover of non-perishable goods to Meals on Wheels this week.

Bob Diamond, Group Chief Executive of Barclays PLC, has announced that Absa and Barclays have agreed to implement a full geographical and global product structure for Africa.

With effect from 1 July 2011, the head offices of Absa Africa and Barclays Africa will be operationally combined with a new regional office being established in Johannesburg in order to deliver the strategy of “One Bank in Africa”.

Together with our majority shareholder, Barclays, we have been exploring ways to leverage the significant potential of their combined African businesses with the view to providing our customers and clients with a more holistic service on the continent.

The focus now will be on the actions, including securing the requisite regulatory approvals, to establish the new regional office.  The intention is to better align our businesses to meet the needs of our customers and clients on the continent. The new geographical and global product structure will provide a platform that will enable us to look for opportunities to serve our customers and clients better, with the full range of products offered across both Absa and Barclays.

This is a crucial step towards realising the potential of the combined operations in Africa and delivering our “One Bank in Africa” vision.

At the appropriate time, further announcements will be made.

Ten simple tips on how you can better manage your finances could change your life.

Personal Loans Top Ten Truths 

1. Tell the truth to yourself: Intimately understand and acknowledge your personal financial situation and live within your means.
2. Tell the truth to your bank: Although as Absa bank, we have our check-points, we also rely on you to provide us with the most accurate information about your current finances in order to advise you on the best lending product to meet your needs. Besides, integrity looks great on everyone!
3. Don’t Keep up with the Radebes: Never allow other people’s apparent material success  derail you from your personal life plan and goals due to what they have or expect you to own. Besides, you don’t really know their true financial state of affairs, when they’re home alone.
4. Know how everything adds up: Be aware of everything that has an impact on your income and expenditure. For example, understand how to work out your tax. Understand, too, that that if you only put the switch off on your appliances and not at the plug-point, you’re paying extra for electricity... 
5. Plan ahead and budget carefully: This helps you to borrow responsibly and assist you to get financing easier should an emergency situation arise. It is also great  if you are able to identify any spare cash opportunities which you can save for that rainy day.
6. Get to understand the economy: You’d be surprised at just how much impact this has on each of us, our financial ambitions or circumstances as well as other areas of our lives. For instance, legislation is constantly changing, so read up on regulations like the Consumer Protection Act and understand how it impacts you. Be aware of fuel price hikes and plan your budget and – where possible – your travels accordingly.
7. Pay on time: Pay everything on time, every time – even the small things. Let it become part of the way you live your life. It simply makes life easier, and gives you one less thing to stress about. A good credit track record is worth its weight in gold.
8. Don’t be shy to negotiate: If you’re in a situation where you’re after a high-value, or even low-value, item, discuss a discount with the seller and see if you can bag a bargain. If you can’t get a better deal, you will at least know that you have tried and stand a chance to improve your bargaining skills. Additionally, don’t be shy to shop around – you could find the same or similar product elsewhere at a more cost-effective rate.
9. Every cent counts: Don’t think that “it’s just two-rands or five rands”  Think about every R5 and R2 you have disregarded in this way your entire life and wonder about the sum total of it all. What could you have done with this money, if you hadn’t just disregarded or misused it?
10. Grow as a person: Educate yourself, read as often as you can to stay relevant in our ever-changing world and be a star at what you do. Whether your dream is to get that promotion, or even if you’ve reached your desired place and position in life, never stop learning. If nothing else, it will keep you interested and interesting.