Latest news with #StandardBankGroup
Daily Maverick
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
NAF 2025: A Celebration of Identity, Resilience, and the Power of Art
As the curtain falls on the 2025 National Arts Festival (NAF), South Africa's creative heartbeat echoes across the country louder than ever before. From 26 June to 6 July 2025 in Makhanda, the country's most iconic arts festival was a reminder that, even in challenging times, the arts remain important, not only as a form of expression but as a lens through which we define, examine, and reimagine ourselves. Now in its 51st year, the festival has become more than just an annual fixture on the cultural calendar. It is a living, breathing monument to creativity, courage, and community. Standard Bank has been a proud sponsor of the festival for more than 40 years. This year's edition, featuring cutting-edge theatre, experimental visual art, bold dance, soul-stirring poetry, and genre-defying music, was a masterclass in resilience, proof that the creative economy is not only alive but evolving. Sustaining such a powerful creative ecosystem, particularly in a country like South Africa, requires more than talent and vision; it demands a deeply rooted, strategic investment that is consistent and long-term. Standard Bank Group Head of Sponsorship, Bonga Sebesho reflects on the longevity and legacy of the partnership with the NAF. 'We've been a part of this festival for over 40 years,' Sebesho shared during a special broadcast at the festival. 'It's one of the longest sponsorships in South Africa, and it speaks volumes about the trust, partnership, and belief we have in the arts.' Standard Bank's sponsorship isn't just corporate social responsibility; it's a strategic pillar aimed at sustainability, growth, and economic impact. 'The creative economy is a crucial sector. It creates jobs, it uplifts youth, and it shapes how we think and engage with each other. Supporting the arts is not an optional nice-to-have; it's an economic imperative,' he said This year's festival brought together over 2,500 artists across disciplines, from dance and theatre to visual arts and literature, along with production crews, vendors, and service providers, all contributing to the local and national economy. The ripple effect of this activity, especially in a small town like Makhanda, cannot be overstated. 'When we support the National Arts Festival, we're also supporting the small businesses, the guesthouses, the caterers, the artisans, and the community groups who keep this town running,' Sebesho added. Topping the list of Standard Bank's celebrated cultural investments is the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards (SBYA). This prestigious platform has launched the careers of some of South Africa's most celebrated artists, giving them space not only to present new work but also to refine their voices and connect with national and international audiences. 'We're proud to provide a platform where artists can test new work, take risks, and grow,' Sebesho said. 'And not just for national visibility, but for global recognition. We identify artists who are going to make it on the world stage.' Many SBYA recipients, including Gregory Maqoma, Koleka Putuma, and the late Dada Masilo, have made their mark on international stages. The awards, which have now become a career-defining milestone for young creatives, are a symbol of the deep investment Standard Bank has made in artistic excellence. Reflecting on how the bank measures return on such a long-term cultural investment, Sebesho said: 'Yes, there's brand sentiment and love, but beyond that, we look at real impact: how we support communities like Makhanda, how we grow with them, and how we uplift the arts sector meaningfully.' It's not just about visibility during the festival, but about year-round involvement. From sponsoring recycling initiatives and youth workshops to co-supporting community-led road repairs and skills development programmes, the partnership between Standard Bank and the NAF is deeply embedded in the fabric of the town. 'Our involvement with Makhanda doesn't begin and end with the festival dates,' Sebesho emphasised. 'We are part of this community. Our contribution is year-long.' Looking ahead, Standard Bank sees the arts not just as a space for entertainment, but as a vehicle for change. 'We want to continue creating platforms that matter. That means adapting, evolving, and staying relevant to new generations of talent,' Sebesho said. That includes more emphasis on inclusivity, sustainability, and youth engagement, with plans to expand existing initiatives and explore new ones in partnership with festival leadership and local arts organisations. This year, audiences were also introduced to newer festival offerings like the Igwijo youth competition, which invited under-21s to perform alongside legendary music group The Soil, bridging generations and spotlighting fresh voices. It's the kind of grassroots engagement that corporate partnerships can help amplify. The arts spark dialogue, inspire empathy, and shape national identity. They provide jobs, inspire innovation, and empower young people to tell their stories. Without sustained support, many of these voices may go unheard. Standard Bank's pop up restaurant in partnership with local eatery, Nic's Nest. And it's through partnerships like the one with Standard Bank, built on vision, longevity, and belief, that the festival can continue to grow, expand access, and deepen its impact. From bustling pop-up restaurants like 1862 at Nic's Nest, to sold-out runs at Fringe venues and jaw-dropping exhibitions at the Monument, the atmosphere in Makhanda was electric. But it was more than just excitement; it was purpose. So, as we close the chapter on this year's festival, one truth remains clear: investing in the arts is investing in the soul of the nation. And in 2025, that soul was ablaze.
Daily Maverick
11-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Standard Bank's Keep Growing campaign: A promise to embrace the journey of growth with customers
Standard Bank has launched its new 'Keep Growing' brand campaign, a powerful affirmation of the bank's purpose: 'Africa is our home, we drive her growth '. The advertising campaign, which launched with a brand advert in the South African market, champions the limitless potential of the African continent, its people and communities – recognising that every individual and every business possesses both the ability and desire to grow. As Africa's largest bank by assets with over 50,000 employees and 20 million customers, Standard Bank is uniquely positioned to drive the continent's growth as Africa's population surges towards an estimated 2.5 billion people by 2050. Standard Bank Group Chief Operating Officer Margaret Nienaber says: 'Our 163-year history on the continent gives us a deep understanding of Africa's unique context. This campaign is a statement of our unwavering commitment to the people of this continent. We want our customers to know that their dreams matter and that we're here to support them. We're not just their bank – we're their trusted partner on every step of their growth journey.' Created in partnership with M&C Saatchi Abel, part of the Up&Up Group, the campaign's creative direction captures a fundamental truth: growth transforms everything – it creates impact, unlocks opportunities, and has the extraordinary power to elevate all aspects of life, from financial prosperity to personal fulfilment and thriving communities. Diana Springer, Standard Bank's Head of Group Brand and Marketing, says: 'We wanted to ensure the message truly resonated with our markets. The creative treatment needed to be visually memorable and emotionally powerful. It was crucial for us to communicate that growth isn't always easy, but it is worth it. Our message is simple yet profound: Keep growing with Standard Bank by your side.' The Up&Up Group Chief Strategy Officer, Robert Grace, adds that: 'Instead of spotlighting the finish line, be it a new home or a thriving business, Keep Growing motivates us to focus on the climb itself. In a first for South African advertising, using the gimbal, the advertisement literally tilts the characters' environments, transforming their aspirations into a tangible, visual, uphill journey. It's an arresting image that mirrors the real-life, lived experiences of customers.' Zoe Modiga's powerful rendition of 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' brings soul and depth to the campaign – a perfect rendition for a story about resilience and growth. 'Zoe is a celebrated Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner, and her journey since receiving that recognition has been remarkable. She's become one of South Africa's most compelling voices in contemporary jazz and soul,' concludes Springer. The television commercial goes live in July 2025. DM
Bloomberg
11-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Tariff Turmoil Masks South Africa's Recovery, Standard Bank Says
The chaos wrought by a recent wave of US tariff actions may be obscuring early signs of recovery in South Africa's economy, Standard Bank Group Ltd. said. The recent downward revisions to the country's growth outlook are 'mostly a function of international flux, not so much a function of domestic concerns,' said Goolam Ballim, chief economist at Africa's largest bank by assets. 'It is international headwinds that have caused us to revise.'
Zawya
26-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Seboka to lead Standard Lesotho Bank as CEO
Standard Lesotho Bank, part of the Standard Bank Group of South Africa, the continent's biggest lender by assets, has named Samuel Seboka as its new CEO. Seboka has spent over a decade with Standard Lesotho Bank and is currently the Head of Corporate and Investment Banking. His earlier positions include being the Head of Internal Audit, Head of Channels and Distribution, and Head of Transactional Products and Services. Seboka's other senior roles include having been Head of Internal Audit, and Chief Financial Officer at the bank's leading competitor, Nedbank Lesotho. A Chartered Accountant (CA(L)) by training, accredited by the Lesotho Institute of Accountants, he also holds a Diploma in Forensic Investigations from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Standard Lesotho Bank provides the full spectrum of financial services through its two main divisions, Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) and Personal and Business Banking (PBB). Operating since 1995, the bank has a footprint across Lesotho and employs 700 staff. © Copyright IC Publications 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
SowetanLIVE
25-06-2025
- Business
- SowetanLIVE
Standard Bank unlocks millions in free radio airtime for entrepreneurs
In real terms, the value of this publicity is significant, adding up to about R300,000 worth of radio exposure for each business featured. Considering that a single 30-second advert on prime-time radio can cost thousands of rand, such opportunities are well beyond the reach of many small business owners. This initiative reflects Standard Bank's ongoing effort to find relevant and meaningful ways of backing entrepreneurs with impact, visibility and platforms they typically would not be able to access on their own. 'This regional radio campaign is not just about airtime, it is about unlocking access,' says Jenine Zachar, head of Value Propositions and Client Experience at Business and Commercial Banking SA, Standard Bank Group. 'For a small business, the right kind of publicity can be catalytic. It opens doors to new markets, builds credibility, and attracts customers they might not otherwise reach. When combined with the strength of our expert relationship managers, deep sector insights, and tailored solutions that respond to each business's unique context, this visibility becomes a powerful growth enabler. 'At Business and Commercial Banking, our greatest value lies in how we journey with a business, not just at startup phase, but as it scales and transitions into new levels of complexity, offering solutions that evolve in line with each stage of its growth. This campaign is a natural extension of that promise, to go beyond banking, and be a trusted partner for growth.' Through this regional radio campaign, Standard Bank is unlocking millions of rand worth of radio airtime for small businesses, positioning this initiative as a powerful SME growth enabler and catalyst for visibility in the market. In addition to the financial and publicity benefits, winners also gain access to the suite of services and tools available via Standard Bank's MyMoBiz business account, designed to simplify and streamline finances and support business growth. While the prizes are bigger for Standard Bank business account holders, there are winners regardless of whether participants hold existing Standard Bank business accounts, underscoring the bank's belief in backing all potential. By including a wide range of radio stations and regions, the campaign reflects the vibrant diversity and ambition of SA's entrepreneurial sector. The initiative complements Standard Bank's broader commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship, offering support at every stage of the business journey. As the campaign gains momentum across the airwaves and the entrepreneurial ecosystem, one thing is clear: Standard Bank is not just supporting small businesses, it is amplifying their stories, driving impact, and helping them build for lasting success. Listen out for the Standard Bank MyMoBiz and SimplyBLU radio campaign Rolling out across a number of regional radio stations across SA, this innovative campaign kicked off in March and is running until June. Participating radio stations include: Western Cape: KFM – March Heart FM – March, April Cape Talk – March Gauteng: 947 – April, May 702 – May Power FM – May, June Kaya FM – May, June KwaZulu-Natal: ECR – May, June Gagasi FM – May This article was sponsored by Standard Bank.
