ABSA staff volunteers assisted JA South Africa on Mandela Day 2017, where we partnered to implement the JA More than Money Programme, which teaches financial literacy. Together, we reached 90 Grade 5 to 7 learners at the Boys and Girls Club in Protea Glen, Soweto. Thank you to ABSA staff and our welcoming hosts at the Boys and Girls Club, who ensured that the students came and that everything ran smoothly.
ABSA staff arrived bright and early to be briefed on how to lead the teams in the entrepreneurship sessions for the day. The learners were divided into groups and first they came up with team names and war cries – one team chose Mandela Magic as their name and another the Nelson Mandela Crew. Each team enthusiastically belted out their war cry.
Then the learners were guided through a game that introduced the concepts of earning, spending, saving and investing. This was followed by a session where they identified problems they could be solved in society by applying their skills and talents. Through this process they came up with potential businesses and the ABSA mentors spoke to them about drawing up a business plan. Then they presented their business ideas and receive advice.
Far from being a once-off event, this is a milestone in the long-standing partnership with Junior Achievement, not only in South Africa but also in Africa through their parent company Barclays Africa Group. “This marks but one day of continued support of the sustainable efforts of community organisations,” says Tshepo Mdwaba, ABSA Head of Citizenship for Gauteng South. “Our citizenship strategy is based on the idea that communities must thrive and thus we focus on education, skills training, enterprise development and financial inclusivity.”
May our partnerships continue to plant seeds that enable youth to unlock their entrepreneurial potential.
ABSA staff of Gauteng South Region from left to right, Banie Claasen, Managing Executive, Tshepo Mdwaba, Head of Citizenship, and Paul Counihan, Head of Private Bank
