STANDARD BANK PARTNERS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO STRENGTHEN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION

Standard Bank, the largest bank in Africa by assets, continues to make a meaningful impact in education and community development across South Africa by investing in the future of young learners. Through its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programmes, Standard Bank is not only improving learning environments but also fostering a culture of literacy, resilience, and empowerment in communities nationwide.

Early childhood development (ECD) plays a pivotal role in shaping a child’s future, laying the foundation for cognitive growth, emotional resilience, and lifelong learning. By nurturing young minds today, ECD initiatives help build a future workforce equipped for the demands of tomorrow, reinforcing the broader mission of driving sustainable growth and positive change across the country.

Back2School and ECD Handover: Limpopo

Recognising this, and as part of its broader commitment to social and economic transformation, Standard Bank recently delivered one Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) and upgraded another in Limpopo’s Vhembe District.

A complete ECDC consists of one or more steel Edutainers, a Service Centre (inclusive of a sickbay, kitchen, office), a Soap & Wash Station (SWS), outdoor play equipment, flushing toilet facilities (either main sewer line or septic tank), and fencing.

An Edutainer, developed by the Bright Kids Foundation, is an ‘instant classroom’ made from a 12-meter shipping container, ideal for pre-school classrooms, taking up to 25 children.

It offers a pragmatic and innovative way to address challenges of developed classroom infrastructure in predominantly remote locations. Edutainers are usually fitted with windows and doors, insulated, electrified, furnished, and then delivered to a community and installed on prepared concrete footings.

“We have taken a long view in investing in ECDCs as a tangible outlet for childhood development, we firmly believe that where we have partnered to deliver edutainers they have made an impactful difference to young lives,” says Zanele Shabalala, Manager for CSI Projects at Standard Bank.

Through its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme, Standard Bank has thus far invested in providing 13 ECDCs across the country and has ambition to continue the partnership in other parts of the country. Since its establishment in 2009, the Luvhone Community Centre in Ha-Masia has been a lifeline for early childhood care and education. But with only two small classrooms, pit lavatories, and meals cooked over a traditional wood fire, the centre has faced significant hurdles in providing a safe and healthy environment for its little learners.

The ECDC donated to the community consists of a state-of-the-art facility valued at R1.5 million, complete with flushable toilets, water tanks, and a service centre featuring a sickbay.

The new sanitation facilities, complete with handwashing stations, are a game-changer for hygiene and health. Meanwhile, the sickbay ensures that children who fall ill can rest and recover in a safe, nurturing environment. Add to that the provision of educational resources like books, teaching aids, and child-friendly furniture, and it’s clear that the Luvhone Community Centre is now a place where children can truly flourish.

Why Quality ECD Matters: Building the Foundation for Success

The importance of early childhood development cannot be overstated. Research shows that the first few years of a child’s life are critical for brain development, shaping their future success in school and beyond. By investing in quality ECDCs, through better infrastructure, educational resources, and a focus on health and safety, Standard Bank is setting the stage for lifelong learning and positive outcomes.

“For the children at Mashudu Khumbe and Luvhone, Standard Bank’s donation and upgrade is more than just a giftit’s a promise. A promise that they will have the tools, resources, and support they need to reach their full potential,” concludes Shabalala.

This partnership between Standard Bank and local communities is a testament to the power of collective action. It’s a reminder that when businesses, communities, and individuals come together, we can create meaningful change, one child, one classroom, and one community at a time.

Back2School Stationery

Handover: Western Cape and Free State

STANDARD BANK AND BOOK WORLD: STATIONERY HANDOVER AND WORLD READ ALOUD DAY 2024

The Back2School Campaign by Standard Bank CSI coincides with World Read Aloud Day/Month, emphasising the bank's dedication to education and community engagement. Standard Bank actively creates opportunities for its employees to volunteer their time, skills, and resources to non-profit organisations/schools, helping them build stronger connections with local communities.

As part of this year’s campaign, the first phase involved the distribution of stationery backpacks by SBSA employees to learners. This initiative was significant to the bank as it reflected Standard Bank's core values of supporting communities, empowering individuals, and promoting education. By providing essential school supplies, the bank helped alleviate some of the barriers students faced in accessing the tools they need to succeed academically. Additionally, it provideed employees with a meaningful opportunity to give back and engage with the communities they serve.

World Read Aloud Day was celebrated on 05 February 2025. Standard Bank partnered with Book World for the WRAD and Back2School campaign that took place on 11 February and 14 February 2025. A total of 2,500 stationery packs were distributed to learners, with additional sanitary towels provided to girls in grades 5-7.

Back2School Therapy

Handover: KwaZulu-Natal

Standard Bank’s commitment to community development was once again demonstrated through its generous donation of the Back2School initiative at the William Clarke Children’s Home, in Durban. This contribution has made a significant impact, improving both the emotional and physical well-being of the children while also enhancing the efficiency of operations within the home.

As children prepared to return to school, this initiative provided an opportunity to ensure they had the necessary resources to start the academic year with confidence. More than just material support, the event reinforced the value of community engagement, showing both the children and their caregivers that they are valued and appreciated.

The primary goal of the donation was to equip the children with essential school supplies while fostering emotional resilience and self-worth. A key component of the initiative was ensuring that the children had access to necessary cognitive and play therapy, helping them develop both physically and emotionally.

Standard Bank’s contributions were aligned with the immediate needs of the William Clarke Children’s Home, including:

• Therapy room enhancements

• Social Worker’s Office support

• Library and play area improvements

• Stationery packs for school readiness

By investing in the education and emotional well-being of these children, Standard Bank is helping to shape a brighter future. The Back2School initiative not only provided the necessary tools for academic success but also reinforced the importance of emotional support and community care.