Ray Maota
Nedbank chairman, Reuel Khoza (in grey suit seated) with representatives from the sponsors of the My Future, My Career campaign.
Albert Zitha from Katlehong went to previous instalments of the campaign and was able to receive seven distinctions in matric in 2012. This includes getting 100% for both mathematics and physical science.
(Images: Ray Maota)
MEDIA CONTACTS
• Nkosinathi Msiza
Nedbank: Communications
+ 27 71 670 3560
Nedbank, one of South Africa’s big four banks, has launched the fourth instalment of its career guidance initiative for underprivileged high school pupils, which will benefit more than 24 000 pupils.
My Future, My Career was launched at Nedbank’s head offices in Sandton on 22 January.
Career guidance a must
It will feature more than 115 careers in 16 industries in movie episodes screened at Ster-Kinekor cinemas countrywide.
In its fourth year, the bank will invest more than R3.5-million (US$429 246) in the campaign. It will give pupils in grades 9 to 12 an understanding of the requirements for various professions, including personalities suited to each career. By the end of its third year, the programme had reached 112 000 pupils with an investment of R13.8-million ($1 558-million).
Kone Gugushe, Nedbank’s divisional executive for corporate social responsibility, said: “Education is one of our key focus areas and 50 % of our corporate social investment goes towards it. This programme contributes towards our goal of creating a knowledge-based economy, which helps to drive our country’s growth and development.
“Career guidance plays an important role in shaping the minds of pupils to choose a suitable career path. My Future, My Career is a fun and interactive programme which continues to make a difference to underprivileged pupils across the country.”
The programme, which is endorsed by the Department of Basic Education, was conceptualised by Primestars Marketing, which is also the project manager. It forms part of Nedbank’s integrated and holistic education interventions model, which stands on two pillars. The first focuses on education across an individual’s life stages and the second on holistic support of beneficiary schools.
Martin Sweet, the managing director of Primestars, said the programme enabled participating pupils to prepare themselves for the transition into the world of work, helping them to develop their own individual career ambitions while simultaneously strengthening the skills base of the country.
Nedbank and Primestars are joined by the Gauteng City Region Academy, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, the National Youth Development Agency, Total Coal, AECI, and the JD Group as sponsors of the programme.
A success story
Albert Zitha from Katlehong, who attended previous campaigns of this programme, passed matric in 2012 with seven distinctions.
He scored 100% in both mathematics and physical science, and is now enrolled to study civil engineering at the University of Pretoria.
“Access to information and career guidance plays a critical role in helping learners decide on a career choice. This programme guided me clearly in choosing my current studies,” said Zitha. “I commend Nedbank for this initiative and strongly encourage pupils to make use of this programme as it will guide them in the right direction with regards to their career choices.”
Where to view screenings
The content of the programmes’ 16 episodes includes: accounting; law; entrepreneurship; mining and engineering; education; health; information technology; construction; travel and tourism. And each student leaves each session with a booklet for referral.
Screenings start on 27 January. The subjects on each day are:
· Entrepreneurship and tourism – 27 January;
· Criminal justice and law – 3 February;
· Health services and education – 10 February;
· Banking, finance and accounting – 17 February;
· Arts and culture – 24 February;
· Transport, logistics and distribution – 24 February;
· Information technology and communication – 3 March;
· Mining, engineering and construction – 10 March; and,
· Environment and property – 17 February.
They will take place at selected Ster-Kinekor cinemas:
· Gauteng – Brooklyn Commercial in Pretoria, and Eastgate, Sandton City, Southgate, Eastrand Mall and Westgate Mall in Johannesburg;
· KwaZulu-Natal – Broadwalk in Richards Bay;
· Limpopo – Mall of the North in Polokwane;
· Mpumalanga – The Ridge Casino; and,
· Western Cape – Cavendish Commercial in Claremont.
