Education and housing are two of the most debated topics amongst South Africans, so Standard Bank is providing life-changing opportunities.
Johannesburg, South Africa – 800 aspiring university students have had their educations fully funded. This is thanks to the creation of Feenix – a crowdfunding platform specifically designed for university students.
One of the 800 students that have seen the benefit of a successful Feenix crowdfund is Aqeela Parker. Her parents never had the opportunity to pursue a university education. Aqeela comes from a big family where funds for studies had to be divided between all the siblings; it seemed probable that Aqeela would follow in her parents’ footsteps.
When Aqeela came across Feenix, supported by Standard Bank, she finally got her chance to go to university. Today, Aqeela is proudly completing her Honours in Environmental and Water Science at the University of the Western Cape and is amazed that it took a mere five months for her degree to be fully funded.
The idea of Feenix was first born during the #FeesMustFall movement. The movement saw students coming together to challenge the expensive university fees. Their outcry resulted in South Africans sitting up and paying attention to the enormous challenges students were facing when trying to attend university.
Education is essential for South Africa’s growth and, after #FeesMustFall, Standard Bank asked how they could have a positive impact on tertiary education. Through Feenix, they connect funders with students through the principles of networking and collaboration. Students create a profile of themselves, which includes a photograph and their story, and which, says Feenix COO Leana de Beer, communicates to funders that, “These are the young people that you’re helping. They are empowered, they’re strong, they have agency”.
Not only is Standard Bank passionate about creating change in tertiary education, but the bank is also forging its way through the housing crisis in South Africa. Almost 80 per cent of South Africans cannot access home ownership. In Johannesburg alone, there is a backlog of 300,000 people waiting for homes.
Standard Bank is actively seeking to contribute meaningfully and sustainably towards solving some of the social ills plaguing society today. Through the South Hills integrated residential development, Standard Bank is not only making home ownership accessible to thousands of people but is implementing a model which is facilitating ways to integrate people, especially socially and economically.
Through a partnership between Standard Bank, City of Johannesburg, and Calgro M3 local jobs are created, which strengthens the economic position of families in the community. The development has a total of 5700 units approved.
One such beneficiary of a new home is Nomalizo Mba who has waited 22 years for her house, and now says she sleeps ‘like a baby’ at night because she has her own home. Developments are designed to bring people closer to environments of work, healthcare, schools, churches and play, and are not only providing security and comfort but can bring dignity to families, thereby transforming them.
As part of the #SAINC nation-building initiative, Standard Bank is joining a network of purpose-driven brands to share stories of positive progress in South Africa. These stories are being featured across social media in small snippets, just like the one below, but you will also be able to watch the full-length features live on television. You will find the airing times below.
19 May 2019 – eTV Open News – 18:30
20 May 2019 – eTV Open News – 15:30
01 June 2019 – SABC 2 – 14:30
23 June 2019 – eTV – 12:00
02 July 2019 – Business Day TV – 16:00
04 July 2019 – Business Day TV – 12:00
Watch a snippet of the story below:
Good Things Guy has partnered with Regency Global and Official Brand South Africa to bring you stories of how corporates and individuals are helping build our incredible nation.This week we're taking a look at an incredible South African company that has invested in more local content than ever, creating jobs and inspiring future generations to explore film and television careers.It's people and organisations like this that help move us forward!#GoodThings #NationBuilding �#SAINC
Posted by Good Things Guy on Thursday, 23 May 2019
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