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JB Marks Education Trust Fund Awards Evening

On the 8th September 2011, the JB Marks Education Trust Fund hosted an Awards Evening to recognise the achievements of their bursary recipients. Two of the eight Ubank bursary recipients who completed their degrees in 2010, were part of the thirty five graduates awarded prizes.

The guest speaker at the ceremony was Dr Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education, who appealed to the graduates to remember to payback by uplifting the communities they come from.

We would like to join the Ubank bursary graduates in celebrating their achievements. An important element of the Ubank Bursary Programme that contributed to their success is the Mentoring Programme which focuses on providing them with exposure to the working environment.

Nonoke Mogwera, a B. Com (Logistic Management) graduate opted to do her Honours rather than join the “working world” immediately. When interviewed, Noneke responses were:

How did exposure to the working environment assist you with your studies?
“With my studies, I mainly focused on the theory. Since working during my vacations I have gained a better understanding of what the theory means in real life. Dealing with customers is best learnt in the working environment. I have also learnt to express myself better, structure my study time more effectively and manage the workload.”

What would you like to say to Ubank?
“Prior to the opportunity of vacation work, I knew little of what “work life” could bring and what awaited me. The fact that I got vacation work and a mentor, meant that I was placed in an “elite” category that my peers could only dream about. I would like to thank Ubank for the great opportunity afforded to me, especially since this was a first of its kind. I am blessed and privileged to have been part of this project.”

Would you consider a career with Ubank in future?
“At the beginning of the project I mentioned to a colleague that I was coming after his job, so yes definitely I would consider a career at Ubank if the opportunity arose. Ubank is proving to be a force in the economic realm and is breaking the boundaries of just being associated with the mining sector, so I would not pass on an opportunity to be part of this change and shift.”

What do you think of the Mentoring and Coaching Programme?
“The Mentoring Programme was the first of its kind for Ubank and I feel they have done an excellent job compared with other bursary schemes which have had these types of programmes running for a while. The dedication they showed, the knowledge they imparted to us and the relationships we built have left a mark for a lifetime. Both mentors and mentees learnt from each other!”

What would your recommendation be for Ubank to improve on its bursary programme?
“With regard to improvement, I feel that perhaps mentors that are allocated should be people in middle management so that mentees can have them available when requiring help with placement for vacation work or during work. Mentees should be encouraged to communicate more with their mentors - during the good and bad times! Where possible, mentees should be placed as close to their homes for transport purposes. Rotation while working should be encouraged, so that mentees are exposed to as much as possible.”

Derick Elbrecht, a founder trustee of the JB Marks Education Trust, believes the bursary programme has been successful for the following reasons:
• It is empowering since it makes tertiary education not just a dream
   but a reality to the marginalised of our society,
• It is accessible to gifted learners that would ordinarily have become
   socio-economic casualties,
• Ubank’s sponsorship is highly regarded.

As part of the Ubank brand’s positioning, this also enables the bank to deliver on our community promise as the recipients of the bursaries are predominantly from communities served by the bank.

Well done to all our Ubank bursary recipients!

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Ubank builds the Community

On Thursday, 10th November 2011, there was great celebration as 150 desks were handed over to Thotagauta Secondary School in Thabong township, Welkom. In 2008, the school approached Ubank for assistance as they only had limited funds from the Department of Basic Education.

“We always thrive to create conducive learning environments through our Schools Development Programme. This school has 1228 learners and only 48 teachers. The shortage of desks makes learning and teaching even more difficult”, remarked Steven Machitje, a Sales Consultant from Ubank while addressing the guests.

“The timing is perfect as we now have the learners writing exams. We would like to thank Ubank for making this possible. We hope our relationship will go beyond this donation and continue into the future” added Mr Hlaole, Deputy Principal at Thotagauta Secondary School.

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Schools Benefit Programme

Through speaking to our customers and their families, predominantly living in rural areas, we understood that although many of these individuals qualified for government grants, provident funds and retrenchment packages, few knew how to claim for these funds.

In response to this, Ubank developed an `Access to Income` programme providing targeted communities with the knowledge and tools to make these claims successfully. The projects are focused on making a lasting impact in the community.

"My children do not suffer anymore. I dress them, feed them and have built a house from money received from grants."

"We are all aware that many people have benefited from Teba`s work in this community. They have helped my siblings to get access to their benefits after being retrenched within a short space of time. These people would not have received their money had Teba not intervened. Because my siblings benefited, I also feel that I have benefited." (Relative of deceased mineworker)

"After I got my money from the mines, I built a house, bought cattle and educated my children" (Widow)

"If you are a member of a child headed household and you do not have parents and you are the eldest in the family, you can apply for grants for your siblings using your ID"

Ubank is equally concerned about the education of our customers` children and has therefore focused a great deal of time and effort on creating conducive learning environments in previously disadvantaged schools.

The Schools Benefit Programme impacted the lives of learners and educators in the following communities:

Giyani; Tzaneen; Lebowagomo; Thohoyandou; Klerksdorp; Rustenburg; Lusikisiki; Bizana; Flagstaff; Idutywa; Tsolo; Umzimkulu; Mafeteng; Welkom.

We have currently identified a further 16 schools in the Mount Frere and Qwaqwa surrounds that will be assisted with maintenance and repairs on infrastructure, computer equipment, library material and books, etc. These items are identified in collaboration with the principals and local Department of Education representatives.

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