By Staff Reporter
news@alexreporter.co.za
As the headline sponsor of Idols SA2022, Standard Bank has partnered with the top 10 finalists of the competition to support the young artists as they continue their paths to realising their career goals and dreams.
In addition to providing financial winnings to the finalists totalling R450 000, the IdolsSA finalists, alongside local artists who were honoured recently at Standard Bank’s Young Artist Awards, were treated to a mentorship day, aptly dubbed Beyond Art. Standard Bank’s own experts including Dr Thanduhlanga Tshume, Head of Generational Wealth at Standard Bank Wealth and Investment, empowered artists with financial literacy knowledge while public relations expert, Penny Motsamai, shared guidance and insights on brand building, to help the artists and performers create a more sustainable path for their careers.
For IdolsSA runner-up, Nozi Sibiya, the mentorship day offered an insightful, worthwhile experience.
“I learnt so much about social media and conducting yourself as a creative. Understanding how to engage with my social media followers and writing for them will make such a difference for me,” she said.
Composer, Msaki, noted that the mentorship day brought home the importance of making sure the basics are in place for a sustainable career in the creative industry:
“I appreciated this session because it reminded me – and hopefully everyone that attended – that we need to think long-term.
“It’s about keeping track of practical, prudent matters, such as being able to look after your finances and building relationships with relevant stakeholders.”
Standard Bank is no stranger to supporting the arts, from Joy of Jazz to the National Arts Festival and much more. This initiative, however, is where the bank’s commitment to creative expression meets its mandate to empower the youth.
The Idols SA Season 18 finalists, as well as the 13 young artists featured as part of an immersive art exhibition recently held at the Standard Bank Art Gallery, titled We Are Culture, are benefiting from this investment, including exclusive access to relevant Standard Bank products and solutions.
Each artist also received the following:
- A Standard Bank Mobile sim card and device, pre-loaded with 50GB once-off data with no expiry date for business purposes
- A free SnapScan starter kit, including a free sign up
- Free access to Standard Bank’s SimplyBlu e-commerce platform, which offers everything you need to run your online business, from a customisable e-commerce website to secure payment solutions, until 31 December 2023
- Access to Standard Bank Insurance information and offerings
- Merchandise from Drip Footwear
“At Standard Bank, we have undertaken various initiatives and entered impactful partnerships that have allowed us to execute our mandate of investing in South Africa’s youth and helping them to achieve their dreams.
“With access to relevant products and solutions, combined with advice, mentorship and guidance, we believe that they will be fully equipped with the tools and knowledge to build successful careers and create, grow and preserve wealth in the future.”
Itumeleng Matlaila, Marketing Executive: Youth, Mass and Middle Segments at Standard Bank, adds that the bank’s purpose is to drive Africa’s growth, “but in order to achieve that growth, we must provide comprehensive, quality education, skills development, and overall empowerment tools for young people in the country and in other regions across the continent”.
With this in mind, Standard Bank launched the 10% Millionaires (10pM)Movement to inspire young South Africans to save or generate their first R100 000 – 10% of a million rand – by the age of 30.
The movement aims to see young people develop the right mindset and skills to build financial independence and provide them with invaluable support to achieve this milestone.
Part of this support includes free access to PluggedIn. This Standard Bank-owned digital platform encourages African youth to “plug in” to the economy by offering them access to free career tools and information to help them make career choices best suited to their strengths, interests, and industry preferences. PluggedIn also caters to those who would like to enhance their current skills or develop new skill sets.
“There is innate talent that exists on our continent and as Africa’s largest financial services organisation by assets, we are focused on supporting and investing in young people and helping them to achieve their dreams.
“It is our hope that the financial and non-financial support provided to some of these talented individuals serves as encouragement.
“The Standard Bank 10pM Movement is behind them every step of the way, and their involvement in the movement might just inspire others to join and start their journeys to realising their career potential and finding success in the modern economy.”
