Africanbank wins big at Top Empowerment Awards

Johannesburg  - Africanbank is proud to announce that it has won the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace of the Year Award at the prestigious Oliver Top Empowerment Awards 2024 which were held on 18 July in Parktown. This win follows on its 2023 win for Enterprise and Supplier Developer of the Year in recognition of their work in empowering and upskilling entrepreneurs and SMMEs.

The awards, now in their 23rd year, honour outstanding leaders and organisations in South Africa demonstrating a remarkable commitment to empowerment and transformation. This year, Africanbank's dedication to socio-economic development and diversity and inclusion has been recognised with top honours.

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award is awarded to a company that is  able to show preferential recruitment policies, skills development programmes and the progress they have made in transforming their workplace.

"At Africanbank, we believe that true empowerment goes beyond financial support; it encompasses the holistic development of individuals and communities. Our focus on education, skills development and inclusive practices ensures that we are not just a bank, but a catalyst for positive change. Winning this award is an honour and reinforces our mission to advance lives and create a brighter future for all South Africans," says Edna Sathekga-Montse, Africanbank Group Chief Transformation and Sustainability Officer.

Key initiatives include:

Accelerated Learner Support Programme: Aiding 300 high school learners in Gauteng, KZN and Eastern Cape with extra classes and meals to improve grades, university entrance rates and participation in science and mathematics fields. The Accelerated Learner Support Program offers additional classes in Mathematics, Science and English to Grade 10-12 students, boosting their university entrance prospects.

Youth Development Programme (YDP25): This programme assists young people who face financial constraints in pursuing tertiary education.

Skills Development: Africanbank has invested a minimum of 2% of its payroll into the skills development of black employees, showcasing its commitment to uplifting its workforce.

Women Accelerator Development Programme and Women Enterprise Development Programme (WEDP): These programmes empower women through leadership and entrepreneurial support.

Disability Network: A commitment to making Africanbank the most accessible and inclusive for clients, customers and colleagues.

Multicultural and Multigenerational Programmes: Focused on unconscious bias training and generational diversity in the workplace.

LGBTQIA+ Support: Ensuring non-discrimination and harassment-free environments based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

"Our strategy, 'For the people, by the people, serving the people,' is at the core of everything we do, so being recognised in these awards is a wonderful reward and reminder that we are on the right path as we continue to create lasting impact through sustainable growth and innovative transformation," concludes Sathekga-Montse.