Nedbank employees help address critical social issues through volunteerism

Johannesburg  - In a powerful demonstration of collective action to address pressing social challenges, Nedbank employees contributed over 4 500 hours of their time and expertise on Nelson Mandela Day and over the course of July, known as Nelson Mandela Month.

This remarkable effort embodies Nedbank's theme of 'It starts with us' and aligns with the national Mandela Month theme of 'It's in your hands', emphasising the impact possible when individuals and organisations unite to tackle critical issues facing South Africa.

Poovi Pillay, Executive Head of Corporate Social Investment (CSI) at Nedbank, emphasised that the bank's volunteerism efforts are deeply rooted in addressing real societal challenges. ‘Our commitment goes beyond simply taking employees out for a day of service,’ he explained. ‘We're fostering a culture of volunteerism that connects directly to critical issues affecting millions of South Africans, such as food insecurity, climate change resilience, and early-childhood development.’

Recognising that food security is a serious social issue affecting millions of people, and particularly very young children, Nedbank focused significant efforts on addressing this challenge. In Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Pietermaritzburg, 738 Nedbank employees participated in the Rise Against Hunger initiative, packing meals to alleviate food insecurity among vulnerable communities. Similarly, in Gqeberha, 90 employees contributed to food distribution efforts by packing parcels for Food Forward SA.

A total of 220 Nedbankers across the country supported the ECD Connect programme, which provides nutritious meals for children aged 1 to 6 years. The initiative, focused on early-childhood development (ECD) goes beyond meal provision, assisting unregistered ECDs to improve their facilities and teacher training to meet Department of Basic Education standards. This outcomes-based programme creates savings for ECDs through meal donations, which are then reinvested in critical areas such as first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, and classroom infrastructure. ‘Without access to proper nutrition and education, our country's future is at risk,’ Pillay noted. ‘By supporting ECD initiatives like this, we're investing in the foundation of our nation's development.’

Recognising the devastating potential impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, Nedbank deployed 40 volunteers to Tongaat for a 3-day project with the Humanitarian Empowerment Fund. These Nedbankers worked tirelessly to rebuild homes and develop community gardens, enhancing the community's resilience to future climate-related challenges.

In the Joe Slovo settlement in Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, 75 Nedbank volunteers partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build a complete house for a vulnerable family. The recipient, Bathini Gladies Njovane, is a 70-year-old pensioner caring for her 2 teenage grandchildren. Previously Previously living in a leaking 2-bedroom shack, the family now enjoys a safe, dignified home that isn’t a source of stress and a drain on their minimal social grant money.

Nedbank’s volunteers also provided support for another critical sustainable development focus area, namely addressing urban decay and resulting environmental concerns. A total of 100 employees from Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking participated in an inner-city clean-up initiative in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, thereby contributing to safer, cleaner urban spaces and promoting community pride and engagement.

Pillay highlights that Nedbank's volunteerism efforts extend beyond Mandela Day, with ongoing programmes designed to create lasting change. A prime example is the bank's ongoing Payroll Giving initiative, allowing employees to donate a portion of their salary every month, which is then matched by Nedbank before being disbursed to a number of approved charities and social upliftment programmes.

Pillay emphasised that Nedbank's approach aligns closely with its CSI Green Economy strategy, allowing employees to contribute to environmental causes while addressing pressing social issues. ‘As money experts who do good, we're harnessing our financial expertise to drive meaningful social action. Our goal is to engage at least 3 500 employees in ongoing volunteering efforts, setting a new standard for impactful, inclusive, and participation-driven corporate social responsibility in South Africa's financial sector.’

By focusing on volunteerism that addresses critical issues, Nedbank is not only honouring Nelson Mandela's legacy but also actively working towards sustainable positive change in South African communities. ‘This comprehensive, purpose-driven approach to volunteerism demonstrates how corporate resources and employee engagement can be directed strategically to address the country's most pressing challenges,’ Pillay said, ‘creating a lasting impact that extends far beyond a single day, or month, of service.’