Nedbank’s R2.5 million Back to School Campaign has reached the Free State where the bank donated school items such as uniforms, shoes, stationery and bags benefiting over 200 disadvantaged learners from Ntumediseng, Leratong, Kgorathuto, Kgahuo and Lenyora La Thuto Secondary Schools.

Launched at Lenyora La Thuto Secondary School, Botshabelo the campaign serves as a demonstration of Nedbank’s ongoing commitment to address the challenges of education and poverty in South Africa. In 2012, the bank made an investment of R1.8 million in education for the Free State province on programmes such as the Nedbank Mobile Laboratory and Nedbank Matric Revision.

Speaking at the 2013 launch in Gauteng, Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga stressed that uplifting the standard of education is the responsibility of all in South Africa and commended Nedbank for playing an important role. "The Department of Basic Education is pleased to be part of Nedbank’s commitment to addressing the social issues that have a big impact on education. We certainly hope that other organisations will follow Nedbank’s example and play a part in preparing South Africa’s future leaders.  I would like to thank Nedbank for their efforts and encourage them to continue with their commitment to a better and quality education," said Angie Motshekga, Minister of Basic Education.

The month long campaign launched in N’wa Mhinga Primary School, Gauteng and has seen over 2000 learners across South Africa receive the school items. The campaign came to a close today following a Back to School Jamboree held on the 25 January 2013, in Sandton City, Johannesburg which encouraged individuals and organisations in South Africa to donate uniforms, shoes, bags and stationery to Nedbank branches. Contributions can still be made through donations at a minimum amount of R100 to Nedbank Savings Account: 2001120915 using "Back to School" as reference. In addition, people can SMS ’school’ to 40017 to donate R20. The bank aims to raise R500 000 worth of donated items for this campaign, which will reach an additional 500 learners.

"We are excited to be in the position to help underprivileged learners in the Free State, along with the rest of South Africa as education is our key focus area. With the schooling year well underway, we believe this donation will assist those learners who do not yet have school supplies. The commitment to improve access and the quality of our education is the responsibility of all citizens and as an organisation, we have made it our priority to invest in ensuring a prosperous future for our children and the country," said Mrs. Kone Gugushe, Divisional Executive for Corporate Social Responsibility at Nedbank.

Since the official introduction of the campaign in 2011, Nedbank has invested over R4 million, which has benefitted more than 4000 primary and high school learners across the country. The campaign forms part of Nedbank’s Fundisa whole school programme, which is a two-pillar education intervention model, with the first pillar focusing on education across an individual’s life stages, starting from early childhood development right through to tertiary education.