Category Archives: Charity & Selfless Service

Paying It Forward: Standard Bank Launches ACHIEVA Exchange To Empower First-Timers

Posted on by

Standard Bank is proudly introducing ACHIEVATM Exchange, a transformative movement poised to redefine the way we celebrate personal milestones. Unlike any other market event, ACHIEVATM Exchange invites everyone to be part of something bigger, to repurpose their significant moments into tangible support for others. Set to take place on Saturday, 2 March 2024 at Soweto’s Maponya Mall, ACHIEVATM Exchange is a dynamic event where personal achievements open doors for others, echoing the spirit of community and shared progress.


First Job, First Needs
Under the theme “First Job,” ACHIEVATM Exchange calls for contributions that fulfil the essential needs of individuals embarking on their first job journey. All items – be it clothing, devices or stationery to a laptop bag or notepad – are welcome, provided they are clean, presentable and functional. Drop-off points have been made available at the below Standard Bank branches, but items will also be accepted on the ACHIEVATM Exchange market day.


• 5 Simmonds Street in Johannesburg’s CBD
• Fourways Mall
• Sandton City Mall
• Eastgate Mall
• Cresta Mall
• Rosebank Mall
• Menlyn Mall
• Mall of Africa
• Maponya Mall


“ACHIEVATM Exchange offers a fresh perspective on celebrating personal milestones. Empowering others through the symbolic sharing of personal milestones, participants go beyond their individual journeys to enrich and uplift others. As Standard Bank we’d like to extend a warm invitation to all, regardless of their banking affiliation, in our aim to foster a community of collective impact and shared growth,” says Head of Middle Market, Motlatsi Mkalala.

Continue reading →

Disney Africa Brings Festive Cheer for Lift Travellers

Posted on by

The Walt Disney Company Africa’s #MayYourWishesComeTrue campaign continued the festive celebrations this December with a special surprise-and-delight activation aboard the Disney-inspired LIFT airplane.

Over 150 passengers, travelling from Johannesburg to Cape Town were welcomed by “Wish Agents” at their boarding gate at OR Tambo International Airport on 1 December, with each child being asked what their wish for Christmas was. With their wishes adorning a special Disney-inspired Christmas tree, the young passengers boarded flight GE123, unaware that a mere two hours later those wishes would be fulfilled.

Behind the scenes the requests were communicated to Disney’s Wish Agents, on standby at Canal Walk Shopping Centre in Cape Town, who swung into action to shop up a storm, wrap the gifts and transport them to Cape Town International Airport in time for the passengers to disembark.

From bicycles, “Disney Princess The Little Mermaid” figurines, Lego® sets to even Spider-man Sony PlayStation 5’s, all the requested wishes came true as passengers disembarked the plane and entered the specially-branded walkway to meet the Wish Agents. In addition, each traveler was gifted a Disney Mickey plush toy and a subscription to Disney+.

Continue reading →

Oxford University Press Empowers Minds Through World Literacy Day

Posted on by

Hanri Pieterse – MD of Oxford University South Africa

International Literacy Day is celebrated annually around the world on 8 September and Oxford University Press observes the day in support and endorsement of literacy in all its forms.

Founded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1967, International Literacy Day celebrations have since taken place across the globe to remind the international community of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society. (1)

In its simplest definition, ‘literacy’ refers to the ability to read and write. In broader terms, it encompasses ways of thinking and doing reading and writing with the purpose of understanding and expressing thoughts or ideas in written form within specific contexts.

 Global literacy is a cause for celebration since the rate for adults 15 years and above stands at 86,3% in 2023. (2) While, on the surface, this is a successful statistic, closer inspection reveals a deeply unequal divide.

Continue reading →

Cotton On Foundation Launches Mental Health Campaign with Lady Gaga’s Born this Way Foundation

Posted on by

Australian-born fashion and lifestyle brand Cotton On have partnered their philanthropic arm, Cotton On Foundation with US-based non-profit Born This Way Foundation, founded by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Bissett Germanotta, in 2012. Together, they aim to raise $5 million USD for global mental health, with R2 500 000 being donated to provide mental health support for youth in South Africa. 

“We’re honored to partner with Cotton On Foundation for our first global campaign amplifying our mission to build a kinder, braver world together,” said Lady Gaga, Co-Founder of Born This Way Foundation. “We are constantly working to uplift the stories of young people worldwide, and through this partnership, we invite everyone to practice kindness and learn how to better support one another. Our research tells us that kindness is one way we can support each other’s mental health.”

The two organisations came together to create a range of limited-edition products available from 1 September – 10 October 2023 with Cotton On donating 100% of the net proceeds to Born This Way Foundation, making Cotton On one of the biggest corporate contributors to global youth mental health resources and support in 2023. Customers can purchase items, including caps, T-shirts, tote bags, stationery, and a denim jacket online and in select stores globally. The ‘Kinder, Braver, Together’ product design was inspired by Born This Way Foundation’s mission of supporting youth mental health and working with young people to build a kinder, braver world. An ethos shared by Cotton On Foundation on their journey to create a world where everyone can thrive.

Continue reading →

Trees For Schools On Mandela Day

Posted on by

This year marks ten years since the passing of former president Nelson Mandela, and one retailer plans to plant trees to honour the iconic statesman’s visionary life. Through a campaign dubbed “It’s in your hands, let’s plant our schools green,” the Cotton On Group aims to plant trees in schools supported by the Cotton On Foundation in South Africa. Symbolizing the visionary leader’s lasting contribution to South African society, the intention is to benefit these areas for many years to come. 

Through its chain of stores that include Cotton On, Factorie and Typo, shoppers are encouraged to support the initiative by purchasing Cotton On Foundation products such as tote bags, breath mints, wipes and sanitizers that are available both online and at the till points in these stores.

The full proceeds of the sale of these items, from 3 to 23 July 2023, will be channelled to planting trees at the schools that the Cotton On Foundation supports in KwaZulu-Natal, namely Ethekwini Primary and Dr JL Dube High School, which it is currently rebuilding. Shoppers are also welcome to donate to the project.

Continue reading →