International Press Release Submissions

Businesses can now access essential software tools via the FNB App

26 July 2022: FNB Connect through its Service Provider Value added Services business has extended its software vouchers to more business clients. This includes Microsoft 365 Business Standard, predominantly used by businesses, as well as market leading antivirus software such as McAfee, Kaspersky, and Norton, all available through the FNB App. Moreover, given the increased cost of doing businesses, clients can conveniently use their eBucks to purchase the software vouchers at a discounted rate. Bradwin Roper, CEO FNB Connect says “With the success of the software vouchers on our platform to our retail clients launched in November 2021, to date just short of 100 000 software vouchers have been purchased and we are now extending these software vouchers to our commercial clients.” Businesses can also purchase and send software vouchers to other parties via the FNB app. All purchased software vouchers are stored within the app and can be redeemed at their convenience. “Many businesses have become accustomed to using Microsoft 365 for its numerous benefits including, improving efficiency amongst employees, easy licensing, larger mailbox storage as well as cloud services to securely store and access their data on the go. Furthermore, with more businesses adopting a hybrid working model as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, working remotely through software such as Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams, has become a norm,” says Andiswa Bata, co-head of SME at FNB. “The software vouchers will provide value and added convenience to our clients, enabling them to access a wide range of services on a single, trusted digital platform. Furthermore, we are working hard to bring in more partners who can help us to diversify our vouchers and coupon solutions by introducing more relevant solutions needed by our customers,” adds Roper. “As more small businesses migrate to digital channels, having the best antivirus programs to remain protected against malware and other cyber threats, …


Source: MyPR International

ESG – Taking a ‘beyond compliance’ approach. What it means and why it matters

ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) has evolved from decades of focus on sustainable development and is increasingly becoming a critical business imperative. ESG is often associated with how a company is measured against certain criteria to achieve a good ESG rating or secure funding. Similarly, it is frequently used with reference to words like ' compliance ',' reporting’, ‘measurement’ and' investment’. “The challenge with this is that it can lead to a ‘good enough’, or ‘tick box’ approach. Corporations should be implementing ESG to achieve sustainable, profitable growth” says Joshua Low, co-founder of the ESG Africa Conference, scheduled for 25-26 October 2022, at the Sandton Convention Centre. “Indeed, the World Economic Forum notes that companies that take ESG seriously, and are able to embed it within their organisations, achieve 20 percent higher profitability on average." Some companies only focus on the compliance aspects of ESG. What’s lacking is a clear understanding of the substantive benefits of taking ESG seriously and why organisations should work hard to embed it into their value systems and culture. “For example, a recent global survey conducted by Marsh & McLennan showed a strong correlation between a company’s ESG rating and employee satisfaction ratings. This is one of many studies, showing that employees are increasingly looking at a company’s ESG credentials when making decisions about where to work," says Wendy Poulton, CEO of Strategic Mindsets. "I recently wrote an article on the importance of gender diversity and inclusion. In it, I emphasized that having a diverse workforce and taking inclusivity topics seriously leads to significant benefits, by enabling better problem-solving, creating a more innovative work culture, and ensuring that organisations are able to attract and keep talent” Poulton adds. The benefits of taking a ‘beyond compliance’ approach to ESG are clear. Companies which take a long-term view and who are working …


Source: MyPR International

SA swimmers ready to lead the medal charge in Birmingham

Monday, 25 July 2022 – A team of 20 swimmers will lead the medal charge as they head to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games which begin on Thursday, 28 July. Spearheading the challenge will be Olympic gold and silver medallist and world record-holder Tatjana Schoenmaker, who will be looking to defend both her 100m and 200m breaststroke titles in Birmingham, and the man who already has an incredible 17 medals from three Commonwealth Games so far, Chad le Clos. Le Clos is looking to break the record for the most medals won by a single athlete in Commonwealth Games history – with just one more medal needed to tie the record with shooters Phillip Adams and Mick Gault and two needed to break it. At the last Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia in 2018, swimming was the sport that produced the most gold medals for Team South Africa with six. They also added three silvers and three bronzes to the overall South African haul. Le Clos claimed three golds and a silver as well as a bronze in the 4x100m medley relay while Schoenmaker walked away with two golds. Le Clos withdrew from the World Championships in Budapest recently with breathing problems but maintains he’s back on track. “It took me a while to get back but I’ve been working hard in my training,” he said from his base in Plymouth in the UK. “I’ve really taken this year very seriously, I’ve been working on a lot of different aspects of my game in order to get myself ready for Commonwealths so this has always been the focus for me.” Now 30 years old, Le Clos will be competing in the 50, 100 and 200m butterfly as well as the 100m freestyle and believes the South African men can also do something special in the 4x200m freestyle and 4x100m medley relays. “Medals in the relays for us should be celebrated like gold medals so I’m very excited about that,” he said. “I’m checking up on the boys quite often, messaging them all privately just to see how training has been going... I think we can surprise a lot of …


Source: MyPR International

READOUT: Treasury Climate Counselor joins International Partners in South Africa to further the Just Energy Transition Partnership

U.S. Department of the Treasury Press Release Washington, D.C. July 22, 2022 On Thursday, July 21, Climate Counselor to U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen, John Morton, and Treasury staff concluded a visit to Pretoria, South Africa, where they met with South African officials and international partners to discuss continued progress on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). First announced at COP 26, the JETP supports South Africa’s accelerated transition toward a sustainable energy future. Together with international partners from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the European Union, the delegation met with public and private sector stakeholders to discuss the JETP, including meetings with leaders from the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team, the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, Eskom, several national labor unions and business associations, and various development finance institutions. Throughout the meetings, South African leaders and international partners discussed progress achieved since the launch of the Partnership at COP26, outlined in the recent release of the Six-Month Update on Progress in Advancing the JETP, as well as progress in developing the JETP Investment Plan, which will be supported in part by an initial $8.5 billion in JETP funds to be mobilized. The Investment Plan will identify South Africa’s energy transition priorities, additional economic development opportunities, and opportunities to mobilize additional private sector finance. The delegation also had productive discussions with South African senior officials regarding their work to enable a broad-based just transition for households and communities affected by the transition away from coal. Finally, discussions also focused on critical reforms in the electricity sector that will advance the aims of the JETP while helping to advance energy security and access for all. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za International/. READOUT: …


Source: MyPR International

Beyond Banking: How FNB is helping its customers learn new skills

25 July 2022: In just three months, over 12,000 FNB and RMB Private Bank customers have learnt practical skills like project management, Microsoft Excel, public speaking and computer programming through the recently announced partnership between Udemy, a leading destination for learning and teaching online, and FNB’s eBucks. Using an innovative learning solution, customers can select from 400 curated high-quality courses from Udemy and enroll in up to six courses per year for a discounted R50 fee per course, directly from within the award-winning FNB App. In addition, they can also stretch their rands further by redeeming their eBucks to pay for their courses. This is the first partnership in which Udemy has built a mobile app experience within a partner’s mobile application. Udemy is a learning company serving more than 52 million students and 68,000 instructors, and FNB is one of the largest financial services providers in Africa serving over 10 million customers. Business Support Head at eBucks, Graeme Parsons, is particularly proud of the Udemy solution, stating that financial inclusion requires upliftment and access to skills that can truly change people’s lives. “We’ve had an incredible take-up and our customers now also trust us to help them achieve their goals with new skills through a digital learning solution. Providing affordable access to online learning is part of a range of lifestyle solutions that are helping customers beyond traditional financial services.” Access to learning and contextual lifestyle solutions is part of FNB’s goal of becoming a trusted partner through an innovative digital platform. Industry leading capabilities like data and analytics make it possible to provide integrated solutions for customers to manage their money and lifestyles more effectively. The range of Udemy courses that are available to FNB customers include entrepreneurial topics like ecommerce, real estate, investing and farming. “We’re proud to offer content …


Source: MyPR International

A Will – Priority for everybody’s To-Do List

Drafting a will is not at the top of everybody’s priority list, and soon, one forgets to draft this important document. Should one die without a valid will, their estate would be administered in accordance with the Intestate Succession Act, regardless of their last wishes and the provision they would’ve wanted to make for their minor children. More than 70% of all South Africans die annually without a valid will according to the Master’s Office and the majority thereof are younger persons. If parents of minor children pass away without making provisions for their children, it will result in their inheritance being sent to the Guardians Fund for safekeeping. This fund is managed by the Minister of Justice. Minors do not have the necessary capacity to engage in contractual agreements. Once the minor attains the age of majority (18), they would be able to claim their inheritance, as well as all interest accrued during this period. The Guardian Fund may be an effective way to safeguard the minor’s inheritance, however, a testamentary trust should be considered as an alternative. A testamentary trust is registered at the Master of the High Court and is administered for the benefit of certain persons (i.e., the minor beneficiaries). A testamentary trust is provided for as a clause in a will or testament, wherein the parents of the minors can clearly set out the terms and conditions of the trust itself. Parents can choose which assets are to be included in the trust for the benefit of their children (i.e. the beneficiaries), who the trustees should be, as well as the age at which the inheritance should be paid out to the children. When the decision is made as to who the trustees should be, it is important to consider who will act in the best interest of the children. It is recommended to appoint a trustworthy person in addition to an independent person. Together, they will make the necessary decisions regarding the trust, and management of the trust assets. It is …


Source: MyPR International

Statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Nelson Mandela International Day

United States Mission to the United Nations Office of Press and Public Diplomacy For Immediate Release July 18, 2022 Today, on Nelson Mandela’s birthday, the United States joins the international community in honoring the enduring legacy and inspiration of a dedicated peacemaker, human rights advocate, and defender of democracy. In my own career, I only briefly met Madiba, but he has had a lasting impact on my life. To this day, his courage, compassion, and leadership continue to inspire me as we collectively strive toward a world that is more peaceful, just, and free. For generations of young people, President Mandela’s vision carries on through programs such as the Mandela Washington Fellowship, which has invested in more than 5,000 leaders from every country across sub-Saharan Africa to spark change and transform their communities. These inspiring young leaders embody his unwavering commitment to serving humanity for the better – no matter the odds or challenges. On this Nelson Mandela Day, let us honor his life by recognizing that all of us, no matter who or where we are, have the responsibility and power to make a difference in our communities and to build a better world for everyone. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za International/. Statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Nelson Mandela International Day Submission Details Author: Africa Media from The Africa Regional Media Hub. More Info link: Images: For a high res version of THIS image please contact The Africa Regional Media Hub Facebook: Twitter: …


Source: MyPR International

Remarks at a UN General Assembly Informal Meeting in Observance of Nelson Mandela International Day Ambassador Lisa Carty

U.S. Representative to the UN Economic and Social Council New York, New York July 18, 2022 AS DELIVERED Thank you, Mr. President, Excellencies, honored guests. The United States is honored to help celebrate the life and enduring legacy of Nelson Mandela. His impact in this country has been profound, has spanned generations, and has served as a guidepost for action. Today’s complicated world demands that we take forward President Mandela’s vision with the same commitment and energy that he exhibited during his life – because racism, inequality, and injustice are a threat to us all. Congratulations to today’s Laureates on the Nelson Mandela Prize and the vision you’ve shown in advancing his example. Thank you so much for inspiring us. In a May 2005, at Amherst College, President Mandela stated, “We are all threatened by entrenched inequality and divisions. We all must prove…equal to a better possibility.” In the United States we still have our work to do, but we’ve taken up this call, both at home and abroad. On his first day in office, President Biden signed an Executive Order directing a government-wide effort to develop targeted plans to advance equity. In April of this year more than 90 federal agencies released their first-ever Equity Action Plans, laying out strategies and commitments to address systemic barriers to equity in the United States. The United States has recently appointed its first Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice to advance the rights of persons belonging to marginalized communities and to combat systemic racism, discrimination, and xenophobia around the world. Last October, President Biden established the White House Gender Policy Council to ensure that gender equity and equality are at the forefront of America’s domestic and foreign policy. And the United States works vigorously to support the robust engagement of civil society on issues related to equity, justice, accessibility, and inclusivity. Despite our promising efforts, …


Source: MyPR International

May 2022 hotel revenues – year-on-year growth accelerates from the prior month as post-lockdown improvement continues, but hotel income level is still far weaker than pre-lockdown levels.

The StatsSA release of May 2022 preliminary monthly tourism statistics show the Hotel Sector still slowly on the recovery path, but still far from “fully recovered” from the harsh Covid-19-related lockdown shock back in 2020. This is despite year-on-year growth remaining impressive, and even accelerating in May. On a year-on-year growth rate basis, total Hotel Sector income was a very strong 114.9, which is an acceleration on the April year-on-year growth of 83.3%. These very strong growth rates, however, have limited significance, given that this income was coming off a very low base when compared with 2020/early-2021 “lockdown” levels. They do reflect an ongoing recovery in hotel income, but they come off a very low base. Given the abnormalities created in growth rates by the low lockdown base, it makes sense to also view total revenue value, and compare it to the comparable month back in 2019, the pre-COVID 19 period. We then see a more accurate picture of a Hotel Sector whose income is still under severe pressure, albeit getting nearer to “full recovery”. Total Hotel Industry Income in May 2022 was still -19.15% below the income for May 2019, the last corresponding month prior to the 2020 lockdown announcement in March of that year. In real inflation-adjusted terms (using a Hotel and Restaurants CPI), this income level was still a very significant -25.8% below the May 2019 level. However, this is an improvement on April 2022, whose level of income was -28.26% below that of April 2019, which in real terms is -34.1% down. Hotel income growth does continue to outpace the growth in income in both the “Guest House and Guest Farm” category as well as “Camp Sites and Caravan Parks”, with the former category under longer term pressure while the latter category having already recovered far earlier during the post-lockdown phase. Going further to view occupancy rates, in the typically quiet month of May 2022, the national hotel occupancy rate was 34.7%, …


Source: MyPR International

FNB’s winning innovators rewarded with R10 million

18 July 2022 – FNB continues to recognise and reward its employees for pioneering innovations. The longstanding 20-year-old programme showcases and celebrates platform innovations by employees, with recent innovators cycles having seen employees being awarded with close to R10 million in prize money for their innovative submissions. FNB CEO, Jacques Celliers, says that, "Our internal Innovators Programme acts as a platform to help steer, drive and celebrate relevant innovation across our organisations. Our ability to innovate in-house continues to serve as an important advantage in our efforts to deliver timely and contextual solutions to our retail and commercial customers. Considering the economic and social challenges that are facing individuals and businesses, we are motivated to innovate and scale our contextual solutions even further as innovation remains a vital enabler for our and our customers’ growth” FNB Innovators Executive, Nenzeni Duma, says that "We congratulate this year’s top prize-winning team, all other winners and finalists. Through the programme we’ve developed exciting offerings, adapted to our new hybrid ways of working for our employees to be inspired, ideate collaboratively, implement and celebrate innovations. We are excited to see how these impactful platform solutions will continue to solve local and global challenges that our customers and the society at large are grappling with." CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za International/. FNB’s winning innovators rewarded with R10 million Submission Details Author: FNB Bank from FNB. More Info link: Images: For a high res version of THIS image please contact FNB Facebook: Twitter: …


Source: MyPR International