Standard Bank unlocks millions in free radio airtime for entrepreneurs
In real terms, the value of this publicity is significant, adding up to about R300,000 worth of radio exposure for each business featured. Considering that a single 30-second advert on prime-time radio can cost thousands of rand, such opportunities are well beyond the reach of many small business owners.
This initiative reflects Standard Bank's ongoing effort to find relevant and meaningful ways of backing entrepreneurs with impact, visibility and platforms they typically would not be able to access on their own.
'This regional radio campaign is not just about airtime, it is about unlocking access,' says Jenine Zachar, head of Value Propositions and Client Experience at Business and Commercial Banking SA, Standard Bank Group.
'For a small business, the right kind of publicity can be catalytic. It opens doors to new markets, builds credibility, and attracts customers they might not otherwise reach. When combined with the strength of our expert relationship managers, deep sector insights, and tailored solutions that respond to each business's unique context, this visibility becomes a powerful growth enabler.
'At Business and Commercial Banking, our greatest value lies in how we journey with a business, not just at startup phase, but as it scales and transitions into new levels of complexity, offering solutions that evolve in line with each stage of its growth. This campaign is a natural extension of that promise, to go beyond banking, and be a trusted partner for growth.'
Through this regional radio campaign, Standard Bank is unlocking millions of rand worth of radio airtime for small businesses, positioning this initiative as a powerful SME growth enabler and catalyst for visibility in the market.
In addition to the financial and publicity benefits, winners also gain access to the suite of services and tools available via Standard Bank's MyMoBiz business account, designed to simplify and streamline finances and support business growth.
While the prizes are bigger for Standard Bank business account holders, there are winners regardless of whether participants hold existing Standard Bank business accounts, underscoring the bank's belief in backing all potential.
By including a wide range of radio stations and regions, the campaign reflects the vibrant diversity and ambition of SA's entrepreneurial sector. The initiative complements Standard Bank's broader commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship, offering support at every stage of the business journey.
As the campaign gains momentum across the airwaves and the entrepreneurial ecosystem, one thing is clear: Standard Bank is not just supporting small businesses, it is amplifying their stories, driving impact, and helping them build for lasting success.
Listen out for the Standard Bank MyMoBiz and SimplyBLU radio campaign
Rolling out across a number of regional radio stations across SA, this innovative campaign kicked off in March and is running until June.
Participating radio stations include:
Western Cape:
KFM – March
Heart FM – March, April
Cape Talk – March
Gauteng:
947 – April, May
702 – May
Power FM – May, June
Kaya FM – May, June
KwaZulu-Natal:
ECR – May, June
Gagasi FM – May
This article was sponsored by Standard Bank.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
20 minutes ago
- IOL News
Your guide to buying property: tips for first-time buyers
Discover the challenges and opportunities for first-time homebuyers in the Western Cape. With insights from industry experts, learn about affordable areas, creative strategies, and the growing appeal of the region for both local and international buyers. Image: Todd Goodman The Western Cape continues to be one of South Africa's most desirable regions for property investment, luring interest from both local and international buyers. Yet for many first-time homebuyers—especially those eyeing Cape Town—the dream of homeownership can feel increasingly out of reach. According to ooba Home Loans' latest oobarometer, the average purchase price in the Western Cape during Q1 2025 stood at a staggering R2.33 million, significantly above the national average of R1.66 million. Nevertheless, activity among entry-level buyers has not waned—proof that creative solutions and alternative strategies are helping many take that important first step onto the property ladder. 'We're seeing many young professionals and investors gravitating towards the Western Cape for its lifestyle, infrastructure, and perceived safety, but affordability in the metro remains a challenge, especially for those trying to enter the market for the first time,' explains Grant Smee, CEO of Only Realty Property Group. Despite the province's high price point, Lightstone data shows that 40% of housing stock in the Western Cape is priced under R750,000. However, most of these properties are concentrated in smaller towns and rural areas. 'Investment properties are also in high demand, with the Western Cape recording a year-on-year increase of 0.5% to reach 12.9% in the first quarter [ooba Home Loans]. There is a growing trend of first-time homebuyers purchasing in the Boland and Overberg regions in smaller, outlying towns,' says Smee. 'These areas offer a more balanced lifestyle and slightly more accessible pricing, while still benefiting from the broader Western Cape infrastructure.' Within Cape Town, many new buyers are opting for micro-apartments and sectional title units in high-density, mixed-use developments. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'These offer security and lifestyle perks like on-site retail, communal workspaces, and gyms,' Smee adds. The province's magnetic global appeal hasn't gone unnoticed. While the local market wrestles with affordability, foreign investors are entering at the higher end. 'According to Lightstone data, the province leads in luxury price bands, with international homebuyers accounting for over 40% of purchases above R10 million, around 25% in the R5 to R10 million range and approximately 15% in the R3 to R5 million bracket,' says Smee. 'Compared to global cities, the Western Cape offers strong value. For instance, the average price of a home in one of the region's upmarket suburbs sells for around R10 million. To purchase an apartment in London, with considerably less living space, homebuyers will pay upwards of R12 million.' This sentiment is echoed internationally. The Australian Property Investor recently reported that South Africans pay around R17,000 per square metre for a median-priced home, compared to R113,000 in Australia. While Cape Town remains a prime property hotspot, buyers are expanding their search. 'The Western Cape's so-called 'Zoom' towns – so-called for their remote working appeal – include Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay, Kleinmond, Malmesbury, Hermanus, and Gansbaai,' says Smee. 'These areas provide easier entry points for buyers and remain within comfortable reach of Cape Town.' Beyond the Western Cape, other provinces offer compelling options. 'Mpumalanga, for instance, is currently leading the pack when it comes to home loan applications from first-time buyers [ooba Home Loans]. Nelspruit, in particular, is booming with new estate developments that offer a secure, lock-up-and-go lifestyle, community atmosphere, and budget-friendly pricing.' Gauteng continues to draw buyers seeking well-established infrastructure. 'Popular nodes like Waterfall, Bryanston, and Hyde Park are drawing interest from buyers seeking well-established infrastructure and upscale living,' Smee adds. KwaZulu-Natal's North Coast has emerged as an investment beacon. 'Over the past decade, this region has experienced massive growth, with estate developments, excellent schools, security, and community-driven living making it an increasingly worthwhile investment.' The Eastern Cape is also gaining ground, with towns like Jeffreys Bay and Kenton-on-Sea growing in popularity among short-term rental investors. 'These regions combine access to economic centres with a strong lifestyle appeal, without the Cape Town price tag,' Smee explains. 'For buyers willing to expand their horizons beyond the Western Cape, there are standout opportunities, many in secure estates or fast-growing nodes. And with many of these areas doubling as holiday destinations, they open the door to 'rentvestment' opportunities, whether for short-term letting or longer-term leasing.' Smee advises that while buying in the Western Cape might require more strategy and patience, the long-term rewards make it worthwhile. 'For homebuyers determined to get a foothold in the Western Cape property market, there are many options available. This investment is well worth it too as the average growth of property in the province is around 7.4%.' Top tips include: Enter into a joint home loan : Co-buying with a friend, partner or sibling can boost affordability and borrowing power. Save smart and plan long-term : Set clear savings goals and budget realistically for transfer and attorney fees. Start on the outskirts : Neighbourhoods just outside key metro areas often offer more accessible prices and are poised for growth. Buy a fixer-upper : Properties in need of a bit of work can often be negotiated at lower prices and renovated over time. Buy-to-let as a stepping stone : Purchase an investment property in a growing node while renting where you live. 'The Western Cape is a great place to invest, but it could require a bit more creativity and long-term thinking for first-time homebuyers to make it work. Alternatively, if the Western Cape doesn't meet your criteria, regions like the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga have potential. It's not about compromising your goals, but rather being strategic,' says Smee. PERSONAL FINANCE
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Ithala Bank's future: A call for transformation into a lending institution
Financial expert Dr Sanele Gumede calls on the government to transform Ithala Bank into a lending institution. Image: File To ensure the lasting sustainability of Ithala Bank, the KwaZulu-Natal government must convert it into a lending financial institution, not a commercial bank. This is the view of the University of KwaZulu-Natal-based financial expert, Dr Sanele Gumede. The expert was reacting to the latest intervention by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, who has finally agreed to save the bank from liquidation by giving it a full guarantee, which secures the bank's depositors. The guarantee was explained by the ANC provincial leadership as having taken the liquidation process off the table. The party stated that it successfully convinced the minister to guarantee all depositors. Initially, the minister had agreed to guarantee depositors up to R100,000. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Dr Gumede said a government's guarantee was a short-term measure of relief since it will benefit customers who will now access their frozen money from the bank; however, the bank should not celebrate the guarantee since it does not mean it must continue operating as a bank. He said it was not possible that the Prudential Authority would issue another exemption certificate that would allow the bank to operate like commercial banks without a banking licence. The exemption was to allow Ithala to accept deposits and get new customers. 'The guarantee is only saving the bank from liquidation, it simply means a surety that if you fail to pay my creditors, I will take full responsibility and pay them. For me, it's not something to be celebrated since it does not mean that tomorrow the bank will wake up with a banking licence or exemption certificate to continue taking deposits like before. If the KwaZulu-Natal government wants to keep this institution, it must convert it into a lending institution,' said Dr Gumede. KwaZulu-Natal provincial government spokesperson Bongani Gina said the government will continue to fight tooth and nail to get the bank to operate like before, where it was able to accept deposits. ANC provincial Jeff Radebe on Tuesday said it was he, together with coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu, and the collective leadership of the provincial working committee, which engaged directly with Godongwana to seek a sustainable solution. 'Our intervention was firmly aligned with the ANC's developmental agenda and our responsibility to protect institutions that uplift the people. We are pleased to report that, following these engagements, a breakthrough was reached: Ithala Bank will not be liquidated,' read an ANC statement. To ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of Ithala, Mabuyakhulu said the ANC has proposed several practical and actionable steps, which include: Strengthening governance and internal controls within Ithala. Enhancing compliance with national banking and regulatory frameworks, exploring strategic partnerships that preserve its developmental mandate. Turnaround strategy focused on transparency, accountability, and performance. Reposition Ithala as a Development Finance Institution (DFI). The bank was in a protracted legal battle with the SA Reserve Bank's Prudential Authority (PA), which had filed for provisional liquidation in the Pietermaritzburg High Court. The PA argued that the bank was not complying with financial regulations, which included that it was operating as a bank without a banking licence. This was after the PA had not renewed Ithala's exemption certificate, which allowed it to operate without requiring a banking licence.
SowetanLIVE
9 hours ago
- SowetanLIVE
Standard Bank unlocks millions in free radio airtime for entrepreneurs
In real terms, the value of this publicity is significant, adding up to about R300,000 worth of radio exposure for each business featured. Considering that a single 30-second advert on prime-time radio can cost thousands of rand, such opportunities are well beyond the reach of many small business owners. This initiative reflects Standard Bank's ongoing effort to find relevant and meaningful ways of backing entrepreneurs with impact, visibility and platforms they typically would not be able to access on their own. 'This regional radio campaign is not just about airtime, it is about unlocking access,' says Jenine Zachar, head of Value Propositions and Client Experience at Business and Commercial Banking SA, Standard Bank Group. 'For a small business, the right kind of publicity can be catalytic. It opens doors to new markets, builds credibility, and attracts customers they might not otherwise reach. When combined with the strength of our expert relationship managers, deep sector insights, and tailored solutions that respond to each business's unique context, this visibility becomes a powerful growth enabler. 'At Business and Commercial Banking, our greatest value lies in how we journey with a business, not just at startup phase, but as it scales and transitions into new levels of complexity, offering solutions that evolve in line with each stage of its growth. This campaign is a natural extension of that promise, to go beyond banking, and be a trusted partner for growth.' Through this regional radio campaign, Standard Bank is unlocking millions of rand worth of radio airtime for small businesses, positioning this initiative as a powerful SME growth enabler and catalyst for visibility in the market. In addition to the financial and publicity benefits, winners also gain access to the suite of services and tools available via Standard Bank's MyMoBiz business account, designed to simplify and streamline finances and support business growth. While the prizes are bigger for Standard Bank business account holders, there are winners regardless of whether participants hold existing Standard Bank business accounts, underscoring the bank's belief in backing all potential. By including a wide range of radio stations and regions, the campaign reflects the vibrant diversity and ambition of SA's entrepreneurial sector. The initiative complements Standard Bank's broader commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship, offering support at every stage of the business journey. As the campaign gains momentum across the airwaves and the entrepreneurial ecosystem, one thing is clear: Standard Bank is not just supporting small businesses, it is amplifying their stories, driving impact, and helping them build for lasting success. Listen out for the Standard Bank MyMoBiz and SimplyBLU radio campaign Rolling out across a number of regional radio stations across SA, this innovative campaign kicked off in March and is running until June. Participating radio stations include: Western Cape: KFM – March Heart FM – March, April Cape Talk – March Gauteng: 947 – April, May 702 – May Power FM – May, June Kaya FM – May, June KwaZulu-Natal: ECR – May, June Gagasi FM – May This article was sponsored by Standard Bank.
