WesBank, today, hosted its inaugural Movers and Mentors event, an initiative aimed at inducting learners into the corporate world by educating them on the various career options available in the financial sector.
Sixty learners from Riverlea Secondary School in Johannesburg South had the unique opportunity to visit WesBank’s head office in Fairland, Johannesburg where they enjoyed an up-close engagement with various divisional executives from the bank, including WesBank CEO Ghana Msibi.
Referencing data from Statistics SA, Msibi said: “South Africa has the dubious distinction of being the country with the highest unemployment rate in the world, and the gap between the employed and unemployed continues to widen with no signs of reprieve in the near future.”
According to Statistics SA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey, the country’s unemployment rate increased by 0.6% in Q2 2024 to reach 33.5%. This figure increases to an alarming 42,6% unemployment rate under the expanded definition, which takes into account unemployed persons between the ages of 15 and 64 who are willing and able to work, but not actively seeking employment opportunities.
“The situation is dire, requiring a combined effort between the public and private sector to come up with a sustainable solution,” said Msibi. “It is in recognition of this imperative that WesBank launched the Movers and Mentors programme, to encourage learners – male and female – to focus on their studies to enhance their chances of success in the job market.”
Principal Ashley Harris from Riverlea Secondary School said: “We are grateful to WesBank for this opportunity. We have observed that a lack of career advice often leads to higher dropout rates and failures due to a lack of interest. Early exposure to career guidance is crucial for ensuring that students choose subjects and career paths aligned with their passions, rather than following popularist paths.”
In an interactive showcase of the diverse career opportunities across WesBank, Grade 11 learners from Riverlea Secondary School were introduced to the vast scope of careers that make up the WesBank ecosystem, including finance, business management, sales, marketing, information technology and customer service.
“This is the first iteration of a programme that we intend to roll out with other schools across the country. We hope to inspire other corporates to emulate the Movers & Mentors programme, employing their own interpretation of showcasing the world of work to young South Africans,” said Msibi.
Turnip King
Wendy Luhabe\’s first step into entrepreneurship came in 1991 when she launched Bridging the Gap, a consulting firm that assists young black South Africans entering the working world. In 1993, she launched Women Investment Portfolio Holdings, the first fund to provide capital to women-owned businesses in South Africa. In 2002, she launched Africa\’s first Women-Focused Private Equity Fund. She also published her first book entitled: Defining Moments: Experiences of Black Executives in South Africa\’s Workplace. Luhabe launched her Foundation in 2002, to educate young disadvantaged black women, particularly from rural areas. In 2011, Luhabe was asked by Hillary Clinton to join the International Council on Women\’s Business Leadership (ICWBL). In 2014, she was appointed Member of the Board at The Abraaj Group, a global investment firm. In 2014, she was awarded Woman of Worth from the Jewish Achievers Awards in South Africa. In 2014, she was awarded the Lieutenant of the Victorian Order (LVO) by the British Royal Family. In 2015, she was awarded Lifetime Achievement Award at the Standard Bank Top Women Awards.