In addition to being the official banker to the Mpumalanga province for almost 10 years, FNB also banks the legislature of the province, as well as the Ehlanzeni District Municpality. 

Tsidi Lebenya, Regional Director of FNB’s Public Sector Banking Segment for the province, explains that the partnership has come about through numerous initiatives that the two parties work on together.  

'Our goal is to work towards creating a better life for all,' she says. 'Collaboration between government and various economic sectors and stakeholders is core to the growth of the economy of Mpumalanga, as well as of the country as a whole.  At FNB, we are constantly working with the provincial government, legislature and municipalities towards achieving our goal of economic growth.'

The Mpumalanga Provincial Government has identified flagship projects crucial to stimulate economic growth in the province and attract investment. These are:

• Heritage, Greening Mpumalanga and tourism
• Capacity building
• The Moloto Rail Corridor
• The Maputo Development Corridor

Mpumalanga municipal leadership also benefits from the capacity-building programme that FNB undertakes annually in partnership with the Infrastructure Finance Corporation Limited (INCA). FNB holds an annual Summer School programme at which experts in local government share the latest information, while delegates from various municipalities discuss challenges and best practices from their respective areas. At the end of the seminar, 10 delegates travel to France to learn more from an international example. 

FNB supports the province in various social development, sport and cultural projects. Lebenya explains that FNB recognises the need to address the HIV/Aids crisis in South Africa. 'We support various home-based care establishments in the province and we have also provided funds for an HIV/Aids awareness programme in the Kruger Park. We will also be supporting hospices through the FirstRand Foundation.'

The Premier’s Youth Excellence Awards, a project to recognise and encourage excellence among youth in the province, has received sponsorship funding from FNB for three years. With a strong focus on education, FNB provided funding for an exchange programme between two Mpumalanga schools. The idea was to assist Grade 12 Maths and Science learners from the two schools to work together to catch up after the 2007 civil servants’ strike.

In terms of sport, FNB is known for its commitment to soccer, not least through its involvement as a National Supporter of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Excitement for the international soccer tournament has been building since the erection of the first 2010 countdown clock in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, recently. Taking soccer to all people in society, FNB introduced a Schools Soccer Classic Clash in September 2007, which will run annually for at least four years. 

'FNB has contributed significantly to many of the successes in the province and we look forward to many more years of co-operation with the Mpumalanga government,' Lebenya concludes.

For more information about FNB’s Public Sector Banking in Mpumalanga, please call:

Tsidi Lebenya, Regional Director: Mpumalanga, FNB Public Sector Banking
Tel: +27 13 754 0567
Email: tlebenya@fnb.co.za