Cape of Good Hope Bank makes fourth grant to AIM

CAPE of Good Hope Bank (CoGHB) has made its fourth grant to the Graduate School of Business Associate in Management (AIM) programme. The cheque for R50 000 was handed over at a special function at the GSB last week and is the fourth instalment of a R250 000 grant which the bank committed to AIM in 1999.

Peter Smith, Head: Lending & Marketing at CoGHB, said that the grant had been made to help the GSB provide loans to AIM students to assist them with their study fees. The grant is not repayable to the bank and the rate and terms on which repayment is to be arranged is at the discretion of the GSB.

Smith said CoGHB management felt that being involved with AIM is particularly appropriate for the bank because it is one of the few programmes in southern Africa to cater for those with a proven track record in business, but with limited or no qualifications and often with minimal resources.

"Time and again", said Smith," the AIM course has enabled men and women of drive and talent to rise above disadvantaged backgrounds and move into middle and senior management. We at the bank are impressed by the fact that no other business school in South Africa has yet been able to match AIM, the vast majority of courses on offer still being for those who already have one or more degrees."

Ten students on the part-time AIM programme have received loans as a result of the CoGHB grant this year. Recipients who received amounts of between R2 000 and R4 500 are: Tyrone Carelse; Pumla Makeleni; Sihle Masela; Mohudi Mohlala; Jabu Mpongoshe; Zanele Mpulampula; Nobuzwe Ngqwemla; Sonny-boy Stofile; Ola Tokosi and Chris Xothongo.

"To me, it (the loan) shows that CoGHB, regardless of its size in the financial industry, puts its money where its mouth is. This goes to show that the bank believes in the business school, it's programmes and products," said Ola Tokosi, one of the grant recipients this year.

In addition to the R250 000 grant, CoGHB has put Jennifer Howes, one of their homeloan specialists, on the 2002 AIM course while Mike Thompson, Chief Executive of the Bank, was elected to the Board of Advisors of the School. Thompson said that he felt committed to serve in this capacity because business (which includes all types of banking) had become increasingly complex and specialised and it is now an accepted fact that further ongoing training throughout a manager's career is essential if he or she is to function at full potential.

Smith concluded by saying that, with the UCT School being recognised as one of the top two in Southern Africa, and regularly achieving excellent results, CoGHB hopes to see other major corporates and institutions coming forward with financial assistance of all kinds.

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