SCHOOLS MUSIC CHAMP OF CHAMPS FINALS DATE: SUNDAY, 21 ST JUNE 2015 UNISWA SPORTS EMPORIUM, KWALUSENI

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1 EVENT: SCHOOLS MUSIC CHAMP OF CHAMPS FINALS DATE: SUNDAY, 21 ST JUNE 2015 VENUE: UNISWA SPORTS EMPORIUM, KWALUSENI 1

2 PROGRAMME DIRECTOR HIS EXCELLENCY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE PRIME MINISTER HONOURABLE MINISTERS PRESENT HERE SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SWAZIBANK CHAIRPERSON AND BOARD MEMBERS SWAZILAND SCHOOLS CULTURE (MUSIC) ASSOCIATION CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS SWAZIBANK MANAGEMENT & STAFF HEADTEACHERS AND TEACHERS PRESENT HERE ADJUDICATORS CONDUCTORS PARENTS AND PUPILS PRESENT HERE MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN INTRODUCTION It is my pleasure to be with you this afternoon as we reach the end of the 2015 edition of the SwaziBank Schools Music Competition. We are honoured by the presence of His Excellency The Right Honourable Prime Minister, which is evident enough that Government appreciates and supports this event. 2

3 It has been a long road since the competition started on June 11 and today we shall be witnessing the announcement of this year s champions. There is always one champion in any competition, but all choirs that took part in the competition are winners because they all contributed towards ensuring that the eventual winner was music. COMPETITION Honourable Prime Minister, the Bank subscribes to the principles of Good Corporate Governance, of which one is social responsibility. The sponsorship of the annual SwaziBank Schools Music Competition is an integral part of the Bank s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Programme. The competition has grown over the years since inception in The sponsorship started with E50, 000 in 2005 and has grown to E370, 000 in However, in 2014 the sponsorship was E400, 000, mainly because it was the 10 th Anniversary of this annual event. The initial sponsorship was E280, 000 and an additional E120, 000 was to cater for the orchestra, befitting the status of the anniversary. The 10 th Anniversary was a milestone for the Bank as well as the competition and its stakeholders. 3

4 Ladies and gentlemen, the competition has contributed towards the growth of Siyakhula Savings Account, a product aimed at inculcating the culture of saving in pupils. In recent years, the Bank has been able to open this account for individual pupils at the venues where the competition is held. As I am speaking, we have SwaziBank personnel strategically placed outside opening this account for pupils. I am pleased to announce that funds deposited by pupils into this account since it was introduced a few years ago are in excess of E5 million. This account enables a child to deposit and withdraw cash anytime. The child also gets the Siyakhula Debit Card, which can be used throughout the world in MasterCard accepted ATMs and Point of Sale (POS) terminals. To open this account, a child needs only E20. The account is meant for children between the ages of six and 18 years. We believe that these children are our future customers and will continue banking with us. 4

5 PARTNERSHIP Honourable Prime Minister, the Bank enjoys a healthy and fruitful working relationship with the organisers of the competition, the Swaziland Schools (Culture) Music Association (SSCMA). The association has played a pivotal role in ensuring the competition is managed professionally and meets the sponsor s expectations. Besides developing the talent of singing amongst youth, the competition has been able to expose our children to the international stage, thanks to the partnership between SwaziBank and SSCMA. The Bank is pleased that the SSCMA has established a partnership with the South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE), which will see winners of the SwaziBank Schools Music Competition competing with other winners in South Africa with effect from this year. This partnership is definitely a milestone in the schools music fraternity and will definitely enable our local winners to showcase their talent at a bigger stage. The pupils participating at this stage will enjoy extended music opportunities, and also get to share skills, knowledge and ideas. It is also pleasing to note that the SwaziBank Schools Music Competition will be used as the barometer to select the school choirs that will participate at this international forum. Therefore, we will today know which school will be going to represent the country in the SASCE finals. 5

6 CONCLUSION In conclusion, I wish to thank teachers, pupils and the public at large for the continued support and loyalty that you show to SwaziBank. I am aware that there are many teachers who bank with us and enjoy our services and products. I am aware that some schools also bank with us and I encourage other schools to consider banking with us. We really appreciate that as a bank. We were created for you, so please enjoy the products and services we offer to you. Ladies and gentlemen, let us grow with the music! Siyakhula With Music. I thank you and God bless us all! 6