Blue Cameroon celebrate Madiba's birthday
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Volume 04 • Issue 07 • July 2009 • Published by Blue Financial Services - Republic of South Africa • www.blue.co.za
Blue Cameroon celebrate Madiba’s birthday
Responding to an invitation by the South
African high commissioner for Cameroon,
Her Excellency Ntshadi M Tsheole, Blue
Cameroon took part in celebrating iconic
statesman, Nelson Mandela’s birthday on
18 July. He turned 91.
Blue Cameroon country manager, Christian
Biyegue and administrative manager,
Valentine Okale Dang, represented and
promoted Blue’s financial products at Nelson
Mandela Day in Buea, in the south west
region of Cameroon – 345km from the
Yaoundé office.
The day was geared at humanitarian actions
in acknowledgement of Nelson Mandela’s
contributions to society, and began with a
panel discussion on Radio Buea on issues of
culture, democracy, and African unity and
development. This was followed by a
Mandela Solidarity Walk from Mandela Park
in Bokwango to Likoko Membea to donate
Blue Cameroon’s administrative manager, Valentine Okale Dang (far right) and country manager, Christian Biyegue (second from right) stand with the South African
gifts to the maternity ward of the Likoko high commissioner to Cameroon, Her Excellency Ntshadi M Tsheole (next to the sign on the right) and members of the Buea community.
Community Health Centre.
Blue earns a top TV star.
“The presence of Blue was very visible
during the walk as Christian wore an
immaculate white Blue branded t-shirt and
I was dressed in a sky-blue Blue t-shirt.
The Blue branded umbrella also served as a
timely protection against the drizzle that
“Doing Business in Africa” – the television possibilities the continent provides. The In his keynote address at the ceremony, the
happened when the high commissioner gave
programme sponsored by Blue Financial producers of the monthly show received the British minister for international
her welcome address at the maternity ward,”
Services – has won a 2009 Africa Business prestigious award at a gala ceremony in development, Gareth Thomas, commented,
says Valentine. “The high commission also
Reporting Award for Best Television Feature. London. Now in their sixth anniversary year, “Investors and companies know that Africa
gave us the opportunity to present packages
the Africa Business Reporting Awards is open and ready for business and that a
from them to the patients. From our side,
Blue supports this outstanding CNBC celebrate journalists and news organisations, new generation of traders and entrepreneurs
Christian donated two Blue branded
business show on DSTV channel 410, which who have gone the extra mile to reveal the are revitalising economies across the
umbrellas to the chief of the health centre
creates awareness about Africa, and the dynamism of African industry. continent… The media has an important part
and the chairman, to assist them when going
to play in creating awareness of the
to work throughout the rainy season.”
opportunities available and reflecting the
reality of a continent with great market
During the evening presentations, South
potential, which is being realised by
African music was played, and songs about
liberation and Nelson Mandela were sung. business. The Africa Business Reporting
“The day culminated in the cutting of Awards are a clear demonstration of how
the birthday cake and other inspirational journalists and editors are helping the
activities,” says Valentine. continent realise its full potential.”
He adds, “Like all that starts well and ends well, In their evaluation of “Doing Business in
the activities ended with the chairman of the Africa” the judges said: “This is high-quality
Mandela Forum, Charly Ndichia, thanking the reporting. It's extremely well filmed to the
invited guests for their participation and highest technical standards and the
pledging the rotation of the next Mandela Day producers have done their homework
to another region of the country. The Blue team ensuring excellent access to top-level
left the event satisfied with the sensitisation interviewees. This is a comprehensive, lively
made on the availability, accessibility and and thoughtful piece, which leaves the
affordability of Blue’s products in Cameroon.” viewer wanting to see more.”
Page 2 Page 3 Page 5 Page 6
New chief financial officer. Friend to the Swazi Nation. The Kabarole trade show. BIMFB performance training.
June highest: 172 • June lowest: 137 • Average daily volume: 628 649 • Average daily value: R956 718,76 • 30 day VWAP: 30 July 2009 = R1,53
2
Message from the CEO
To the Blue team, risk team, the internal audit team, and over I trust that you will all give him time to
Well people – we know the Blue culture is time also the corporate finance team. settle in before bombarding him. Please
to act quickly and continuously improve on note Shaun’s immediate priority is the audit
what we do. Shaun has a great deal of experience in audit, and the funding – so bear with us.
finance and corporate finance. His wealth of
We are constantly growing the team to be experience will go a long way to helping We wish Shaun the very best in his new
able to cope with our growth plans and Blue move to the next level. role and many good years with Blue.
expansion plans. We also must always take
note that it is important for Blue to recruit Grant Chittenden, who has added much Till next time,
Dave
the right talent and people for our value to Blue, will be assisting Shaun with
organisation. the handover and will continue to help in the
finance division until we redefine his role.
We also must always look for the right fit for
people within our organisation. Sometimes This move will also help Blue from a
people need to change their roles to add the corporate governance perspective – we will
most value to the company. reduce the number of executive directors to
four. I know many of you have had issues
“We wish Shaun the very
NEWS FALSH
I am pleased to announce a change that I with finance and with reporting/outstanding
think will go a long way to addressing the
needs of Blue.
audited numbers and I assure you the
finance team under Shaun’s guidance will best in his new role and
We have appointed a new chief financial
go a long way to rectify this.
many good years with Blue.”
officer – Shaun Strydom. Shaun is already a I personally have great respect for Shaun’s
board member whose responsibility until ability to add value and in the short time I
have been exposed to him – he has proven his
New chief financial officer:
now was Group risk; he will now take over
the responsibility for the finance team, the ability, loyalty and dedication several times. Shaun Strydom.
USAID guarantees USD10 million
CA-00118
for Blue Financial Services
Blue is proving to be very versatile in 2008 but it has made excellent headway in
the midst of the global economic slump. granting loans to entrepreneurs, franchisors
While most micro-financiers are struggling and franchisees who do not have enough
to gain financial support from international collateral or even their own start-up capital.
investors, Blue has proved that even in the
face of economic adversity, they will The United States has a long history of
continue to secure the funds needed to help extending a helping hand to the people of
small and medium businesses succeed. developing countries who are struggling to
make a better life for themselves and their
United States Agency for International communities. By offering this type of
Development (USAID) has granted Blue a guarantee, the US has shown that they
loan portfolio guarantee for small business approve of the work Blue does and the
lending. This facility will cover 50% of services it offers to the African people.
any loss experienced by Blue on SMME
loans within the USAID backed loan USAID is an independent federal
BIMFB is recognised as Nigeria’s micro-finance bank of the year portfolio. The guarantee has the ability to government agency that receives overall
cover up to USD10 million and is valid for foreign policy guidance from the Secretary
the next 10 years. of State. They support long-term and
equitable economic growth while advancing
BIMFB – ollabora
Micro-fihe nance bank
t Marketi g of Niger
g A sociation
A o
ofge 2009
a and
Kenneth Fisher, general manager for small the US foreign policy objectives.
business development at Blue, says,
Through this guarantee Blue’s small, “Decisions to grant guarantees such as this
Blue Intercontinental Micro-Finance Bank retail market through the Intercontinental medium and micro-enterprise (SMME) are not taken lightly by USAID, therefore
(BIMFB) in Nigeria was awarded the Bank Nigeria branch infrastructure, and division will be able to extend loans to Blue is honoured to have been selected and
National
m cro fin nceGold Quality Microfinance Bank
envi onment stand alone branches. Products offered in entrepreneurs with viable businesses who we will continue to perform our role on the
2009 award.
oy in a ou are the Nigerian market include salary advance have not qualified for additional funding African continent with the excellence and
loans, personal term loans, retail loans, through traditional banks.” Blue’s SMME professionalism that attracted the support of
eThe
bank Quality Management
ng acces i le to al Development small business finance and home division has only been operational since USAID,” concludes Kenneth.
Institute
and serv ce presented the award
which create oppor unit s fo to
ourBIMFB
c i nts, wh on
the improvement loans.
small, formal or inform l.
7 July
ie 2009,
t s a f, w ich sin
le Lagos, Nigeria.
o excell nt cu tom r
Len concludes that this award will enable
“We
e sha ewere nominated
th our custo ers o mbased
ke nfo one various
c ices. BIFMB to maintain its quality services
parameters such as international best
re and pa tnersh w th ue chip nve or . while ensuring continuous customer
practices,
nity outreach operational
gr mmes excellence, quality satisfaction in Nigeria.
and focus leadership,” says Len Pretorius,
managing
loye s cus director: BIMFB.o “The
mers and nvestors op r award
tio wo
recognises us for delivering quality
services.”
BIMFB started its operations in September
2008 to distribute and sell Blue’s micro-
financing services and products to Nigeria’s
SMME businessman, Freek Meiring: Basson Cut Veg.
3
Blue a “friend to
the Swazi Nation” Blue Swa
ziland co
untry ma
nager, Jo
han Senek
al, in fro
nt of one
of the veh
To assist communities affected by HIV and Dlamini, and were received by the deputy icles don
ated by th
e compan
Aids in Swaziland, Blue donated two Nissan prime minister, Themba Masuku, who at the y.
vans to the Shizelweni region. ceremony thanked Blue for a being a “friend
to the Swazi Nation.”
The vehicles, will be used by Asondle Sive
Bomake (Let us feed the nation) – an At the handover ceremony, Masuku said,
organisation comprising 30 women taking “Government has engaged in what is known
care of 1 500 orphans and vulnerable as a public private partnership because it
children in the Ka-Phunga area. cannot go at it alone in terms of fighting
poverty both in the urban and rural setting.
The main purpose of the vehicles is to We applaud Blue Financial Services for
transport sick children to the local hospital ploughing back to the community as profit
and to distribute food to the orphans, many margins can only be realised because of the ank you
gift.
ed a go at as a th
who are younger than 10 and heading up people who utilise their services. B lue receiv
households.
“We wish to appreciate the kind gesture
“Blue is involved in the growth of this extended by the foreign affairs minister who
community – and this is the second donation unselfishly secured the vehicles despite that
we have made,” says Johan Senekal, country he is an MP for Ndzingeni constituency.
manager, Blue Swaziland. “We are He demonstrated good leadership skills that
committed to Swaziland and believe that to should be emulated by all; for his vision is to
ensure sustainability of the community, see the whole country developing other than
people need to acquire health services. residents from his area.”
Our role is to provide the possible means to
achieve this objective.” As a token of appreciation, three goats were
given as a gift to Blue Swaziland. The
The vehicles were secured from Blue with goats are now living on a farm near
A few of
the assistance of the minister of foreign Mbabane,” says Johan. the child
ren who
will benefi
affairs and international cooperation, Lutfo t from Blu
e’s donati
o n.
A ‘faster’ Blue Zambia
“July has been an exciting month for Blue and also for collections. There is already a high improve customer service as the current Smartfin
Zambia, with a lot of changes, both technological number of inbound calls and enquiries following speed has had its fair share in impeding turnaround
and human capital wise,” says Tukuza Lungu, adverts placed in the media and also sms-es sent to times. On the human capital front, new employees
Blue Zambia’s operation manager. existing and potential clients, inviting them to are being recruited (trainer, call centre consultants,
take up Blue’s product range. It will start with branch managers, quality control, DDACs team
He explains that DNS Telecom helped set up a nine consultants and one supervisor.” leader and approval officers among others) to beef
new PBX system, replacing the phone system up the Blue team. FAME training is also expected
that was in use. A PBX (private branch exchange) These changes could not have happened at a better to start soon. We are positioning ourselves to
is a telephone exchange that serves a particular time than this, as Zambia’s telecom operators have ensure we remain the industry leaders, fully
business or office, as opposed to one that a just finished laying fibre optic cables, which will harnessing technology,”
telephone company operates for many connect the countries in the SADC region and concludes Tukuza.
businesses or for the general public. beyond. Zambia has been running on satellite
communication, which has inherent latency.
Tukuza says, This change brought The migration to fibre will not only increase
together all contact numbers for Blue Internet access speeds owing to lower latency,
cashXpress, Blue Assurance Services but will also offer increased uplink and downlink
and Blue Financial Services into one capacities.
PBX. A call centre has been set
up with very user friendly “Moreover, the changes will coincide with
software. The call centre Zambia’s migration from Smartfin to FAME.
will be an effective tool for This will make working online a much more
bringing in new business pleasurable experience, and will inevitably
4
The Blue Cameroon Lions and Lionesses
Blue Cameroon opened in the capital, Yaoundé, at the end of February. Since then, a Cameroon team has been appointed, and they are hard at
work to entrench Blue as the micro-financier of choice in the hearts and minds of the Cameroonian people.
Blue Bulletin proudly introduces the Cameroon Lions and Lionesses – who get their name from the country’s star Cameroonian soccer team,
the ‘Indomitable Lions’. Together with the who’s who, Blue’s new country team also gave us a glimpse of their favourite Cameroonian
cuisine, their most treasured tradition and what they do during their down time.
Welcome to the Blue Financial Services Cameroon team.
Valentine Okale Dang Guy Tiegoum Moukam
Administrative manager Consultant
Favourite meal: Achu (Pounded cocoyams Favourite meal: Fufu (A thick paste of
– a root vegetable – and yellow soup). porridge usually made by boiling starchy
Treasured tradition: The various annual root vegetables in water and pounding with a
festivals in the North-West provinces in mortar and pestle until the desired
Cameroon. consistency is reached) and eru (oval leaves
Personal hobby: Soccer. that measure about 10 centimetres in length).
Treasured tradition: Bayagi (traditional
Jean Calvin Nkwekeu dance).
Business developer manager Personal hobby: Reading.
Favourite meal: Kondre (plantain –
family of the banana – and palm oil and Dorcas Desiree Tchatchie
meat). Administrative assistant
Treasured tradition: Medumba festival Favourite meal: White bean and plantain.
(Held every two years in Bangangte. Treasured tradition: Medumba festival.
It takes place usually in July, to promote Personal hobby: Reading.
Cameroon’s Lions and Lionesses (from left to right): Jean Calvin Nkwekeu, business developer both the Medumba language and the
manager; Guy Tiegoum Moukam, consultant; Michelle Sandrine Ngatchou Tchouateun, personal
artworks of the 13 villages in the Paul Hyacinthe Zambo
assistant; Christian Biyegue, assistant country manager; Paul Hyacinthe Zambo, branch manager;
locality).
Harrison Ajong Ngayap, junior consultant; Dorcas Desiree Tchatchie, administrative assistant; and Branch manager
Valentine Okale Dang, administrative manager. Personal hobby: Soccer and lawn tennis.
Favourite meal: Rice and beans.
Michelle Sandrine Ngatchou Treasured tradition: Bikutsi.
Christian Biyegue manager for financial institutions in 2006.
Assistant country manager Before joining Blue, Christian worked at Tchouateun Personal hobby: Reading economics books.
the United Bank for Africa Cameroon as Personal assistant
Having more than nine years of banking
the head of public sector in charge of client Favourite meal: Sanga (Maize and Harrison Ajong Ngayap
experience with leading international
relationships with Cameroon government starchy food and coconut) Junior consultant
banks, Christian’s career started at the
Credit Lyonnais Cameroon Bank in 2001, institutions, embassies and non- Treasured tradition: Douala (Ngondo, Favourite meal: Ekwang (The dish is
where he worked as a credit analyst and a governmental organisations. which is the festival of the Sawa. The made from cocoyams or cassava cocoyam
relationship manager for French coastal dwellers of Cameroon from Limbe leaves, or leaves of a certain herb that is
multinational companies. Favourite meal: Ndolé (The national dish to Kribi, with the Wouri River are the focal moderately bitter, red hot peppers, palm
of Cameroon. The dish consists of a stew point of the festival in Douala. The ritual oil, special spices, Ngakanga [nut-like],
of nuts, bitter leaves indigenous to West and feast, which is held in the first week Ebobe [small seed-like or berry-like] and
Christian joined Standard Chartered Bank
Africa, and meat). of each December, celebrate the unity of some smoked or sun-dried fish/crayfish.)
Cameroon in 2004 in the wholesale bank
department as a relationship manager for Treasured tradition: Bikutsi (a music the Sawa people and their ancestors.) Treasured tradition: Bamiliké culture (A
multinational and energy companies, and genre from Cameroon). Personal hobby: Travel. collection of semi-Bantu ethnic groups).
was promoted to senior relationship Personal hobby: Tennis and reading. Personal hobby: Soccer and reading.
Blue kick-starts business
Josephine Adrapia is a primary school The idea to earn extra income came from
teacher in the Arua District of Uganda. Adrapia’s brother who was in the same
She lives and works in a village called business. It occurred to her when the burden
Maracha and takes care of six children, of responsibilities was becoming too
two of her own and four of her siblings overwhelming, and her salary from teaching
who can’t yet support themselves. She was not enough, to resolve it. So she
heard about Blue when a Blue field agent decided to come to Blue. She couldn’t
visited her school as part of a presentation believe the speed at which the money was
programme, which prompted her to visit a transferred to her account and applauded
Blue branch and apply for our emergency Blue for that. She made sufficient profit to
loan, amounting to ZK400 000. offset her loan within three months.
Adrapia invested the money into a charcoal Adrapia is looking forward to accessing
business, where she buys bags of charcoal another loan soon. She is waiting for the
in the village, and resells them in town at a weather to dry a bit, because the business
profit. She initially transported the charcoal is not favoured by rain. With her next loan
by bicycle as her capital was really meagre, she will broaden her business even further.
but owing to her Blue loan, she now She had this to say: “Long live Blue, I will
transports it using a truck. always owe you.”
5
Blue Uganda targets farmers
The Blue Uganda stall at the Kabarole District Agricultural trade show.
at the Kabarole trade show
Blue Employee Benefits which included marketing coordinator,
Uganda promoted the Jovent Kyalimpa and Fort Portal
company’s financial services to branch manager, Suzan Atuhura, as
the farmers and micro- well as the entire team from Fort Portal
agricultural entrepreneurs at branch. During the exhibition week,
the Kabarole District more than 90 proud clients signed loans
Agricultural Trade Show in and were added to our clientele in this
one of Blue Uganda’s operation. Six clients signed the
operational areas. “The applications at our stall and the others
operational area is served by came to the branch, or were visited by
our esteemed branch, Fort sales agents.”
Portal and is comprised of the
The minister for agriculture, the honourable Hope Mwesigye, brightens up the show in her yellow outfit five districts: Kabarole, Peter says that through this exhibition,
and spends much time visiting the Blue Uganda stall. Bundibujo, Kasese, Kyenjojo, Blue Uganda marketed their offerings
and Kamwenge,” says Peter to people who previously found it hard
Mugogo, operations to travel long distances to come to a
coordinator, Blue Uganda. Blue branch to find out how Blue
operates.
“The Kabarole District Agricultural
Trade Show was the first to take place “The show gave potential clients the
and his excellence the president was opportunity to be educated and have all
expected to attend. The show was held their questions answered. With our
over three days at grounds in Fort corporate brand, colour, neatness and
Portal. The exhibition was graced by customer care, we stood out from our
the minister for agriculture, the competition and the many exhibitors.
honourable Hope Mwesigye, who
applauded our services while she “Rukuya Asiimwe Patrick, the district
toured our stall,” says Peter. speaker, was one of the distinguished
guests. He was highly impressed by the
“Many institutions including NGOs good marketing, professional service,
and farmers exhibited, but our good corporate image and public
exhibition took centre stage owing to relations shown and lived by our Blue
Distinguished guest, Rukuya Asiimwe Patrick – the district speaker – signs the visitor’s book at Blue.
the diligence and vibrancy of our team, employees.”
Blue Zambia and the police:
Partners in development
Blue Zambia handed over a cheque to the football club. He promised to see to it that
commissioner of police, Graphael the money was used to its intended
Musamba, at the Zambian police purpose,” says Godfrey Ngula, sales and
headquarters recently. The ZK12 150 000 marketing director: Blue Zambia.
sponsorship from Blue will finance the
police’s flagship football team called the “Blue Zambia takes social responsibility
‘High flying Nkwazi football club’. seriously,” adds Godfrey. “The Zambian
police force and Blue have a partnership
Blue has pledged to pay for the laundry that dates back to 2004, and we have
of the soccer jerseys, the team doctor, and always worked hand-in-hand with the
training fees. police in empowering individuals or
communities. We have in the past assisted
“At the handover ceremony, the chairman them with reflective drums to control
of the Nkwazi football club, Mr Bowa, traffic, donated various utility items to
thanked Blue for the quick response to them and renovated some of their police
their plea for donations, and went on to stations.
ask the corporate world to emulate what
Blue had done despite the global crunch. “Furthermore, the Zambian police force is
He promised that the club would be also the second largest group to benefit
promoted to the premier division next from our loans and so we also took the
season. The commissioner, also mentioned opportunity at the handover ceremony to
the benefits of social investment. He inform the police about new programmes
thanked Blue and said he was very pleased and re-emphasised our policy on lending
to receive the cheque on behalf of the and the number of branches we have.”
6
BIMFB employees aim for
BLUE
S performance improvement
LETTER
xtra
a y le y P re to r ius, goes the e ice.
tant, H er serv
Personal assis eat example of best custom
r
mile and is a g
Dear Grant,
P.A. –
ortunity of thanking your
take this opp
I would like to
rius.
Hayley Preto
d has a
d e rs ta n d in g, efficient an
, un
elpful, caring o the extra m
ile.
She is very h re p ar e d to g
ency and is p
sense of urg
BSA NAEDO
n ta ti o n of the new A
nt imple m e ucts,
With the rece C re d it U an d other prod
d
r both Blue an tation and th
e signing
Collections fo e d o cu m e n
ed me with th e contracts BIMFB employees form working groups and discuss
Hayley assist at le n g th s to ensure th improving company performance.
went to gre
thereof. She rrectly.
si g n e d ti m eously and co
were o improve business alignment and solicit executive directors and managers; and
ession
g e m e n ts fo r a Training S input from employees who are closest to employees were divided into small
e make arran BAL/INTERN
ATIONAL
She helped m A B S A G L O customers, all employees of Blue working groups. Topics discussed included
revive the nts' to your
yesterday to ak e 'i m m ediate payme Intercontinental Micro-finance Bank the company’s vision, mission and values;
able to m
system to be (BIMFB) in Nigeria recently took part in training in quality; procedures; time
performance improvement development management; and customer service.
clients.
ntation or sessions in Lagos and Ibadan. Employee working groups discussed the
as si st an ce with docume
if I need ce. topics and made proposals for improving
I always know I ca n re ly o n her assistan
ure The sessions, which took place on a company performance.
r your signat
otherwise fo Saturday, consisted of lectures by BIMFB’s
isation!
is an as se t to your organ
Hayley
ly
Yours sincere
son
Anne E. Robin
Advisor : ess Bank
B S A : C o rp orate & Busin
A
Sunshine in Africa
New Blue tracksuits for
This section of our Blue newspaper is dedicated to the
Botswana soccer team friendly, funny and fascinating stories that happen at
our branches. We call them our ‘feel good’ stories.
Blue Employee Benefits in
Botswana has extended their
feel good stories
During the early hours of Sunday morning I received a message from Sukani
sponsorship of the Office of the CS*, a man who was stranded with financial problems.
President’s soccer team by making As he knew my mobile number, I sms-ed him to visit our branch the following
sure the players and management morning.
stay warm before and after On 13 July 2009, I checked affordability and he qualified for an amount of N$5000.
matches in Blue branded tracksuits. He wanted to pay his plot to the town council and not lose the land for his family as
accommodation is an important issue to every person living on earth.
The team, which since last year has
been playing in Blue branded On 22 July 2009 the money was paid into his account and he visited Blue to say
thank you and how grateful he was.
shirts, shorts and socks, has had a
good season and won their division Susan Mukwata
*Names changed to keep the identities of our clients
by a huge margin. Katima Mulilo, Namibia confidential. Please keep on sending us your
heartwarming and entertaining stories.
7
Best in Lesotho
BLUETY
The winner of the trophy
for the Best Employee in
SOCIE
Sales Department in June is
Ntate Tumi from Cashbuild
Mafeteng, Lesotho.
The winner of the trophy for
the Best Employee in Support
Department in June is Me
Thebogo from head office,
Blue Lesotho.
Quest for victory!
The RSA operations department held a workshop to win back
customers, grow business, and reveal Blue’s leadership among
competitors. The delegates got their creative juices flowing by
creating their own good client service, fraud detection and “when
in need Blue indeed” adverts. The focus areas for the next three
months were also made known: Expenditure control, quality
business, client service and employee morale. The workshop ended
on a fun note with a 1920s mystery murder themed dinner.
Standing strong
CEO, Dave van Niekerk’s message
to the organisation made at the last
executive committee meeting was
taken back to the Johannesbug
Central team.
“On the photo you can see that our
team is geared for the ‘war’ against
our competitors! We are ready to
destroy the obstacles in our way,
and we’ll stand strong as a team
and defeat the enemy. We’ll take no
prisoners and win the battle with
a smile,” says regional manager,
Christa Laubscher.
Blue’s peer educator programme makes progress
In the March edition of the Blue Bulletin, managed by CareWorks, an organisation Bulletin going to print, were in the
we reported that the International Funding that focuses on stopping the transmission process of being analysed. “Once the
Corporation (IFC) chose Blue Financial of HIV and protecting those who are analysis is finalised, Blue will plan focus
Services Limited (Blue or the Group) to negative, and on keeping HIV positive areas in our broader HIV and Aids, and
lead their peer educator pilot project. people productive. gender empowerment workplace strategy.
Thank you to all the employees who took our peer educators with knowledge about
The IFC selected Blue because of the The survey was conducted in South part in the survey,” says Morné. HIV, Aids and wellness, and provide them
Group’s large footprint in Africa along Africa, Botswana and Zambia – to set a with the necessary communications skills
with Blue’s branch location in both urban standard, before being rolled out to the The results of the survey and to transfer this knowledge.”
and rural areas. “Our employees have other regions – to measure broadly HIV
direct access to their community, speak the and Gender related knowledge, attitudes,
further actions will be published
same language and are therefore ideally perceptions and behaviour (KAPB) in the August edition of the To assist peer educators in this task, they
situated to effect change,” says Morné amongst Blue’s employees. Blue Bulletin. will also receive a toolkit, which is an
Reinders, Group corporate affairs assembly of information pieces such as
executive. The survey was confidential and focus “Furthermore, we had an overwhelming pamphlets, booklets and posters informing
groups formed part of the measurement. response to our peer educator programme,” people about HIV and Aids, prevention,
To kick-start the programme, a survey The results of the survey have been says Morné. “We will, therefore soon testing and anti-retroviral treatment; as
was held at Blue. The survey was calculated and at the time of the Blue contact our volunteers and start training well as male and female condoms.
Best service - B
Teamwork - T
Sales support - S
Initiative/innovation - I
8
Brands highlighted at
Zambian trade fair
The Zambia International Trade Fair is an says Godfrey Ngula, marketing and sales
annual business event in Ndola, Zambia’s director: Blue Zambia. “Marketing officer,
second largest city, and Blue Financial Harrison Mbeba; financial manager –
Services and cashXpress took part in this Insurance, Florence Mpemba, and sales
year’s event. This fair attracts thousands of agents represented Blue at the stand. Blue
local and international visitors and the was the only micro-finance institution
Cornele
theme this year was “Investment in represented at the fair, and we are very teacher
us Band
a, an ag
and his ent at th
infrastructure for competitiveness”. proud of taking part, although we missed the pupils a
t the Za
e Ndola
branch,
mbia In explain
‘best stand’ prize by a narrow margin.” ternatio
nal Trad
s Blue’s
financia
e Fair. l service
“Our stand was one of the most popular offering
s to a
stands and many visitors were impressed,”
Show highlights competitiveness
as a strategy for growth
Blue Employee Benefits was among the – which is in line with the ministry of trade
many organisations that attended the and industry’s mandate of facilitating
annual BOCCIM Northern Trade Fair held sustainable economic growth and
in Francistown, Botswana. diversification of the economy through the
promotion of trade and industrial
The BOCCIM Fair is used as a forum development.
through which companies in the private
and public sector can showcase their “The assistant minister of trade and
products and service, and for buyers and industry, Duke Lefhoko, gave the Blue
sellers to interact and possibly seal stand a visit and complemented the Blue
liments business deals. staff on their exceptional exhibition,” says
right) comp
ted on the
u k e L ef hoko (sea Pieter van Tonder, sales support manager:
ustry, D n.
e and ind t exhibitio “The theme of the fair was Blue Botswana.
n t m in is ter of trad ee s o n a n excellen
The assis
ta ploy
enefits em ‘Competitiveness: A Strategy for Growth’
mployee B
the Blue E
Pictured above are the cashXpress employees of the Kitwe branch in Zambia (from left to right) Rozia, branch manager; Sharon, marketing agent; Tana, loan consultant;
Lillian, marketing manager; Tamara, loan consultant; Jairos, driver; Winnie, loan consultant; Sonia, loan consultant; Ngosa, marketing agent; Mirriam, marketing agent;
Carol, office assistant.
“Our brand is very exciting and we are positioning cashXpress as a lender of choice for many borrowers who would not necessarily borrow from a cash loan/salary payday advance company. The process of granting a
loan is executed from the start to finish by one loan officer to enable us to disburse a cash loan in less than 20 minutes. This is the reason why it is called cashXpress!” says branch manager, Rozia NgabaneniI.
Volume 04 • Issue 07 • July 2009 • Published by Blue Financial Services - Republic of South Africa • www.blue.co.za
Blue Bulletin is published by Blue Financial Services Limited
PO Box 72041, Lynnwood Ridge 0040, South Africa
Editor: Heike Bredenkamp
CA-BLUE-0128
To contribute your stories and letters, please send to newsletter@blue.co.za • Phone +27 (0)12 990 5627
Layout and design: Melanie Brix
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