Africa’s largest automated clearing house will be climbing Africa’s highest mountain.

Twelve employees from BankservAfrica will be staking a claim on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro (Kenya) in June of this year, to become the first automated clearing house to summit one of the highest peaks accessible to hikers in the world, up the highest freestanding mountain in the world.

Head of group marketing Michael Rubenstein explains the company is very excited at this challenge to build brand equity on an African scale.  “This expedition will truly show how BankservAfrica is always striving to conquer new heights, both literally and figuratively.”

Responsible for the majority of South Africa’s low-value interbank payment transactions, the company also undertakes business in Africa and is driving growth into the continent.  “The whole initiative was rather opportune, staff were chatting and realised climbing Kilimanjaro was a common goal.   On the business side strategies were being finalised, with growing brand awareness being highlighted.  What better way to drive home our brand message than an undertaking of this nature.”

Over a year in planning, the company has chosen the Rongai route to ascend Kilimanjaro.  “Approaching the mountain from the north-eastern side along the border between Tanzania and Kenya, we’ll get to experience more unspoilt wilderness while seeing a different perspective of Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.”

BankservAfrica will also be raising funds for its CSI (corporate social investment) projects:  the Randeor School and the Coronation Training Centre through a “metre for more” sponsorship campaign.  “To create excitement around the pledge process members of the Kilimanjaro expedition climbing team will be asking friends, family, clients and companies to sponsor their climb – pledging an amount per metre climbed.”  Rubenstein says with the height of Kilimanjaro being over 5 800 metres, they’ve set a target of over R100 000.  

These schools will be receiving further support with trees being planted by BankservAfrica to offset their carbon footprint as a result of the travels arising from the Kilimanjaro expedition.  BankservAfrica has recently undertaken an internal environmental education campaign to drive awareness and understanding among employees of the need to embrace a greener way of life.

Interested parties can go to www.bankservafrica.com <http://www.bankservafrica.com>  to pledge their support.