Etana enhances its commitment to arts development through BASA Mentorship Programme

Last edited: July 13, 2011

Posted by Business and Arts South Africa

Johannesburg: Leading South African business insurance specialist, Etana is putting its sponsorship where its heart is by becoming the new partner in Business and Arts South Africa’s Mentorship Programme.

Now known as the BASA Mentorship Programme, in association with Etana, the new relationship will be recognised when the Etana Mentor of the Year Award is presented at the 14th Annual Business Day BASA Awards, supported by Anglo American on August 29 this year. Says Carel Nolte, Head: People and Brand at Etana, “We are honoured to be able to play a role in assisting the development and growth of the arts in our country. The BASA Mentorship Programme has a powerful history and we look forward to helping the team achieve even more success.”

The Programme was originally designed to introduce better business skills into the arts sector in 2005 and now has around 50 active mentors. Its emphasis is on a two-way relationship where arts organisations benefit from the knowledge and expertise of businesspeople and the latter gain insight into what it takes to commit to a world driven by creativity.

The Programme gives businesspeople the chance to take on the role of mentor as part of their CSI portfolio. Business and Arts South Africa plays a key role in assisting would-be and current mentors with finding the appropriate arts organisation to mentor, matching skills to needs.

Nolte, himself a passionate believer in the power of mentorship within the arts community, joined the Programme as a mentor in 2006. Since then Nolte has mentored Sibikwa Arts Centre and literary journal, Wordsetc.

“As a mentor I have often learnt more than what I have taught – a humbling and empowering process of growth. In short, the BASA mentorship programme is a win-win for both mentor and mentee,” says Nolte of this experience.

As part of a three-year sponsorship, Etana is aiming to involve as many of its 350 Etanans at its close to 20 branches throughout the country as is possible.

Adds Nolte, “As a Local is Lekker company we look forward to getting involved across our country. Etana realizes that the only differentiator in business, at the end of the day, is people. Growing our own team, but also playing a small role in growing our communities, is a privilege and responsibility as a corporate.”

Since its inception, the BASA Mentorship Programme has seen some significant relationships built between mentors and mentorees – many of which have been recognised at the Business Day BASA Awards, supported by Anglo American. Among the Mentor of the Year winners have been Hilton Lawler, Strategy Consultant (for Origins Centre Association); Gary Ninow, the Business Clinic (for Umcebo Trust) and Yvette Nowell, RMB(for Valued Citizen’s Initiative); Gianni Mariano, Mastrantonio and Gillian Crawford ,EDL Investments Ltd (for Artist Proof Studio) and Gail Lemmert, Barloworld (for the National Children’s Theatre); Irma Albers, Distell (for From the Hip: Khulumakahle) and Pamela Grayman, Grant Thornton (for Ballet Theatre Afrikan).

Says BASA’s Diana Williams, Manager of the programme, ‘It is wonderful to see how business has embraced the challenge to mentor arts groups, giving of their time and knowledge generously. With Etana’s support, the programme can now go from strength to strength, engaging with other businesses to grow much needed skills in the arts. We really applaud their involvement, and their ability to make a difference.”

Notes to editor:

The BASA Mentorship Programme in association with Etana is designed to introduce better business skills into the arts sector. In 2001 Business and Arts South Africa ran its first Arts Marketing programme, which identified gaps in levels of professional or business expertise within the arts sector – ranging from marketing to financial planning; from audience development to cash flow management.

If you are interested in finding out more about the programme, please contact Diana Williams on 011 447 2295 or email diana@basa.co.za

Etana Insurance
Etana Insurance is a dedicated business insurer through brokers operating throughout South Africa. Etana’s expertise covers a wide range of insurance classes aimed specifically at business. This specialist knowledge provides a solid base from which to serve companies of all sizes – from multi-billion-rand conglomerates to the family shop on the corner. With 18 offices around the country, Etana says ‘local is lekker.’ For more information on Etana please visit www.etana.co.za, the Etana facebook site or follow them on twitter.