Vuvuzela South Africa

My Card from Standard Bank – do women really need a credit card created just for them? What was the thinking behind creating this financial product just for women?

My Card – Comprehensive Financial Package

I’ve been blogging about this Standard Bank My Card for women and about its benefits and about the competitions, but I have been wondering in the back of my mind what exactly made Standard bank decide to create this very comprehensive financial package for women that includes a international credit card, facilities, cash back, medical cover, disability benefits, roadside assistance and even a handyman.

According to Standard Bank, a 2008 international survey 70% of South African women claimed to be financially independent; 62% said they contributed half of more of the household income with 49% contributing more than their partner did. 54% stated that they control the family money with a further 29% sharing control with their partner.

Black Diamond Studies

Unilever’s Black Diamond 2008 studies found that black middle class women are becoming an economic force in their own right. Black Diamond women then represented a tenth of the county’s entire adult population and their annual spending power as R120 billion – over 40% of the annual spend of all South African women

So I guess when one takes these facts into consideration it makes perfect sense that Standard Bank created a credit card just for women. Only time will tell how the market responds to My Card.

Popularity: 1% [?]

OK, I have been writing a lot about the My Card from Standard Bank – because it is a paid gig, (I have to make a living), and blogging about football doesn’t quite pay all the bills. But I would never write about anything I didn’t believe in.

Standard Bank Credit Card for Women

Some say that by creating a credit card just for women Standard bank is maginalising women – that could only be true if there was equality between men and women – social and economic equality. We know that although we have come a long way, we still have quite a way to travel.

So what does My Card from Standard Bank actually do,  it  gives the cardholders the freedom to shop online securely and at no additional cost, free basic travel insurance if they are under 76, and up to 55 days of interest free credit provided the account is paid on or before the due date. See all the details on the website.

My Card for Women

But more than that, My Card helps women enjoy the freedom to get what they need, when they need it. Women get cash back when spending with My Card so that every swipe contributes to a My Card moment – the freedom to treat them to whatever they choose.

So I guess you all want to know the million-dollar question, what does it take to qualify for one of these My Cards?

You qualify for a My Card if you earn a minimum monthly income of R8000; are 18 years and older and a South African citizen or permanent resident.

What Does Standard Bank Need ?

What documents does Standard Bank need from you?

• Your valid South African identification document.
• Proof of latest income.
• Proof of residence such as your latest electricity or telephone account. Should this not be in your name, please attach a letter of confirmation from the account holder.
• Your last three months bank statements of the account into which your salary is paid. The statements will have to be clear unpaid (bills, cheques, debit order and stop orders dishonoured by the branch) and will need to be stamped by your bank.

Why not explore the My Card options further – go to the website and have a look at the features and benefits… and the prizes.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Well something really cool to think about, it that this brand new credit card for women that Standard Bank has just introduced in South Africa, is always giving away some prizes.

And because we don’t know if the prizes are going to be on offer again, you’d better jump in and take a look at what the requirements are for the two My Card competitions.

Grand Prize of R50 000

Standard Bank makes this really easy. Apply for a MyCard credit card and if your application is successful, you stand in line to win the grand prize of R50 000! The grand prize competition runs from 19 July to 19 November 2010. You can even apply online.

With My Card for Women from Standard Bank, you get cash back every time you swipe. Read here to find out how the cash back works:  And now for the second competition - Give some thought to how you’d use your cash-back to create a special moment for yourself – whether it be curling up in bed with a good book or going to spa with your friends,.

My Card Moment

All you need to do is imagine that moment and share it with Standard Bank and you could win one of five weekly gift cards worth R500. Weekly competition runs from 19 July to 12 November 2010.

All you have to do is click on the submit your moment button below and tell them about YOUR moment. But first, you need a My Card Credit card.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Standard Bank, South Africa’s largest credit card provider has launched, what they say is a first of its kind product, a Credit Card tailored just for Women.

My Card, as the new Standard Bank credit card for women is called, has been launched right in the middle of Women’s Month when a clarion call has been sounded for the accelerated economic empowerment of our women.

According to the My Card website, “My Card gives you the freedom to shop online securely and at no additional cost, free basic travel insurance if you are under 76, and up to 55 days of interest free credit provided your account is paid on or before the due date”

Launch of My Card

To celebrate the launch of My Card, Standard bank is also running two great competitions, linked to this unique credit card for women:

• You stand in line to win the grand prize of R 50 000 Ii you successfully apply for your My Card credit card.
• There are weekly gift cards worth R500 to be won when you share your My Card Moment.

Credit Card for South African Women

We know that women make most of the purchasing decisions and have better financial records than men, which is why MyCard, with its host of benefits and ability to make payments worldwide will soon become the preferred credit card for South African women.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Ask the Octopus

Get your Paul the Octopus iPhone App (unofficial) and you will have predictions in the palm of your hand – so to speak.

It was just a matter of time before someone jumped on the very popular bandwagon of Paul the Psychic Octopus who made a string of winning predictions in the recent 2010 World Cup. Besides the vuvuzela, I think Paul the Octopus became one the the icons of this tournament.

According to Mashable, the German Octopus is back in the form of an iOS app that makes predictions about anything you want it to, not just football.

The uTouchLabs-developed app is called “Ask the Octopus” [iTunes link] and it’s available in the App Store for the iPhone , iPod touch and iPad (though it doesn’t have a special iPad version).

Ask the Octopus

Before you rush off to install this Paul the Octopus iPhone app, called Ask the Octopus, I just want to warn you that is is just a game, you are not going to get Lotto numbers or pick a winner on the sixth race. But it is fun to play with and, hey it’s quite a talking point.

A good recipe for World Cup withdrawal: install the Ask the Octopus iPhone App and the Vuvuzela iPhone App and you’ll get that 2010 World Cup feeling all over again.

After all Vuvuzela was the WORD for the 2010 World Cup.

Popularity: 4% [?]