One of South Africa’s cricketing greats, Jonty Rhodes, has joined Standard Bank as a business banker.
Jonty, whose live-wire antics on the pitch enthralled millions of cricket fans both locally and internationally, has been appointed as an account executive in Standard Bank’s business banking division in KwaZulu-Natal. He is based in Durban.
Jonty, who has a BCom degree, will also be using his wealth of cricket experience to further develop Standard Bank’s cricket sponsorship. He will also play a role in developing the bank’s youth market.
Says Roy Ross, director of business banking at Standard Bank: ”Jonty’s appointment is a terrific coup for the bank. He has a tremendous zest for life and his professionalism, commitment, integrity, loyalty and team spirit are everything the bank stands for.”
He says Jonty’s intimate knowledge of cricket will help to add value to Standard Bank’s cricket sponsorship.
”Jonty’s interpersonal skills and the fact that he is regarded as an icon by the youth will also assist us in the development of our youth market initiatives,” says Ross.
After a successful cricketing career spanning 14 years Jonty felt it was time to broaden his horizon.
”After announcing my retirement from cricket I realised I had to get on with my life. I then started looking around for new challenges,” says Jonty.
He says the approach from Standard Bank could not have come at a better time.
”Standard Bank have been my bankers for more than 10 years and I have also had a wonderful relationship with the bank through its sponsorship of the South African national team and one-day internationals.”
He says he was also attracted to the bank because it is one of South Africa’s leading financial institutions with a reputation for being innovative and reacting positively to the changes and challenges facing the country.
Jonty, who started his new job this week, says he is looking forward to the challenge.
”I don’t want to be seen as merely a figurehead, I want to add value. It is time I put my business degree to good use”.
Jonty burst on to the international cricket stage during the 1992 World Cup in Australia with his memorable diving run-out of Pakistan’s Inzamam ul-Haq. During his cricket career he played 52 Tests and 245 one-day internationals for South Africa. He scored nearly 6 000 runs in his one-day international career and took 105 catches.
Having quit test cricket in 2000, Jonty remained a member of the South African one-day side. However, his one-day career came to an abrupt halt when he broke a bone in his hand in a match against Kenya at the start of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
”I’ve really enjoyed my cricket career, but it was time to move on. Working for Standard Bank presents me with the opportunity to use my cricket experience as well as develop my business skills.” says Jonty. — I-Net Bridge