In Africa, and South Africa, more than 50% of families have probably found themselves unable to provide enough food for their families, at some time during the last year. Our children are going hungry.

"For Nedbank Group, sustainability is not simply something we do; it is a state we aspire to achieve. Not just because sustainability is the only morally acceptable path for any organisation today, but also because being a sustainable bank simply makes perfect business sense."

Mike Brown, Chief Executive: Nedbank Group

Nedbank Menlyn Maine, a 4-star rated green property in Pretoria, South Africa’s first ever ‘green’ precinct, was officially opened earlier this month.

Can you imagine a banking branch that runs entirely on alternative energy – and that in South Africa?

In 2013 the WWF Nedbank Green Trust is funding the placement of 10 Masters degree students who have environment and conservation-related qualifications within this programme.

If it is possible to transform a dead piece of grey gravel along a corporate building into a row of vegetable gardens abundantly delivering organic nourishment to hungry children attending a soup kitchen, then one can surely grow food almost anywhere?

Nedbank Capital recently scooped three prestigious awards at the 2012 Project Finance Deal of the Year Awards held in London at the luxurious Grand Connaught Hotel.

Even in these belt-tightening times, consumers worldwide are going green, showing with their wallets an increased interest in products that have been produced in an environmentally conscious manner.

The January edition of Nedbank Capital’s African Agriculture Review examines the latest thinking from the FAO on how farmers must be put at the centre of future developments in agriculture. Here is a summary.

South African president Jacob Zuma urged millions of South Africans to return to the land as a way to augment income and reduce food insecurity.

A new innovative solar cooker bike had been launched, with hopes of introducing a sustainable energy cooking method to communities in Soweto.

"Gone are the days when business was able to shrug off environmental concerns as being incompatible with maximising shareholder value."

In a first for South Africa, a R5 billion Green Bond will be used to fund the growth of green and energy-efficient industries.

Nedbank’s R9 million investment in WWF South Africa’s Water Balance programme – which was announced at the end of August 2011 – has resulted in some impressive achievements.

Nedbank has developed a new investment product for green-minded South Africans who want to take responsibility for their financial security, but also make a contribution towards protecting the environment.

For the sixth consecutive year, Nedbank Group has been included on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index; one of only two South African financial institutions and five South African companies to feature on this important benchmark of global corporate sustainability.

As part of the 110% Green initiative, the Western Cape Government and Nedbank launched the Greening Your Business course, a free online course for 1 000 local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).

Dr Reuel Khoza has recently authored the book 'Attuned Leadership: African Humanism as Compass,' which provides a richly reflective discussion on leadership and transformation. In a world where tyrants abound in corporations and in states, his book gives direction to ethical leadership.

Drinking wine is one of life’s great pleasures, but there’s even more pleasure when you know that your favourite tipple is not harming the environment.

Industry leaders have welcomed a new set of awards that will recognise companies’ and individual leadership contributions towards sustainable business practices in Africa.