eBucks, First National Bank's hugely popular rewards programme, has announced the appointment of Jolandé Duvenage as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Duvenage is one of the original eBucks team members responsible for launching eBucks.com in 2000, and has played an integral role in the company's success over the 10 years she has been with the company.

She has occupied several key senior management positions within eBucks, and was responsible for the successful negotiation and implementation of numerous key projects including launching FNB's internet offering in all its African subsidiaries and offering the only website in South Africa to sell the country's lottery tickets.

Prior to her appointment as CEO, Duvenage was executive head of Innovation, where she was responsible for developing alternate revenue streams for eBucks.

"I am both honoured and excited to be given this opportunity," Duvenage says.  "There are many great projects that we are busy with and I hope to further complement the eBucks team's efforts by ensuring the continued growth of the business through people development and innovation."

Commenting on the South African rewards industry, Duvenage says that the landscape is rapidly changing and that offering significant value will distinguish programmes that have a true impact from those that don't.

"A few years ago there weren't all that many programmes in existence but FNB took the leap and gave eBucks the necessary support and investment," she explains. Today, FNB is reaping the benefits.

Duvenage believes that rewards programmes in South Africa are going to become a lot more targeted in what they offer and, while many of these programmes currently only benefit a small group of people, the key will be to create wider appeal and make them relevant to lower income groups.

"The increase in programmes, and greater commitment from companies has really matured the market and created some healthy competition."

What this means for the industry, and for eBucks, is that the challenge to drive differentiation and value for customers and the various stakeholders in these loyalty programmes is more important than ever before.

"This is going to be a big part of what I plan to do in order to keep eBucks at the forefront of the industry.  I firmly believe that the eBucks team is unrivalled in its passion and excellence and as the rewards industry evolves, taking into account the economic climate we want to ensure that we remain valuable to our members and our partner organisations.

"We look forward to achieving many substantial milestones during the course of the coming year," she concludes.

Duvenage succeeds Lezanne Human, who, after six years at the helm of eBucks, has assumed the position of CEO of IPH / Premier at First National Bank.

About eBucks:

eBucks, the rewards programme offered by First National Bank (FNB) and RMB Private Bank, is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading rewards programmes with highly active members spending in excess of 80% of the eBucks earned in any given month.