South African youth radio station 5FM has partnered with Standard Bank to roll out a nationwide campus activation for Orientation Week (O-Week) 2026, targeting first-year university students across the country.
Branded under the theme “Your Campus Adventure Starts Now,” the campaign is designed to capture the excitement, uncertainty and possibility that mark the beginning of varsity life. The collaboration brings together on-air broadcasts, on-campus experiences and digital content aimed at reflecting the full spectrum of the student journey — from orientation lectures to social life and late-n
As part of the initiative, 5 Lunch hosts Lula Odiba and Nadia Romanos are broadcasting live from major university campuses, each representing a different chapter of the first-year experience. The tour includes stops at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, Stellenbosch University, Rhodes University in Makhanda, the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, and the University of Pretoria.
The campaign culminates in First Big Friday, featuring a live DJ set by Odiba to mark the end of students’ first week on campus
5FM and Standard Bank have co-created a range of fast-paced, student-focused activations, blending entertainment with practical insight. These include short on-air segments exploring first-week realities, comedic sketches centred on familiar campus archetypes, anonymous student storytelling booths, collaborations with campus radio talent, and student-generated video montages designed for digital sharing.
According to the partners, the initiative is intended to go beyond entertainment and into what they describe as “edutainment,” using interactive experiences to make financial education more accessible to young people. Standard Bank says games and hands-on activities are being used to simplify topics such as budgeting and student loans, reduce anxiety around money matters, and encourage students to ask questions in an informal environment.
The activations also highlight Standard Bank’s youth-focused offerings, including its MyMo Account, student funding solutions and partnerships aimed at delivering lifestyle and educational benefit
“We are more than a bank — we are a lifelong partner to young South Africans,” said Tshiamo Molanda, Head of Youth and Mass Market at Standard Bank South Africa. “By making financial education engaging and interactive, we help students build confidence and skills that will support them throughout their lives.”
5FM business manager Masi Mdingane said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to celebrating student life while acknowledging the challenges faced by first-year students. “O-Week is electric — it’s discovery, pressure, excitement and limitless possibility all at once. Together with Standard Bank, we’re helping students navigate this new environment and start their journeys with confidence,” he said.
The initiative positions 5FM, one of South Africa’s leading youth broadcasters, as a central presence in O-Week 2026, with activations running simultaneously on campus, on air and online as universities across the country welcome a new intake of students.