This year's theme, "Your Campus Adventure Starts Now", aims to celebrates the thrill, chaos and possibility of stepping into varsity life. From orientation to late-night study sessions and social moments, 5FM and Standard Bank are showing up together to ampli5 and celebrate every chapter of the student journey — on campus, on air and online, says the station.

The 5 Lunch duo, Lula Odiba and Nadia Romanos, broadcast live from campuses across the country. Each stop aims to highlight a different chapter of first-year life:

  • Thursday, 29 January — University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
  • Friday, 30 January — Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch.
  • Thursday, 5 February — Rhodes University, Makhanda.
  • Friday, 13 February — University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.
  • Thursday, 26 February — University of Pretoria, Pretoria.

The week culminates in "First Big Friday", with a live set from Lula Odiba to celebrate surviving week one, says the station.

5FM and Standard Bank co-created a mix of on-air and on-campus experiences designed to be fast, fun and useful for students:

  • State of 5 Nation: quick takes on first-week realities like "The First Lecture" and "Campus Life".
  • Stereo Typical: playful sketches of campus archetypes that students can instantly recognise.
  • Campus Confessions Booth: anonymous first-week stories recorded on site.
  • Co-Creator Fridays: campus radio talent joins Lula and Nadia live on air.
  • Student Montages: real student-shot clips under the theme "Your Campus Adventure Starts Now".

All content is designed to be concise, shareable, and authentically student focused, says the station.

This year's activations aim to go beyond entertainment — they're "edutainment". Standard Bank aims to turn financial learning into interactive, relatable experiences that build confidence.

According to Standard Bank:

  • Games simplify complex topics such as student loans and budgeting
  • interactive stations turn fear into understanding, and
  • fun lowers barriers to asking real questions and makes learning memorable.

This approach supports Standard Bank's position by offering a hand up through practical products, such as the MyMo Account voted the best Youth account by South Africa; exclusive benefits via Varsity Vibe; education funding through student loans; and immersive experiences that aim to help students grow with confidence, says the station.

"We are more than a bank — we are a lifelong partner to young South Africans. From their earliest money habits to post-matric studies and everything that follows, we're there to guide, support and empower. By making financial education engaging and interactive, we help students build lasting confidence and skills," says Tshiamo Molanda, Head Youth and Mass Market PPB SA.

"Education is a key pillar of our commitment, and we walk with young people at every step of their journey. O-Week is a powerful opportunity to show that we're not just a provider — we're a true partner," adds Molanda.

Masi Mdingane, Business Manager for 5FM and Good Hope FM, says the partnership with Standard Bank is rooted in celebrating and amplifying the full spectrum of student life.

"Our partnership with Standard Bank is an all-out celebration of students and student life, but it's also a recognition of the real challenges, questions and quirks that come with stepping into varsity for the first time. O-Week is electric: it's discovery, freedom, pressure, excitement and limitless possibility all in one," says Mdingane.

"In proud association with the team at Standard Bank, we're helping students navigate this new study, party and bonding ground, Ampli5d by 5FM and setting them up for massive success as they begin writing the next chapter of their lives," adds Mdingane.

5FM is ready to make O-Week 2026 unforgettable on campus, on air and online, concludes the station.

For more information, visit www.5fm.co.za. You can also follow 5FM on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor