Frequently Asked Questions

“We believe in growing talent from within. This requires not only for us to have amongst the best learning environment but also to be able to get the best of minds into our talent pipeline. Golden Key partnership provides us the best opportunity to not only grow future leaders for Procter &Gamble, but also for Africa.” Mr Arvind Chandak, Procter & Gamble, HR Director for South and East Africa

1. What is Golden Key?

Golden Key is an internationally recognised, non-profit organization affiliated with over 400 universities throughout Australia,  Canada, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, The Bahamas and the United States.  The Society’s mission is to enable members to realize their potential by connecting individual achievement with service and lifelong opportunity. Golden Key is the world’s largest honour society and is a mission-focused, values-based and demographics-driven organization.  With 36 years of rich tradition, Golden Key remains committed to scholarship, career development, leadership and community service. Golden Key South Africa started in 2000, has 12 active chapters currently and touched the lives of more than 70,000 South Africans.

Golden Key is a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and a registered Section 21 company in South Africa.
When and how was Golden Key founded?

Golden Key National Honour Society was founded by a group of undergraduate students and faculty members at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 29, 1977. In 2001, the society modified its name to Golden Key International Honour Society to reflect its diversity and global presence. The spelling of “Honour” was utilized to observe the more globally accepted spelling.

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2. What is an honour society?


Honour societies have been recognised by universities in the United States for more than two centuries.
The primary function of this academic honour society includes: providing academic recognition to high achieving students, establishing professional and social contacts for these students within a network of universities, bringing together students from diverse faculties and degree programmes within each university, reinforcing students’ interaction with university staff.

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3. What are the benefits of joining Golden Key?

•    Lifetime Membership Certificate.
•    Academic international recognition on your campus and internationally.
•    Add Golden Key membership to CV to add prestige to your qualifications.
•    Opportunity to apply for $1,000,000 (USD) of Golden Key member-only scholarships & awards.
•    Leadership development opportunities.
•    Opportunity to attend international and regional summits.
•    Interaction with other students and university leaders.
•    Access to an international network of universities.
•    Membership benefits are transferable from campus-to-campus.
•    Community engagement service opportunities.
•    Targeted Career Opportunity e-communications on behalf of our corporate partners.
•    Events on Campus (professional development, leadership, CV tips etc.)

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4. What are the requirements for membership?

•    Degree courses only.
•    Students must have completed at least one full year of study at a university.
•    Top 15% of students per field of study in any undergraduate and post-graduate degree.
•    Full and part-time students can receive invitations.
•    Local academic average cut-off is set by the university and varies from faculty to faculty.

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5. Who are Golden Key members?

Golden Key membership has grown to a very large network of over two million members from 190 nationalities.  There are more 2 million Golden Key members worldwide, of which more than 70 000 are South African. Members include teachers, doctors, engineers, university presidents, social workers, entrepreneurs, politicians, military leaders, and many more.  
Well known US honorary members include: Colin Powell, John Glenn, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan.  
 
Well known South African honorary members include: Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Judge Edwin Cameron, Minister Trevor Manuel, Minister Naledi Pandor, Mrs Patricia de Lille, Mr Ryk Neethling, Mr Riaan Manser, Mr Francois Pienaar, Mr Tito Mboweni and Mr Clem Sunter.

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6. Now that I have received the letter of invitation, what do I do?

1.    Read your personalized the invitation letter
2.    Read the brochure
3.    Visit the websites
4.    Stop by the information tables before the membership deadline date (date, time and venue listed in invitation).
5.    JOIN NOW using Option A or B
6.    Make the deadline date listed in your invitation
7.    Attend the new member ceremony
8.    Keep your e-mail address and cell phone number UPDATE for communications.
 

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7. How to join

Option A: Join On-line:
• Visit www.joingoldenkey.org.za and click “Join Now”
• Use your Personalised Online Acceptance Code
• Click “Save and Continue”
• Complete the On-line Membership Profile Form
• E-mail proof of payment or Internet Banking Confirmation to paymentsa@goldenkey.org.za

Option B: Complete the enclosed New Member Profile Form and return it with a copy of the proof of payment in the pre-addressed envelope.

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8. Where and how do I pay?

Payment options
Cheque OR Direct Deposit OR Electronic Funds Transfer (Internet/On-line Banking)
Please note: If you join on-online, you can use any payment option.

Proof of payment
Reference: Use your First Name and Surname.
Please DO NOT use your student number or nickname. Faulty referencing can result in your payment not being allocated to you, causing a delay in your membership.

Banking details
• GOLDEN KEY INTERNATIONAL HONOUR SOCIETY
• ABSA, Menlyn Branch Code: 632005
• Cheque Account Number: 405 1611 339
• Reference: First Name and Surname
Once-off Membership Fee:
o R495.00 (incl. VAT)
o R585.00 (incl. VAT) + optional lapel pin

Please DO NOT send cash or postal orders.
NO foreign currency.
NO FAXES or REGISTERED MAIL will be accepted.

If you pay by cheque, write your name and university on the back of the cheque.

If you make a direct deposit, write your FIRST NAME AND SURNAME as a reference on the slip.  Please keep the original for your own reference and send in a photocopy of the slip.  If we do not receive your deposit slip we can not confirm your application.
 
If you make an electronic transfer, include a printout as proof that the transaction was successful.

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9. How is the membership fee used?

The joining fee pays for membership benefits:
 
Part of the fee goes to direct disbursements for the members – certificate of membership, New Member Ceremony arrangements, programmes, scholarships, awards, publications.
Part of the fee goes to disbursements for international, national and local chapter development – regional conference, international conference and chapter training materials.
Part of the fee goes to operating expenses – administrative assistance, payroll, printing, postage, etc.R70 of the R495.00 goes back to the local chapter at your university.

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10. After I completed the profile form online OR posted my profile form what happens then?

As soon as Golden Key South Africa receives your proof of payment your membership will be processed within five working days and a confirmation e-mail will be sent to your e‑mail address (primary email) as provided.
You then have to RSVP for the New Member Ceremony online at www.goldenkey.org.za  where you’ll be formally recognized and where you’ll receive your personalised life-time member certificate.
And do not forget to apply for the New Member Chapter Awards online at www.goldenkey.org.za/chapterawards

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If you still have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Golden Key SA Office.
You are also encouraged to visit the Golden Key SA Website: www.goldenkey.org.za