More than 30 companies, foundations and other corporate entities around the country entered this year’s Investing in the Future Awards. The standard of most entries was extremely high, making the judges’ task in choosing winners a difficult one.
The following is a brief list of the winners, finalists and entrants. The judges would like to encourage those entrants who did not win this time round to keep up the good work and enter again next year.
Winner — Corporations
Old Mutual Rural Economic Development Initiative
The Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) focuses on the needs of rural communities by providing skills training, as well as access to finance, education and welfare support. It has already reached out to more than three million people from 18 communities in six provinces.
Its ‘community champions” have evolved a unique model for local economic development, based on mentorship and raising finance, with long-term sustainability the target. Old Mutual has become the major funder of REDI, committing about R27,6-million in the past three years.
The judges said the initiative stands out for its wise use of resources and admirable principles.
Finalists — Corporations
Investec Cida City Campus
Eskom Cairn Lemon Project
Absa Saldanha Mussel Farming Project
Eskom Abalindi Bakery
Winner — Foundations and Trusts
Swiss South African Youth Initiative
About 62% of school-leavers are unable to find employment in South Africa. With this in mind, the Swiss South African Cooperation Initiative trust decided to focus on technical and vocational training and on job creation for out-of-school youths. Donors have pledged five years’ support for the project, which has already disbursed more than R22-million. Of the 1 620 youths who have so far completed training, 351 are in full-time jobs, including 115 self-employed entrepreneurs; 24 are studying full-time, 42 are doing voluntary community work and 226 are in a support phase. The judges praised the initiative for its positive, practical investment in the future of South Africa’s youth.
Winner — Corporate Employee Community Involvement Programmes
Old Mutual Staff Volunteer Programme
Old Mutual staff are encouraged to identify projects within their communities that are in a position to make a difference. They volunteer their time and expertise to assist the projects to raise funds. The company assists staff volunteers with advice and has set up a foundation, which to date has allocated R2,8-million to the programme.
Initiated in 1993 and relaunched in 1998, the programme has the full support of executive management and the MD, who acknowledge staff efforts with an annual awards ceremony. The judges praised this ground-breaking initiative for setting a good example.
Finalists — Corporate Employee Community Involvement Programmes
Afrox’s Community Involvement Process and ‘Bumbanani Day”
Absa Employee Community Involvement
Special Awards for Innovation
The DaimlerChrysler HIV/Aids Programme and its Advocacy
DaimlerChrysler employee education programmes around HIV/Aids date back to 1991. The introduction of a formal workplace policy of non-discrimination and non- stigmatisation was followed by the provision of anti-retroviral drugs for employees and their families. In 2000 the company launched a joint initiative with the German government to combat the spread of HIV/Aids, which has seen the company reach outside communities. It has become one of the most comprehensive programmes in the world and has received international awards. The judges gave DaimlerChrysler a special award for investing time, money and energy in an innovative and relevant programme.
Eskom Playpump Water Project
Eskom joined an innovative partnership that provides water pumps to water-deprived rural communities. The pumps, designed by Roundabout Outdoor, are activated by children’s merry-go-rounds. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry formed a partnership with Roundabout Outdoor and Eskom is providing funding for playpumps, in the process not only uplifting rural communities but also providing them with a variety of health, educational, environmental and social services.
Eskom entered 12 different projects in the Investing in the Future Awards — the judges singled this entry out for its innovation and social relevance.
Other Entrants
ABB Lungisa; Bayside&Hillside Aluminium Corporate CSI; Cell C Take A Girl Child to Work Day; Community Chest Give-As-You-Earn; Community Chest Grant Management; Eskom — Be Green and Active; Eskom — Cairn Lemon Project; Eskom — Dinaledi 102 Schools Project; Eskom — Enterprise Business Plan Project; Eskom — Lesedi Furniture Manufacturers; Eskom — Loti Food Garden; Eskom — Marang Women in Agriculture; Eskom — Nappies King; Eskom — Northern Cape Toilet Paper; Eskom — Windy Windy Paint Manufacturing; Metropolitan Raucall; Sappi — KwaDukuza Resource Centre; Sappi — Penreach Outreach Programme; Telkom Foundation — Special Schools; Tikkun Orange Farm HIV/Aids Project; and Transnet Taung Education Project.