The outcome of the ANCs long-awaited KwaZulu-Natal conference was a win for the Thuma Mina crowd. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
Just 80 years ago, the foreshore of Cape Town was covered in water. Now the reclaimed land houses busy streets, a square, the V&A waterfront, a highway, skyscrapers and large corporates. But the rivers of Table Mountain still run along the same route: down the mountain, under Adderley Street and out towards the sea.
A large amount of this water flows right under the Woolworths head office. As part of their water mandate, they use this water, saving as much as 180 000 litres of municipal water a month.
The water mandate is well developed and has proved to be immensely successful. The company’s Water Conservation Programme works across all operations. From farming through to research and education, decisions are guided by the overall principles of their Good Business Journey.
When considering new real estate, the area is evaluated according to its current water footage and whether developments can be built and run according to their water-wise guidelines.
Likewise, if you want to do business with Woolworths, you’ll need to pass their water audit. Makhegu Mabunda says: “With Farming for the Future, farmers are aware of the climactic impact that global warming has had on their land. It makes sense for them to be part of this. And it’s funded by Woolworths. The case studies and audits are part of the journey, so it’s a win-win for both of us.” With Farming for the Future, suppliers’ water consumption is measured and regulated and all producers must adhere to strict standards. Moisture levels are monitored through probes inserted into the soil. The probes ensure that water use is exact: “not too much and not too little; every drop is important”.
They have also created an assessment sheet for primary food suppliers who are not covered under Farming for the Future. “We work very closely with collaborators in order to identify challenges and help them achieve better efficiency.”
Textile production has also had a big overhaul: selected products have undergone extensive research and their environmental footprint has been analysed. The results from the studies are then used to improve efficiencies.