Strategies for communities improvement
In South Africa, we have recently strengthened our CSI and community engagement position. This marks a major shift in emphasis away from a philanthropic ethos marked by hand-outs or sponsorships, to a focus on meeting real needs by engineering sustainable business opportunities.
Our strategy is based on three levels of project – first, so-called national ‘flagship’ initiatives, which take 50% of the available CSI budget; next, 40% is spent on local community projects around our plants and forest operations; and the 10% balance takes the forms of donations of paper to schools, hospitals, orphanages and other organisations.
The strategy also dictates that the primary focus for any project should be along one or more of the following themes: education (with an emphasis on maths and science); environmental improvement; community and neighbourhood development and education; and the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS infection.
Flagship and community projects
- The Unizul Science Centre: this focuses on science and maths development in schools to help boost key skills for boosting the South African economy. Every year, some 30,000 learners visit the centre.
- The Mkhondo Education Centre: created to serve as a one-stop educational facility to satisfy the needs of a broad section of the local community by providing support for learners, adults, educators and those seeking employment. It received some 15,000 learners between March and November 2007.
- Support for Amangwe Village: a special centre for children who have been orphaned by South Africa’s HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Last change: 27/03/2008