adminLafarge Cement Zimbabwe were runners-up, while leading mobile phone operator Econet Wireless was honoured for outstanding contribution to CSR growth in Zimbabwe.
The awards were presented during the 2013 Corporate Social Responsibility Indaba held in Harare last week and was hosted by the Regional Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility in Harare last week.
Delivering the keynote address during the opening of the indaba, Econet Wireless chief executive Mr Douglas Mboweni said giving to society has nothing to do with resources but rather the willingness to make a difference that comes with giving.
“I believe the issue of giving back to community is not about how much in terms of resources a company has, but it should be a gesture of goodwill and willingness that is sincere and aimed at impacting positively on the lives of the recipients,” said Mr Mboweni.
Mr Mboweni shared his company’s social responsibility mission and vision while also urging other corporates to come up with clear CSR policies as this was critical in creating a sustainable operating environment so that communities could benefit.
“Econet wants to invest in the community which supports its existence now and in future while seeking to grow with it from strength to strength,” he added.
Econet Wireless runs the Capernaum Trust, the National Healthcare Trust Fund Zimbabwe and the Joshua Mqabuko Scholarship Fund in its CSR drive.
The Capernaum Trust has benefited more than 50 000 people from disadvantaged backgrounds that have defied all odds to succeed. The trust offers academic life skills and training to such individuals and also supports 10 orphanages.
“We believe we are vehicles designed to tap into the potential in every human being,” said Mr Mboweni.
SNV Netherlands, an NGO whose mandate is poverty alleviation with focus on increasing income, production and employment opportunities by improving access to coverage and quality of basic services, also shared their experiences. Mr Minenhle Ngwenya, an official with the organisation, said way back in 2009 they identified the Honde Valley area that specialises in banana production so that they could partner with small producers in this project.
“When we started we only had 22 farmers on board but to date there are more than 400, while productivity has increased from 12 tonnes per hectare to 30 tonnes per hectare and prices increasing from US15 cents per kg to US35 cents per kg. Before this venture the bananas were ungradable but now up to 80 percent of the yield is now A graded and we are really happy for having managed to transform the way in which the Honde Valley community carry out their farming activities,” said Mr Ngwenya.
The Regional Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility hosted the indaba in partnership with the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce.
Online Reporter