It feels like we’re at another pivotal moment in South Africa’s history. Our beloved country faces a tonne of challenges, and we can no longer remain passive observers — or worse, critics. The time for definitive action is now.
Corporate South Africa, that means you. It’s time to roll up those sleeves and intervene where you can. Doing good is no longer just a moral imperative — it’s also good for business. In fact, I’d argue it’s become a survival strategy for any company wanting to operate in our country.
The good news is that this movement is already well under way.
You’re probably familiar with the term “active citizenry”. It’s what we refer to when describing how individuals and corporate entities do their part for society. The amazing thing is we’re seeing more and more examples of this, as individuals and organisations make a positive impact in their communities and within the corporate realm.
Take the issue of traffic jams caused by load shedding. In the last few months in Johannesburg, companies like Investec and Standard Bank have taken matters into their own hands, ensuring that traffic lights continue to function in Sandton and Rosebank during power outages. Likewise, Discovery and Dialdirect, industry rivals, joined forces to tackle the scourge of potholes on our roads. These examples showcase how companies are stepping up to make a tangible difference in the lives of South Africans.
Even more encouraging is the news that 115 CEOs from South Africa’s largest companies have pledged their skills to assist the government in alleviating the country’s crises. This agreement includes leaders from FNB, Anglo American, Woolworths and Vodacom. They have committed to working together to address concerns around energy, transport and logistics, crime and corruption — areas critical to our economic recovery.
What inspires me about these examples is that they reflect a profound transformation in our corporate landscape. In the past, “doing good” was often just a box-ticking exercise that fell under the mandate of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Now we refer to corporate social investment (CSI), which better describes how businesses are seeking to build sustainability and long-term impact into their operations.
Here is where I believe another mindset shift is needed. As businesses, it’s up to you to define what constitutes a good investment. While I’m no financial adviser, I want to make the case for a new indicator: return on kindness (ROK).
When it comes to an investment, a business is concerned with its bottom line. Back when it was CSR, maybe this meant receiving a tax benefit. As the definition has expanded to include less direct forms of return, let’s not underestimate the value that comes from doing good.
By uplifting communities, transferring skills, and investing in education, you’re not only cultivating potential clients and employees, you’re also fostering goodwill. It might be hard to measure, but in a country where such a quality is often in short supply, it should not be underestimated.
I define ROK as shifting the emphasis from financial returns to corporate social willingness, where kindness and community-building are the ultimate return on investment.
“Okay, but we also have a business to run,” I hear you say. Sure, and that’s the “bottom line” of ROK, it doesn’t have to cost a lot. Small actions make a difference. They may seem like drops in the ocean, but even a small contribution can lead to significant change.
It’s about reminding ourselves that we’re not alone and, as our Bokke champions recently reminded us, we really are Stronger Together. DM
The only problem with this “social contribution” is that ownership of the benefits is claimed by the politicians, and the gullible electorate can’t tell the difference. This in turn only encourages the people to continue voting for the same bunch of incompetent fools.
Sadly I have to agree. Normally doing good shouldn’t be about claiming responsibility for it, but when it comes to the ANC, it is critical, as they love to lie and take credit for good things they haven’t done, while blaming others for bad things they clearly have.
Sadly I have to agree. Normally doing good shouldn’t be about claiming responsibility for it, but when it comes to the ANC, it is critical, as they love to lie and take credit for good things they haven’t done, while blaming others for bad things they clearly have.
Only one way this can be changed. Corporate SA must ensure that especially their own workers but also broader society knows where the good things are coming from. Dont wait for government to claim the benifit, do so by explaining to your workforce, daily if neccesary, what your and other companies are doing. The workforce must be won over before they vote for their comrades again. This is just as important as the do good actions
The only good Corporate SA can do in these times is to make sure the ANC and EFF are consigned to the Scrap Heap, for without this the whole of SA is doomed to fail!
AMEN!!!
“Rolling up your sleeves” to help the ANC criminals is a complete waste of time and energy
Educate your employees. If neccessary have a “No ANC OR EFF Voter” Employment Policy… do whatever you can to get rid of them.
We are WAAAAy beyond the point of playing nicely.
There is not enough time left to “work with” the ANC… when your family needs firewood to survive, don’t try and cut down a tree with a butter knife just to make the knife feel better about itself.
Nope – the private sector has been doing this all along and all that happens is they get kicked in the nuts by the Kohmraids
An unwritten assumption in this appeal is that SA’s ruling mob will even accept advice or non-financial contributions from non-ANC sources. History has convincingly shown that the ANC is rarely open to such external initiatives (and the EFF even less so), often actively going out of its way to thwart them, seemingly for fear of having its own inadequacies exposed.
And this bedevilment, added to businesses’ habitual extreme reluctance to antagonise government, makes for a bad recipe. Courage is indeed what’s needed, but of the right kind.
Perhaps it’s time business in SA stopped rubber-stamping the insane policies of the government. There is the term “tacit approval” and business in SA gives tacit approval to the racist and downright backward ideas of the ANC. Where was business when EWC was pushed through ? Where was business when the morons in the ANC encouraged the xenophobic attitude of the masses ? Where was business when the municipalities were raped ? Where was business when the cadres embezzled SA dry ? Nowhere ! The ANC would be powerless if business organised a tax boycott, or stopped bribing its way through life. It is time business stood up and stopped being collaborators in the oppression of South Africans.
I agree totally
That’s all fine and well , but 80% of what you’re advising above is the elected government’s responsibility and mandate. As we all know, this current Comrade lot are stealing and looting into the stratosphere, so instead of Corporates punching above their weight and filling the gap of the 20%, they’re doing 80% of the Government job. This has to change.
It’s active citizenship, not citizenry. ‘Citizenship’ is a concept, ‘citizenry’ is a collective noun referring to citizens as a group.