Corporate social responsibility Initiatives should be mandatory
Correspondent | Tuesday November 29, 2016 16:30
There were expectations that private companies would be encouraged through the tax rebate arrangement to plough back to the communities within which they operate, but the reverse appears to be the case.
In some countries, South Africa included, the private sector plays a big role in providing scholarships to college students in addition to sustainable contribution designed to benefit communities.
We are mindful that Adopt-A-School initiative in Botswana has made a significant contribution towards improving some deplorable school environment.
In 2013, the then Vice President, Ponatshego Kedikilwe was quoted as saying, the private sector plays a very important role through their Adopt-A-School initiative under CSR programme, benefiting 267 schools.
While some initiatives such as donation of school uniforms and other perishable commodities are generally appreciated, there is a question about how they are distributed as CSR programme.
Yes, the donation is a positive gesture, but it is not sustainable to change the environment of the school.
It would make a difference if companies involved would undertake to provide the uniforms over a specific period of time, but not just once in their life time as it appears to be the practice now.
The other concern about the donation is that it has become a political gimmick second to the distribution of blankets.
Distribution of blankets is another CSR debacle which has taken root with a vehement political approach.
Blankets are believed to be a kind donation from Chinese companies, but before the donation was thought to be an exclusive initiative by the leadership of the ruling party who never acknowledged the donors.
However we are aware that CSR is a foreign concept from the United States (US), but like many other foreign concepts, such as PMS and Wits that we have adopted, it should be blended to suit the environment within which it operates. According to a research paper by Adam Lindgrren, Timothy Cambell and Valerie Swaen, 84 companies in Botswana and Malawi revealed similarity in their CSR practices and did not differ from the US model.
This is a model that a company like Botswana Life is reported to have adopted to make its auspicious CSR programmes that could be the answer to some of the issues raised in this article.
The company prides itself for the construction of Kuke primary school library and providing P450,000 towards postgraduate studies for six beneficiaries of the Thomas Tlou scholarship in 2013 as well as a donation of P1.2 million to Maruapula school’s orphans and vulnerable children programme.
In total, Botswana Life is reported to have contributed P11.3 million to the BIHL trust which is a scholarship offered at the University of Botswana.
Another company that has come out in providing scholarships for Batswana is reported to be Barclays Bank of Botswana.
Records show that the bank, without quantifying its offer has committed itself to providing masters’ degree programme to Batswana to study at recognised institute of higher learning in Botswana.
Other companies worth recognition without providing statistics about its CSR programmes is Courrier Logistics which says it is a customer centred company committed to the development of the communities within which it operates, ensuring that it delivers on its CSR commitments. Without giving figures, the Botswana Housing Corporation also says it is committed to giving donations of whatever nature, aimed at promoting the living conditions of communities in Botswana.
Bank of Botswana is another entity which, without providing details says its CSR programme includes, but not limited to conservation of the environment, research and public education on the heritage and development of Botswana. Aon, for its part says it has identified the needy as its part of CSR programme and does not provide further details.
It says this was borne out of compassion and the desire for just and caring nation espoused by the country’s vision 2016.
Private sector cannot provide the CSR initiative needed in the country without government ministries taking part.
In this regard the then Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs is reported to have identified Diphuduhudu village near Letlhakeng where through its CSR programme is trying to improve the living standard of the community.