The ManicaPost
In the justice delivery system, they say justice must not only be done, but should be seen to be done.
In equal measure, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) must not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done!
CSR is when a company operates in an ethical and sustainable way and deals with its environmental and social impacts.
Among many other benefits, CSR includes increased customer retention and loyalty, increased employee engagement, improvement in brand imaging, attracting investment opportunities and top talent, as well as making a difference for bottom-line financials.
World over, the days of operating a business solely for profit are gone.
While profit margins are obviously still important, many companies across the globe now also focus on CSR.
This means a careful consideration of human rights, the community, environment, and the society in which it operates.
For a long time in the past, many businesses invested solely for profit while negating the fundamentals of human rights, the community, environment, and the society in which the operate.
It is encouraging, however, that more and more companies are waking up to the need for CSR.
After all, CSR comes in different ways that include and are not limited to supporting local charity with financial contributions, sponsoring local events, organizing clean-up events as well as volunteering in local schools or community projects.
Sadly, in some of the mining areas dotted across the province, there is little to show for the locals as wealth from the extracted minerals is not cascading to them.
Social amenities have not improved, while some are in a sorry state, yet day-in-day-out miners are working round the clock.
In the agricultural sector, the vast plantation estates in the province have in the past been having running battles with surrounding communities, resulting in an increase in arson cases, all because there are no tangible CSR projects in their respective areas.
We applaud President Mnangagwa’s recent call on companies to invest in programmes that guarantee tangible benefits for local communities.
President Mnangagwa said: “Over and above routine CSR programmes, our people must see life transforming infrastructure development from the presence of mining entities in their communities.
“At local level, the elimination of negative environment footprints of mining operations remains imperative. I challenge those in the mining sector to dialogue with local communities towards forging win-win synergies with them and partnerships for optimum benefits within the mining industry and the communities.
“After all, the community was there first before the mine, although the mineral was there before the community.”
In this regard, issues like the tarring of the main road from Hot Springs right round to Odzi, refurbishment of Sakubva Stadium or the construction of a new one altogether, among other pertinent social and infrastructural development initiatives, quickly come to mind.
Businesses should realise that demonstrating commitment to the communities they operate in can improve their reputation and, in turn, make it easier for them to recruit or retain employees.
We sincerely hope that all players in Manicaland’s corporate sector will come to the party and play their part in giving back to the community they operate in.
