Neotel community help
Many companies accept that social responsibility and community services cannot be based on simple donations and handouts to meet government criteria for CSI expenditure.
Such projects need to be a viable part of the business and its future sustainability while benefiting the communities that would not have before.
“For us, simply making a donation is not what CSI is about — we want to empower communities by implementing a sustainable solution that meets their needs,” said Pumi Sithole, executive head of community services and contact centres at telecommunications operator Neotel.
Sithole said the key to the success and sustainability of these services is to conduct thorough research into understanding the users and their requirements to ensure that the solution put in place best meets their needs for the long term.
Neotel is in the process of connecting 2500 further education and training (FET) colleges and schools, as well as 2500 rural clinics.
“We see the implementation of these services as a journey, one which has already started making an impact in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.”
Neotel is planning to further complement these initiatives with value-added services such as content for education, as well as other services required by the surrounding communities.
The objective is that these projects should benefit the broader communities by providing them with the services they never had access to.
Sithole said the company is working closely with the national and provincial education departments to ensure that the full benefits of these projects are realised.
Neotel has also launched the Neotel Telecommunication Training which provides an ISETT Seta accredited one-year learnership certificate comprising theoretical and on-the-job training.
Also committed to making a difference in the community in which it operates is Protech Khuthele, the JSE-listed fast-track bulk earthworks group.
Refilwe opened its doors in 1991 as a clinic adjacent to the Lanseria Airport, north of Johannesburg, and evolved into a ministry to support people in the surrounding area. Today, Refilwe manages several programmes such as a community clinic, day-care centre, skills development projects and self-help programmes.
Jaco van Schalkwyk, executive director at Refilwe, said Protech staff arrived with several graders and trucks to transform the grounds of Refilwe.
Refilwe has an HIV/Aids and TB clinic that provides counselling and distributes antiretrovirals and TB medication. The community support centre provides facilities where people can enjoy a balanced meal and have access to laundry and ablution facilities.
About 300 people make use of the facility daily.
Neotel community projects discussion
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