Corporate social investment
Basil Read remains committed to enhancing the quality of life
of both the people we employ and those living in communities
touched by our operations. We believe that for corporate social
investment (CSI) to be truly effective and make an ongoing and
meaningful difference to the lives of underprivileged people and
to the overall economic well-being of the country, it needs to be
well-managed and underpinned by the principle of sustainability.
To ensure our various contributions fulfil real needs, a dedicated
committee identifies initiatives that are both sustainable and reflect
the values of our group.
Green projects make a difference to quality of life
In February 2009, Basil Read was one of the first construction
groups to become a member of the Green Building Council of
South Africa (GBC). The current membership base spans the
property and construction industries, including developers,
owners, professionals, consultants, investors, manufacturers,
suppliers, academia, NGOs, utilities, contractors and various
levels of government.
Traditionally, the building sector has been viewed as a significant
consumer of raw materials and non-renewable resources.
In addition, construction is a material contributor to carbon
dioxide emissions and consumer of energy during the
building process.
Encouragingly, there is now growing support from South Africa’s
broader construction sector for environmental sustainability
while enhancing the country’s competitiveness through
innovation and diversification.
The council’s new green-building rating tool is prompting building
material suppliers to introduce a range of green products to the
industry. According to the council, a green building is energy
efficient, resource efficient, and environmentally responsible
– elements that Basil Read incorporated in constructing its new
head office building. The same principles are being applied by
Basil Read Developments in the housing sector.
The group was present at the third Green Building Conference
in July 2009, showcasing its own environmentally responsible
operations while gaining valuable information on global best
practices and solutions on how the built environment and
humans can ease their combined impact on the planet.
Although the green building movement is only just beginning
to emerge in South Africa, Basil Read is already among the
frontrunners.
Embracing renewable energy
Basil Read recently had 85% of its new workshop building roof
in the head office complex covered with solar panels.
According to the Department of Energy solar energy, like all
other renewable energies, is very safe and environmentally
friendly. Unlike coal-fired power stations, solar energy has
zero emissions. Given South Africa’s high average levels of
sunshine per year, solar energy is the most readily accessible
resource in South Africa. Solar energy lends itself to a number
of potential uses and the country’s solar-equipment industry
is developing rapidly.
This is a significant step for the group in using more renewable
energy resources. With an initial investment of R2,3 million
to install the solar panels, the resulting power cost saving
will deliver a significant return on investment within the next
three to five years. Basil Read is displaying a panel at its head
office to show the energy saving achieved over time.
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The group is actively involved in a number of corporate social
initiatives around the country, partnering with Greater Good South
Africa. This organisation spends much time researching the
corporate social investment environment in specific market sectors
to facilitate the most effective investments for South African
companies, including Basil Read.
In partnership with Greater Good SA, Basil Read focuses on
sustainable projects through enterprise development, particularly
for previously disadvantaged communities and individuals. Some of
these are detailed in this report, along with initiatives in which we
are directly involved.
Irene Homes
In 2009 Basil Read became involved in the Irene Homes ceramic
project to raise funds for people with mental disabilities. Irene
Homes is a non-profit organisation providing quality life-long
residential care for women with mental disabilities. A total of
74 residents are accommodated in seven ‘home-from-home’
houses, cared for by qualified nursing staff and house mothers.
Centre for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Education
Basil Read is working with the centre (known as CASME) on a
project that provides specialist training, support and resources
for teachers. This will in turn boost the performance of learners
in these crucial subjects, improving opportunities for post-school
study and employment.
Autism South Africa
Autism SA supports all services for individuals with autism
spectrum disorder (ASD) to maintain an approved quality of service
delivery. The programme also evaluates and promotes specialist
knowledge in understanding the nature of ASD, and strategies to
meet the needs of people with ASD effectively and appropriately.
Centre for Language and Hearing-impaired Children
The centre uses a multidisciplinary framework to identify and
manage specific speech, language and hearing impairments in
pre-school children. This includes assessment, therapy and teaching
in a small, nurturing, language-rich classroom environment with
strong parental involvement. There are also outreach programmes
to disadvantaged communities, a resource facility for external
professionals and opportunities for student training.
Hospice
Hospice provides care to meet the physical, emotional, social and
spiritual needs of patients and families facing life-threatening illness.
Basil Read supports the Hospice group providing these and other
services in the greater Johannesburg and Soweto areas.
Hosanna Community Centre
The centre provides a number of essential services that make
a real difference in the lives of underprivileged people, including
soup kitchens.
Institute for the Blind
The institute concentrates on empowering people who are blind,
partially sighted or deaf-blind – and those with additional disabilities
– through education, training, development and care.
Sparrow Ministries
Sparrow provides aid and comfort to adults and children infected
or affected by HIV/Aids. Sparrow Village is both a hospice for the
terminally ill and home to children who have lost one or both
parents to the pandemic. It currently cares for 225 children and
80 adults.
Margate Roundtable
Margate Roundtable has completed a number of successful social
programmes and activities that greatly benefit the community. One
of these was Kids to the Sea, which Basil Read supported in 2009.
Ambassadors in Sport
Basil Read is a partner in Match for a Day, an annual 24-hour soccer
event developed by Ambassadors In Sport South Africa (AIS-SA)
with key partners from the worlds of football, business and media.
Several high-profile football stars have offered their support for
these events.
The broader programme has a dual objective: holistic development
of young people through sport, particularly those from
disadvantaged communities, and raising funds to assist with AIS-SA’s
community programmes.
AIS-SA is part of Ambassadors In Sport International and was
founded in Cape Town in 2001 to ‘bring hope through soccer’.
As a faith-based, non-profit, public-benefit organisation, AIS-SA
endeavours to partner with church groups and other NGOs in
communities across South Africa and into Africa, helping them
to develop the world of soccer from grassroots through to
professional ranks.
AIS-SA has pioneered several models of soccer programmes to
help young people develop holistically. Through these programmes,
AIS-SA seeks to counter crime, gangsterism, drugs and alcohol and
teach players of all ages how to make a difference in their
communities.
The AIS-SA flagship programme is its Hope Academy and the
intention is to have 10 academies running across South Africa by
2011. These academies will not just be soccer driven, but will
provide education, life skills development and instil moral values in
South Africa’s next generation.
AIS-SA is also working closely with the South African Department
of Correctional Services to set up associated Hope Academies in
prison. The academy selects players based on behaviour and soccer ability, and runs an intensive one-year programme. Through these
Hope Academies, AIS-SA aims to eradicate the gangsterism,
hopelessness, violence and abuse that characterise the lives
of many prisoners.
Roadcrete Africa joins Greater Good
Roadcrete Africa supports the Child Welfare Keep Me Safe Home
in Boksburg with monthly contributions that help cover the cost
of nutrition. Roadcrete has recently partnered with Greater
Good South Africa to expand its CSI activities, including support
for the Nyeleti Children’s Home.
Cycling for the children
The CHOC Cows have done a phenomenal job in raising
donations for CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation). What
started as a dare to ride the 94.7 Cycle Challenge in a cow suit
for charity resulted in an outstanding fundraising drive for CHOC
and is fast becoming an annual event at this landmark event on
the cycling calendar. This year Roadcrete Africa joined the action
and donated a significant amount towards the CHOC Cows.
The funds collected will help build a safe and comfortable
house next to the Chris Hani/Baragwanath hospital for children
recovering from cancer treatment. In 2009, there were
140 cyclists riding in cow suits for the cause, eventually raising
an incredible R2 million from their various sponsors.
Into the desert
Company policy at Basil Read Mining Namibia mandates
development in a dual approach: a formal and co-ordinated
CSI programme focused on uplifting nearby communities by
supporting sustainable initiatives, and on-site training and
education to develop its own people. Some of these initiatives
are detailed below:
- Genesis Mining and Engineering Services: Basil Read assisted
and empowered local citizens to form a company wholly
owned by Namibians. Basil Read covered all establishment
costs and committed to a cash funding injection and will, in
future, jointly tender with Genesis for mining and civil work
in Namibia.
- Small-scale Miners Stakeholders Forum: established in 2005,
the forum encourages the use of best practice for small-scale
mining and reliable access to international markets. Seven
groups (with 800 members) are currently operating in rural
parts of the Erongo region. Initiatives driven by Basil Read
include the supply of protective clothing, transportation
and mentorship.
- Polytechnic of Namibia: Basil Read has awarded three bursaries
to students at this science and technology institution, and the
practical component will be completed on site at Basil Read.
- Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology: Basil Read Mining
offers students practical training opportunities, while B&E is
taking in apprentices in its drilling and blasting division to
address an identified skills shortage.
- DRC: The DRC School Project and Community Centre meets
the needs of an impoverished community in the Swakopmund
municipal district by providing services including basic
education, health information and a cultural forum. Basil Read
donated funds to replace the roof and fencing of the school,
and is investigating opportunities to assist the community
centre.
Nelson Mandela Day
Inspired by the inaugural Nelson Mandela Day that called for
members of the public to donate 67 minutes of their time
to a worthy cause, Basil Read’s estimating and procurement
departments collaborated with two Boksburg charities,
New Beginnings Shelter and Strelitzia Care Centre. All the
clothing, food and money collected were divided equally
between these charities.
The New Beginnings Shelter is open to all, particularly street-
and orphaned children, rehabilitated substance abusers, abused
women and children, destitute or dysfunctional individuals,
sex-workers and parolees who have either been rejected
by society or left homeless by their circumstances. With over
500 people accommodated in the shelter, and needs ranging
from a safe haven to rehabilitation or medical treatment for
life-threatening diseases, all donations are welcomed.
Strelitzia is a care centre for the elderly. Residents run a thrift
shop to fund kitchen costs and regular church fairs where they
sell costume jewellery and cakes to supplement the centre’s
income – hard hit by reduced government subsidies.
Taking time to make a difference
Staff from Basil Read Developments recently visited three
crèches in Cosmo City to donate toys, colouring books, crayons
and candy. The children’s smiles told the story.
The Sigodiphola Secondary School in Cosmo City, also known
as the Hotel School, has started a Dress a Child initiative, where
individuals or companies can make a difference sponsoring
the school uniform of a child in need. Basil Read Developments
participated by supporting a grade 10-pupil.
Basil Read Shavathon 2009
The first Basil Read corporate Shavathon in March 2009 raised
R4 000 for CANSA, amid much fun and goodwill.
CANSA Shavathon is one of South Africa’s best-loved charitable
events, where members of the public show their solidarity with
cancer survivors. It also raises awareness and funds in the fight
against cancer as all money generated goes towards CANSA
prevention programmes and patient-care services.
Although the funds generated by an event like this are important,
we believe there is an equally important message for any
company’s people: every single individual can and should make
a difference. This is also an important component in our
volunteerism initiatives.
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