Corporate citizenship

COMMUNITIES

The group is active in its communities, focusing on literacy and educational programmes in Africa.

Given the nature of its business, MultiChoice plays a key role in its communities. Aiming to achieve a sustainable impact on the country’s socio-economic challenges, MultiChoice companies have implemented various initiatives.

				Community development initiatives		Invested over R50m in donations and airtime.
				Apex Awards		Recognising excellent results by advertisers and agencies. In addition, over 30 charities and NGOs received free airtime to create awareness of various social causes.
				Industry skills development		Vuka Awards encourage pro bono public service announcements for charities and social causes. Over 170 entries were received and 25 finalists’ work broadcast on M-Net channels. New Directions is targeted at directors and scriptwriters – 75 entries were received in 2010. Two films and one documentary produced will premiere on Mzansi Magic. EDit gives emerging film and television students real-life production opportunities. Three reality pilots will be explored for development and broadcasting on Mzansi Magic.
				Naledi		Teaching grade 3 children to read and write. 300 children in six schools in Gauteng and Western Cape benefited in 2010.
				Gogo Magic		Creates employment for disadvantaged individuals by knitting beanies which are distributed to orphans and vulnerable children. 593 jobs from six communities in Gauteng and Limpopo were created and 28 000 beanies distributed to children around the country.
				Breast cancer awareness		Financial support for trucks providing education and testing for breast cancer in rural areas: 1 365 women received mammography tests 7 435 clinical breast examinations performde 11 205 individuals received breast cancer education, and 27 000 pieces of educational material distributed.
				My 2010 Schools Adventure		Partnered with 2010 Fifa World Cup and Department of Basic Education in a programme with 7 500 schools.
				Reducing crime in schools through sports skills development		Partnered with Unicef and Department of Basic Education on a programme to reduce crime and increase school attendance through sport. 450 schools were reached.
				Internet cafés and computer training centres in townships		Donated R700 000 to Silulo Ulothu Technologies to assist opening more internet cafés and computer training centres in townships. Centres in Athlone, Blue Downs and Gugulethu.
				Film Talent Incubator		Skills and mentorship opportunities to up-and-coming film-makers through an intensive hands-on course. To date the film industry has gained 64 skilled professionals who are gainfully employed. About R20m invested in this programme.
				Introduced three additional orphanages		MultiChoice assisted three orphanages in three provinces (North West, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga) as part of its programme to support orphaned children. To date 10 residential facilities nationally and over 1 000 children assisted.
				Expanding computer labs in schools		Multimedia laboratories were installed in eight schools in Eastern Cape, Free State and Northern Cape. The laboratories included computers, internet connectivity, televisions and free DStv education content. To ensure impact, teachers have been trained in managing the resource and integrating technology into teaching. Through this programme over 28 000 learners have access to computers.
				MultiChoice Make a Difference (MMAD)		Employee involvement and volunteering in community development. Over 1 100 employees touched the lives of some 2 000 community members.
				Reach Out		DStv subscribers can get involved through the Reach Out programme by nominating their favourite social causes for a financial contribution from MultiChoice. In 2010 the following homes received support: Ikhaya Le Themba, SAVF Belfast Kinderhuis, Knysna Education Trust and Mother of Peace orphanage.
				Media development		MultiChoice partners with CNN to produce the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year awards. The 2010 event was held in Uganda in May and attended by President Museveni.

 

MultiChoice has developed a social investment strategy aligned to its aims. This will contribute to broader South African transformation. The strategy focuses on generating skills critical for MultiChoice’s industry and consolidates its social programmes into a single vehicle, DStv Be More.

Launched in 2005 SuperSport’s Let’s Play received the best Social Responsibility in Sport prize at the Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards for 2010. Let’s Play encourages primary school children to participate in sport and has forged partnerships with, among others, Unicef, and the departments of Basic Education and of Sport and Recreation.

During the 2010 Fifa World Cup, Let’s Play partnered with the Local Organising Committee and the Department of Basic Education in the My 2010 Schools Adventure programme involving 7 500 schools. Through the Let’s Play a Million project, 220 000 soccer balls were distributed to schools and communities throughout the country.