Economic sector

Photo of CSI ECONOMIC activity

Among the Foundation’s greatest CSI successes are their economic empowerment programmes. Eskom’s considerable experience in this field has proved that the best vehicle for job creation, and hence poverty alleviation, is through skills development and capacity building of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

All of the capacity building initiatives are run according to a guiding principle of sustainability, rewarding entrepreneurship and ensuring that as many black-owned South African enterprises as possible benefit from the Foundations CSI initiatives.

The Foundation’s flagship economic empowerment programmes include:

  • The Eskom Contractor Academy – an innovative programme that equips contractors with the necessary skills to enable them to build sustainable businesses.
  • The Business Investment Competition – an annual competition that provides opportunities for small and medium enterprises to cross the next major hurdle in business development.
  • The Eskom Simama Ranta Entrepreneurship Education Competition aims to identify and honour those South African secondary schools that are exemplars in entrepreneurship education. The competition is run in conjunction with Education With Enterprise Trust and aimsdevelop a culture of entrepreneurship
  • The Business Entrepreneurship & Franchise Expo, in partnership with Thebe Reed Exhibitions – a successful annual expo held in September, dedicated to developing entrepreneurship and creating a business platform for South African SMEs.
Photo of CSI Enterprise Development

Enterprise development:  Among the Foundation’s greatest CSI successes are their economic empowerment programmes. Eskom’s considerable experience in this field has proved that the best vehicle for job creation, and hence poverty alleviation, is through skills development and capacity building of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). All of Eskom’s capacity building initiatives are run according to a guiding principle of sustainability, rewarding entrepreneurship and ensuring that as many black-owned South African enterprises are empowered to operate in the mainstream economy.

Social and community development:  At the heart of Eskom’s CSI strategy lies the goal to improve the quality of life of South Africans. The Foundation operates on the principle that, in order to establish a healthy community, it is essential to create a sound social environment. To that end, the Foundation supports a variety of programmes in the social sector, focusing on social develoment through strategic interventions into the education, environment, health and welfare sectors. They provide numerous donations to a wide range of registered philanthropic and welfare causes.

Photo of CSI community development
Photo of CSI Food Security

Food security:  The Foundation’s CSI programmes include food security and agriculture and speak to the idea of sustainability. In order to address the difficult reality of unemployment and high food prices in South Africa, the Foundation empowers rural community co-operatives through agricultural skills enhancement and the provision of agricultural resources.

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