Transformation >
Employment equity
All training operations in the Reunert group maintain an employment equity
plan in terms of the Employment Equity Act of 1998. These plans were formulated
and are managed in conjunction with employer representatives of business
units. The Reunert College serves as a primary source of employees from
previously disadvantaged communities. A total of 22 former students were
offered employment on either a permanent or a temporary basis in 2008.
The group’s approach to employment equity is part of an integrated plan
to ensure a constant stream of entrants to the college and the retention
of skills through the Reunert mentorship and coaching programme. These
activities emphasise the development of young people from previously disadvantaged
communities and all interventions, including the level of funds contributed
by group companies, are monitored monthly.
Broad-based black economic empowerment
Following the conclusion of an empowerment transaction with members of
Peotona in 2007, a rating agency has confirmed that the effective broad-based
black economic empowerment (BBBEE) shareholding in Reunert is 23,1%. Reunert
was credited with bonus points as 70% of the shares applicable to the BBBEE
transaction were allocated to a trust established to further the educational
and training needs of previously disadvantaged children. A total of 31
Nashua Mobile franchisees are currently 100% owned by previously disadvantaged
individuals.
Following the publication of the BBBEE codes in 2007, most companies in
the Reunert group have submitted their BEE credentials to a rating agency
for assessment. However, rating agencies remain swamped by the demand to
complete the rating process of many South African entities so the process
is taking much longer than anticipated. An overall rating of Reunert will,
therefore, only be possible once all subsidiaries have been evaluated.
Outsourcing, procurement and assistance to small- and medium-sized enterprises >
During the period October 2007 to September 2008, Nashua Mobile has established
another 10 fully BEE-owned franchises at a cost of R2,5 million to the
company. This has increased the total number of BEE franchises to 31. From
a financial perspective, support was given for rental, shopfitting and
ad hoc miscellaneous items.
Nashua Mobile also established the Permaculture food garden at the Reagile
Primary School in Winnie Mandela Park in April 2008. The Permaculture food
garden is managed by nine mothers whose children attend the Reagile Primary
School. Besides preparing meals for more than 400 children every day as
part of a feeding scheme, the mothers of the schoolchildren have started
to generate additional income from surplus garden produce, which they sell
to the local community. In this manner, fresh fruit, herbs and vegetables
are made available to the community.
The small- and medium-sized enterprises and one micro-enterprise established
by CBI-electric: african cables have been running successfully for many
years. Bogabane Engineering cc was established in January 2002 and produces
turning work for the company as well as for a number of small engineering
companies in the Vaal Triangle. The company also conducts maintenance work
and engraves embossing wheels. Atlehang Ma Africa specialises in batting
the company’s cable drums and continues to grow. Doocks Construction, which
has been in business for many years, rewinds galvanised wire used in the company’s production process and Xylo, which is responsible for the recovery
of scrap metal generated during the company’s production process, had another
successful year. A micro-enterprise established in 1999 is starting to
prosper. Initially, a former employee started a car-wash enterprise at
the company’s premises. She recently expanded into another company in Vereeniging.
Aids >
All group companies have introduced an Aids policy based on a guideline
issued by Reunert. It is group policy not to discriminate against anyone
who may be HIV positive and all employees who have tested positive are
counselled. The strategy is aimed at educating employees about the importance
of preventing this potentially fatal medical condition.
A number of subsidiaries have reported specific interventions during
the review period. More than 70% of employees at Telecom Cables participated
in a voluntary Aids-testing programme in 2008. In the 2007 financial year,
50% of employees participated. Those identified as HIV positive are supported
by their medical aid schemes or through programmes provided by the Department
of Health.
CBI-electric: african cables makes use of three videos during the induction
of new employees. On a regular basis, health information is disseminated
to ensure that existing staff are familiar with all relevant issues pertaining
to the pandemic. Contraceptives are also made available, free of charge.
Since October 2006, Nashua Mobile has contracted with a consulting company
to provide an HIV/Aids assistance programme. In total, 93 education and
awareness workshops were conducted across the country. A large number of
staff elected to undergo voluntary testing and those who tested positive
are on a management programme to help them cope with the disease.
In the medium term, it is not anticipated that the disease will have an
effect on the performance of Reunert companies. Nevertheless, ongoing efforts
are being made to reduce and, where possible, prevent the spread of the
disease. Support to community projects >
Although the group mainly focuses its social investment on educating children,
many Reunert companies contribute meaningfully to a variety of organisations,
especially those that provide food and shelter, education and training
and assistance to victims of the Aids pandemic. A summary of some of these
social interventions is set out below. |
