Samsung South Africa achieves B-BBEE Level 1 status for fifth consecutive year
Samsung South Africa has achieved B-BBEE Level 1 status for five years running as part of its transformation strategy.
“Five years tells you it’s not by fluke,” said Hlubi Shivanda, Director of Business Operations and Innovation and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa.
“Our founding principle as a multinational is that we will follow everything necessary to be a good corporate citizen in all countries where we operate.”
As part of this commitment, Samsung runs many programmes focused on giving back to those in South Africa who need it most.
Samsung Innovation Campus
A great example of this is the Samsung Innovation Campus, which is a global Samsung programme with a big presence in South Africa.
Samsung has developed a comprehensive curriculum which is industry-tested and has partnered with institutions of higher learning to add these resources to their existing courses.
In South Africa, Samsung works with Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape and the Central University of Technology in the Free State – both of whom have added the Samsung curriculum to their existing offerings.
“The Samsung curriculum increases employability, as graduates have a portfolio that they can present as part of the onboarding process,” said Shivanda.
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
Shivanda also highlighted the exciting Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, which the company runs in partnership with SITA.
This competition is targeted at learners in Grades 10 and 11, and encourages them to find solutions to their communities’ most pressing issues.
The top 10 projects have been selected, many of which focus on the biggest challenges facing South Africa: the electricity shortage and water crises.
These 10 finalists have now partnered with Samsung employees to develop prototypes of their ideas – and the top three submissions will receive prizes to help them improve their schools and communities.
“What I like about Solve for Tomorrow is how practical it is,” said Shivanda.
“Learners are solving real challenges and engaging with technology in meaningful ways.”
Transformation from within
Along with its exciting community-focused projects, Samsung has taken great strides internally when it comes to representation and transformation.
Samsung has also worked with its suppliers over the past 10 years on transformation efforts, and new suppliers must be B-BBEE compliant.
“Our transformation journey has become a key part of our culture,” said Shivanda.
“People want to be part of our initiatives, and we look forward to nurturing them moving forward.
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