Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa’s Licence To Operate By Pirtunia Mkhabela: Public Affairs, Communications And Sustainability Manager

The public–private partnerships are long-term arrangements between government and the private sector and aim at increasing the private sector’s involvement in public administration. This often involves private capital financing government projects and services that mainly benefit communities. Public–private partnerships are implemented in multiple countries and are primarily used for infrastructure projects, or in our case, economic inclusion initiatives to create employment. 

At CCBSA, we use our industry leadership to be part of the solution to achieve positive change in the world and to build a more sustainable future for our planet. Our aim is to create greater shared opportunity for the business and the communities we serve across the value-chain. 

When we grow our business the right way, not just the easy way, we help create inclusive growth opportunities for our communities, women and youth, our customers, our employees and our shareholders, for a better shared future.

Memorandum of Understanding 

CCBSA and the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) have entered into an agreement to collaborate and partner in the Township Development Act. CCBSA Gauteng has committed to setting aside R100m over the next three years to support the Township Development Act. The areas of implementation include Enterprise Development, Procurement opportunities in the value chain, SME Fund and Customer support initiatives.               

As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), we have identified entrepreneurship as a pathway towards accelerated and sustainable shared growth for Gauteng. The Provincial Government sees this as a vehicle for the revitalization of the economy and the creation of meaningful employment and sustainable livelihoods.

On 8 August, CCBSA’s MD, Mr. Velaphi Ratshefola joined by the Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability (PACS) Director, Nozicelo Ngcobo and Gauteng regional leadership Michael Tsholo: Commercial General Manager, Ishfaq Safi: Regional Manufacturing Manager and Paballo Mokoena: Regional Logistics Manager – hosted MEC Tasneem Motara for the signing of the MOU certificate. The MEC at her team were also treated to a plant tour showcasing CCBSA’s world-class production process. MEC Motara, on behalf of Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, outlined the strategic direction of the province and the role that CCBSA can play in the agenda to grow Gauteng together.

Our transformation 

CCBSA and the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) have been collaborating for several years to alleviate unemployment through supporting small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs). The partnership between CCBSA and GDED will continue to help enhance economic development in Gauteng as envisioned in the Township Economic Development Act and the elevated priorities that look at improving the lives of people living in Townships, Informal Settlements and Hostels (TISH).

CCBSA’s contribution to the Gauteng Economy and TISH 

We have sustained more than 5780 jobs over the past 6 years, with a total investment of R6.8bn.

Our contribution to the implementation of the Township Economic Development Act

Economic Inclusion

It is about creating gainful economic opportunities to under-served communities (women, youth, people with disabilities, and rural areas) by providing them with access to markets that boost income and yield sustainable earnings, in our own business and the industry. CCBSA’s new framework intends to embed economic inclusion across our value chain and make it part of how we do business the right way. We understands that our business can only thrive when the communities we serve thrive too. Investing in communities ensures our business sustainability.

Bizniz in a Box

Through Bizniz in a Box (BiB), we have supported 200 women and youth and have sustained 500 jobs with a total investment of R21.9m as part of part of CCBSA’s ongoing commitment to empowerment and economic inclusion, young people and women, across South Africa.

CCBSA partnered with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development to run a competition for youth and women in parts of Gauteng. In June, 14 young people in parts of Gauteng, ages 18-35, won the BiB containerised solutions valued at over R1,105,000.00. We recently revealed seven women who have won renovations or equipment all worth R640,000.00 as part of the Women’s Month competition. 

In 2023, CCBSA will provide 300 Bizniz in a Box valued between R40,000.00 to R140,000.00 each. Through our collaboration with the GDED, we have invested in and successfully empowered 42 small businesses to the value of R15million this year. Our target in 2023 is to empower 50 small businesses to ensure that these entrepreneurs have the competitive advantage to grow and create job opportunities in their local communities.

The 7 winners of the 2023 Women’s Month competition in Gauteng have officially been announced. Congratulations to the following female entrepreneurs:

Water

The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) will implement a water access, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in Gauteng valued at R600,000 in Zandspruit, Alex, Freedom Park, Diepsloot and Thembisa.

Waste

We have invested around R8m towards supporting World Without Waste (WWW) initiatives in the last three years, impacting more than 2500 lives. This includes Short-term financial support; Business Development support to waste entrepreneurs and buyback centers; Infrastructural support; Clean-up and greening initiatives; and Separation at source initiatives.

In July, the CCBSA in Gauteng launched two recycling stations in partnership with the Alexandra Water Warriors in Alex and Reyaxuma Recycling in Thembisa as part of the ongoing efforts towards realising the World Without Waste vision 2023. CCBSA has invested over R1,100,00.00 towards these two beneficiaries. 

Alex Water Warriors employs 200 people from this community, and Reyaxuma Recycling employs 15 people. This means that around 1,500 families are positively impacted and creating a livelihood through recycling.   

Together with local government departments and NGOs, these supplier enterprise development (SED) waste projects will be servicing the two communities and are expected to create much-needed jobs.

These partnerships are key in order to change society’s attitude and behaviour towards responsible management of waste and keeping South Africa’s communities and environment clean and safe. We are working in our communities to educate people on why and how to recycle through consumer campaigns, on-package messaging and more to create a healthier environment for all.

People matter. Our planet matters. We believe in doing business the right way by following our values and working toward solutions that benefit us all. Profitability is important, but not at any cost.

When we grow our business the right way, not just the easy way, we help create inclusive growth opportunities for our communities, women and youth, our customers, our employees and our shareholders, for a better shared future.