CORPORATE SOCIAL INVESTMENT
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OVERVIEW
uMngeni-uThukela Water’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme supports socio-economic development initiatives to improve community livelihoods. The entity’s investments in this regard are driven through an approved CSI Policy. This ensures a co-ordinated approach in the implementation of CSI initiatives, which are prioritised in terms of the following categories:
- Programme-Related Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): This relates to those activities, which are submitted by various divisions as a way of taking total responsibility towards the business environment in which uMngeni-uThukela Water operates;
- Strategic / Discretionary CSI: These are initiatives that are implemented at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Board and the Chief Executive;
- Targeted CSI Initiatives: These initiatives are those that would be submitted in response to the call for CSI proposals, from different targeted areas within uMngeni-uThukela Water’s area of operations. Ideally, these initiatives will assist to build relationships in the areas where uMngeni-uThukela Water will be rolling out Capex projects; and,
- Legacy Projects: These initiatives are meant to live a physical and visual memento, for the communities to remember uMngeni-uThukela Water, for years to come.
uMngeni-uThukela Water’s categories of initiatives focus in the following areas:
- Education, Training and Skills Development;
- Job Creation;
- Public Health and Community Support;
- Environmental Conservation; and,
- Staff Voluntarism and Support.
To ensure that investments are aligned to policy, applications follow a thorough process of screening that entails consideration by the designated internal bodies to ensure that investments contribute and support the organisation’s strategic goals. A comprehensive process has been developed to institutionalise the processes and systems for the provision of social and economic development support and natural environment stewardship by the organisation.
uMngeni-uThukela Water has committed 1% of Net Profit After Tax to Social Corporate Investment initiatives.
WATER EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
uMngeni-uThukela Water prides itself on the establishment of its water conservation and environmental education initiatives that it conducts for community and schools outreach programmes and adopted schools. The programme which has been running for over three decades, under the banner “Water Education and Community Outreach initiatives” provides a number of rural, urban and semi–urban schools and communities within our area of operation, with vast knowledge on water and environmental issues.
These programmes are conducted to ensure that learners and communities (especially where uMngeni-Uthukela Water is implementing Capex Projects) understand our source-to-sea process, water and wastewater treatment processes, the value of water, water conservation, sanitation, health, hygiene and
environmental issues .
Awareness initiatives on water, environment and health and hygiene education were conducted through three targeted programmes during the reporting period namely:
- Themed Activations per quarter;
- Schools and Community Outreach Programmes; and,
- Adopt-A-School Programme.
THEMED ACTIVATIONS:
During the reporting period, four themes were created i.e. Servitude Encroachment, Waste Disposal, Illigal Sand Mining as well as Water, Environment and Biodiversity awareness, with the aim of educating and creating awareness on the importance of all spheres and their impact. Active learning through recognition of prior knowledge and guided questioning ensured that all stakeholders that participated were kept engaged.
SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMMES:
uMngeni-uThukela Water’s education initiatives included outreach programmes to raise awareness around water safety, pollution, water conservation, climate change and environmental health. Programmes implemented included awareness events, clean-up campaigns and commemoration of special environmental day events. Sixty-five communities across the organisation’s area of operation were reached. Activities included awareness talks to youth and women’s groups, conducting river clean-ups, invasive alien plants removal and greening initiatives, as well as creating awareness activations at various taxi ranks and shopping centres in collaboration with Vuma FM, internal stakeholders and some of our Municipal stakehokders.
The areas reached were as follows:
- EThekwini Municipality: Umlazi, Hammarsdale, KwaNyuswa, KwaMashu, Molweni, CBD, Mnini, Wyebank, Isipingo
- Umzumbe LM: Umzumbe CBD, Turton, Sibanini, Nkalokazi (Hibberdene)
- Ray Nkonyeni LM: Bhobhoyi
- uMngeni LM: Mpophomeni, Shiyabazali
- Msunduzi LM: Pietermaritzburg CBD, Plesislaer, Esigodini,
Mbutshane, Edendale, Nxamalala, Copesville, Kwa-Mpumuza and CBD Taxi Rank - Mkhambathini LM: Nkanyezini, Abebhuzi, Kwa-Ximba no 9, Nagle Dam and Umlaas Road
- Impendle LM: Impendle Village, iNguga, Smillo Bar, CBD and KwaPhindangene
- Richmond LM: Hopewell Argosy
- Mshwathi LM: Mbava
- Stanger LM: Glenhills and Stanger
- Maphumulo LM: Ward 4, Maphumulo Mandeni LM: Sundumbili
- KwaDukuza LM: Ntshawini (Wards 9,15 and 26), Mbozamo River and Groutville
- Ndwedwe LM: Thembalabantu Dalibho & Nondabula (Wards 2,4,6,7,8,9)
- City of uMhlathuze: Richards Bay (Alkanstrand Beach)
- Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma LM: Bulwer and Emangwaneni
- Lower Kokstad: Ebhongweni location
Schools outreach engagements were conducted at 106 schools within our operational area. Eleven (11) Workshops for educators representing various schools were conducted in Vulindlela, KwaNgubeni, Sweetwaters, Imbali, Maqadini, KwaTshobho, Sundumbili, Indaleni, Ntuzuma,and Ethekwini CBD. Eighteen (18) plants tours were conducted for schools and higher institutions of learning at Durban Heights Water Treatment Works, Lower Thukela Water Treatment Works, Midmar Water Treatment Works, Maphumulo Water Treatment Works, Mhlabatshane Water Treatment Works and Darvil Wastewater Treatment Works and Howick Wastewater Treatment Works.
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL PROGRAMME:
The schools adopted during the reporting period were part of the schools that have been adopted for a period of three years, from July 2022 until June 2025. The distribution of the 21 adopted schools are as follows: six schools within uMgungundlovu District Municipality, one school within Harry Gwala District Municipality, three schools in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, four school in Ugu District Municipality and seven schools within ILembe District Municipality.
Activities implemented at these schools included Cleaning and Greening awareness, tree planting, career guidance, Invasive plants, handwashing and sanitation awareness, wetlands and water awareness, tapped buckets for each classroom sponsored to each school to be used for water management, Earth Day Awareness, Biodiversity Awareness, World Environment Day Awareness, presentation to parents at Mcathu Primary and Dubeyane Primary, seedlings sponsored by EDTEA to Siphamandla Primary and Mnawe Primary and Umhloti Primary attended a Biodiversity Day Awareness programme held at Hazelmere Dam.
INSTITUTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (ISD)
Institutional Support and Development (ISD) is one of the vehicles that the organisation is using to engage more broadly with the community and in ways that promote participation and collaborated decision making. This is due to the realisation that the organisation cannot solve complex problems without the combined efforts of the community it serves. Whilst there has been improvement and less project disruptions due to the early involvement of ISD and the Social facilitation teams, there is much work to be undertaken in the rollout of strategies that will ensure community buy-in when it comes to local business participation.
During this financial year, 20 projects were supported under ISD. Sixteen of the projects were managed successfully without any stoppages. uMngeni-uThukela Water has ensured that meaningful community inclusion and sustainable development is undertaken by fostering local community engagement, provision of economic opportunities, and enhancing social cohesion as highlighted below.
SOCIO ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION
In each of the projects under construction, local community participation is ensured through local employment, skills development, and support to local businesses through local CPG opportunities.
A total of 501 local labour has been employed during this reporting period whilst 66 local companies have participated as CPGs in the various projects. During this reporting period UUW has offered training to 112 community members under various projects. Training programmes included skills relevant to the construction industry including shutter hand, concrete Hand, bricklaying, steel fixing, concrete mixing, form work, Plastering, Carpentry, Gabions, and working on heights. Graduate Trainees programmes were offered to three candidates.
The organisation has ensured that the risks associated with project disruptions are minimised by the significant economic benefit brought by local employment, and skills development. While challenges remain, our commitment to community inclusion continues to drive our efforts.
Whilst there are areas for improvement, the overall impact has been positive. The quantifiable results, such as the decreasing number of project stoppages as shown in the graph below, reflect the success of uMngeni-uThukela Water strategies to address complex socio-economic issues. Continued efforts in monitoring, coordination, and sustainability will further enhance the effectiveness of the ISD interventions and contribute to long-term broader socio-economic progress.
Social Risk Index
During the reporting period, the total CSI investment was R8 846 062.86. This represents 27% increase in CSI investment compared to the previous year of 2022/2023.
During the reporting period of 2023/2024, 18 projects were completed as tabulated below.
As per Impact shown in the table above, the implementation of the CSI projects created opportunities for 21 Local SMMEs, 63 employment opportunities and assisted more than 13 thousand individuals.
uMngeni-uThukela Water 2020/21 CSI Projects
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ABOUT US
uMngeni-uThukela Water, a state-owned entity, is one of Africa’s most successful organisations involved in water management and is the largest supplier of bulk potable water in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The organisation was established in 1974.
CONTACT US
Head Office
310 Burger Street Pietermaritzburg 3201. South Africa
PO Box 9,
Pietermaritzburg 3200
KwaZulu-Natal.
South Africa
Tel: +27 (33) 341 1111
Fax: +27 (33) 341 1167
Toll Free: 0800 331 820
Izintaba Region
7 Portland Road Mkondeni
3201. South Africa
PO Box 9,
Pietermaritzburg 3200
KwaZulu-Natal.
South Africa
Tel: +27 (33) 846 1700
Fax: +27 (33) 386 3673
Toll Free: 0800 331 820
Ulwandle Region
13 Pineside Road
New Germany
3610. South Africa
PO Box 11,
New Germany 3620
KwaZulu-Natal.
South Africa
Tel: +27 (31) 719 7300
Fax: +27 (31) 719 7325
Toll Free: 0800 331 820
Richards Bay Region
Cnr South Central Arterial & Battery Bank Alton
Richards Bay, 3901
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Private Bag X1047,
Richards Bay, 3900
KwaZulu-Natal.
South Africa
Tel: +27 (35) 902 1000
Fax: +27 (35) 902 1111
Toll Free: 0800 331 820
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