Uplifting communities in a sustainable way is key to CSR best practice: Len Brand
October 15, 2021
Businesses are influential constituents in society and the most effective, valued and desirable businesses do so much more than focus on the bottom line: they utilise the expertise and passion within the business to assist with societal difficulties and challenges, and to give back to the communities in which they operate.
This culture of giving back by all the Tata businesses emanates from a strong tradition of nation and community building entrenched by Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the group, more than 150 years ago.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is in our DNA and at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to integrating social and ethical principles at the very core of our business and, in so doing, to enhance long-term stakeholder value that influences and enhances the lives of all the people within the greater Tata family.
This approach ensures that we implement strategies to support our communities by empowering people and enabling them to develop the skills they need to succeed.
The philosophy to promote the social and economic development of local communities through education, entrepreneurship and health initiatives is a key component of Tata International Africa’s business values and belief system.
Our CSR programme cannot afford everyone an opportunity as we only invest in candidates we believe to be among the best. By doing so we make a difference to communities in a more sustainable manner as these handpicked individuals will likely become leaders, and when they do, they will in all likelihood continue the process of giving back to their communities.
With our university scholarship programme, we deliberately seek out the young people who we believe will go back to their communities and become leaders. The scholarship programmes we have in place enable young people to complete their studies and return to the communities where they grew up or where they will eventually work, to make a positive impact.
One area of CSR where we directly support an entity that is making a real difference in people’s lives is Operation Smile. We are passionate about this NPO (non-profit organisation). We recognise that by addressing the challenges some children face at a young and impressionable age, together with Operation Smile we can give them a chance to become the best versions of themselves.
The funds we contribute go towards the cost of surgery to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities, and provide education and training on managing the deformity. The positive effects of this transformative and life-changing surgery is evident in both the patients and their families, and is making such a difference to the lives of so many children.
Another important project we support through our CSR initiatives is the Bridging for Life programme. Managed by Valued Citizens Initiative, the programme has made a significant difference in the lives of learners by assisting them through the transition from high school to institutions of higher education and training. The programme has helped learners achieve better results and increased their self-esteem. We are committed to investing in education and providing learners in their final high school years with the relevant tools to succeed when they enter university or another tertiary place of learning.
The values that are embedded in the Tata business and that we all live and work by, are extremely close to my heart too. On the numerous occasions when I have been fortunate to speak to young people, I always impress upon them that they should try to remember to do what is morally correct and not what is legally correct. I find some people really struggle with this concept because what is morally correct might put one on a totally different path to what is legally correct.
