Growing World : Extract from the 2018 Annual Report
“We want a growing world where everyone has the opportunity to improve their livelihoods. And that means accelerating growth and social development across our value chain – from our growers to our retailers. We aim to build local programs that promote innovation, entrepreneurship and productivity“
SUPPORTING LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Delta Corporation is a significant contributor to the Zimbabwean economy, providing direct employment to over 4 800 people and indirectly by supporting livelihoods through both our upstream and downstream value chain partners in sourcing inputs and the distribution and retailing of our beverages. The multiplier effects of our operations permeate through various facets of the Zimbabwean economy, thereby creating wealth and improving the welfare of the communities in which we work. A key pillar of our direct support to communities is the Delta Schools Infrastructure Program whose aim is to work collaboratively with the chosen community to construct learning facilities at one or two primary schools a year. This initiative includes the construction of model classroom blocks, the supply of furniture and other amenities. Communities are encouraged to participate by contributing their labor to mold bricks and supply water during construction in order to instill a sense of ownership which is important for maintaining the facilities. Two projects were running during the current year: Mucklenuck Primary School in Binga – Matabeleland North Province and Fairview – Matabeleland South Province of Zimbabwe which will be commissioned in 2018. The Company runs a bursary scheme to support gifted but underprivileged students to enroll for A level and university studies, with a current enrolment of 60 learners. We were excited in reading the story of one of our alumni who has excelled in her teaching career.The Company responds to disasters, provide humanitarian relief as well as ad-hoc requests for donations. Where we can, we support worthy causes in order to deliver positive change in the communities where we operate. These programs are guided by the Group’s ethics and donations policies which exclude donations to certain areas such as:
- Political and religious organisations particularly projects that are designed to facilitate the spread of their ideologies and
beliefs - Individuals, commercial or profit-making businesses or organisations
- Publications, exhibitions, marketing campaigns and general research
- Sports sponsorships and music festivals except for the brand led properties
SUPPORTING WOMEN THROUGH THE COCA-COLA GLOBAL 5 BY 20 INITIATIVE
As our share of the 5 by 20 Coca-Cola program to empower five million women by year 2020 worldwide, we plan to recruit and train over 5 000 women as part of the upgrading of the informal market traders and small to medium enterprises. Over 1 700 women have been trained so far.
The female managerial employees of the Coca-Cola system in Zimbabwe participate in the local chapter of The Coca-Cola Women’s Business Resource Group, Women’s Linc, which is focused on engaging, inspiring and developing the women of The Coca-Cola Company to drive total business performance and establish a strong reputation as a great place to work for women. The program also challenges women to work for their communities as volunteers. Women’s Linc Zimbabwe raised a total of $8 200 towards the construction of a classroom block at Cheuchi Primary School in Mashonaland West province.
WE ARE PART OF ZIMBABWE’S AGRICULTURE
As a beverage manufacturer, we rely on agricultural crops to brew our beers and as sweeteners of our soft drinks. We are creating
secure, sustainable supply chains both for malting barley, maize and sorghum including key agricultural raw materials such as sugar and juicing fruits. We are helping farmers increase profitability, productivity and social development while reducing environmental impact. We support over 9 000 families who are subsistence farmers to grow sorghum for use in brewing our sorghum and Eagle Lager beer. The scheme is part of our effort to integrate marginalized communities in our value chain. Our full barley requirements are provided by the 50 commercial farmers that participate in the longstanding barley contract scheme. The Company provides the farmers with inputs, extension services and in deserving cases capital expenditure funding with a focus to improve yields, uniformity of varieties and general agronomic practices. The barley contract has been extended to cover maize to ensure that the contracted farmers remain productive throughout the year.
EMPOWERING SMALL ENTERPRISES TO GROW AND THRIVE
We work with significant numbers of small enterprises whoare either suppliers, service providers, transporters or retail customers. They are all critical to our success as a business hence our ongoing efforts to ensure their viability and our desire to unlock their entrepreneurial potential. The supplier partnering programme focuses on developing joint initiatives to improve the value chains based on a common understanding of cost drivers, leveraging on technological developments and meeting the base supplier guiding principles on safety, human rights and legal compliance. The Retailer Development Programme is designed to equip our retailers, particularly the small sized outlets, with basic business management skills to help improve their businesses and incomes. In the last two years, we have trained over 1100 retailers covering the key modules such as financial management, product handling, understanding a beer business and responsible retailing and environmental awareness
