Making a Positive Impact Together: Unlocking ESG

What is ESG? ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. It is a framework used to assess the sustainability and societal impact of a business. ESG criteria are becoming more important for companies, investors, and stakeholders who are interested in how businesses manage risks, opportunities, and ethical responsibilities beyond just their financial results.

Recognising the growing importance of ESG principles, Lesaka has started to incorporate them into its business practices. The company has decided on 13 focus areas, referred to as Material Matters, which are organised into 4 clusters.
Lesaka is just starting its ESG journey, and it will take a few years to fully integrate ESG into the business. So, what does this mean for you? Right now, we’re all about raising awareness on ESG. You might already be doing things that are under ESG, even if you call them something else. Soon you’ll see how everything connects!

We are a business that is intentional about making an impact on society and the communities we serve through our Black Economic Empowerment initiatives.

BEE Allocations for Financial Year 2024.
 
In the last financial year, we supported over 30 initiatives through targeted donations of over R10 million. Here are some highlights from our support  efforts, categorised by their strategic pillars:
 
Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation:
  1. Lebz Café: We resuscitated this coffee shop, owned by a young entrepreneur from a township, which had been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our support included funding for office space rental, stock, uniforms, office furniture, marketing and branding, and website design.
  2. Stokfella: We contributed funds to enhance this innovative digital platform that modernises traditional South African stokvels (savings clubs).  Our donation supported the development of a Sellers Portal and a Retailers Portal, creating 6 new permanent jobs in the process.
  3. Chat Inc: Our investment helped develop EX, a platform for customer and employee engagement built on WhatsApp. This contribution led to the creation of 3 new permanent jobs and supports businesses with automation, CRM, and broadcasting solutions.
Education and Digital Transformation:
  1. Cingani High School: Located in the Eastern Cape, this non-fee paying township school, with 1500 learners, achieved a 92% pass rate despite financial challenges. We funded a prefabricated classroom for a computer lab and donated 18 laptops and 6 projectors to enhance their digital learning capabilities.
  2. Mobile Device Donation: We provided 800 mobile devices to disadvantaged high school students nationwide, along with vouchers for free subscriptions to online learning platforms, supporting their educational engagement. 

Environmental and Diversity & Inclusion: 

  1. Full Circle: Specialising in recycling waste, Full Circle received funding to purchase and weatherproof trucks, which led to the creation of 1 permanent job. This initiative supports environmental sustainability through improved waste management.
  2. Mason Lincoln Special School: Serving students with physical disabilities in KwaZulu Natal, this school was equipped with physiotherapy and speech therapy equipment, as well as Skills Development tools like sewing and overlock machines. 
Disaster Relief: 
 
  1. Disaster Relief Fund: We established this fund to aid vulnerable communities affected by fires and floods. Our donations included food, blankets, and replacements for personal belongings and household goods, helping community members recover and regain economic stability.
For more information about our ESG programs and how you can nominate an organisation for Lesaka to support in 2025, contact Lusanda Mgudu, Head of ESG by emailing esg@lesakatech.com
Tshidi Russon-Sithebe hands over Enterprise Development funding to Stokfella’s Ruddy Mukwana and Tshepo Moloi in Johannesburg
Capital Connect’s Gerhard Le Roux with Lebohang Nyandeni, Founder of Lebz Café, an Enterprise Development funding recipient
Tiyani Phaweni receives Enterprise Development funding from Logan Naidoo and Brenda Magana in Johannesburg
Lee Treurnich, CEO of Thunder Marketing, receives Supplier Development funding from Capital Connect’s Martin Botha in Cape Town
Malusi Nondonga and Cordelia da Silva hand over Supplier Development funding to Sabelo Ntsadu, CEO of Manala Equities, in Mthatha
The Touchsides team donates mobile phones to learners at Mnganiwakhe High School in Durban
Phones donated at the Pondoland King’s Top Achiever Awards: L-R Tabile Sovita, King D. Sigcau, Queen N. Sigcau, Mr. Mdutshane, and learner Anathi Magaba
Donating 18 laptops and 6 projectors to Cingani High School are Tabile Sovita, Jocelyn Felix, Nondyebo Ntsamba, Dewandre Cassels, and Lusanda Mgudu
Cingani High School Principal Mr. Mbuleli Sandi receives Socio-Economic Development funding from Eastern Cape Provincial Head Mr. Tabile Sovita
Phendula Sokhela hands over Socio-Economic Development funding to Ms. B. Gumede, Ms. Maluleka, and Ms. Dube in Durban
The Touchsides team donates mobile phones to students at Sidelile High School in Durban
A prefabricated classroom donated to Cingani High School in Gqeberha will be used as a computer lab
Prism’s Gabisile Mdlalose sits inside her room in Ntuzuma, Durban, after losing her roof to a cyclone
The repaired roof of Gabisile Mdlalose's home in Ntuzuma, Durban
Mme Matekane receives Disaster Relief Funds from Kelebogile Mokobe and Brenda Malefeste after losing belongings in a fire
Mme Matekane with her new bed, courtesy of EasyPay Everywhere, in Botshabelo, Free State
Jozi Halaal Caterer’s Riyaadh Loonat receives Supplier Development Funding from Lincoln Mali and Norma Teyise
Receiving Supplier Development Funding from Norma Teyise and the HR Team are Synergy’s Rayhaana Damon, Marishka Pillay, and Fezeka Gwala