THE INTUTHUKO FOUNDATION Doing good while doing business

"There are many positive ways for business to make a difference in the lives of the poor - not through philanthropy but through initiatives that, over time, will help build new markets"

Kofi Annan: World Economic Forum, 2002

 

IMG Bigen Africa Associate Director, Yolisa Mkalipi, and the Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Councillor Kgosiento Ramakgopa, at the food parcel handing-over ceremony held in Atteridgeville, Friday 27 January 2012.

Doing good while doing business is Bigen Africa’s creed when it comes to social upliftment and community development. This belief, coupled with a deep respect for the batho pele principles, is what drives the Intuthuko Foundation towards success – or “progress” as the Zulu word indicates – in deserving communities.

Bigen Africa established Intuthuko, a non-profit organisation, to be a catalyst between private sector business and poor communities to foster social cohesion and economic development in a structured, integrated way to empower these communities. Key development challenges are redressed by facilitating sustainable infrastructure development, which has as end result the self-sustainability of the community.

Utilising Bigen Africa’s capabilities, Intuthuko:

  • provides flexible funding opportunities for community projects, scholarships and community programmes;
  • strengthens community partnerships; and
  • provides education and contributes to job creation, poverty alleviation and business development.

“Intuthuko is at present maturing under the wing of Bigen Africa; however, it is set to operate independently once on its feet,” says Dr Snowy Khoza, Bigen Africa CEO.

“All its funding is, for the moment, being generated by and mobilised from Bigen Africa and its partners, but we shall seek additional funding internationally. We also strongly encourage selfless contributions from staff members, whether in the form of hands-on assistance or otherwise.”

Intuthuko has already made significant contributions in the areas of education, community-based projects and corporate programmes. These include distributing food parcels, contributing to bursaries, supporting the Osizweni Crèche in Newcastle and providing regular assistance to the People Upliftment Programme (POPUP).

This Pretoria-based programme provides skills development and training to unemployed people who lack tertiary qualifications, as well as a job placement service. The market-related skills development programme covers hospitality services, cooking and baking, cleaning, laundry, sewing, home-based care, arts and crafts, computer and office administration, early childhood development, forklift driving, business practice, ABET English and mathematical literacy, painting, plumbing and life skills. Other services include a social support programme, a medical service programme comprising three clinics and crèche.

Intuthuko has also become enthusiastically involved in the Bigen Africa annual client golf day, which has been redesigned as a CSI-driven event and will receive ample sponsoring, promising loads of fun to all participants. Funds raised at the next golf day in June will be donated to POPUP.