The purpose of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) is to address some of the inequality brought on by apartheid to the black citizens in South Africa, through economic upliftment. The policy promotes the empowerment of the previously disenfranchised by bringing about socio-economic transformation. The emphasis of the B-BBEE Codes is not merely on social responsibility but on those social responsibility initiatives that enhance or promote sustainable economic development, upliftment, and inclusion.
Since the B-BBEE was enacted, Lexmark South Africa has implemented numerous initiatives focusing on skills development programs and contributing to the creation and development of small businesses.
We have several initiatives where we hold ourselves accountable and have developed a set of targets to measure the impact of our B-BBEE strategy, including the following:
South Africa has a significantly high unemployment rate, particularly amongst university graduates with a growing skills gap in the tech industry, which continues to put pressure on the digital economy and the country’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) progress. Our internship and learnership program for unemployed young people provides an opportunity for graduates and matriculants to enter the world of work while offering them core and developing skills. As of the first quarter of 2022, 52.82% of the learners enrolled in our skills programs have been offered employment both in Lexmark and other external entities.
Lexmark’s B-BBEE status was accomplished through the hard work and leadership of Karabo Mongake, director of finance and board member, Lexmark SAF, who was henceforth recognised with a Lexmark Culture Shift Award. Furthermore, collaboration was key to the project, and she pulled everyone together, including local employees and management, local partners, and senior global executives to identify, develop and implement a strategy, which included short-term quick wins as well as a long-term sustainable policy.
