By Bahle Gama
Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) has presented a CSI partnership package of E930,000 to three organizations that continue to play a crucial role in communities.
These are World Vision Eswatini, which was presented with E510,000, Eswatini Baphalali Red Cross Society (EBRCS) with E270,000, and Bhalekane Primary School with E150,000.
EEC Managing Director (MD) Ernest Mkhonta said while the company’s core business is to regenerate, transmit, and distribute electricity in the country, being part of the community means that like every member, EEC must take care of its neighbours and fellow citizens.
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Mkhonta said the company must remain alive to the plight of communities and explore ways in which it can play a role in improving the quality of life in communities by alleviating poverty and uplifting communities in which the company exists.
It is for this reason that EEC has a corporate social investment (CSI) policy that reflects its business’ accountability and commitment to contributing to the well-being of communities and society through various environmental and social measures.
“We aim to improve our impact on the GDP of the country and our strategy Vutsela 2022-27 indicates that one of the drivers of this objective is our contribution to the community we live in through our CSI initiatives,” he said.
The MD highlighted that not long ago in June last year, the company was making an impact by close to a million Emalangeni support to agricultural and small-scale construction in partnership with World Vision Eswatini set to benefit at least 100 unemployed youth.
On Thursday, he stated that the company decided to extend its social responsibility with yet another almost similar contribution in alignment with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mkhonta elaborated further that the EEC has played a major role in influencing change on matters related to climate change mainly through the Earth Hour initiative which encourages environmental sustainability.
“Time and again we have highlighted the adverse effects in our communities brought about by climate change.
It is for that reason that we have partnered with the organisations presented because they share the same vision,” he said.
The MD added that the company is hopeful that the contribution will go a long way in alleviating some of the SDG challenges faced in the country.
World Vision Eswatini Operations Director Sakhile Dlamini extended appreciation to EEC on behalf of all beneficiaries.
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“This contribution shows that EEC is a people’s company. Money is not something one gets anywhere, and we hope to use the money to fulfill each of our mandates.
We will bring a report to show where the money was utilised,” she said.
|
Beneficiary |
Amount |
|
World Vision Eswatini |
E510,000 |
|
Eswatini Baphalali Red Cross Society (EBRCS) |
E270,000 |
|
Bhalekane Primary School |
E150,000 |
