The following are examples of SED initiatives:
In 2005, our community newspaper division produced the first free newspaper in Soweto. Ten urban community newspapers are now published under this initiative in urban areas. Reader response to these newspapers has highlighted the need for a community mouthpiece in historically disadvantaged communities.
Evoke magazine is printed free of charge. Evoke was launched to bridge the divide between people in the communities as well as community based organisations and corporate South Africa. The magazine focuses on reporting on corporate social responsibility investment and the concomitant opportunities that exist around CSI spend and brings daily living in our poorer communities into the lives of people that do not have the same problems. Evoke was launched to be a voice for the socially vulnerable and to give exposure to the many that would never get the opportunity to tell their stories.
We continue to seek areas where we can positively impact the plight of disadvantaged communities as demonstrated through the provision of free and discounted advertising and editorial space to Black organisations and educational institutions in all our publications, both newspapers and magazines.
In addition, donations are made to various charities that provide support to more than 75% of Black beneficiaries.
Caxton Community Newspapers provides Adult Basic Education and Training for non-employees. Through this programme they aim to increase literacy amongst the disadvantaged.
In 2008, R77,584-21 was spent on Adult Basic Education and Training.
RNA, our magazine distribution company has “adopted” Dowling School. They support the school financially and have donated R643,303 to date. These funds were used to build class rooms and for general maintenance and for the building of a food-hall.
Our publications and business units initiate and participate in the following fund-raising projects throughout the year:
CTP Web & Books and SA Litho sponsor the Place of Hope in Cape Town, a shelter for women and children. In 2008, R50 000 was donated to the shelter to assist with running costs.
We make regular donations of stationery to black schools in the districts in which we operate; plastic to the homeless in the Western Cape; and damaged pallets to informal settlements in Kwa Zulu Natal.
The Zululand Observer, one of our Community Newspapers started its own CSI programme in 1973, entitled DICE. Today DICE has become a catalyst for a myriad of actions to improve the lot of numerous people in Zululand who face a life of disadvantage or poverty. The organisation is synonymous with child care and is deeply involved in the upliftment of the quality of life within the community, and in the rural areas.
The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund is a registered Not- for- Profit- Organisation run by North Coast Courier (Caxton Community Newspaper) and distributes funds to assist the local community.
Rekord Hulpfonds is a registered Not- for- Profit- Organisation which distributes funds to assist the local community.
Caxton Printers' social responsibility programme focuses mainly in the area around the factory in Industria. It is actively involved in the nearby community together with African Divas. African Divas is a community project that aims to create jobs and provide skills and education. They help create and produce products for corporate and retail markets, using the skills and artistic expression of previously disadvantaged men and woman. A percentage of all African Divas sales are donated to Itshepeng, a Not-for-Profit Organisation.
Itshepeng manages a feeding scheme feeding 500 people, 5 days a week and a maths and science programme at the Westbury Recreational Hall in Coronationville and Caxton Printers is the main sponsor of the feeding scheme and contributes towards the maths and science programme, helping to educate 200 children.
African Divas and Itshepeng have also helped to recruit staff for Caxton Printers from the community. Twenty people were provided with employement in the last 12 months.
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