The PunchCivic Helping you help us allThe

Juggling fundsWhy business spends

on charity

Let’s be frank

It’s party timeWho deserves your vote

at next year’s polls?

Small steps, BIG changes

The pitfalls of political correctness

What lies behind The Big Issue?

9 Oct. - 31 Oct. 2013 ISSUE #1

R25

Civic Punch

The

Contact us on 021 557 5222Website: www.civicpunch.org.za

EDITORIALEditor: Chris van der Westhuyzeneditor@thecivicpunch.org.zaDeputy Editor: Dominique Kirstenmagazine@thecivicpunch.org.zaDesigner: Sophia Watsondesign@thecivicpunch.org.za

CONTRIBUTORSMarius Scholtz, Douw Steyn, Sizwe Mphalo, David Lilienfeld, Lilah Burne, Emma Duncan, Nikita Brookbanks

ADVERTISINGAvertising Manager: Nix Vivier021 554 3634 or 072 6397025nixvivier@thecivicpunch.org.za

MARKETINGMarketing Coordinator: Jonathan Cloetemarketing@thecivicpunch.org.za

DISTRIBUTIONSenior Distribution Manager: Dewald UysWoodstock Manager: Emily BrownTamboerskloof Manager: Heinrich ElsTable View Manager: Tersia van Rooyen

ACCOUNTS/ADMINPersonal Assistant: Nicky Servone

BOARD OF DIRECTORSChairman: Luvuyo MkangelaDeputy Chair/Treasurer: Asleigh Isaacs Directors: Molly Hawthorne, Kudzai Ntongs,Phillip Ntangara, John Rington

CAPE TOWN OFFICE7 Bond Street, Woodstock 8001Cape TownTel: 021 557 5222. Fax: 021 553 5645email: info@thecivicpunch.org.za

PRINTERPaarl-WebPrinted on Sappi paper

CONTENTS #1

News bites Innovative gadgets, significant 10 statements & worthwhile events

OPINION

INTRO

FEATURES

NEWS

PROFILES

Sizwe Nzima Social entrepreneur (21) 30from Khayelitsha on business, life and the prospects for SA’s youth

Ella Bella Constantinides The brains 32behind Generation Earth, a youth-based group committed to the green revolution

Frankly speaking Why political correct- 22ness is hampering genuine positive change

Pick your party The unbiased guide to 24Elections 2014

Editor’s note Caring isn’t complicated 7

Readers’ letters What’s on your mind? 9

Small steps, BIG changes You’ve seen the 12magazine vendors. We explore the ins and outs of The Big Issue as an organisation

People, planet, profit The Corporate Social 18Investment sector is worth billions. Why does business spend so much on charity?

YOUR WORLD

Voice of the people Who would you like 36to spend a day with?

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On the cover:Students from the University of Cape Town pay tribute to Nelson Mandela on July 18th by helping to erect a fence for a vegetable garden at Walter Teka Primary School in Nyanga. Photo: Chris van der Westhuyzen

PHOTO ESSAY

Madiba Magic Lending a hand at Walter 26Walter Teka Primary School in Nyanga

6

7

Our world is far from perfect. Those who have access to news media know how every day we get inundated with the doom and gloom of natural devastation and human injustices. Sometimes all it takes is a walk through the city or a drive along the N2 to recognise the gaping holes in our social fabric. So much so, that many of us have chosen to ignore it. Instead of worrying about social and environmental issues, we switch off and turn our attention to the rosier things in life. It sure seems like a more peaceful way to live. During the planning of this

magazine, however, I realised that even though the world often seems like a very messed-up place, there’s no point in beating yourself up about it. After all, caring isn’t really all that complicated. Compassion needn’t be a burden. There are alternative ways to express your concern, lend a hand, or make a change - ways that are both easier for you and more useful for society as a whole. It’s all about adopting the right attitude. Struggling against the world’s problems with fervant resistance won’t always get you far. In fact, such a hardcore approach might lead to burnout and land you in the denial den with all the others who have decided to cop out. Instead, you can choose to focus on the prospect of real change. Smile at a cashier, have a chat with a homeless person, teach someone less fortunate than yourself, buy goods from a local business, donate old clothes to charity, or start a community garden. None of these things will change the world overnight, but they will bring satisfaction - not only to yourself, but to everyone you meet along the way. Sure, small change seems inconsequential in the greater scheme of things. But slow change is better than no change at all. Remember, caring needn’t be complicated. I hope this month’s issue of The Civic Punch inspires you to spread the message.

Have fun,

Chris van der Westhuyzen

Caring isn t complicated

Editor’s Note

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Watch this space. A graffiti message on a wall in Koeberg Road near Milnerton, symbolic of the potential for positive change in everyday life.

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Letters to the EditorHats off to Cape Town Shark Spotters

I am a passionate surfer and also a proud father of two young boys who seem to love the water almost more than I do. Our family often ventures out to Fish Hoek beach or Koeel Bay on weekends to catch some wave time. However, the recent spate of attacks by Great White sharks has put quite a damper on our exciting weekly excursions. My boys love surfing, but their fear of sharks is making them hesitant to paddle out, even when the waves are firing! I was therefore so stoked to hear that the Cape Town Shark Spotter Programme has expanded to include a station at Koeel Bay. The spotters have a stunning little hut up on the mountain face, and keep a close eye on the water to alert surfers and other water-users when they spot something fishy in the bay. With the Shark Spotters on duty, my boys and I can go for a surf without the fear of not knowing what lies below. I encourage all Capetonians to support this programme so that all our beaches can eventually enjoy the excellent safety it brings.

Ben Severson

READER FEEDBACK

SMS POLLS

We asked: Comments

You answered:

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YES: I think car guards are needed, but only at night time - Val

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NEXT MONTH’S POLLDo you read the ingredients labels when purchasing food?

SMS “OPINION” followed by your answer, your comment and your name to 33456. SMS charged at R1.50

Madiba Fever sparked renewed interestThis letter is to express my sincerest pleasure after having read Sizwe Mphalo’s piece, Madiba Fever in last month’s edition. No doubt, Nelson Mandela is a great man who has achieved amazing goals in his lifetime. It is thus no surprise that Madiba is often glamorised by the media for his role in bringing down Apartheid. The trouble with this, however, is that readers and the general public often grow bored, or even annoyed with feature pieces that do little more than emphasise the saint and hero-like status of the man by focusing exclusively on his success in resisting the Apartheid regime. Yes, those things are important and should never be forgotten, but there is so much more to Madiba’s earlier history that South Africans and people across the world should know about. Sadly, these fascinating facts often get overshadowed by the persistent rehashing of the same old story. Mphalo’s piece on Madiba really went the extra mile in terms of fresh content to ensure that readers remain interested in the man himself. Never before have I read such a detailed and interesting timeline of Madiba. Who knew that in 1940, when Mandela was elected to the Student Representative Council at the University of Fort Hare he refused to take his position on the SRC because of the electoral boycott over the quality of food given to students! I was genuinely impressed and proud of the comprehensive, compelling and unusually entertaining content of your story. Keep up the good work!

Kerry Galin

The Civic Punch wants to hear your thoughts on the things we report on - and the things we don’t. Your letters might just earn you a stunning reward. The best letter, sms or online comment will receive a R250 gift voucher for Basset Stationers. So get writing! All letters can be emailed to the editor (email: editor@thecivicpunch.org.za). Or you can SMS your comment to 082 5674 4565. We look forward to hearing what you have to say!

Write to us and win!

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Bird’s eye view. The new Shark Spotter hut at Koeel Bay is situated high above the water, allowing spotters to monitor the bay with stunning precision.

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News BitesYour montly brief of innovative gadgets, significant statements and worthwhile events

Business buries funeral hassles

‘If you make the world a radically better place,

the money is going to come find you, in a

fair and elegant way.’Astro Teller, the brains behind Google X,an operation of the Internet giant known for its innovative endeavours like air-borne turbines that collect wind power and high-altitude balloons that provide Internet access to remote areas.

In Avalon Cemetery in Soweto (left) an average of 120 people are buried every weekend. With so many funerals taking place, people often get lost when trying to locate the gravesites of their loved ones. Earlier in September Lebohang Khitsane, from Bataung Memorial Tombstones, found a digital solution to this problem. Fixing a GPS-embedded barcode onto a tombstone, Lebohang allows users to access the funeral programme, find directions to the gravesite and even send a personalised message to the family of the bereaved. Funeral-goers can scan the code using a free application on any smart device. “When people attend funerals they will never get lost again,” Lebohang told eNCA.

Cellphone app to assist rape survivors

Rape Crisis, an NGO that has since 1976 strived to empower rape survivors by supporting them on the road towards justice and recovery, joined forces with Mxit in August to launch the RapeCrisis application. The app, currently available in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa, aims to inform women in rural communities about the processes around disclosure, reporting to police, forensic examinations, medical treatment, police investigation, court pro-ceedings and counselling. Rape Crisis director Kathleen Dey said Mxit was the ideal platform for the app since the mobile social network was an “inexpensive, easily accessibletool with enormous reach”. The app can be accessed by typing mxitapp.com/rapecrisis into a phone’s browser.

Bridging divides over a soda

Coca-Cola’s “Open Happiness” campaign is known for its feel-good marketing feats. The soda company’s latest initiative, the Small World Machine, saw the installation of high-tech vending machines in two popular shopping malls in Lahore, Pakistan, and New Delhi, India, two neighbours divided over decades of political tension. Each vending kiosk featured a touchscreen front showing people at the corresponding machine in the other country, and invited the people at each

kiosk to interact and even complete a small shared task — drawing a circle, doing a little dance — with someone on the other side. “The goal was to inspire happiness and promote cultural understanding among people who are not exposed to each other on a daily basis,” said Jackie Jantos Tulloch, Coke’s global creative director and project lead. “We wondered what would happen if people from these two countries came together, and the answer was clear: goodness and happiness.”

41 beaches and five marinas have been awarded Blue Flag status by the Wildlife and Environment Society of SA (WESSA) for the summer season of 2013.Im

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Con Court gives go-ahead for inquiry into policing

SA advertising agency Y&R designed a see-through bar of soap with a small toy inside to encourage kids in disadvantaged areas to wash their hands more frequently. The Hope Soap campaign, which Y&R launched in partnership with Safety Lab and Blikkiesdorp 4 Hope, received the award for Best Use of Guerilla Marketing in a Promotional Campaign at an advertising awards ceremony on Monday, June 17th. “We are so proud and excited,” said Graham Lang, Chief Creative Officer at Y&R SA. “It just goes to show that South Africans can find a solution to any problem.”

Toy-in-soap incentive for youth hygiene

It was the labor movement that helped secure so much of what we take for granted today. The 40-hour work week, the minimum wage, family leave, health insurance, Social Security, Medicare, retirement plans. The cornerstones of the middle-class security all bear the union label.

U.S. President Barack Obama during a speech on Labour Day (Sept. 2), amidst criticisms by opponents of his infamous health care campaign (a.k.a. Obamacare) who assert his Democratic Party is dominated by the political left.

The Constitutional Court on October 1st gave the green light to Western Cape Premier Helen Zille and the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) to head a commission of inquiry into the troublesome state of policing in Khayelitsha. Police Minister Nathi Mthwethwa and national police commissioner General Riah Phiyega had previously attempted to stave off the inquiry by claiming that such scrutiny would be unconstitutional. “We are very happy, this is a huge victory,” said SJC General Secretary Phumeza Mlungwana. “The legal battle for this commission is not about powers between organs of state but about people’s lives.”

Your montly calendar...

What: Out in Africa: South African Gay & Lesbian Film FestivalWhere: Nu Metro V&A WaterfrontWhen: 17 - 27 October

What: Cape Town Gun RunWhere: Various routes along the Sea Point PromenadeWhen: 13 October

What: Colour Me Crazy 5km Run & Colour FestWhere: West Coast Ostrich RanchWhen: 26 October

What: Family Farmers MarketWhere: Lourensford Wine EstateWhen: Saturdays 9am-4pm

A sobriety campaign for October has been launched by the Western Cape South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA). David Fourie from SANCA said the initiative was aimed at combatting high levels of alcoholim and drunk driving. News of the campaign spurred a flurry of comments on social networks. Radio personality Gareth Cliff tweeted, “If you’re writing exams, #OcSober will help. If you want to get into shape, #OcSober. If you want to save money, #OcSober. No pressure ;)

OcSober: the no-alcohol month

NEWS BITES

12

steps Small

13

In 1998 Rodica Ntalo left her home in the Transkei with a Grade 10 qualification and moved to Cape Town in the hope of finding a better life for herself. Her new home was a shack in Khayelitsha, which

she shared with her mother, aunt and uncle. Like most other households in the township, Rodica’s

family couldn’t afford the school fees to let her complete matric. Without a formal education, her prospects were unlikely

to improve. And so, despite her initial hopes, Rodica spent most of her days helping her mother with char work. After years of searching for a full-time job, in February

2012, a friend of Rodica introduced her to The Big Issue, a Cape Town based non-profit organisation that runs a developmental job-creation programme through sales of its magazine publication. “The Big Issue said to me I can have this job. I was very,

very happy,” says the magazine vendor, now 34. From The Big Issue’s headquarters in Salt River, Cape

Town, vendors like Rodica purchase copies of the magazine at the wholesale price (R10-R15) and then sell them for double the cost in order to make a profit. The job-creation project affords vendors the independence

to buy and sell supplies at their own discretion, thus encouraging responsible management of their ventures. Rodica’s pitch is the busy Cape Town intersection of

Buitengracht and Strand Streets. When the light turns red, she bustles through the traffic

lanes, greeting motorists with her warm smile as she promotes The Big Issue. Across from Rodica’s pitch, at another set of traffic lights,

a young man employs a similar method, though his approach is one of cupped hands and a grim demeanour. Rodica disagrees with begging, and insists that hers is a

far more respectable occupation. “I don’t mind him,” she shrugs. “I am not begging. I am

working. The people, they see me and they know I’m not begging like him.”

Any Capetonian has heard of The Big Issue. The popular street sheet has been sold at traffic lights across the city since 1996. But as an organisation, The Big Issue is much more than just a magazine. The Civic Punch takes a peek behind the scenes of this truly committed social enterprise.

Image: Chris van der Westhuyzen

changesBIG

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‘The Big Issue is a great read and also a very simple way for individuals to make a real difference without

making any major time or financial commitments’

Pic: Chris van der W

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The Dreammaker. From The Big Issue headquarters in Woodstock, Nicky Asher-Pedro works to find job placements and internship opportunities for vendors seeking full-time employment

Image: The Big Issue

Boosting vendors’ self-esteem is part of The Big Issue’s vision. In its mission statement the organisation

says it aims to help the poor regain their dignity by having them earn money through working, as opposed to begging. Cover-page slogans like “Street trade, not

street aid” and “A hand-up, not a hand-out” summarise the objective of the magazine sales project. Rodica appears particularly proud of her

job, which is no surprise, considering the award-winning quality of her product. Each month The Big Issue features an array

of compelling content, from expert fashion and music reviews, to in-depth discussions of socio-economic and political affairs. Even though it’s a non-profit initiative,

contributors to The Big Issue do not work pro bono. Managing Director Trudy Vlok says all

freelance writers and photographers get paid a reduced rate.

This arrangement, says Trudy, is informed largely by the organisation’s Nothing for Mahala value-system.“Paying for contributions ensures quality

content, but really it’s part of our ethos. We don’t expect anything for nothing.”Trudy recalls how in November

2012, on the eve of The Big Issue’s 16th birthday, the magazine launched its digital edition. Aimed mostly at South

African expatriates and residents in provinces outside of Cape Town, the online version of the mag includes add-on material like imbeddedinterviews and behind-the-scenes photo shoots. And while online media has generally

usurped the print industry, The Big Issue’s street circulation has steadily increased over the past five years – a trend Trudy ascribes to the magazine’s “unique offering”.“The Big Issue is a great read and also

a very simple way for individuals to make a real difference without

making any major time or financial commitments. People have come to realise this and I think that is what’s shielded us from the backlash of the digital migration.” While the magazine’s popularity makes the selling job easier for vendors, Rodica admits her earnings are not enough to improve her living standard. On her “good days,” which usually last from 8am to 4pm, Rodica sells around 10 copies. Considering her input costs, weekly train fare of R53 and the occasional dry spell, Rodica actually pockets very little at the end of the day. The Big Issue recognises that its magazine-sales project is by no means the be-all and end-all solution to South Africa’s poverty and unemployment crisis. Nicky Asher-Pedro, the organisation’s work placement officer, says the ini- tiative is merely a “stepping stone” meant to help vendors who wish to progress into mainstream society.

15

‘Ultimately, the goal is to get them full-time, sustainable jobs’

BIG stats from 2011 16 Editions published 11, 629 Average circulation per edition 186, 057 Total annual circulation

R114, 333 Average vendor income per edition (excluding tips)R170, 788 Average vendor income per edition (including tips)R1355 Average monthly income per vendor

Vendor attendance at workshops and training sessions

35 - Skills for job seeking

207 - Parenting skills (Early Childhood Development)

191 - Sales techniques and customer relations

39 - Paraffin safety awareness

8 - Cookery and catering course

63 - Alcohol and substance abuse

15 vendors went on to secure full time/part time

employment or further training.

Source: The Big Issue Annual Report 2011

Images: vectorstock.com

“Ultimately, the goal is to get them full-time, sustainable jobs,” says Nicky. To this end, the work placement

office works closely with vendors to help prepare them for a life beyond the struggles of socio-economic deprivation. “We help them to make a CV,” says

Nicky. “This way we can determine their skill sets and together we then decide on a potential career path.”

Through partnerships with various businesses, The Big Issue is able to arrange internship programmes for vendors who wish to develop skills in a particular field. These apprenticeships can often lead to

permanent positions within the business. As work placement officer, Nicky

says she has seen vendors go on to secure jobs as leather craftsmen, catering specialists, waitresses and even computer technicians.In addition to career advice, The Big

Issue puts vendors in touch with public sector experts who assist them in the process of collecting their welfare grants from government. Furthermore, the organisation has

a social development department to support vendors in whichever way possible.

“For vendors with kids we provide a crèche subsidy so they don’t have to sell magazines while carrying their baby, because that’s not healthy,” says Nicky. The Big Issue’s social development arm

also encourages vendors to attend weekly workshops, ranging from educational lessons about domestic violence or substance abuse, to arts and poetry classes that develop creative expression.As a non-profit organisation, The

Big Issue relies heavily on corporate sponsors and donations, though Trudy admits that being dependent on the generosity of others often places the organisation in a precarious position.

“The funding community is very fickle. It’s a very difficult time for non-profits, especially in South Africa.”Trudy explains that over the past 18

months The Big Issue has forfeited some of its most trusted sources of financial support. Funding from the United Nations

and other international groups has dwindled, she says, since the focus

has shifted away from southern Africa towards countries further north. “They believe the South African

economy is robust enough to support its citizens,” Nicky says. “They don’t believe our level of need warrants their continual funding.”Locally, the country’s economic recession

has squeezed company profits, and apart from a handful of businesses committed to sponsoring The Big Issue, donations from the private sector have been shrinking compared to previous years. Trudy is grateful for the government

funding that The Big Issue currently receives from the provincial department of Social Development. She says however, that government

support is generally very sporadic, and it can often take years for financial aid applications to be processed.

The Big Issue’s financial situation has demanded drastic streamlining of its operations in order to keep the organisation afloat. Trudy says staff lay-offs and cuts in

overheads have been unavoidable, though she insists that support for vendors is a priority that will not be compromised.“We have made some serious changes,

but we have not and will never cut services to beneficiaries. That is something that we safeguard with our lives.”To Nicky, The Big Issue’s support

services play a pivotal part in its mission to uplift vendor morale.

‘We will never cut services to beneficiaries. That is something that we safeguard with our lives’

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From margins to mainstream. Since signing up as a vendor for The Big Issuewww, Nonceba Sondlo has managed to secure a permanent position as caretaker at the Sugar & Spice Educare Centre on Kloof Nek Road

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The services provide an “informal education,” she says, which helps bridge the gap between the margins and the mainstream of society. But making the services available is not all that is important. Real change, Nicky says, depends on whether vendors are

willing to meet The Big Issue halfway. “A lot of the time it’s all up to vendors’ commitment and

determination,” she says. “It’s amazing what poor, unemployed people can achieve when their mind is set on the desire to change.”

Thirty-one-year-old Khayelitsha resident Nonceba Sondlo is testimony to this. After the crèche where she had worked closed down in 2012,

Nonceba signed up as a vendor for The Big Issue. She consulted with Nicky, who, after hearing about Nonceba’s

experience in working with children, arranged for her to intern at the Sugar & Spice Educare Centre on Kloof Nek Road.“Interacting with the young kids is what I do best,” says

Nonceba, or Nonnie, as she is known by the toddlers she cares for at the day nursery. Nonceba’s short-term goal is to study Early Childhood

Development at the Cape Town College in Athlone. With Nicky’s help, she managed to complete the application

procedure and since then the college has agreed to shortlist Nonceba for enrolment in 2014.

“It would be amazing if I could get that qualification. Maybe one day I’ll open my own crèche,” she says with unwavering self-confidence.Nonceba’s story is one of many inspirational stories that mark

the wonderful work The Big Issue does for citizens in need. But the positive change doesn’t come easily for everyone. Nicky

says there are several vendors who continue to struggle in their search for a place in the mainstream economy. A common challenge, she says, is the battle for literacy in English.

“Many of the vendors have a very limited vocabulary,” says Nicky. “I tell them this is not the Eastern Cape where you can get away with only isiXhosa.”Nicky is planning an English Language tutorial group for vendors

who wish to become more articulate, especially those who need to prepare for interviews and basic business networking. But Nicky’s plan requires funding. Indeed, for similar projects

to gain traction and for The Big Issue to maintain its positive impact, its team will have to find strategic ways to secure funding and to save the organisation from financial peril. According to Trudy, The Big Issue is undergoing intensive

negotiations in order to become less donor reliant. In line with a trend among many international street sheets,

Trudy’s aim is to transform The Big Issue from a charitable, non-profit organisation into a social business.

‘It’s amazing what poor, unemployed people can achieve when their mind is set on the

desire to change’

17

Been around the block. Since its first-ever edition in January 1997 (left), The Big Issue has grown from strength to strength and today boasts a value-added electronic edition of its publication

The first step in this reorientation process, she says, is to start capitalising on the organisation’s glowing reputation. “We know we have a product. We know

it’s a strong brand. So now we need to capitalise on that.”Currently, The Big Issue generates 50

per cent of its income through donations, while the other half comes from magazine sales to vendors. Trudy’s goal over the next 18 to 24 months

is to change the income ratio so that The Big Issue is entirely self-sustaining. “We’ve never had a staff member focusing

on strategic growth and income generation. Given the person with the right skills, savvy and networking experience to tap into that potential, I’m sure we can turn this ship around.”If Trudy and those at the helm of The

Big Issue succeed in implementing a sustainable business model, the prospects for vendors like Rodica are likely to become more promising. With stable sources of revenue the

organisation will be able to secure its own funding and thereby improve the delivery of services to beneficiaries. Nicky says the aim of The Big Issue is

ultimately to help people who yearn for a better way of life. While money assists in this regard,

it certainly isn’t the only way to affect positive change. A smile, a handshake or a kind gesture

towards someone less fortunate than you is sometimes enough to light up their day, says Nicky. But apart from everyday compassion

and friendlier attitudes, Nicky says the success of The Big Issue’s mission depends greatly on whether individuals are willing to seek help. “We all have hardships in life. If you are

someone who will sacrifice the effort to reach out there’s bound to be someone who can lend you a hand. But not if you sit around and feel sorry for yourself. It’s not our goal to keep the pity boat afloat.”

18

Each year, big business spends millions on charity and social development.

Is it for the tax breaks and reputation purposes or the moral obligation to facilitate positive change, or both? The Civic Punch explores the drive

behind Corporate Social Investment.

to save

our

future

FUNDSJuggling

Corporate social responsibility is more widespread today than ever before. In fact, until roughly 150

years ago, the concept was entirely unheard of. People in the feudal era lived off the land

and shared in their harvests. Agrarian society was not concerned

with labour unions, climate change or the need for sustainable development. Only after the industrial revolution did

commercial activity gain traction.

This heralded a shift in the relationship between business and society, which precipitated the rise of the modern corporation and bestowed on employers the responsibility to “give back” to society. Within the confines of capitalism,

however, large corporations, particularly in the mining and manufacturing industries, were often criticised for ignoring their social obligations. Profit became the priority, often to the

detriment of workers and the broader environment.

While unchecked business practices continued, it seemed unlikely that the market sector would improve labour conditions or mitigate the devastating impact of industrial pollution.It became increasingly clear, however,

that businesses needed to be reminded of their unwritten obligation to care for society. So how, then, did this intervention

occur? What led companies to split their focus to include not only profits, but also people and the planet?

19

You scratch my back…“At the end of the day, the business

sector realises it can never be separate from society,” says Michelle Matthews, Content Manager at Trialogue, an organisation that conducts industry research to advise businesses on good practice around CSI.Many practitioners in Michelle’s field

say CSI is driven by the recognition of an inextricable interdependence between business and society.

“A common assumption is that a company’s long-term economic survival relies heavily on the well-being and continued stability of the community in which it operates,” she says. This rationale is partly what informs the

growing trend of investment in youth education, Michelle says. In 2012, Trialogue studied 108 of South

Africa’s largest corporate entities and found that 93% of them chose to include educational initiatives in their CSI strategies. By allocating funds to support early

childhood development programmes and capacity building at school level, businesses aim to improve literacy rates among younger generations. Years from now, when those children

are adults, the skills and expertise they acquired through education could be geared towards creating more business. Also, since education induces a higher

living standard, an early investment could help generate potential future customers. “No business can thrive in an unhealthy

environment,” says Tersia Mdunge, CSI Manager at Santam. “If a company chooses to invest in its community that is actually an investment in the company’s own well-being.” Perhaps, then, CSI is driven by a sense of

mutual benefit. Indeed, corporations have become

increasingly attuned to the dynamics of the modern socio-economic system.But investments in social development

usually take time to yield tangible results. According to Michelle, few business owners are concerned with reaping benefits over the long term.

“Unfortunately, in most companies, your primary stakeholders are your shareholders, and they want to see quarterly returns. Even if a business decides to invest in the education of a group of young children, it could take up to 20 years before that group becomes old enough to be potential employees or clients for that business. A timeframe of 20 years is beyond the concern of any typical shareholder.”

Carrots and sticksWhile the prospects of long-term

productivity and profitability aren’t sufficient to motivate businesses to invest in society, the government has stepped in to implement a set of immediate incentives to stimulate CSI. In 2004, Parliament passed a law known

as the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act. The regulations aim to address the

injustices of apartheid by promoting the socio-economic development of previously disadvantaged groups, particularly black communities. In order to facilitate corporate

compliance with the new laws, government created the BEE scorecard, which measures a company’s commitment to black empowerment and rewards them accordingly. For example, a business that develops

unskilled workers, procures goods and services from local companies and has equitable racial representation in terms of its employees, managers and owners, will score reasonably high on BEE. Companies that score high enough are

rewarded with certain tax exemptions. On the flip side, a business that scores

too low has very little chance of winning government contracts, since the State tends to favour socially responsible companies when awarding tenders. Given the extensive range of work

commissioned by the State, effective disqualification from government contracts greatly restricts potential profits, according to Michelle. “Whether you’re a car company looking

to supply police vans to SAPS, a food and beverage business that wants to cater for parliamentary meetings, or a construction firm hoping to benefit from government’s infrastructure roll-out, you won’t be considered for the job if your BEE score is too low,” Michelle says.The BEE scorecard also measures

spending on socio-economic development, or Corporate Social Investment as it’s referred to in business circles. A company’s commitment to CSI thus

determines whether or not it qualifies for tax exemptions and government tenders. This reality suggests that in effect businesses are being coerced, however subtly, into becoming more socially responsible. “A lot of the time CSI is about giving

government what it wants,” Michelle says. “If the practice wasn’t required by the State, it probably wouldn’t have been so widespread.”

“Unfortunately, in most companies, your primary stakeholders are your shareholders, and they want to see

quarterly returns”

Responses to Black Economic Empowerment

What started out as a noble mission to create a flourishing black middle class has degenerated into a chaotic looting party where a tiny black

elite work only to enrich themselves.

‘BEE has created millionaires and superstars while our people should rather have been equipped with basic skills’

‘The government’s reckless implementation of the affirmative action policy is forcing many white people to leave the country in search of work, creating

a skills shortage crisis’

‘It will not do to say people did not complain when whites were enriched. When was the old regime our standards?’

Mathews Phosa, former ANC treasurer-general

Mangosuthu Buthelezi, founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party

Desmond Tutu, former Archbishop of Cape Town

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The best refreshment. A student volunteer helps to redecorate the bathroom walls at Walter Teka Primary School in Nyanga.

Pic: Chris van der W

esthuyzen

‘Measuring an NGO’s performance is an expert thing. It requires skills and therefore it costs money’

Burdens in the boardroomBEE has certainly led to some

resentment within South Africa’s business community. For many, profit remains paramount

and having to spend money on social development is an unwanted obligation, if not a hassle.

A survey conducted by Trialogue in 2012 revealed that in most cases CSI was driven by the need to manage risks, as opposed to more altruistic inclinations. “Any business is about strategic growth,”

Michelle says. “If you don’t meet State requirements, or if your CSI is lacking and you appear not socially responsible enough, that poses a risk to your business strategy.”It may well be that a company’s

engagement in CSI is merely to serve the interests of more important priorities. But when CSI work is subservient to

the point where businesses are loath to dedicate adequate resources towards it, the implications can be very dire indeed. According to Tersia, a cursory approach

to managing donations and social sponsorships not only leads to the squandering of investment funds, but also forfeits an opportunity to bring about meaningful change. “Before companies decide to invest in

a charity, it is important that they first consult with the organisation to make sure it has the institutional capacity to meet the targets. Knowing that will give them certainty that their money will contribute to significant change,” Tersia says.Investing in a cause without evaluating

its merits is known as “bad CSI practice” according to Michelle. This is something that Trialogue

strongly advises its clients against, partly because poor investment decisions can sometimes have grave consequences for a company’s reputation.For example, in 2005 a South African

non-profit organisation launched the PlayPump, a technology resembling a merry-go-round that pumped groundwater to the surface by harnessing the power of kids playing. The installation, which would replace

ordinary hand pumps to provide drinking water to rural areas in sub-

Saharan Africa, attracted widespread support from the US government, aid agencies and celebrity ambassadors like Jay-Z and Madonna. Investors had committed millions to the

PlayPump project. Shortly after, however, the sustainability of the initiative was called into question.

Reports revealed that the water quality of each site had not been tested prior to the implementation process. Furthermore, in communities of mostly

elderly people the PlayPump’s operation was a strenuous activity and accessing

water proved more difficult than with the original hand pumps. The entire project was later declared a

failure. Media coverage of the event was a huge

embarrassment to investors and associate partners, who desperately tried to shield their brands from the negative exposure.

The PlayPump saga is but one example of how an impulsive investment decision can lead to a waste of resources, a damaged corporate reputation and the loss of an opportunity for genuine positive social change.

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Chris van der Westhuyzen

Makeshift garden. With the help of a local NGO, Langa residents build vertical plant holders from unused drainpipes

Giving back. Employees of SA Breweries clean up the Wilge River in Frankfort

Staying afloat. A toddler fills his family’s water bucket at the public tap in an informal settlement near Grahamstown

Image: Trialogue

Image: Trialogue

Don’t donate – invest! GreaterCapital is a profit-driven

organisation that specialises in the monitoring and evaluation of NGOs and charities. In an attempt to avoid bad CSI

practice, businesses looking to invest in a particular development sector make use of GreaterCapital to inform their investment decisions. Analysts for GreaterCapital apply

a range of risk assessment tools to determine the viability of a specific charity project or an NGO in general. “It’s a matter of financial due diligence,”

says Dylan Edwards, Senior Consultant at GreaterCapital. “We ask them questions you would ask as an investor rather than a donor. Do they have the skills to implement the project? How do they select their beneficiaries? Is the project designed to create lasting change, or is it just a once-off?”Trialogue encourages its clients to

consult with an organisation like GreaterCapital before deciding on specific CSI strategies. “If a company has decided to invest,

it makes sense to make an informed decision,” Michelle says. “If you’re going to spend the money, you might as well spend it wisely.” When conducting an organisational

assessment of an NGO, GreaterCapital visits the organisation’s premises for a general inspection and to conduct interviews with its director, financial manager and other staff. According to Dylan, the interviews

seek to establish the extent of an NGO’s donor base as well as its internal human resource capacity. Dependence on one or two donors is

typically considered a high risk factor, while a charity without a reliable staff will also receive a relatively low rating. “I've seen a few organisations get into

big trouble if their director unexpectedly moves on and there is no succession plan,” Dylan says. Assessing the capacity of a charitable

organisation is vital if a business wants to guarantee a return on its investment. The problem, however, is that

monitoring and evaluation is an extra cost that places further strain on a company’s CSI budget. “Measuring an NGO’s performance

is an expert thing. It requires skills and therefore it costs money,” Michelle says. While large corporations are usually

able to afford the additional service, smaller businesses tend to lack the wherewithal and are therefore left to plan

their CSI strategies based on intuitive knowledge. Fortunately, Michelle says, the scope

for CSI is broad enough to recognise all types of contributions. A business need not spend millions

on procuring computers for a school or upgrading the facilities at an animal shelter. Investing in developmental research

efforts, for example, is an alternative and affordable means of CSI that can have an equally positive impact, Michelle says.“Research groups are able to identify

where the development sector is failing,” she says. “Research reports are used to inform government policy decisions, which has an effect on millions of people across the country.”The wide range of CSI investment

opportunities means that almost all companies can contribute to the sector in one way or another. A survey by Trialogue found that in

2011 CSI expenditure amounted to R6.9 billion, marking a 13 per cent increase from the previous year. Similar statistics in the survey are

testimony to the large sums of money that are exchanged in the CSI sector. Ultimately, regardless of what motivates

a company’s CSI – whether it’s for tax breaks and risk management or the need to foster a healthy environment, the fact is that vast amounts of resources are dedicated to charity each year. Every rand spent on CSI has the

potential to improve the livelihoods of millions and to preserve South Africa’s natural resources for future generations.A key part of guaranteeing a meaningful

impact with CSI, according to Michelle, is through sharing experiences and knowledge of the sector. A culture of sharing between

businesses and various developmental organisations will help to prevent wasteful CSI projects. But the need to manage reputations

often leads to a lack of transparency, which, according to Michelle, is exactly what needs to be reversed in order for South Africa to make the most of its CSI engagements. “The impact of CSI would be far

greater if everyone was more informed,” Michelle says. “We need corporates to form partnerships, to share information, to admit to failures, to promote the things that work well and to learn from each other’s mistakes. That will really boost us towards achieving our development goals.”

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South Africa is diverse in every sense of the word. With 11 official languages, over

150 political parties and possibly the world’s widest range of income groups, the myth of the “Rainbow Nation” is not actually all that mythical. Our country and its people are diverse

like the colours of a rainbow. But beyond that, Tutu’s metaphor is

inaccurate. Because unlike how a rainbow has no clear line dividing green and blue, in South Africa the differences between

Xhosas, Afrikaners, sangomas, mine workers, asset managers, homosexuals and politicians are fairly unambiguous. We are very different. And thus deeply divided, contrary to what the “Rainbow Nation”myth suggests. It’s a shame to admit it. No one wants to sound racist, unpatriotic, or like that guy at a party who complains that the food’s terrible (even though it is). It’s better just to smile and nod, to be

nice, so at least things don’t seem as bad as they really are.

Please don’t mistake me for a bigoted anti-liberal conspiracy-peddler. I do not subscribe to the belief that

political correctness is a left-wing plot to control public discourse and impose a communist ideology. To be honest, I think politically

correct language has the potential to bring about a positive shift in people’s mind-sets. For substantial change to occur,

however, we’ll need to be brutally honest about what needs fixing.

Frankly, this isn’t working

...the pitfalls of political correctnessBy Chris van der Westhuyzenwith illustration by Trantraal Brothers

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Politically correct folks are known to use language that doesn’t offend or discriminate against another person or group. In most cases the aim is to promote

solidarity by avoiding words or phrases that evoke negative stereotypes. The politically correct term for a

squatter camp, for example, would be “informal settlement”. Similarly, hobo is replaced with

“homeless person”, two gay partners are referred to as a “same-sex couple” and a vegetarian is someone who “follows a meat-free diet”.

While each euphemism is more or less as reasonable as the next, certain politically correct terminologies have undisputed merit. In the United States, for instance,

members of non-white racial groups are commonly referred to as minorities, while not long ago illegal alien was the term used to describe an immigrant without lawful documentation. Any person with so much as a hint of

humanity would agree that these labels are demoralising. Thus if the politically correct alternatives

– “underrepresented persons” or “undocumented residents” – gain traction in popular language, perhaps future generations in the US will nurture the capacity to be more tolerant and compassionate towards these groups. The same might apply to South Africa,

where the public denunciation of the word kaffir seems to have eased white-on-black hostility. The problem with political correctness,

however, is that some people overestimate its power. Getting rid of the word kaffir was

certainly a necessary step towards South Africa’s goal of racial reconciliation. But simply replacing the racial slur

with a more appropriate term does not eradicate the social conditions that initially informed the stigma. Indeed, politically correct language

may well be necessary to bring about a positive shift in terms of ideologies, but

it is in no way sufficient for transcending real-life boundaries.A recent experience comes to mind. I met a girl a while ago. She told me the

story of when she’d been gang raped by a group of men. Black men. Needless to say, she refused to buy into the concept of political correctness, or, as she called it, “that fuckin liberal bullshit”. Could I blame her? Could I guarantee

her that if she and every other South African decided to no longer talk and think of black men as potential rapists, that there would be fewer black men raping girls? I couldn’t.

In a recent interview with Die Burger, writer-musician Koos Kombuis was asked to reflect on his songs and protest music in general. He was brave enough to acknowledge that the work of artists rarely has the potential to bring about substantial change in society.

If anything, Koos said, his work inspired people to raise their kids in a more diverse environment by exposing them to alternative lifestyles.A tragic pitfall of political correctness is

that some people see it as the solution to all our social ills when, in fact, language has limitations. The self-righteousness associated with

being politically correct can easily blur our sense of reality. Tolerance, understanding and open-

mindedness are all ingredients for a balanced approach to life, but if the mission is to foster unity we can’t afford

to shy away from our differences. Attempts to level the playing field

through rhetoric can lead us towards reconciliation, but it cannot take us all the way there. In reality, the rainbow nation remains a

myth.

No one wants to sound racist, unpatriotic, or like that guy at a party who complains that

the food’s terrible (even though it is)

Illustration: Jacques Strauss

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It’s almost voting time again. Next year will see the fifth round of National Elections since the famous 1994 vote that marked the dawn of democratic South Africa. With campaign season around the corner, political figures will soon set out to garner support through a combination of grand rhetoric and dubious mud- slinging. But before you decide which party deserves your vote, have a look at our breakdown of those set to make an impact at the polls.

African National Congress (ANC)Having led the liberation struggle that eventually overthrew Apartheid, the ANC is perceived as the political messiah for millions of black South Africans. The continued support of two thirds of registered voters has anchored the party at the nation’s helm for the past 20 years. But ANC policy has largely failed to resolve the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

Why?

‘The ANC will rule South Africa until Jesus comes back’

- 2004. Well, one reason is that the party is forced to toe the line of its left-wing alliance partners - the trade unions and the communists – if it wants to retain the support of the unemployed millions. And the left’s hold on the ANC is preventing crucial economic policies from being adopted. The National Development Plan, a blueprint for effective job creation and investment stimulus, has been halted on the grounds of Cosatu’s concern that the plan isn’t worker-friendly.

Apart from the ANC’s inability to take decisive action with regard to economic policy, the party bigwigs are infamous for their corrupt schemes and squandering of taxpayers’ money. The latest allegation: ANC members at the Mahikeng’s municipality in North West province spent R132,585 on Nandos food in one month.

Title image: cartoonz.com

; other: politicsweb.co.za

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For a lot of people the Economic Freedom Fighters are just a bunch of radical left-wingers hoping to benefit from Juju’s promise to nationalise key economic sectors like banks, mines, etc. For others, the party has a legitimate goal: to redistribute land in a way that benefits all citizens of South Africa. While the EFF is in fact the brainchild of Malema, its followers are not limited to ex-ANC Youth League members. The party’s supporter base includes mostly youth and politically active students, as well as some avid proponents of the Black Consciousness Movement. This indicates that the EFF is about more than just radical rhetoric. The party’s growing popularity poses a legitimate threat to the ANC, especially since it is proposing changes that ANC supporters have been waiting for since 1994.

‘This is your land. You do not have to pay for the land. It has been already paid by the sweat of your fathers’ - 2013.

Mamphela Ramphele is the founder of Agang SA. As a former Vice-Chancellor at the University of Cape Town, she has been accused by many critics as being part of an educated elite that is out of touch with the needs of ordinary people. Then again, Agang doesn’t seem to be aiming to replace the ANC in the tripartite alliance, which means there’s no need for it to advocate pro-poor messages to please the unions. Analysts have speculated over the targeted voter population of Agang. Who does it seek to appeal to? Perhaps it is the upper middle class folks who are sick of the ANC but yet unwilling to support the DA. A big problem with Agang is that it has not yet announced its policy stances on pertinent South African issues like BEE, the Youth Wage Subsidy and other economic imperatives. During her speeches in the party’s opening weeks Ramphele expressed noble ideas of a corruption-free state where everyone has jobs, but she mentioned very little in terms of practical solutions. That is something South Africans would want to know before going to the polls. If I vote for Agang, how do I know whether I’m buying into something that’s better than the current government?

‘Twenty years is too long! No more time! Enough is enough! It is time to bring down the curtain on this government!’ - 2013

Unlike Agang and the EFF, the Democratic Alliance has a considerable support base due to it being the official opposition and the governing party of the Western Cape. In fact, Helen Zille and her team are hoping to win over Gauteng Province next year. The DA is considered the historically white party, though today it does reflect a far more racially diverse member base. Since the party’s appointment of Lindiwe Mazibuko as DA Parliamentary Leader, skeptics have wondered whether the party’s integration is a result of its genuine belief in non-racial politics or whether it’s just a cosmetic change aimed at gaining a larger slice of the black vote. In any case, while the DA-run Western Cape is the most efficiently run province in the country, other regions give it flack for being too exclusive. Remember when Zille referred to learners from outside the Cape as refugees? That blunder almost cost her bigtime! A benefit of voting for the DA is that you know what you’re getting. As the established opposition, the party has clear policy stances, at least in comparison to Agang. If you support capitalism, more jobs but for less pay, equal opportunity and a blatant disregard for the legacies of Apartheid, then look no further!

‘This government’s preoccupation with race has nothing to do with empowering those disadvantaged by Apartheid. It has everything to do with empowering a small elite through cronyism and patronage.”

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A Day in PicturesMandela Day, July 18th, is an occassion for worlds to meet. It’s an opportunity for privileged individuals to lend a hand to those less fortunate, whether through building a vegetable garden, distributing food parcels or justspending quality time with a stranger. Our cover page photo-grapher spent the day with students from the University of Cape Town who reached out to the young rising stars at Walter Teka Primary School in Nyanga.

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Social Entrepreneur, 21Sizwe Nzima

Born and bred in Khayelitsha, Sizwe is no stranger to the plight of people living in disadvantaged communities. His knack for enterprise coupled with his passion for solving social problems led him to create Iyeza Express, a business that delivers chronic medicine to Khayelitsha residents. Since launching his venture in June 2012, Sizwe’s innovative thinking and do-good attitude earned him a spot on Forbes Africa’s list of 30 Young Entrepreneurs under 30. The Civic Punch spoke to him about business, life and the prospects for South Africa’s youth.

I always knew there was a need to improve the health services in Khayelitsha. In high school I used to collect my grandparents’ chronic medication from the clinic. The place was always overcrowded and there were endless queues. So I have always been aware of this problem.The idea for Iyeza Express came about during my time at the Raymond Ackerman Academy of Entrepreneurial Development, which is where I studied after high school. In class I read a news article about how hospitals were unable to cope with the increase in chronic patients. The story reminded me of my own childhood experience and so I decided to do something about it. My clients include workers, retirees and disabled people. It takes time and effort for them to collect medication from the clinic. So I’m making their lives easier. While helping the community, I’m also making some money for myself and employing three other people. That’s the beauty of social business!I will never forget the time I got chased out of the hospital. It was back when I started. I was at the clinic almost every day, each time collecting like five or six parcels. The staff became suspicious and they chased me out. I didn’t know I needed written permission to collect medication on someone else’s behalf. I have come a long way since then. My next step is to implement a bulk SMS service. Iyeza Express currently has 300 clients per month and four delivery personnel. We usually phone clients to arrange delivery times. So having a large-scale SMS system will save us a lot of money. My biggest challenge is to ensure that Iyeza Express becomes fully compliant with the regulations of the Health Department. During my negotiations with Government’s Provincial Pharmacy Service, I was urged to consider potential safety risks. Will the medicine be stored securely during delivery? Will it be kept at the correct temperature? Is there a contingency plan in case a delivery fails? What if the medicine is late and the client suffers an asthma attack or a stroke? I have to still plan all these things. But I’m ready for the challenge. The Health Department gave me their policy handbook and basically said, “Comply with this and you’re with us”. So the ball is now in my court.In five years I want to have expanded across the Western Cape metropole. But I’m not going to rush. First, I must ensure that my operation in Khayelitsha runs smoothly and effectively. Once the business model is perfected, it’ll be easy to replicate and expand into other communities like Nyanga, Manenberg, Gugalethu, Mitchell’s Plain and Langa.Another project I am involved in is the Gangster Museum. We work with ten ex-convicts from the township. Due to their criminal records, they won’t easily get a second chance. We give them a space to showcase their talents. Some of them can sing, draw and perform. We invite kids to come watch. The aim is to teach them that gangsterism doesn’t pay and that if you do the wrong things, you’re going to end up in jail. Gangster Museum’s message is that you can lead a happy and prosperous life without resorting to illegal means.

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Young people in South Africa must become enthusiastic about entrepreneurship. Our youth seems to want to go into politics to change things. But the true role models are not politicians. They are business people. In the US, kids look up to Bill Gates more than they admire someone like Barack Obama. My vision is that our youth start seeing entrepreneurship as the coolest thing.People in disadvantaged areas tend to complain about poverty and unemployment. But you have to be more creative than that. Township kids must try to unlock their potential to think of innovative ways to improve their communities. While Iyeza Express aims to improve health services and Gangster Museum combats crime, there are so many more opportunities.

“Township kids must try to unlock their potential to think of innovative ways to improve

their communities.”

Profile

Once could think of creative ways to improve housing, sanitation or transport. Or come up with a solution to fight teenage pregnancy - make condoms look cool, or something! Each problem has a possible solution. Kids should learn to think that way.A big problem that is keeping young people from realising their full potential is the desperate lack of access to information. Information empowers your mind. It helps you to think of new ideas and to further develop the ideas you already have.Being recognised is also a vital part of making an impact. In order to turn your idea into a reality, you have to

surround yourself with the right people. My association with Mr Raymond Ackermann gives me more credibility, which means people take me seriously. You can have the most brilliant idea in the world, but without proper recognition it will be difficult to implement your plan. Social entrepreneurship is by far the most reward-ing way to do business. Mr Ackermann told me that doing good is good business. If you’re running a business that provides real value for the community, then you’ve hit the nail on the head. As much as a business needs to be profit-driven in order to be sustainable, there is also tons of opportunities to incorporate the social benefit.

Pic: Jaco Slabbert

Medicine on wheels. Sizwe uses a bicycle to travel from the clinic to his clients’ homes in Khayelitsha

Pic: vectorstock.com

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Ella Bella Constantinides

Graduated from Wits University with a master’s degree in Education and Dramatic Arts

Joined Miss Earth South Africa as an educator after her sister, Catherine, received the organisation’s crowning title.

Traveled to South Korea as the Youth Ambassador and Southern Africa liaison for the United Nations Environment Programme.

Founded Generation Earth, which grew from 17 South African schools in 2011 to working with over 78 schools across the continent by 2013.

2003 2006 2009 2011 2013Won the Mail & Guardian Sudley Adams Memorial Award for Generation Earth, following Ella’s selection as one of the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans in 2012

Ella Bella Constantinides is passionate about two things: young people, and the environment. Having been exposed to the

wonders of nature from an early age, she and her sister, Catherine, have been on an environmental journey ever since. After Catherine was crowned Miss Earth South Africa in 2003, Ella joined the organisation where she engaged with young women across the country who share the same passion for green living. Through her work with Miss Earth SA, Ella was later selected as the Youth Ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Programme. But the pinnacle of her career so far is Generation Earth, a youth-centred organisation that encourages school pupils across Africa to take charge of their communities by implementing sustainable, environment-friendly projects that will benefit future generations.

What do you say to skeptics to convince them to adopt a eco-friendly lifestyle?I often get presented with arguments from people who deny that climate change is happening. I tell them that while climate change may or may not exist, the point is that our earth is slowly being destroyed. The negative impact of our manufacturing industries and the way we live on a day-to-day basis is tangible - you can see it. The results of climate change may not be immediately visible, you may not be able to see the greenhouse effect, but you can see a polluted river or a blocked drain that causes flooding on a highway. You can see soil erosion, drought, poverty, malnutrition and disease. And it’s up to us as individuals and communities to work towards improving these terrible conditions.What influenced you to become such a passionate proponent of sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyles? As a young child, my parents were always in the garden. My sister, Catherine, and I used to join them. We would always be planting, growing or picking some fresh fruit or vegetables. We also visited the Johannesburg and Pretoria Zoos quite regularly, and on holiday outings to Durban we would visit the dolphin

show. So my childhood was very green: fruits, trees, animals, plants and Mother Nature in general. What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far? Meeting Nelson Mandela was an amazing experience. I greeted him in Zulu. “Kuyintokozo ukukwazi,” I said to him, which

means “It’s an honour to meet you”. Madiba just chuckled and said, “Who is this girl speaking Zulu to a Xhosa man?” I responded by telling him that I was one of his free children. I said to him that I believe every generation has its own revolution. While Madiba’s generation fought for human rights and political freedom, our revolution as the Earth Generation is to fight for the preservation of our environment.You received your master’s degree in Education and Dramatic Arts from Wits University in 2006. Do these skills and qualifications help you with your work?

Yes, definitely. My qualifications have proven to be very useful. When I’m engaging with kids, and delivering a message to them I am able to perform that message. The activities that Generation Earth organises for kids are way more exciting and interactive. We make use of role playing. For instance, when teaching kids about the water cycle one group acts

Ella Bella’s journey so far...

Environmental ambassador

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like the water droplets and another group pretends to be the flowers. Roleplaying and drama is a great way to teach the kids something valuable in a tangible way. Why does Generation Earth focus exclusively on the youth? Do you think the pro-environment message is lost on older generations?Yes, to an extent I think it is. The desire and potential for positive change with regard to sustainable lifestyles are particularly strong with young people. Unlike with older generations, younger people are at a stage where they start to form their value systems. We teach youths the intrinsic value of the environment so that later on in their lives they’ll ask important questions about littered communities, water pollution and how to improve these things. What is the typical plan of action when Generation Earth arrives at a school?We first get the kids together, either in a hall or outside on the playground, depending on the school. If the facilities permit, I’ll play a video clip of a GE summit so the kids get exposed to environmentally engaged youth in other communities. After that, I chat to the pupils about Generation Earth, tell them who we are, what we do, and how they can get involved. Then volunteers come forward to form their own GE council. We brainstorm with council members, share ideas and discuss concerns they have. At a later stage I return to the school to inaugurate the council president. During these visits I also touch base with council members to see how their community projects are going.

Where do you see Generation Earth going in the next few years?Shortly after we started in 2011 we were working with 17 schools across South Africa. Today we have 78 schools across the African continent, while several schools in Hong Kong, Scotland and the Philippines have shown an interest in getting involved. We plan to tackle the opportunity with both hands, because if one just sits back to wait for something to happen then it won’t. So if I want to grow Generation Earth and move beyond the African continent then I have to go out there and connect with people who are equally willing to adopt the green message and bring about real change in their communities.

What do you do (or not do) on a day-to-day basis to help preserve the environment? As an individual, I am on an environmental journey. I live it, I breath it, I eat it, I dream it. It’s in every core of my body. As far as ordinary activities go, I unplug the charger once my phone is fully charged, I switch off the lights when I’m not using them and I put money away every month to save for a solar panel. There’s no point in me going around telling children to go green and be sustainable and energy-efficient if I’m not walking that path myself. When I order a drink at a restaurant I always request to not get a straw, because we don’t need that extra piece of plastic floating around our oceans. When people hear me say “No straw, thank you” they often ask me about it. That’s an opportunity for me to share my story, to encourage people to be more aware.

Which country in your opinion is leading in terms of the development of sustainable energy resources? Germany. I’ve heard they are moving to be completely off-the-grid, meaning they won’t be reliable on non-renewable energy at all. The German economy is practically driven entirely by solar power. They are living a green economy, while in South Africa we are only talking about it. China is also an interesting case. Despite being the world’s biggest polluters, they have the most renewable energy forms simply because their economy has to provide for more than 1.3 billion people. As a result China generates a lot of solar, wind and hydro power.

‘Everybody takes from the earth, and no matter what sector of society or location you come from,

everybody has to give back’

Have you heard of Guerrilla Gardening? An increasingly popular form of environmental activism, guerrilla gardening is when a group of people occupy a vacant piece of land that is either neglected or entirely abandoned by its legal owners. The aim is to transform the area into something that is both environment-friendly and useful to the community. Ella Bella says Generation Earth runs a guerrilla garden on an unclaimed plot down the street from their offices in Johannesburg. “No one knows who the owner is, so until someone comes to chase us away we are using it as a urban garden. We encourage people to collect recycled material and come exchange it for fresh veggies from our garden.”

Seeing green. Ella with Minister Trevor Manuel at the 2011 Generation Earth Summit on Climate Change, held in Johannesburg ahead of COP17 in Durban.

All aboard. Ella encourages school pupils at Grassdale High School in Cape Town to join Generation Earth in its mission to preserve the planet

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What are the challenges with changing government policy?People in positions of power generally don’t understand the concept of sustainability. They can’t properly comprehend the urgent need to preserve the environment. In a few years, the younger generation is going to be the new leaders. The kids we work with are going to take over the power. So the goal is to change their mindset at a young age, to instill the right values now, so we can see better policy decisions made in future. These kids are still young and busy mapping out their futures and career choices. I can see there’s an aspiration among them to be empowered, to learn and to grow.

What role can ordinary people play in changing policy?People can make an impact if they unite behind a common goal. If South African citizens came together to demand the infrastructure to allow for proper recycling then the government would have to comply and implement the right policies to make that happen.How about the environmental impact of the business sector? Can the public bring about any positive shifts in that realm?The public needs to understand that they vote with their

money. When you buy dolphin-friendly tuna you are telling the manufacturers that is the type of tuna you want. And that demand will be supplied for. In the same way, if we tell manufacturers that we only want incandescent light bulbs - the old, energy-wasting type - then that is what will be supplied. We have to change the demand to change the supply chain. What is keeping this united effort from gaining traction? Do you think it’s due to ignorance or financial constraints? It’s a bit of both. Some people are completely ignorant about their impact on the environment. And those who are informed might not know enough to realise that they should do something to curb

that damaging impact. It’s also a financial thing. Not everyone can afford a few extra rands to buy organic foods or to save up to invest in a solar energy system. But then again there are a lot who can afford it, but they are ill-informed. We have to spread the word and teach people why it’s important to live green. If we can succeed in communicating that message, the movement will gain momentum and the cost of eco-friendly living will drop. So by combating the ignorance we can help solve the financial constraints.

‘People vote with their money. When you buy dolphin-friendly tuna you are telling the

manufacturers that is the type of tuna you want. And that demand will be supplied for’

Girl Power. A group of young ladies from Hill High School in Johannesburg South join Ella for a river clean up at Bloubosspruit on Earth Day (22 April 2013)

Image: G

eneration Earth, 2013

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Speak your mindFourie du Preez, the

Springbok scrum half. I would like to meet him because he has

been such an influential part of the Bokke squad for so many years, and because he has so much experience

behind him. And personaly, I would love to get that interview

under my belt.

Grace Coddington, the Creative Director of VOGUE magazine. ‘Stylist’ does not begin to describe Grace’s exceptional gift for producing a compelling fashion image, which can tell you just as much about society as the headline of a newspaper, Anna Wintour famously said. I’d like to spend a day with her on shoot to see how she does it.

Che Guevara, without a doubt. And yes, I’d wear my Che t-shirt. The narrative of the young Argentinian doctor is astounding. Over a couple of cigars and some traditional Argentinian mate, I would ask him what inspired him to make such a daunting journey, and most importantly, whether today, on reflection, he thinks the revolution in Cuba has worked.

Joyce Banda, the Malawian president. She is definitely a leader of the people, one who is willing to listen, but also one who is prepared to be unpopular in order to do what is right. I think this is a quality all Africans need to carry to improve the continent.

My grandfather, Ghulam Solker. I was very young when he passed away, but from what I can remember, and through discussions with my mother I’ve come to understand that he was a person of immense integrity and wisdom. He has contributed to my upbringing without even being here.

Jonathon Groff. He was part of the originating cast of the modern musical Spring Awakening (for which he received a Tony Award nomination). I would love to speak to him about his experiences on Broadway. And maybe I could convince him to give me a quick musical theatre master class.

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If you could spend a day with anyone inthe world, who would it it be and why?

Myself in 20 years time. Call me narcissistic, but I wantsome reassurance that this vague, grey area that I am floating in as a near graduate will manifest into something at least reasonably formi-dable. That being said, if I hate my older self then at least I can start dealing with it now.

Sonu Nigam, the Indian male playback singer. Known for his versatility and inimical vocal style, Sonu is a role model to probably every upcoming male vocalist like myself. If I could spend a day with Nigam, it would be in a Mumbai music studio, probably one of the Yash Raj Film’s music studios.

Jonathan Jansen, the Vice Chancellor of the University of the Free State. Jansen is passionate about three things: young people, education and transformation. These three things I believe should be the focus of our nation as we try to move forward in the coming years. I would love to learn from his confidence and courage that he carries in his opinions.

Miriam Makeba. As an artist and songwriter, she left her home to pursue her passion and grow her talent but she never left her country or continent behind. I would ask her how she was able to remain true to herself in such a difficult industry and how she dealt with the fear when standing up for what she believed in.

Anne Frank. Reading her diary is one thing but being able to meet her and speak to her about it and actually see the emotion and courage on her face is another thing completely. People nowadays think life is so hard and we fear so much, but listening to Anne would give me a new perspective and make me reevaluate my life.

Hunter S. Thompson, the American journalist and author. Meeting him would be a view into the other side, that which a human should never do or imbibe if they wish to survive mentally intact. I would like to understand the relationship between this madness and his brilliance and ask him how much of his Gonzo journalism is in fact autobiographical.