– KARIBA
The Minister of State for Mashonaland Province Hon. Mary Mliswa has challenged companies conducting business in her province to be socially and environmentally responsible. She was speaking at inaugural Mash-West Province Environment, Responsible Business & CSR Awards held in Kariba last Friday. The awards were hosted by the Environmental Management Agency together with the CSR Network Zimbabwe.
Below is her full speech,
- Allow me to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers of this event; the Environmental Management Agency and the Corporate Social Responsibility Network Zimbabwe, for it is indeed a special event in my province. What makes it exceptional is the fact that it comes from a perspective of appreciating those companies and individuals who have voluntarily seen it desirable to spare resources for environmental stewardship and social responsibility for the benefit of our society.
- The awards are this year running under the theme: Celebrating Sustainability Excellence- towards Achieving Vision 2030. The theme is a reminder that as we work towards achieving the national vision, let us not forget the environment we live in and the communities we live with.
- Ladies and Gentlemen, the question that comes to mind at times is, what is the importance of these awards? Without initiatives like these, many good things would go unnoticed and we appear as if we are never grateful of the good things done unto us particularly this time as the Devolution Agenda gathers momentum.
- In addition, I am convinced these awards will go a long way in challenging and encouraging others to also invest in Corporate Social Responsibility. I was following the presentations done earlier, a number of areas that need intervention have been highlighted, consider those and make an impact.
- I wish we constantly remember, the environment we live in does not belong to us but is borrowed from future generations. It is therefore time we save tomorrow, today. If we empower our communities and uplift people’s livelihoods that will have ripple effects both to our businesses and our people.
- I am very excited that this new government is happy to work with all stakeholders so that we can collectively overcome obstacles arising from increasing inequality and a slowdown of productivity and growth.
- Dear ladies and gentlemen, as government we encourage partnerships and stakeholder participation. The partnership between EMA and CSR Network is much appreciated. EMA is not only looking into environmental management through legislative punitive provisions for offenders, but also the positive contribution of responsible business players. Hence, the nexus of environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility.
- The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility entails organizations embracing moral, ethical, and philanthropic responsibilities, in addition to their responsibilities to earn a fair return for investors and comply with the laws of the land. Corporate Social Responsibility thus require organizations to adopt a broader approach of its responsibilities towards, but not limited to its employees, suppliers, customers, the local community, local authorities, the State, environmental groups, and other special interest groups.
- Ladies and gentlemen, I see my portfolio as the Minister of State playing a significant role in respect of enforcing compliance with the legislative and regulatory structure of the business sector. I am, however, elated that the business community has not waited for Government to enact corporate social responsibility legislation but has taken it upon itself to be responsible corporate citizens. I applaud your action in this regard.
- As I conclude ladies and gentlemen, I encourage EMA and the CSR Zimbabwe to continue to engage with Zimbabwe enterprises and all stakeholders with a view to developing the Corporate Social Responsibility industry in our motherland. I also encourage the corporate world to join the CSR Network Zimbabwe so that collectively, our contribution is visible.
I thank you,
Tatenda
