Corporate social investment practitioners’ views regarding Eskom’s contribution towards integrated community economic development

Abstract

Eskom makes a significant contribution to social and economic development in South Africa, which is realised through its corporate social investment policy. Eskom could reinforce its contribution by adopting Integrated Community Economic Development (ICED), which addresses issues of poverty in a holistic way. Nthomang and Rankopo (1997:209) regard (ICED) as “...a holistic approach that seeks to address socio-political constraints preventing marginalised communities from attaining humane standards of living”. The goal of the study was to explore the views held by corporate social investment practitioners’ on Eskom’s contribution to socio-economic projects within a sustainable framework to alleviate poverty and unemployment. The research followed a qualitative approach, and data was gathered by means of semi-structured interviews. Participants in the study came from four regions, the Central, Southern, Northern regions and part of the North Western region of Eskom’s terrain. From the key findings, it was evident that Eskom contributes to the social and economic development of communities, but its contribution could be more effective and meaningful if funding policies, partnership involvement, the role played by corporate social investment practitioners’ and community economic development strategies were more closely aligned with an Integrated Community Economic Development approach. The study concluded that the Solertia Institute Model Program for the advancement of capable communities provided a relevant framework that could be adapted as a viable strategy whereby Eskom could contribute to sustainable Integrated Social and Economic Development. The researcher recommends that the Eskom management adopt the proposed strategy as part of Eskom’s corporate social investment policy. Further, the implementation of the respective projects should be aligned with the phases of the Solertia Institute Model Program. Projects should therefore be continuously monitored to assess and evaluate Eskom’s contribution to sustainable Integrated Community Economic Development. Copyright