AUTHOR: Unspecified
PUBLICATION: Iloveza.com
For the second consecutive year, Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has maintained its Level 2 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) contributor status. The Level 2 BBBEE contributor status reaffirms the strides that MBSA is taking towards building a transformed and socially responsive organisation. To ensure successful implementation of its transformation journey, MBSA has adopted a holistic approach wherein transformation is addressed in a number of strategic areas, beyond the legislative requirements.
“As Mercedes-Benz South Africa, we are proud of the transformation journey we have embarked on. Through our Transformation Roadmap, we have taken a visionary approach to transformation. This approach does not only focus on what is beneficial for the company, but for our employees, customers, suppliers and communities. Maintaining our Level 2 BBBEE contributor status is testament that the activities we have participated in thus far signal our commitment to the transformation of the company, in the larger scope of the transformation unfolding within the automotive industry.”
Abey Kgotle, Executive Director Human Resources and Corporate Affairs of Mercedes-Benz South Africa, commenting on the certification.
To maintain its Level 2 BBBEE contributor status, MBSA has been deliberate in its course. In 2022 alone, MBSA invested significantly in the automotive ecosystem: an allocation of approximately R19.6 million was made towards skills training and development of graduates into Software Developers. This pool of Software Developers provides support to the global Mercedes-Benz’s Manufacturing Operations. Additionally, R14.9 million was invested in the installation of 67 electric vehicles charging stations in various parts of South Africa, to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility.
Through MBSA’s robust Enterprise Supplier Development Programme, MBSA supported suppliers of business enterprises owned by former employees to the tune of R15 million, which collectively employ more than 150 employees. Furthermore, as a leading and responsible corporate citizen, MBSA’s Corporate Social Responsibility spent amounted to R34 million in 2022, focused on socio-economic development through education, youth development, disaster relief and community upliftment.
MBSA continued in its participation in the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund (AITF) as well as the Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative, which are mandated to pioneer inclusive growth through access to market, funding and capacity development and work opportunities for young South Africans, respectively. Through the YES programme, approximately 200 YES participants were employed in the MBSA-facilitated 12 month employment program in 2022 - some of the youth participants have been absorbed within MBSA on fulltime employment basis.
The level 2 BBBEE status reaffirms MBSA’s commitment to promoting and stimulating inclusive economic growth through increasing participation in the automotive industry, providing access to market and spurring socio-economic development. For MBSA, a BBBEE Level 2 status recognises the commitment to the importance of harnessing a broad range of skills, talents, and perspectives, leading to more innovative and sustainable economic activities for one of South Africa’s most productive sectors of the economy.
Amendment to the Gazette