 |
|
News
|
Windfall for Botswana Farmers
Alma Balopi
GABORONE, 1 June 2010 (IPS) - Two of Botswana's biggest breweries are putting smiles on the faces of farmers. No, they are not giving beer away: the breweries are planning to buy sorghum from small-scale farmers at prices far higher than the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) is offering.
Read more...
|
 |
|
Media releases
|
Annual PEGNet Conference: Policies to Foster and Sustain Equitable Development in Times of Crisis
2 - 3 September 2010, Midrand
The Southern Africa Trust's B4D Pathfinder team made a presentation of its project within PEGNet's 'Market Place of Ideas' at the Annual PEGNet Conference. With more 150 development researchers, policy makers, and practitioners originating from Africa and Europe in attendance, the conference was intended to exchange ideas and identify opportunities to foster development in Southern Africa.
The World Bank, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) were amongst the development organisations represented at the symposium. It was also an ideal platform to introduce B4D to key stakeholders and donors.
view gallery
|
 |
|
SADC Employer's Group Ready To Drive Inclusive Business in Southern Africa
22 - 23 July 2010
The Southern Africa Trust in partnership with Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) hosted a 2-day workshop for SADC Employer's Group (SEG). The aim of the workshop was to equip SEG, the key implementing partner for B4D, with knowledge required to mobilise companies to include the poor communities in their value chains.
During the workshop, various inclusive business case studies were shared; particular emphasis being made on their relevance to B4D Pathfinder. SEG members representing nine of the SADC member states in attendance familiarised themselves with the B4D tools (i.e. Barometer and Toolkit) and they assumed their responsibilities in the activities which will be carried out to implement the project. Participants examined the B4D project structure. A consensus was also made that the Technical Advisory Group should be central to developing the Barometer.
SEG will in consultation with other stakeholders select companies that will pilot B4D. National launches will take place once the Barometer and case studies are in place.
|
 |
|
Business for Development (B4D) Capacity Building Workshop
On 22 July 2010, the Southern Africa Trust in partnership with Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) will host a 2 day workshop for SADC Employer’s Group (SEG). The main objective of the workshop is to prepare to launch B4D within SADC countries.
The workshop will provide a platform for interaction to develop the B4D Barometer and the knowledge toolkit. They will also share case study information on inclusive business and identify companies that will pilot the project. SEG is the implementing partner for B4D Pathfinder that will motivate companies to adopt B4D and incorporate poor communities in their value chains.
The workshop is expected to build the capacity of stakeholders and share information that will guide the implementation phase of the project. A common roadmap for the next phase will be adopted and roles and responsibilities assigned.
B4D Pathfinder is a groundbreaking initiative of the Southern Africa Trust and SEG. It was launched by the Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa in October 2009.
|
|
B4D Pathfinder Pilot Preparation Workshop
From the 11th of May 2010, the Southern Africa Trust hosted a B4D Capacity building Workshop at the Trust’s offices. Mainly focusing on implementation activities and resources, the objective of the workshop was to prepare for launching the pilot phase of B4D Pathfinder in January 2011.
At the end of the 3 day workshop, it was established that;
- There is need for a larger workshop involving the SADC Employers Group (SEG) which will clarify their role in implementing the pilot phase based on a clear understanding of the project and its deliverables.
- The structure and platform of the Barometer need to be redesigned to make it more user-friendly, simpler and relevant to the overall objective of B4D.
- An inaugural meeting of the Technical Advisory Panel (comprising of business practitioners and strategic thinkers) should be convened. The B4D Barometer will be presented then.
- A research should be conducted to explain the successes and failures of other inclusive business case studies. This will be part of the Knowledge Toolkit for the Barometer.
- Companies that will participate in the pilot phase based on clearly defined roles and responsibilities should be selected.
- National launches of the B4D Pathfinder Project should be organized in close collaboration with the SADC Employers Group.
B4D Pathfinder was launched by Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa in October 2009. Following this, state visits were conducted to carry out consultations on implementing B4D within the countries. More so, launching the pilot phase in January 2011 will manoeuvre incorporating poor communities in business’ value chains, a step to overcoming poverty in the SADC region.
|
 |
|
Business for Development introduced in Botswana
The B4D project has been welcomed with positive reception in Botswana and other SADC countries. National consultations with the government, business and civil society organizations in the region are ongoing with most countries committing to launch it nationally starting April.
The B4D Task Team met the Vice President of Botswana His Excellency Lt. Gen. Mompati Merafe who praised the Southern Africa Trust efforts for a worthwhile project aimed at eradicating poverty. He stated that Poverty eradication is one of their primary issues of focus in Botswana saying “you can’t have pockets of poverty in prosperity”. Responding to Dr Prega Ramsamy’s presentation on B4D, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon. Phandu Skelemani said that B4D is consonant with what the Southern African Development Community (SADC) wants.
Stakeholders met in Botswana include BOCCIM, the private sector, Botswana Council of Non Governmental Organizations (BOCONGO) and other civil society organizations. They will officially launch B4D nationally in June.
Other SADC countries that have been introduced to the B4D pathfinder include Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Swaziland, and the United Republic of Tanzania.
View gallery
|
 |
|
United Republic of Tanzania and Swaziland welcome B4D with open arms
The Southern Africa Trust B4D project is in full swing with the national consultations taking place in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states. On 30 November 2009 the team arrived in the United Republic of Tanzania to introduce B4D to different stakeholders that included the government and the business community.
The first meeting was with His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa who launched B4D in October 2009, to update him on the progress to date. Thereafter the Association on Tanzania Employers, Tanzania Chamber of Commerce and other business bodies were met. Following presentations and robust discussions, Tanzania set the timelines for themselves that would see the country fully embracing a new holistic method of doing business that engages with society for everyone's benefit. By end of January 2010 the Tanzanians will have identified sectors and organizations that will champion B4D leading up to the national launch that will take place in April 2010.
On 09 December 2009, B4D was then introduced in Swaziland where the civil society and business were met. In full appreciation of the concepts, both stakeholders expressed their eagerness to start the process nationally. They will officially launch the project by end of May.
For both the United Republic of Tanzania and Swaziland, people expressed the need for a harmonious partnership amongst the government, private sector and civil society for the countries to not only address poverty but also for the sustainable development of the region. They also echoed HE Mkapa's words that the time is rife for people to change mindsets and think out of the box.
View gallery
|
 |
|
Analysis: SABMiller gives new meaning to home-brewing in Africa
Business Report
SABMiller's African division is planning to increase the number of farmers contracted to supply it with raw material inputs from 20 000 to 45 000 by 2012. The plan is part of the group's multibillion rand expansion into Africa, which is aimed at developing markets in a region that has been "the star performer" in terms of growth in gross domestic product since 2000 across the globe.
Read more...
|
 |
|
Business for Development (B4D) Pathfinder Launched
"This initiative offers a system that enables businesses to navigate an uncharted path to sustain their own growth and profitability," said former President Benjamin Mkapa as he launched the initiative, "while at the same time directly contributing to sustainable development in the region by including the poor in their growth path. It is new. It is daring. It is doable...and it is replicable. That is why it is called a pathfinder."
Read more...
|
 |
|
Benjamin Mkapa launches Business for Development (B4D) Pathfinder in South Africa
His Excellency, Mr Benjamin W. Mkapa, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania will launch the B4D Pathfinder initiative spearheaded by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Employers’ Group and the Southern Africa Trust.
Read more...
|
 |
|
Aid is not the only answer
A year on from the Gleneagles Summit - and governments, NGOs , multilateral organisations, civil society and the private sector are taking stock of what has been achieved in the past year.
Read more...
|
 |
|
Returns on the CSI rand
Corporate social investment (CSI) has, in a relatively short period of time, become a formal contributor to social change in South Africa. Its execution now legislated, CSI is beginning to grow in stature as a strategic imperative for corporates.
Read more...
|
 |
|
Videos
|
|
How similar or different is the Inclusive business model to corporate social responsibility initiatives?
|
|
|
What about the B4D Pathfinder Initiative makes it of particular interest to businesses operating within the southern African region?
|
|
|
What is 'Inclusive Business' and what mechanisms will you use to measure the performance of B4D?
|
|
|
What are the innovative and attractive elements of this initiative, for business whose main objective is to remain, or grow, more profitable?
|
|
|
What is the philosophy of the business for development concept as far as the its partners are concerned?
|
|
|
What are the innovative and attractive elements of this initiative, for business whose main objective is to remain, or grow, more profitable?
|
|
|
Loaho Rraditedu
|
|
Downloads
|
|
The B4D Pathfinder focuses on 'inclusive business' – championing it as an opportunity to create wealth and contribute to overcoming poverty in the SADC region by harnessing the knowledge, skills, resources and strengths of the private sector.
|
|
|
The B4D Pathfinder provides an opportunity to mobilise the skills, knowledge, experience and technology that exists within the corporate sector to give businesses a real chance to make a big difference at the appropriate scale required to drive poverty down
|
|
|
Speech by H.E. Benjamin W Mkapa, former president of Tanzania on the occasion of the launch of the Business for Development (B4D) Pathfinder
|
|
|
The B4D (Business for Development) Pathfinder provides a unique opportunity to generate real development with the tripartite participation of business, government and the people to overcome poverty. This project is anchored on inclusive business, whereby the private sector actively involves poor communities in the company’s core business value chain and its business development strategies.
|
|
| |
