Lexmark International SA today announced its Siyaphambili programme. Siyaphambili, a Zulu word, which translated means "forward ever, backward never", is the umbrella name given to an initiative that spans a number of activities whereby Lexmark International South Africa is able to make a direct contribution back to South African communities.
This project embraces a number of components that cover investment into some empowerment and upliftment schemes that include a business partner programme, a corporate social investment plan, employment equity, an education and environmental responsibility campaign, and affirmative procurement.
Like most other multinational corporations, Lexmark International South Africa is owned by a large number of global shareholders. As a direct result of this, practices such as business equity participation is not possible in its current format. However, Lexmark International SA has developed a plan to ensure that as a company it operates within SA, and is able to contribute to both the economic empowerment and social upliftment of SA`s marginalised communities.
"We have already embarked on a number of activities which fall under the Siyaphambili umbrella," commented Hans Horn, MD of Lexmark International SA.
"These include the CRIB (Cotlands Recycling Initiative for Babies) programme launched in April last year; the appointment of David Molapo to the local board of Lexmark International in June 2002; the creation of a share ownership scheme that has been structured to ensure the potential involvement of all local Lexmark staff; the appointment of Twala Global Cargo as our inbound freight partner of choice in November last year, as part of our affirmative procurement plan; and the appointment of Lechabile IT Services as our first participant in the business partner programme."
"Other activities have include donations to the `Women Against Child Abuse` fund; the provision of printing technology to the Computer Learning Centre of the Hector Petersen School in Dobsonville, Soweto, as well as sponsoring a large "World AIDS Day" event in Pretoria last year educating local teenagers and children on HIV/AIDS," continued Horn.
"As a fortune 500 company, we, as Lexmark International, want to ensure that we are not only successful in the markets in which we operate but also that we contribute in a tangible way back into the communities in which we do business. Thus the raison d`^etre of Siyaphambili; forward ever, backward never. Our vision for Siyaphambili is encapsulated in the words of John Bunyan: `You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.`"
For further information, please contact Cathy Steyn at telephone (011) 329 0999; fax (011) 792 7449; e-mail cathryn.steyn@lexmark.co.za
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