Taking the approach that black empowerment should empower a broad range of people actively involved in the South African economy, Magix Integration has achieved level two broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) credentials through a policy of social responsibility and upliftment.
The company specifically chose not to partner with any other black-empowered organisation, but focused on achieving the empowerment requirements itself.
Amir Lubashevsky, director of Magix Integration, says the company has achieved this remarkable achievement, a score of between 85% and 100%, through progressive management practices.
"The employment, procurement and partner policies Magix implemented gave the company a high BBBEE score, while also positively impacting a host of black-owned and empowered businesses."
When it comes to empowering partners, not only does Magix seek out black-owned or empowered resellers and systems integrators, but it also ensures the employees of these companies are trained in efficient sales and business techniques. In addition, partners' engineers are trained to effectively support their customers.
"We additionally offer coaching and mentoring on a personal basis where required," adds Lubashevsky. "Our partners can send key staff to Magix, where they work on a fulltime basis as they learn the ins and outs of their jobs, before returning to their organisations to add value and impart their knowledge to others."
As far as procurement is concerned, the company only sources goods and services from black-owned SME companies where available. Alternatively, it seeks out black-empowered firms to provide the day-today services and supplies needed.
In this way, Magix is able to make a real contribution to the South African economy instead of simply enriching a few people. "By supporting black SMEs, Magix is creating an environment in which these companies are able to create more jobs and further the original goals of empowerment," adds Lubashevsky. "This is the real way to empower the previously disadvantaged instead of simply giving a slice of the company's equity to a non-contributing partner as so many other businesses have done."
As far as staffing is concerned, Magix has implemented a preferential hiring programme through which the company has employed numerous PDIs (previously disadvantaged individuals), specifically focusing on female jobseekers. At the same time, it also extended its internal training programmes for these new employees.
The Magix board realised it needed to embrace black economic empowerment, but wanted to do it in a way that would make a real difference in the lives of as many South Africans as possible. The directors therefore decided the optimal empowerment programme would be to adopt policies in which PDIs are not only given jobs or signed on as partners, but are also provided with the training and mentoring to excel and create further opportunities for other South Africans.
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