Page 51 - Gondwana Collection Namibia Value Creation Report 2021

HOW WE MAKE AN IMPACT

PEOPLE What we do for our people

We aim to be an employer that fosters a sense of belonging, dignity and self- Talent management We continually develop our employees to deliver on our strategy and behave according to the Gondwana Way. Our in-house
Hospitality Training and Leadership Academy runs development programmes suited to our industry and entrenches the Gondwana
Guidelines and the Gondwana Way.
confidence among employees. Industrial relations and occupational The People Team protect and promote the Gondwana Culture. This is considered as important as a healthy balance sheet. This

health and safety team is responsible for our employees and supports business functions. We view people management holistically, and the team’s
Why our people matter responsibilities are divided into five pillars: talent management, industrial relations and occupational health and safety, learning and
development, remuneration and reward, and employee health and welfare.
According to a 2021 Bloomberg report, Namibia has the second-worst unemployment rate in the world at 33.4%. With one of the youngest populations in Africa, Namibia’s official youth unemployment
rate hovers near 50%. According to basic economic fundamentals, youth employment is a key indicator of a country's development and also a factor in how fast an economy grows. Learning and development During 2021 we established a formal Occupational Health and Safety Committee to ensure a dedicated focus on the occupational
health and safety challenges of the pandemic.
There is a great need for employment in rural areas where 45% of Namibia’s 2.6 million people reside. As the largest private employer in some rural areas, we provide quality employment, training and
development and the prospect of career progression. In conservancies, we employ nearly 310 Namibians directly from the surrounding communities. Employees can experience different parts of the The People Team has an open-door policy to assist with work-related and personal challenges. We consult with managers and
country when they are transferred between lodges. Remuneration and reward employees on people and team problems, disciplinary matters, mentorship, career progression, administrative claims, health and
wellness, and recruitment.
We provide secure and stable employment, preferring to provide full-time employment rather than seasonal employment. During 2020 and 2021, when traveller numbers dwindled, we did not retrench a
single employee.
Employee health and welfare Culture Work environment
Our strong brand allows us to attract, retain and develop a loyal, talented and diverse Culture is what differentiates Gondwana Gondwana sets the benchmark in employee

workforce: people who have the Gondwana DNA and do things according to the and defines our approach to work, our accommodation, over and above compliance
fellow employees and the experience we
with occupational health and safety regulations.
provide to customers.
Gondwana Way.
We focus on the Career Compensation
We pay equitable
entire employee We employ and salaries and offer
empower Namibian
an employee
Covid-19 impact on our people people. They have shareholding
Covid-19 continued to impact the workplace with lost time due to funeral attendance and quarantine due to exposure. value proposition great personal scheme and
development and profit-sharing.
We ran a Covid-19 and hygiene education campaign to teach employees about disease prevention and to manage anxiety. We sent employees a weekly voice message with messages instead of only job career growth
about staying healthy and the accessibility of healthcare and assistance. opportunities.
Due to recurring inexperience of Covid-19 workplace safety, we implemented a Covid-19 code of conduct amendment. Having standards in place to protect teams is a nationally satisfaction and a basic
legislated requirement.
Personal safety and observation of Covid-19 protocols are some of the biggest requirements from guests. Extensive training on protocols has been offered to all employees. Our Covid-19 salary. This ensures we
support teams assist with the implementation and maintenance of these protocols. remain an employer of
We followed up on every suspected Covid-19 case, encouraging employees to test and coaching them through the process. Sick employees were supported by home delivery of
vegetables and medication. On occasion, we provided advance payments for treatments, with repayment plans in place. Gondwana provided oxygen at the company’s expense. The OSH- choice, which creates
Med medical team monitored sick employees’ progress with daily check-in calls. Employee
Where employees were exposed at the workplace, we arranged and paid for express testing for employees and their families. We arranged cleaning and disinfection of offices when a wide pool of talent Learning, development and value Benefits
a Covid-19 case was identified. Managers had conversations with employees on managing anxiety after their workplace exposure. Employees received additional information on self- empowerment
evaluation of symptoms, guidance on self-isolation and regular check-ins. When employees living at lodges fell ill, we provided a company-paid nursing service on-site and isolation care, to choose from. proposition All employees receive pension
including regular meals. We facilitate and manage the Gondwana fund, medical aid, disability and
Hospitality Training and Leadership Academy; funeral benefits.
We supported the national vaccination rollout by providing access to a toll-free number to consult with medical officers, a question-and-answer session facilitated by Oshmed, and support the National Training Authority
numerous educational sessions led by nurses and doctors. We met our target of having 60% of our employees vaccinated by the end of December 2021. (NTA) and its initiatives; and provide training
opportunities to conservancy residents.
All lodge employees attended workshops by the Tour Guide Association of Namibia on self-protection. This was extended to our self-employed guide partners, Namiba2Go, our
distribution centre and logistics. Guides received practical advice on applying safety measures in interaction with guests.

46 VALUE CREATION REPORT 2021 GONDWANA COLLECTION NAMIBIA 47