Page 94 - Gondwana Collection Namibia Value Creation Report 2021

HOW WE GOVERN GONDWANA
SUSTAINABILITY
COMMITTEE
Trophy Hiwilepo
Gondwana can play a
role in addressing the
inequality that is deeply
entrenched in our
society.
The committee works towards improving the
sustainability of our business so that we can add value
to society and the environment. We see our purpose as
inclusive value creation.
The year 2021 was focused on survival. Covid-19
reduced the internal funding for our social and
environmental programmes. While we had to shelve
specific planned projects, we continued to support
our communities and guided our conservancies on
surviving with limited income.
Although our income was reduced, Gondwana did
not retrench. We were committed to safeguarding our
employees’ jobs, although at reduced salaries, to benefit
their dependents. Employees returned our loyalty with
incredible commitment. We enjoyed the support of our
shareholders, who remained loyal to the company. This
was the real highlight of the year.
Inequality is one of the world’s biggest problems. The
pandemic has exacerbated inequality, both locally and
globally. While wealthier nations have access to vaccines,
less advantaged countries are at the back of the queue.
People’s socioeconomic status determines their access to
quality healthcare and education in Namibia.
As Gondwana, we are stakeholder-inclusive and work to
promote fair and equitable distribution of wealth. This includes
how we pay our employees and share the benefits of tourism
with communities. One day we aim to share the company’s
wealth more broadly by listing on the stock exchange. We
believe that Gondwana can also play a role in influencing others
to create a more equitable world.
90 VALUE CREATION REPORT 2021
What we did during 2021 Going into 2022, our focus areas will be: Committee overview
The committee focused on the following activities in 2021: Youth development: Youth unemployment is close to 50% in The sustainability committee (the committee) oversees social
Namibia. With our national footprint, we can have a tangible
○ Encouraged vaccinations in the communities where we impact on the youth through our sourcing and purchasing of and environmental matters and discusses matters material
goods, employment, apprenticeships and on-the-job training.
operate
to Gondwana’s sustainability. The committee’s strategy
○ Engaged other corporates to raise funds for the Gondwana ESG reporting: ESG is becoming increasingly important to concerning Gondwana’s sustainability is based on the
Care Trust and continued to support the society’s most
following pillars:
investors and other stakeholders. We will continue to work
vulnerable on implementing and refining the reporting on ESGs. This will
○ Continued to pay operating and minimum guaranteed fees to enable us to tap into ESG-orientated funds. Business innovation improves working practices to anticipate
and pre-empt emerging threats while identifying and
our conservancy and community partners exploiting the opportunities they hold. Prudent innovation
○ Strategised and advised on matters relating to Gondwana’s Inequality: We will continue to break down inequality in the also contributes to our aspirational brand.
areas where we operate. This includes working on improving
operations in conservancy communities and ensuring fair and equitable remuneration.
○ Adhered to, and further developed, our environmental Gondwana is focused on people and the environment. We
improve the lives of the people we affect, while protecting
strategy and management plans Environmental management: We will continue to implement and advocating for our environment.
○ Continued to advocate for the reopening of the tourism sector responsible environmental management plans regarding energy,
waste and water. By sharing our example, we will continue to Our strategy includes a focus on fostering quality partnerships
○ Advised management on the introduction and implementation encourage others to do the same. with the right stakeholders. In doing so, we can set the
of ESG reporting metrics for outside investors standards for sustainable business practices in Namibia.
Vaccinations: We will encourage vaccinations and use our
Looking forward to 2022 advocacy role to influence other organisations to encourage Trophy Hiwilepo chairs the committee, and external
their employees to vaccinate actively. professionals Greg Stuart-Hill, Eino Emvula and Mike Mukete
We look forward to the recovery of our business to reignite Communication: We need to communicate more regarding are independent non-executive members.
our full suite of environmental and social projects. The biggest Gondwana’s positive impact on society. The purpose is not
challenges we face are inequality and climate change. While
Gondwana alone cannot solve these challenges, we can use our to boast, but to influence all stakeholders, including the
brand and geographic reach to have an impact and encourage government, other corporates, and customers. We want to
others to contribute to the solutions. Sometimes this means create a net positive movement for change.
speaking up against poor policy decisions, which can be
unpopular. Gondwana is a national influencer with an active Most companies want to be a positive force for change.
advocacy role to play.
We can influence other companies by demonstrating
how we achieve our social and environmental goals
while maintaining a healthy bottom line.
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