Page 95 - Gondwana Collection Namibia Value Creation Report 2021

HOW WE GOVERN GONDWANA

SUSTAINABILITY

COMMITTEE

Trophy Hiwilepo What we did during 2021 Going into 2022, our focus areas will be: Committee overview
Gondwana can play a 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
role in addressing the ○ 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
inequality that is deeply ○ 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
entrenched in our ○ 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
society. ○ 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.
The committee works towards improving the ○ 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
sustainability of our business so that we can add value strategy and management plans Environmental management: We will continue to implement and advocating for our environment.
to society and the environment. We see our purpose as ○ Continued to advocate for the reopening of the tourism sector responsible environmental management plans regarding energy,
inclusive value creation. 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
The year 2021 was focused on survival. Covid-19 of ESG reporting metrics for outside investors standards for sustainable business practices in Namibia.
reduced the internal funding for our social and Vaccinations: We will encourage vaccinations and use our
environmental programmes. While we had to shelve Looking forward to 2022 advocacy role to influence other organisations to encourage Trophy Hiwilepo chairs the committee, and external
specific planned projects, we continued to support their employees to vaccinate actively. professionals Greg Stuart-Hill, Eino Emvula and Mike Mukete
our communities and guided our conservancies on We look forward to the recovery of our business to reignite Communication: We need to communicate more regarding are independent non-executive members.
surviving with limited income. 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
Although our income was reduced, Gondwana did Gondwana alone cannot solve these challenges, we can use our to boast, but to influence all stakeholders, including the
not retrench. We were committed to safeguarding our brand and geographic reach to have an impact and encourage government, other corporates, and customers. We want to
employees’ jobs, although at reduced salaries, to benefit others to contribute to the solutions. Sometimes this means create a net positive movement for change.
their dependents. Employees returned our loyalty with speaking up against poor policy decisions, which can be
incredible commitment. We enjoyed the support of our unpopular. Gondwana is a national influencer with an active Most companies want to be a positive force for change.
shareholders, who remained loyal to the company. This advocacy role to play.
was the real highlight of the year. We can influence other companies by demonstrating
Inequality is one of the world’s biggest problems. The
pandemic has exacerbated inequality, both locally and how we achieve our social and environmental goals
globally. While wealthier nations have access to vaccines,
less advantaged countries are at the back of the queue. while maintaining a healthy bottom line.
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 GONDWANA COLLECTION NAMIBIA 91