Page 24 - Transformation Report.indd

9. Socio-Economic

Development

In support of the Group value of caring for our communities, Group
fi rms, in addition to the general community support provided by
fi rms, also spent R1.26 million in 2016 and R1.57 million in 2017 on
socio-economic development projects where the benefi ciaries have
been predominantly black persons - with projects ranging from
housing development, funding for community schools, bursaries,
study assistance, computer sponsorships, arts and culture donations,
feeding schemes, and more.

10. Community

Support

Group fi rms have also spent R950 000 in 2016 and R1.05 million in 2017
on general community and corporate social responsibility projects
where the benefi ciaries are not limited to previously disadvantaged
individuals, and which projects include support by fi rms for a variety
of institutions and educational, social, community, religious, medical,
educational, sporting and other needs.

11. Enterprise

Development

Given the procurement relevance of developing BEE suppliers in a
fi rm’s supply chain, the development of black-owned suppliers and
enterprises remains a signifi cant imperative for member fi rms. Law
fi rms, by their nature, can mainly offer professional services to assist
black persons and enterprises, by providing legal support, discounts
and advice to enterprise development benefi ciaries. In 2016,
member fi rms provided enterprise development support in the form
of administrative support, loans, donations, fi nancial support, and/or
sponsorships to the value of R1.24 million to enterprise development
benefi ciaries as well as affording discounts on legal services to the
value of more than R4.15 million to black persons and black-owned
businesses. In 2017, enterprise development support in the Group
increased to R1.3 million and discounts provided to black persons
and black-owned businesses increased to nearly R5 million.

22 South Africa’s largest legal network