Corporate Social Responsibility

Lafarge attaches particular importance to the development and wellbeing of employees and local communities in which it operates. Our primary CSR focus areas are Education and Infrastructure Development. We believe that these two areas ire critical/pertinent for job creation and poverty reduction. As such the 70% of the CSR budget will channelled toward projects that respond to these two areas.

In order to deliver meaningful impact, Lafarge CSR will ensure that the following are realized:

• Focus on the areas around its operational sites
• Include regular, open communication with the local communities
• Seek to help local communities in practical ways
• Seek to build relationships based on a long-term partnership approach
• Reinforce relationships with community stakeholders
• Support Lafarge's transformation process and ensure historically disadvantaged communities benefit (HDSA)

Proudly training women

Lafarge has an active policy of involvement in sustainable development of the communities in which it operates. Support for previously disadvantaged youths and female members of these communities feature high on the company's priorities.

Through the company's association with Women for Housing (WFH),

Lafarge sponsors regular training workshops for previously disadvantaged women. The training covers building techniques and the basic skills needed to start and run a business.  Since 2006, over 150 women have received training.

Learnerships

A Learnership Programme has been developed with the objective of creating a pool of competent quarry managers throughout our operating sites.  At Lichtenburg, the programme builds on the long-standing relationship with the Bodibe community in the area around the Tswana Lime Quarry.  The basis of the programme is:

• A three year contract to study one of the priority trades, which currently means studying to become a millwright or an electrician
• Spending six months of each year at Lafarge's Africa Training Centre and six months gaining practical on the job experience in the Cement Works
• Provision of a monthly allowance, together with personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing, plus a tool box  

In 2006, 4 female learners and 5 males between the ages of 22 and 25, from the Bodibe community were awarded learnerships.  The minimum entry requirement to this programme is mathematics and science at Grade 12 level. In 2008 a further 52 learners, including 16 women, were selected for the programme.

Employment Equity

Lafarge see Employment Equity as a process designed to create equal employment opportunities for al  and believe that it is more than a social priority, it is critical for the business. It must create a diverse organization while encouraging non -discrimination, promotion of employment of people with disability and world-wide mobility for capacity building.