Supporting the national vision to build a more sustainable South Africa

Innovation plays a crucial role in the private sector in terms of competitiveness and it is also gaining importance in the public sector for the simple reason that decision makers are wanting to improve the performance of the economy amplifying economic development. Partnerships between government, business and civil society are not new, but increasing in frequency in order to meet South Africa’s societal needs.

To contribute to the national vision and to the betterment of this country, Siemens has updated its Business to Society report, an exercise the company has been doing since 2014, to demonstrate how it supports South Africa’s long-term development plan of reducing and ultimately eliminating poverty and inequality and how it is helping to build a more inclusive economy where all its people can prosper.

The Business to Society report is an expression of the multifaceted impact that Siemens has and is continuously making in South Africa. The report measures and quantifies the economic growth generated by Siemens, the jobs it’s created, the skills it has cultivated, the innovation stimulated by the company, the contribution made to preserving the environment and the overall societal transformation and quality of life improved.

‘This report clearly demonstrates, with real statistics that our investment in South Africa goes far beyond the provision of technology. What we contribute to the country’s economy is engrained into every aspect of what we do at Siemens. This makes our existence as an organization worthwhile,’ said Sabine Dall’Omo – CEO for Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa.

For Siemens, the purchasing of goods in South Africa and the investments made towards localisation is a vital component to strategically drive economic growth. With its solutions, industry expertise and the introduction of its latest technologies and innovations, the company contributed a total of R6.1 Billion in Gross Value Add directly and indirectly to the economy in 2018, in the Food & Beverage, Automotive, Mining and Water Industries.

Beyond the industry investments, Siemens has committed to creating jobs and developing the skills of its employees through training and skills development initiatives, while improving the quality of the lives of people who reside in the different communities they operate in, through various Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. The company also invests heavily in enterprise and supplier development and stands by its strong ethical business practices.

Sabine Dall’Omo commented, ‘The time has come for South African corporates to re-invent their mission and align it to the greater good of the economy. Creating the necessary sustainability and economic inclusion can no longer rest on parastatals and government heads, corporates must get actively involved in order to nurture and retain the right set of skills in the working force.’