The corporate world should set aside selfish policies and join forces to form an integrated approach to development issues, says Zambian Breweries Director of Corporate Affairs Ezekiel Sekele.
Speaking during a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) forum for the private sector and civil society in Lusaka, Mr Sekele called for partnership on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects in order to be more cost-effective and have more impact.
“The private sector, public sector and civil society need to work hand-in-hand. We should not be running projects in silos; CSR is no longer an area where companies can drive their own agenda,” he told business leaders who were meeting to discuss the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 17 SDGs were adopted at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015 and are the successor to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that previously formed the backbone of the UN’s development initiatives.
Mr Sekele particularly highlighted the 17th goal, which aims to “strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development”.
SABMiller Plc, the parent company of Zambian Breweries and National Breweries, along with other progressive businesses, sought to contribute to the drafting of the SDGs and is committed to playing an active role in helping to achieve them.
Mr Sekele showcased the group’s sustainable development strategy, Prosper, which is aligned with many of the SDG themes.
The company wants: A thriving world – where incomes and quality of life are growing; A sociable world – where its beers are developed, marketed, sold and consumed responsibly.
A resilient world- where businesses, communities and ecosystems share uninterrupted access to safe, clean water; A clean world – where nothing goes to waste and emissions are dramatically lower; A productive world – where land is used responsibly; food supply is secure; biodiversity protected and crops can be accessed at reasonable prices.
Isn’t this the same company that has withdrawn funding to 300 youths with cancer just because Lungu has instructed then to do so for selfish reasons? SAB/ZamBrew are just posturing for the international community. Back in Zambia they are just playthings for politicians.
Anyone who would withdraw the funding of saving lives is a d*i*c*k in my eyes. Cancer is a serious thing and one is not God and even God does not play with peoples lives. Even if there are serious issues at least deal with them while people are getting the care they deserve. Some of these people are not as lucky as politicians and Lungu himself who can sneak out of the country to get his H*I*V medication abroad. This is not the way forward and this man needs to be disciplined. Come 2016 we know we are voting for a better and improved Zambia. And the corporate worlds have a social corporate responsibility to abide by.