Each year, Trialogue conducts research into companies’ spending on CSI initiatives in each of the key developmental areas in South Africa. These findings are published in the Trialogue Business in Society Handbook.

Last week, the Sunday Times, one of South Africa’s leading publications, cited Trialogue’s research findings in 2023 in six articles in its annual Social Impact supplement.

Below are some of the key sector findings cited in the supplement’s articles.

In the first article, Cathy Duff , director at Trialogue, writes about the R11.8-billion corporate social investment (CSI) spend in 2023. She notes that this figure reflects a continued recovery in CSI expenditure, with more than half of surveyed companies (59 per cent) reporting an increase in spend.

In the second article, Balan Moodley writes about how partnerships and collaboration are key to creating successful education programmes in South Africa. He quotes the Trialogue Knowlege Hub as stating that “it is critical that learners study STEM subjects in order to create a more employable workforce. Most of the top scarce skills occupations in South Africa are STEM-related.”

In the third article, ROMPCO , the Republic of Mozambique Pipeline Investments Company (a joint venture between the government of South Africa, the government of Mozambique, and Sasol, formed to transport natural gas from Mozambique to markets in both Mozambique and South Africa) writes that educated and healthy individuals are more likely to participate in civic activities, support local businesses and contribute to the overall growth of their communities. Trialogue’s latest research findings (2023) are cited as showing that in contrast to United States trends, where health and social services receive 25 per cent of CSI spend on average, South African companies allocate an average of only 6 per cent to health. While the author notes that this is certainly worrying, there are corporations committed to investing tor impact within the health sector.

In the fourth article, Lorelle Bell writes about education and how two South African companies, AVBOB and Capitec, are investing in creating a world in which all children have access to a good education. She cites Trialogue’s research into the impact of the Capitec initiative, which spotlights the programme’s positive effect and quoting a teacher on how the training and mentoring boosted her career.

In the fifth article, Anelisa Tuswa writes how more and more South African companies are redefining their roles in society by embracing impactful initiatives that resonate deeply with the communities in which they operate. She notes that a recent Trialogue report revealed a significant rise in corporate social investment (CSI) spending, totalling R11.8 billion in the 2023 financial year — an 8 percent nominal and 1 percent real increase from the previous year, indicative of a post-COVlD-19 recovery amid challenging economic conditions.

In the final article, Dalit Shekel writes about how limited resources are currently a major challenge to philanthropy, making strategic partnerships among the best tools to help organisations achieve maximum impact. He quotes findings from the Trialogue Business in Society Handbook that revealed that 77 per cent of South African companies reported making non-cash donations last year, as opposed to only 29 per cent the year before.

The Trialogue Business in Society Conference brings together companies and non-profit organisations with the aim of enhancing knowledge and collaboration to help businesses perform more sustainably in society. Register here.

Keep a look out for the Trialogue Business in Society Handbook 2024, which will be launched later this year.

Access each of the full Sunday Times supplement articles here: