Social responsibility
Bidvest Namibia regards BEE, and the upliftment of those previously disadvantaged communities as an imperative to its operations and presence in Namibia. For example, the bulk of the Bidfish workforce is drawn from previously disadvantaged communities. The Namsov Community Trust and the Bidvest Namibia Community Investment Trust (part of Ovanhu) are two initiatives to foster upliftment at community level. War Veterans, Pensioners and Conservancies have been identified as the key beneficiaries of the Bidvest Namibia Community Investment Trust.
Namsov Community Trust
The Namsov Community Trust (the Trust) is a shareholder of Namsov Fishing Enterprises (Pty) Limited and through dividends paid to the shareholders, the Trust is able to assist and support various communities all over Namibia to empower themselves. The Trust is managed independently by a Board of Trustees.
The aim of the Trust is to support underprivileged and disadvantaged communities with upliftment and empowering projects in all regions of Namibia, without distinction as to race, creed or political conviction.
The mission of the Trust is to promote the well being of the individuals and communities by giving them a change to sound development. We strive to get the communities involved in the projects thus endorsing ownership and commitment towards such development.
Criteria
Emphasis is put on capital projects rather than operational expenses and all projects should be to the benefit of a whole community. The project must cater for the real need of the specific area and community and be feasible and sustainable to ensure that future generations will also benefit through it.
The broader community should be involved and provide assistance with the planning and construction as much as possible to create a sense of ownership and responsibility, e.g. providing unskilled labour without being reimbursed, manufacturing of building material, e.g. making of bricks or any other form of assistance which is applicable to the specific area and community
Where applicable, the project should allow for employment creation and/or generating of income and future growth and development to the benefit of the whole community.