As South Africa continues to move towards greater economic and social inclusion, Samsung South Africa remains firm in its long-term commitment to do the same. This is why Samsung is pleased to announce that it has achieved a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE)

Level 1 Contribution Status for the fourth year in the row.

“Over the years Samsung has prioritised B-BBEE as a non-negotiable practice, because we have seen the

incredible socio-economic impact of implementing it for lasting change. We know it’s no small responsibility to

realize the long-term goals as it requires a collective effort from citizens, corporate organisations and Government.

This is why our vision is aligned with the Government’s B-BBEE policy, and why Samsung is focused on all policies

designed to empower South Africans in meaningful ways,” said Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation

Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa.

Samsung is building on national transformation policies through Employment Equity, Enterprise Development and investment in education. The company has launched many skills development initiatives, which are not only created for developing internal staff, but also supporting university students studying in fields within Samsung’s ecosystem and value chain. With wide-ranging support of the country’s youth through bursaries, learnerships and STEM-aligned educational programmes, Samsung is looking forward to a future defined by equality and empowerment for all.

“As Samsung, we’re committed to building on our long-ranging transformational vision. This is already reflected internally as our people are representative of the country’s demographics, race and gender. Ultimately, we are completely focused on creating real empowerment through ownership and control of South Africa’s economy, and remain aligned with the Government’s transformation imperatives. We will continue to build on own vision to empower South Africans by harnessing the power of technology to effect lasting change, “Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa, .

In 2019 Samsung launched a R280 Million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme, aimed at stimulating job creation. It is estimated that it will contribute nearly R1 Billion to the South African economy at large. This investment is supplemented by initiatives focused on the upskilling of the South African youth with initiatives like, Samsung Engineering Academy, technology-based facilities in schools and universities, as well as student bursary programmes. Samsung has become an integral partner in the creation and support of black-owned businesses in the e-waste sector – that can manage Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment.  Additionally, Samsung appointed two black-women owned businesses to become part of the black industrialist program through the EEIP programme. These e-Waste businesses, which were given both funding and business support  are now part of a sector that can make a real difference in society.

Rising to the challenge of meeting B-BBEE goals in 2020

Importantly, in a year when many South Africans experienced devastating job losses, the Samsung leanership and skills development initiatives provided much needed jobs for unemployed youth and people living with disabilities. The company also finds great purpose in contributing meaningfully to sustainable transformation across the Samsung value chain. This is demonstrated by Samsung’s enduring  commitment to the objectives of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, in its ongoing objective to reddress the inequalities of the past.

The year 2020 brought unexpected challenges, which  forced many businesses to cut spending. Samsung however did not change their targets and commitment to transformation. In 2020, the business improved their employment equity score by attracting and retaining employees who reflect the demographics of South Africa and was named Top Employer for the sixth consecutive year. In this time Samsung provided much needed relief fo SMMEs by not recalling unsecured loans provided to emerging businesses. Small businesses in the supply chain were still paid on shorter payment terms to help sustain their businesses. This is evidenced by the growth in the spending towards SMMEs – black owned and black-women owned.

Samsung’s transformation agenda continued unabated. Its enterprise development programme helped the beneficiaries of the programme adapt their businesses to cope with the pandemic and invest in the communites in which they operate. This was achieved by supporting Innovation Hubs in disadvantaged communities, and by providing students in the various skills development initiatives with Galaxy tablets to enable them to continue learning remotely.

Ultimately, Samsung’s objectives remains firm –  to pursue opportunities for people to become actively engaged in the broader economy, and in doing so, uplift marginalised communities throughout the country.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 10 July 2020 – Samsung South Africa has announced its EEIP (Equity Equivalent Investment Programme) plans aimed at empowering previously disadvantaged South Africans with a focus on women and youth in the ICT sector. The programme initiatives are set to strengthen black economic empowerment through enterprise development, thus boosting economic growth and job creation.

The programmes are formulated to make a measurable difference and are aligned to the overarching objectives of the NDP Vision for 2030 and the Gauteng Township Economy Revitalisation Strategy. The aim is to find and support – through grant funding – high potential entrepreneurs to grow their business sustainably. Additionally, a focus on establishing black businesses in the heart of townships has been prioritised.

“As a global leader in mobile and consumer electronics, our extensive experience and deep technical skills can be leveraged to empower South Africans to harness the power of technology to be leaders of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Samsung is firmly committed to growing South Africa through socio-economic change and welcomes the submissions of those who want the opportunity to create a more inclusive and prosperous society”, says Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa.

Samsung is focusing on the following priority areas in the ICT sector and achieving outcomes of national interest with regards to entrepreneurship development:

2 X Accredited Service Centres entrepreneurs

The Service Centre programme will bring skilled black engineers to townships and peri-urban areas with sufficient retail footprint  to tackle the repair of mobile devices and consumer electronics that are subjected to rapid technological advancement and changing consumer needs. Samsung is to provide two selected entrepreneurs grant-funding to support operations, specialist business development support and access to Samsung’s service repair network.

2 X Marketing and Advertising entrepreneurs

The Enterprise Development programme will contribute to transformation in the marketing and advertising industry, contributing to job creation through entrepreneurship.Samsung is to provide support  to successful entrepreneurs in the form of grant-funding and access to supply chain opportunities to grow the business.

1 X ICT Entrepreneur

The Samsung SA EEIP is searching for a talented black software development business with potential, that can help overcome the challenges faced in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Samsung is to provide grant-funding to capitalise the business and access to specialist business development support services.

Ultimately, The Samsung SA EEIP will make a measurable difference to the socio-economic development of black South Africans.

How To Apply: Follow The Application Process Below To Submit Your Application

Applications will be facilitated by Samsung’s partner Business Doctors

Step 1: Apply online by submitting the required documentation (as stipulated on the Business Doctors website)

Step 2: Business Doctors will evaluate all submissions against the published qualifying criteria and shortlist  applications for second round of evaluation.

Step 3: Shortlisted candidates will be notified by Business Doctors regarding the next steps in the evaluation process.

Step 4: Successful candidates will be publicly announced.

Apply here

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 27 May, 2020 – Samsung South Africa has taken another significant step forward to build on its transformational vision. It has been announced that the company has secured a Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Level 1 Contribution Status for the second consecutive year. This certification is aligned with Samsung’s belief that companies must play an active role in empowering people across all industry sectors. This is why over time Samsung has invested in major social and enterprise development initiatives on a grass-roots level that allows the brand to be actively involved in the community as well as support local entrepreneurial talent.

“The certification demonstrates our dedication not only to operational excellence but to remain an active and enthusiastic contributor to the future of the South African economy. Samsung is dedicated to harnessing the power of technology to effect positive change. Our team is firmly committed to ensuring long-term sustainability and remaining aligned with the Government’s transformation imperatives, “says Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa.

Samsung has wholeheartedly embraced the fundamentals of BBB-EE, which is why the company finds great purpose in contributing meaningfully to sustainable transformation across the Samsung value chain. This is demonstrated by Samsung’s enduring commitment to the objectives of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, in its ongoing objective to address the inequalities of the past.

Samsung is driven by a focus on the participation of black people in the management, ownership and control of South Africa’s economy. In 2019 Samsung launched a R280 Million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme, aimed at stimulating job creation. It is estimated that it will contribute nearly R1 Billion to the South African economy at large. This investment is supplemented by initiatives focussed on the upskilling of youth such as in the Samsung Engineering Academy, technology-based facilities in schools and universities, as well as student bursaries. Ultimately, the aim is to pursue opportunities for people to become actively engaged in the economy. This will have an impact on families, communities and ultimately the entire nation.

“We will continue to work directly with Government through education programmes, bursaries and entrepreneurial initiatives. Additionally, everything from the empowerment of our staff, Samsung Engineering Academies and Enterprise Development programmes will continue to actively reflect our unwavering commitment to the prosperity of the country and its people,” concludes Shivanda.

“As a company proudly rooted in our South African heritage, we embrace transformation. We are committed to contributing meaningfully to sustainable transformation as we accelerate this journey across the Samsung value chain, “says Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa.

In 2003 the South African government introduced the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act in an attempt to address the inequalities suffered by black South African citizens as a result of the unjust apartheid regime. Samsung is aligned with the aim, which is to increase the meaningful participation of black people in the management, ownership and control of South Africa’s economy.

Furthermore, Samsung is intent on enhancing the socio-economic development of black South Africans, as defined by the B-BBEE act, through employment at Samsung but also in the economy at large. This is reflected in projects such as the recent announcement of its R280 Million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme. This is projected to have a measurable impact on job creation and a contribution of nearly R1 Billion to the South African economy at large. Ultimately, Samsung will continue to pursue opportunities where people can become meaningfully engaged in the economy and in doing so, have a positive impact on their families, communities and therein, the entire nation.

“We are delighted with this achievement! The certification demonstrates our commitment not only to operational excellence, but to remain an active and enthusiastic contributor to the future of the South African economy,” says, Hlubi. He concludes, “we were able to invest in social and enterprise development initiatives on the grass-roots level that allow us to be actively involved in the community as well as support local entrepreneurial talent.”