Since the dawn of the South African democracy when Samsung entered the African continent through the establishment of the South Africa office, our company has been investing in education-focused Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes for the future, which have now led to positive social changes within the broader African continent.

In our history of Corporate Citizenship in Africa, our CSR activities have been focusing mainly on Education and Skills Development for Employment as well as Sustainability efforts. Our success in the last three decades is also due to our Operational Synergies that were created through our Associations with government institutions and NGOs alike. In the South African context, our CSR programmes are complemented by our already successful landmark multi-million-rand Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), which was launched in 2019. Our ten-year plan aims to address key developmental aspects linked to the National Development Plan (NDP) and the overall transformation of the economy.

As a company, we also subscribe to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations Development Plan (UNDP). Our advocacy to the United Nations Development Goals (UNDG’s)^* of “Quality Education” and “Reduced Inequalities” aims to improve access to technology, information and communication services for the youth in the continent. For decades, our African operation has  been putting great emphasis on the need to empower the youth. We have done this by ensuring that young people contribute greatly to Africa’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) agenda and objectives.

To do this, we needed to ensure that the execution of our CSR strategy is linked and focused 100% on education through technology, targeting mostly the young people in the continent. This has, over time had a positive impact on youth within the regional community. As technology suppliers, we understand the importance of 4IR in the lives of the broad youth base in the continent and most importantly; access to new technologies.

^*Source: UNDP Report: https://books.google.co.za/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ARtZEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA89&dq=Managing+inclusive+digital+transformation,+lessons+from+100+countries&ots=Hofj6JhvJI&sig=k2vZvDUf13fZG8zbvgWmfuvp1gM

We have therefore been striving to use technology to develop future innovators for a better world. Our youth in Africa is currently in a positive position to seize the opportunities ahead.

We have undertaken a number of forward-thinking CSR initiatives in order to empower the youth of tomorrow. As a legacy programme of Solve for Tomorrow and Samsung Innovation Campus, Samsung Engineering Academy aimed to address the shortages in technical and engineering skills in the continent by educating the next generation from 2012 to 2020. Hundreds of graduates from countries such as South Africa, Nigeria and more completed the programme successfully, emerging as changemakers to lead innovation for years to come. Additionally, we launched the Women Technical Programme and Boys to Men initiative in South Africa in 2018 to provide technical education opportunities to disadvantaged students, and the Coding Academy in Rwanda in 2021 to equip students with the latest knowledge in coding and software development.

In addition, as an organisation that is well aware of the great importance of education, we have in recent years continued our quest of equipping young people both in high school and tertiary level with the skills and knowledge they will need to build a better world. As a company, we have launched many skills development initiatives aimed at addressing Africa’s digital divide. Over the past few years, we have been able to put technology in the hands of the youth from under-served communities and provided them with smart classrooms in the form of ICT Innovation Hubs or Smart Labs.

These Innovation Hubs or Smart Labs created access to computer literacy, the internet, basic IT and coding skills in remote communities and they included the following:

• An investment into an ICT Project where an ICT Innovation Hub was unveiled aimed at benefitting the community in Kwa-Zulu Natal School.
• We set up an Innovation Campus (Innovation Hub) in Agona Swedru in the Central Region aimed at leveraging technology to support the dreams of young Ghanaians. In this Hub, we housed a series of coding programmes where young children between the ages of 5-to-17 years in public basic schools in the community were trained on technology and coding.
• And furthermore, we donated an Innovation Hub in Lagos, Nigeria.

From the ICT Innovation Hubs, we evolved into the global Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition. As a result, the Solve for Tomorrow competition based on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) was launched for the first time in Africa in 2023.

Recently launched and piloted in 51 schools across South Africa, this programme is providing learners in grade 10 and 11 from underserved communities an opportunity to gain invaluable skills, while solving some of the challenges within their communities. Learners are encouraged to use STEM to find solutions to some of the most pressing societal challenges faced by their communities. The launch event that was held in March was used as a platform to announce the 2023 Top 10 schools who were going through to Phase Two (2).

At this stage, they had an opportunity to tackle a challenge and produce tangible innovations to help improve issues within their communities. With Samsung helping them with resources and mentors guiding them, the learners had to conduct research and develop prototypes for the challenges they had identified. For their efforts, Mbilwi Secondary School from Venda in Limpopo walked away with the first prize, while second place was taken by Maphuthaditshaba Secondary from Acornhoek (Mpumalanga) and in third place, it was Umlazi Comprehensive Tech from Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Through the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) programme, we have successfully partnered with universities of technology including the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in the Eastern Cape and the Central University of Technology (CUT) in the Free State to develop and teach coding, software development, internet of things (IOT) and artificial intelligence (AI) skills to youth from under-serviced communities.

We have further expanded the SIC into other African countries such as Lesotho and entered into partnerships with Lerotholi Polytechnic (LP) as well as the National University of Lesotho (NUL).

There is an upcoming SIC graduation of the first cohort in Lesotho on 03 November 2023. Also, we are currently working on further growing the SIC programme by rolling it out into the rest of Africa, into territories including Kenya, Malawi, Namibia and Nigeria.

Furthermore, some of our successful legacy education programmes that have not only seen youth being empowered and comfortable in the technology space, but also employable with positive ripple effects on their families include the following:

• As part of the EEIP, we sponsored a 24-month SETA accredited Air-conditioning and Refrigeration apprenticeship programme which trained about 40 selected apprentices who had never been exposed to technology before. Recently, 38 of these youth graduated as well as two that received certificates of attendance, to work with mentors to grow their skills and address ICT education for SA’s unemployed youth.

• In 2020, as part of addressing the country’s critical shortage of technicians to service consumer electronics and hand-held devices, we sponsored a 12-month SETA accredited Electronics apprenticeship programme. Through the EEIP programme, about 41 learners were enrolled in two cohorts for the 1^st phase of the programme with the aim of empowering youth from rural areas and townships by equipping them with much-needed skills to land employment or start their own businesses. The programme had broad reach in terms of participants as it has attracted candidates from the north, south, midland and coastal areas of Kwa-Zulu Natal. In 2022, this programme was expanded to include the Eastern Cape .

With these CSR initiatives that are designed to make a difference to all people, we are striving to ensure that students and learners are empowered to ultimately grow and build a better future for themselves, their families and the African community at large.

Samsung proudly supports Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030.

At an official signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Samsung has cemented its partnership with the Malawi University of Science & Technology (MUST) in an effort to expand its Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) programme into other African territories, starting with Malawi.

This Global SIC programme is already running successfully in the African continent in countries that include South Africa and Lesotho. The partnership with MUST, therefore, is the first step towards fulfilling Samsung’s ambitious plan of further growing the SIC programme into the rest of Africa. Through this SIC programme, the partners will be able to develop Fourth Industrial Revolution skills (4IR) skills by teaching Coding and Programming (C&P) education in Python, Software Development in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data to increase the chances of employability for Malawian students after school.

MUST is currently one of the top universities in Malawi that specialises in science and technology, this is a perfect partnership for Samsung that is equally focused on education through technology. Driven by the need for excellence, MUST is interested in extending software development skills to youth in Malawi, who are either unemployed or could not obtain acceptance into university. Through this SIC programme, Malawian youth will be offered critical skills in basic coding and programming education of this strategic MOU.

Lenhle Khoza, BBBEE and Transformation Manager at Samsung said: “For us at Samsung, investing in the youth by providing them with quality education through innovative technology is key. We are always happy to enter into strategic partnerships with like-minded education institutions, such as the MUST with a collective vision of targeting youth in the African continent who are either at university level or those who are unemployed with the aim of empowering them to develop their 4IR skill.”

It is a well-known fact that millions of young people around the world are unemployed or underemployed, more so in the African continent, while employers have jobs they cannot fill. This is a challenge partially rooted in the growing mismatch between youths’ skills and employer needs. The SIC programme is perfectly positioned to help address this issue. This is why Samsung is always looking forward to partnering with both education institutions and government who share the vision of empowering young people in the continent, starting with Malawi as part of the company’s SIC roll-out plan into Africa.

Vice Chancellor, Professor Address Malata says: “We are very excited about our partnership with Samsung because we feel that their commitment to providing quality education through innovative technology fits perfectly into our university’s vision. In 2014, we established the Malawian Institute of Technology (MIT) in line with the vision and mission of our mother university.”

MUST is on a mission to become a world-class centre of science and technology education, research and entrepreneurship. The institution is well aware of the fact that this will only be realised through the provision of a conducive environment for quality education, training, research and entrepreneurship as well as outreach activities to its students. MIT is a strategic department within MUST that is now positioning itself as the centre of excellence in science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship education, training and research through provision of a healthy teaching, learning and research environment grounded well in the principles of science and technology, promoting creativity and nurturing teamwork.

“As a partner in the SIC programme, we will now be able to capitalise on our synergies including the work done by our MIT academy. This essentially means that we will now be part of Samsung’s noble cause of empowering a generation of problem-solvers by equipping our students with future-proof skills and practical understanding of the technologies that will shape their future and enrich the sustainable growth of the world,” Malata added.

The formal signing of MOU has not only served as an official launch of the SIC programme in Malawi. This agreement also comes with a number of benefits that include the provision of technical skills that will enable the MUST student community to lead in 4IR with ease and boost youth employment in the country’s technology sector.

“This SIC partnership will allow us to create a combination of work-ready and employable students in Malawi as well as those who are enabled and empowered to become future technological leaders. Ultimately, our vision for this global youth investment initiative is to enable all people for the upliftment of humanity through innovation and digital transformation,” Khoza concluded.

Samsung proudly supports Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030.

Samsung Electronics and the National University of Lesotho (NUL) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to cement a strategic partnership created through Samsung’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes. This ceremony served as the official launch of the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) in conjunction with NUL.

The SIC programme is targeted at students in higher learning institutions with the main objective of teaching Coding and Programming (C&P) in Python, Software Development in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data to increase their chances of employability after school. This programme will provide technical skills that will enable the NUL student community to not only thrive in, but to also lead in Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) with ease.

Prof. Isaac Olusola Fajana, the Vice-Chancellor of NUL, said: “As NUL, we believe that this SIC programme will play a crucial role in helping us achieve our vision of being the leading University – in both teaching and research to provide innovative solutions to societal problems.

“This partnership with Samsung is important as it will also assist the Faculty of Science and Technology in the pursuit of this University’s mandate – taking due cognisance of the overarching University Mission and ensuring that we place science, technology and Innovation as key drivers for the developmental process of the whole Lesotho nation as contained in the National Strategic Development II as extended.”

With the skills learnt in the SIC programme, NUL students will be able to apply the problem-solving techniques that they have learnt to solve real world problems. In addition, this programme may prepare these students for possible opportunities as entrepreneurs in technology.

Hlubi Shivanda, Director of Business Operations, Innovation and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa said: “As Samsung, we are striving to partner with Lesotho to not only help develop it into a major player in 4IR, but to also become a more resilient and inclusive economy which, in turn, creates further opportunities for growth.”

Samsung strongly believes that transformation is everyone’s business. More than ever, empowering the youth with skills needed by the global community as well as work opportunities is essential. This is one of the reasons why we, as a company,  are so committed to expanding our footprint in Lesotho through SIC – one of our Global CSR programmes.

Shivanda adds: “This partnership with NUL and our SIC programme is helping us to achieve our vision for this global youth investment initiative – of enabling the Basotho people for the upliftment of humanity through innovation and digital transformation.”

Samsung proudly supports Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030.

MASERU LESOTHO – February 2023 – During a recent tour to Lesotho, the South Korean delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Do-Hun Lee, which comprised of the Chief Executive Officer of Samsung Electronics Africa, Mr. Bumsuk Hong, amongst others, extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Lesotho, Mr. Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, to attend the Korea African Summit, in South Korea in 2024.

Mr Lee’s visit to the region, further strengthened –diplomatic relations between the two nations with economic cooperation being a primary focus.  According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations in Lesotho, Mr. Lejone Mpotjoane, the objective of the meeting was to seek -– Lesotho’s support for South Korea’s bid for the staging of the World Expo 2030 in Busan. The Busan World Expo 2030 would run from 01 May 2030 to the end of October 2030 should South Korea be successful in their bid.

The Busan World 2030 Expo focuses on creating a better future for all humankind and therefore fits perfectly into both government’s aspirations.  Samsung Electronics’ vision has always been the upliftment of humanity through technology and innovation.  Supporting this strategic partnership and the bid for the World Expo to be hosted in Busan, during the 2030 edition, would not only assist in strengthening the two countries’ bilateral agreement but also contribute in the development of Lesotho’s economy.

An equally important agenda item, was South Korea’s pledge to support the development of the Moshoeshoe International Airport and offer guidance and expertise within the Agricultural production sector. This South Korea pledge follows an earlier investment by Samsung though its CSR programs. In December 2022, Samsung launched the Samsung Innovation Campus with Lerotholi Polytechic, an IT education programme designed to provide opportunities to deserving and previously disadvantaged youth to gain skills in coding, programming, artificial intelligence and the internet.  Chief Executive Officer of Samsung Africa, -Mr. Hong, is extremely passionate about the programme given the educational themes that combine future core technology capabilities with soft skills that are essential for job creation.

Samsung strongly believes that Lesotho has an opportunity to further drive local developmental efforts leveraging World Expo.  It is the perfect platform to share technological advancements and act as a catalyst for eco-friendly innovations and a greener future for all, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

As part of a global community, Samsung believes that these ongoing collaborations between these great nations, coupled by its empowerment initiatives, are designed to make a significant difference to all people.

Samsung proudly supports Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030.

Impacted by KZN Looting

Revamped and reloaded, the store has enhanced the customer experience even more

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 29 July 2022 – In July 2021 the Samsung Customer Service Centre in Riverhorse Valley was one of many businesses impacted by the looting in KZN. Due to the severe damage, Samsung had to look for new premises in order to re-build. This is why the company is proud to announce that the redesigned location is now open. Ready to once again service its many customers in the area, the Customer Service Centre has been reimagined to reflect its commitment to an enhanced level of customer care.

“Samsung made its intentions clear in the aftermath of the looting including the minimising of job losses and joining the call to #RebuildSouthAfrica. Working together, our people have overcome the impact of the unprecedented disruption to business by focussing on a relocation and rebuild that reflects our ever-evolving innovation in providing enhanced customer service and peace of mind. We are enjoying welcoming back customers, who we can once again can support with our professional expertise, “said Paul Croll, Director of Customer Service at Samsung South Africa.

Samsung also announced the exciting launch of its Mobile Eco Repair service, which offers reduced costs on phone and screen repairs using a pioneering process that has limited impact on the environment – in line with its larger sustainability and e-waste efforts. This service is available to all Samsung customers.

The cutting-edge service centre is fully dedicated to making sure your Samsung product gets the care and attention it deserves through efficient updates and repairs. The Wi-Fi enabled centre also welcomes those wanting to update their knowledge on new Samsung products. Sanjay Bhagat’s Customer Service Centre’s team of internationally trained Samsung technicians are fully ready to help ensure that every visit is an incredible experience.

Due to the recent flash flooding in the KZN Province, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a national emergency, with many lives lost and homes destroyed. It is in the light of this distressing situation that Samsung South Africa has decided to respond in service of the country. Samsung has made its Service Programme and resources available to support to those who are in need within the region.

Effective immediately, Samsung South Africa will launch its Service Campaign Plan in order to help alleviate some of the suffering caused, in the wake of this event. Samsung believes that those returning and re-building their affected homes deserve the comfort of appliances that are in working order, which is why the company, a dedicated internal team and appliance partners are ready to assist. The Samsung KZN Service Campaign includes:

• Free Product Cleaning on all brands [Including Samsung and non-Samsung products]
• Free Product Assessment & Insurance Notice on Samsung products
• Discounted Repair Service, including free Labour and discounted parts
• Drop off Points at Makro Stores with Free Disposal of Irreparable Units

The campaign runs from 25 April to 8 May 2022, with possible extensions based on demand. The service will be made available at drop-off points at Makro stores in Durban North (Cornubia), Central Durban (Springfield), and Durban South (Amanzimtoti).

The products eligible for aid are refrigerators, dishwashers, microwave ovens, washing machines, washing machine dryers, TV’s and Audio Visual products^*. This campaign will include product cleaning services for non-Samsung brands. Samsung’s supporting partners consists of 3 major Makro stores within the Durban vicinity.

Find out more here:

• Call Centre: 0860 726 7864 / 0860 727 2786
• WhatsApp Line: 083 726 7864
• Email: zaservice@samsung.com

¹ Terms and conditions apply. Only home appliances will be eligible for this service plan.

The project accepts males aged between 25 and 33 years on a six-month programme which offers technical upskilling through theoretical and on the job training. Once graduated, they are guaranteed employment at Samsung South Africa or at an affiliate partner and can go on to become responsible contributing members of society.

Director of Services at Samsung South Africa, Richard Chetty says, “Samsung takes its social responsibilities seriously and as such we wanted to ensure that more young men spend their youth in meaningful pursuits, providing for their families and contributing towards the upliftment of their immediate communities. By giving them something to do, we’re effectively taking them off the streets where they could be exposed to various issues that perpetuate social degradation.”

The programme is part of the leading consumer electronics brand’s responsible citizenship campaign to support communities around the world through propelling the growth and sustainability of regional economies. The youth is key to achieving this mandate and by providing them with employment opportunities, vocational training as well as regional infrastructure, Samsung can impact positive behaviour change and instil values for the betterment of society.

“By addressing the social and economic challenges in communities through social crime prevention approaches, young men now have a hope for the future. Samsung South Africa is encouraged that young men with matric now have a positive and viable alternative and will move forward to be highly positive influencers in their communities,” concludes Chetty.

Samsung South Africa has supported the opening of a new eye care treatment centre in the Western Cape, with the donation of screening and treatment equipment.
 
The new Vredendal Hospital Eye Care Centre will take eye treatment to hundreds of patients who previously had to travel over three hours to Paarl or Cape Town for treatment. Due to huge demand at the facilities in Paarl and Cape Town, patients in Vredendal found themselves waiting months or even years for treatment in the past. The new Eye Care Centre, which opened its doors earlier this year and performed its first cataract surgery in July, is already screening and treating between 150 – 200 patients a month.
 
According to the Western Cape Government Department of Health, the burden of disease recorded among patients from the surrounding Cederberg and Matzikama districts since the centre opened include cataracts, refractive errors, childhood blindness, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Cataracts caused by ageing or trauma account for many of the eye problems in the region.
 
Pitso Kekana, Head of Corporate Citizenship & Government Relations: Africa at Samsung, notes that the services delivered by the new centre will have an impact far beyond individual patients: “According to the World Health Organisation (WHO),* 285 million people are estimated to be visually impaired worldwide. Around 82% of them are over the age of 50 – many of whom are still working and are breadwinners. Naturally, untreated visual impairment effects their ability to work and provide for their families. Among children, an estimated 19 million, below 15 years of age, are visually impaired, which severely hampers their ability to learn and progress at school and ultimately influences their career prospects. While communities, families and ultimately the economy suffer as a result of visual impairment, the fact is that up to 80% of visual impairment could be prevented or treated.
 
As a company built around the ethos of ‘making life better’, Samsung believes the relatively simple act of intervening to address treatable vision problems can make life so much better for so many people, with ripple effects throughout communities and the economy.”
 
Samsung has donated the necessary advanced screening and pre-treatment equipment from its own Healthcare Technology division, to enable the Vredendal Hospital Eye Care Centre to deliver top-class treatment to its patients. This hospital is just one of ten health facilities that Samsung has supported via the Departments of Health in Gauteng, North West and Mpumalanga and the Western Cape; including Mother and Child, Dental Care, Eye Care and Audio treatment facilities.
 
Sister Elizma Anthonissen, the ophthalmic nurse responsible for the Vredendal Hospital Eye Care Clinic, says “This is a dream come true. It is exciting to know that this community will for the first time ever have access to specialised equipment and a comprehensive ophthalmic service, including cataract surgery.”
 
Sister Anthonissen added that there has long been a requirement for specialised eye care services in the area, but the extent of the need is only becoming apparent now. “Our patient numbers are growing by the day – we could not have predicted how badly this service was necessary,” she says. Successful treatment is making the world of difference to the clinic’s patients, she adds. “For example, we had one tractor driver whose cataracts caused his sight to deteriorate so seriously that he drove the tractor into the famer’s vines. We have removed one cataract and we will treat his other eye in around six weeks and he should be ready to work again by the time the next harvest season begins in February, all because of Samsung’s generous support and sponsorship.”
 
Kekana concludes: “We see healthcare, education, vocational skills development and small business enablement as crucial pillars of sound economies and better lives for citizens. As such, all of our corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives are focused on these key areas. Across South Africa and the African continent as a whole, Samsung has stepped up its initiatives to enable better healthcare, education, skills development and business development, using our expert skills and advanced technologies to open new doors to a better life for all.”
 
* http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs282/en/