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Sawaza Ploughs Back Into Kasenengwa Community(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) PLOUGHING back of profits into the community is always associated with financing or appreciating where the business started from. This is a process of retaining part of the company's net profits for the purpose of re-investing in the business itself. It is actually, the amount held back by the entrepreneur after paying a reasonable dividend to the shareholders of the company and these undistributed profits are used by the company to meet its present and future requirements. This reduces their dependence on funds from the external sources to finance their regular business needs. Such a source of finance may be used by the company for the expansion and growth of business. The Government has always been urging business houses in the country to plough back to the community they operate in. It is undisputable that ploughing back into the community by various companies or institutions is part of the corporate social responsibility of improving and uplifting of the living standards of communities where they operate in. The Patriotic Front (PF) Government led by President Michael Sata has been developing a social protection policy to guide the implementation of social safety nets aimed at cushioning the poor and vulnerable groups from poverty. One such private organisation is Sawaza Investments Limited which was founded in 1997 by former Chizongwe Technical High School pupil Gideon Zulu. Of late, Sawaza Investments, which is a private-owned company based in Lusaka, moved to Kasenengwa area in the Eastern Province of the country in 2007. The company started working towards achieving the goal of ploughing back into communities through various forms of assistance. According to Mr Zulu who is managing director, the company meant well to the communities of Kasenengwa area. He said his company was currently ploughing back to the people of Kasenengwa in various ways. "My company has been helping people in a number of ways and this assistance does not only go to people but churches, schools and sporting activities," Mr Zulu said. In Mboza area, the company has built a three bedroom house for Katondo Primary School, they have also built a mother's shelter at Kasuma and the renovation of Kaluwawa police post Mr Zulu said his company also renovated the Nazareth Reformed Church (RCZ) which is situated on Chipata-Msoro Road. "At least more than 100 women clubs have been given certificates so that they can acquire Government and donor's assistance," he said. In Chingazi area, the director said his company had assisted Shamombo Primary School through the construction of a teacher's house. "Through my little resources, I built one teachers house and contributed cement for the rehabilitation of a dam at Shamombo. I also donated 60 benches to Shamombo Catholic Church," he said. In Makungwa area, Mr Zulu said his company contributed towards rehabilitation of a teacher's house as well as roofing a Baptist Church. He said in Ng'ongwe area, his company contributed towards the rehabilitation of Kasenengwa RCZ and the rehabilitation of a teacher's house. The investment company assisted in roofing teachers' houses and two primary schools namely Khoza and Mkotamo. Sawaza Investments also provided solar power system to Chizenje clinic. In Kwenje area, his firm had assisted in the repair works of Chimang'a borehole which was damaged by vandals. Mr Zulu said the company further roofed a teacher's house at Samuel and rehabilitated another teachers' house at Chizuzu Primary School. This was done in collaboration with Chadazi Catholic Church. The company has also built VIP toilets at Chilile Primary School which is along the Great East Road. In Chiparamba area, the company contributed towards the rehabilitation of Mtaya Primary School, contribution of beddings to Chiparamba Clinic and helped with cement at Chawa Primary School. In Mkowe area, Mr Zulu said the company donated pockets of cement at Mkowe Primary School and roofing of a teachers' house at the same school. He said the company further donated cement for the rehabilitation of a teachers' house at Nyongo Primary School. Mr Zulu said people were also active in various sporting disciplines in Kasenengwa through his company contributions of sports amenities. "The major aim of the contribution is in line with the Government's efforts of ploughing back into the community," Mr Zulu added. He urged various companies in the country to exercise their corporate social responsibility in order to help alleviate poverty among Zambian societies. Mr Zulu said companies have a moral obligation of helping Government in uplifting the living standards of people in the country by ploughing back their profits into the communities where they operate from. Community service is a donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions. This is an initiative which is in line with Government policies of encouraging communities to lead healthy lifestyles and be responsible citizens. Copyright The Times of Zambia. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |