PwC’s transformation journey over the years

BBBEE Transformation

Not just about ticking boxes

PwC’s impact goes beyond ticking corporate boxes and fulfilling policy codes; we’re committed to addressing the inequality inherent in South African society. By setting a high standard for people from all backgrounds in corporate South Africa, we’ve consistently worked towards meaningful empowerment by nurturing competent and accountable executives. Our contributions have been recognized by the Oliver Empowerment Awards, winning Africa’s Transformation Award, and being acknowledged with a Top Gender Empowered Company award at the Standard Bank Top Women Awards.

It’s about genuine transformation

Our holistic contributions are driven by the need for genuine transformation in the business landscape and enabling meaningful economic participation. We strive to advance professionals who would typically be excluded based on factors beyond their control, such as race, gender and sexuality. South Africa's history is extremely painful, and since liberation in 1994, it has been evident that responsible corporate citizenship is crucial for addressing inequality.

Our most impactful initiatives are within skills development, enterprise and supplier development and socio-economic development. The firm and the country face challenges regarding a shortage of skills, perceived or otherwise. As a firm, we have developed strategies to contribute to the country’s graduate funding, skills development and socio-economic development while maintaining a sustainable and growing business.

Our initiatives

03/12/20

PwC disabled youth initiative

In 2019 PwC invested in the learning paths of 60 disabled black South African youths to enable them to access opportunities in an otherwise inaccessible world.

Skills development

Quality education: Equal opportunities through education

Education has played an important role in PwC’s transformation journey, ultimately positioning youth from disenfranchised communities to gain equal opportunities. We’ve developed powerful partnerships with township and rural schools alongside the Department of Education. The tools provided in each educational programme position young people to not only pursue their dreams but to understand the steps to take along their journey.

We've made significant strides in empowering individuals with disabilities through the Skills Panda youth development initiative in South Africa. Since 2019, PwC has invested R31.9 million in furthering the education and skills of 330 disabled students. This 12-month learnership programme focuses on scarce skills areas, aiming to introduce young black South Africans into the mainstream economy through formal employment or entrepreneurship.

Enterprise and supplier development

Decent work and economic growth: Imparting business skills to grow entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship is the road less travelled due to its challenging nature and the systemic issues that may contribute to failure. Our enterprise and supplier development (ESD) programme provides support to businesses to enable growth, success and stability even in the face of economic crises. We’ve boosted entrepreneurs with financial and technical support and continue to play a role in achieving economic liberation for people from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. At the core of business success is competency, and we’ve developed strategies to address business growth challenges and propel businesses forward.

We identify bespoke solutions that are relevant to each enterprise to enable tangible and sustainable impact. The purpose of our ESD programme is to empower the programme beneficiaries with the tools to fulfil their growth potential. We understand that strong SMMEs (small, medium and micro enterprises) are vital to creating a stable economic environment.

This programme enables us to live PwC's purpose of building trust and solving important problems in a meaningful way, while also contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. We also contribute to national policies of procurement and enterprise development by organising cooperative ventures with black business organisations, and we procure services from black-owned and black-managed suppliers.

Socio-economic development

Reduced inequalities: Making a social impact

Beyond simple corporate social investment, we’re well-positioned to understand the needs of people from vulnerable communities. At PwC, active engagement and investment of our time, skills and resources in our communities is a core part of our culture. Above all, we hope these initiatives give the vulnerable among us the room to fulfil dreams of empowerment and a brighter future.

A pivotal avenue for empowerment for women in urban and rural areas has been the pursuit of entrepreneurship, community development and education. In business, we have decided to upskill women and people of colour with the intent to expand transformational economic empowerment outside of PwC’s corporate structure.

Annually, PwC builds the skills of local entrepreneurs throughout the country through the Business Skills of South Africa foundation by providing business and entrepreneurial skills to previously disadvantaged communities to create jobs, promote sustainability and increase wealth. In addition, PwC also seeks to support underprivileged women from rural areas by facilitating workshops to provide them with the knowledge to start and manage their own businesses through the Faranani Rural Women Training Initiative.