Corporate Social Investment Activities. Nelson Mandela, Francois Pienaar

CSI Activities

Noah to benefit from governance pledges (15 Aug '11)

Increasingly, individuals hear so much about the values of good governance, yet most often never know what this really means and the manner in which to achieve good governance. Simply put, good governance is about upholding the principles of self discipline and ethical behaviour. Sadly, many individuals are 'ignorant' of this simple truth and have possibly believed that the term 'corporate governance' is only attached to the functions and behaviour of a board and its directors.

Of course this belief is quite misguided. There is a distinctive role that each of us can fulfill to ensure that the businesses in which we work -- and spend so much of our time in -- become positively influenced by our individual attitudes and behaviour. Therefore, it goes without saying that good governance is not singularly dependent upon a board and its directors, but indeed is greatly enhanced by the support each company employee contributes towards the company becoming a better, disciplined and sustainable organisation.

It is in this regard that CGF Research Institute believes each small change in positive behaviour found within concerned and responsible individuals -- who support this notion -- can have a radical influence upon not only their fellow colleagues, but also the entire organisation.

Accordingly, CGF Research Institute has embarked upon the necessary actions which would be required to assist individuals to cause "change for good". We also believe that the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. By equipping individuals to visibly show their commitment to good governance, so too will others become motivated to follow similar behaviour which ultimately affects the society in which we live.

Through this initiative, CGF Research Institute would like to encourage and motivate tens of thousands of individual employees -- locally and internationally -- to show their individual support for good governance practices by visibly displaying their CGF Pledge Certificate for Good Governance and acting on their commitment to positive change. We believe, together with all our constituents, that the employees who become members of CGF Research Institute's drive for good governance will influence the change necessary within business, its supply chain and overall customer satisfaction.

Start the change by committing to good governance practice in your daily routines; at home, work and among friends. Show your support by taking the CGF Research Institute's Good Governance Pledge. A portion of these proceeds is donated to Noah.

CGF's Governance Beyond Boards® Interventions - Winners & MAD Donation (26 Jul '10)

The Governance Beyond Boards® Interventions 2010 were rated highly by the almost 150 delegates in attendance, followed by a closing cocktail and networking ceremony at the IBM Gauteng head office, being CGF's anchor tenant of the Interventions. The networking function was attended by many of the delegates, including some of CGF's partners of these Interventions. The event included a lucky draw of two fabulous prizes where Deon van Staden from Bidfreight Management Services drew the Exclaim ERM software prize worth R46 000, and Michael Boyns from Metmar Limited drew the Lenovo® Thinkpad® laptop prize worth R6 500. CGF also donated a cheque of R10,000.00 to the Make a Difference (MAD) Foundation, which is chaired by Francois Pienaar and focuses on providing academically talented students, from less fortunate backgrounds, with educational opportunities.

Getting the Interventions off the ground required tremendous support, and CGF wanted to deliver the one-day Interventions that would be significantly different to the routine approaches adopted by the training and conferencing industries in South Africa.

Future building blocks (Mar-Jun '09)

Nelson Mandela understood the importance of learning when he said: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." This was exactly the sentiment that encouraged ex-Springbok and 1995 World Cup captain Francois Pienaar to found the MAD Foundation in 2003. It was a bluesky day and Pienaar decided to make the best of the South African climate (which he had sorely missed while he was living and playing rugby in England). So he and some mates hopped on a boat and headed towards the distant horizon. "You know, this country has given us such amazing opportunities and we have been leading extremely privileged lives," Pienaar said to the rest of the pack. "Don't you agree it's time for us to give something back?" And so his dream was born, Pienaar called it MAD - The Make A Difference Foundation ... But Terry Booysen, who has forged a strong relationship with MAD is especially encouraging of MAD's overseas programmes and for a less obvious reason ...

MAD young students to become young ambassadors - (10 Jul '08)

When working for a charitable organisation you meet a lot of people that offer their help but then never follow through. Not only did you, Terry and Mmathoto, follow through but you created a platform for many young students to become young ambassadors for themselves, their families and our country.

On behalf of MAD - Make a Difference, Francois Pienaar, myself and the Douglas Foundation, I would like thank you for the passion, the knowledge and expertise you brought to the youngsters. We see this as not only a beginning of real change in the lives of many students in South Africa but also in the lives they touch.

On Saturday, July 5 CGF Research Institute provided a 3-hour briefing for South African high school students preparing to travel to the U.S. in August 2008. Adults and students met at the Sandton Library’s auditorium on Saturday morning, where presentations were made by three speakers. Linda Ingalls from the Douglas Foundation also attended and offered valuable insight into the US.

The interactive session included discussion about South Africa and its current challenges, such as crime, poverty, lack of skills and employment. Discussion also described governance principles, which Mr. Booysen stressed are as relevant to students as they are to CEO's in terms of conduct and ethics. The conversation also touched on political issues and the role of serving as a young ambassador abroad.

A Christmas gift from CGF Research Institute (Pty) Ltd - (Dec '06)

Again this year, we wanted to give you a gift that would outlive the Holiday Season and that you could enjoy each and every day of the year.

Our country must face the painful realization that South Africa will face an 'epidemic of orphans' following the AIDS pandemic in the country. While other children look forward to receiving gifts at Christmas, thousands of HIV infected children in South Africa may not live to see another Christmas. Thousands more of Aids-orphans wonder what will become of them and of their siblings.

So, instead of buying you, our corporate clients a gift this Christmas, we have, on your behalf donated funds to Cotlands, a long-serving South African non-profit organisation that strives to meet the ever-changing needs of children impacted by HIV/AIDS in our country. This year we have extended our donation to embrace Noah (Nurturing Orphans of AIDS for Humanity), whose goal is to support communities to sustainably improve the quality of life of orphans and vulnerable children and their families. The donation will feed 50 needy children every day of the year, for a whole year. We hope that you will enjoy receiving this gift as much as we have enjoyed giving it! Season’s Greetings, with warmest regards and best wishes from all at CGF Research Institute.

Christmas gift from CGF Research Institute (Pty) Ltd - (Dec '05)

This year, we wanted to give you a gift that you could enjoy each and every day of the year. A gift that would outlive the “5-minute-novelty-value” test.

A gift that - somehow - stood for practicing the values of good corporate governance. We believe you would agree that without a commitment to the community, sustainable corporate development would be unthinkable. While other children look forward to receiving gifts at Christmas, thousands of HIV infected children in South Africa may not live to see another Christmas. Thousands more AIDS - orphans wonder what will become of them and their siblings.

So, instead of buying you - our corporate clients a gift and having a function this Christmas - we have, on your behalf donated funds to Cotlands, a long-serving South African non-profit organisation that strives to meet the ever-changing needs of children impacted by HIV/AIDS in our country.

The donation will fund the full expenditure of 10 children on Cotlands outreach facilities every day, for a whole year. They will be provided with everything from food, child care staff members, clothing, educare fees and any medical costs they require. We hope that you will enjoy receiving this gift as much as we have enjoyed giving it!Cotlands will issue a certificate acknowledging the donation on your behalf. We hope that you will display it with pride.