Mascom is a reputable, responsible and responsive corporate citizen, which fully appreciates the role and responsibility the company has towards its various stakeholders and the environment. A key deliverable of the Communications and Public Relations Department is to manage the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Mascom CSR targets several groups and organization, which we work with, in an effort to positively contribute to and change for the better, the lives of ordinary people. These include the following;
As the leading telecommunications service provider, we are of the opinion that it is our responsibility to raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the internet and ICT can bring to Batswana. We recognize that ICT provides a golden opportunity for the rural communities to generate income, combat poverty, hunger, ill health and most important enhance literacy. We therefore contribute to the use of ICT to bridge the rural urban digital divide by engaging in the following initiatives.
- 1. 1 Donations of ICT equipment to especially Primary Schools and Kgotlas
Every month we receive requests from various schools and kgotlas countrywide and to date we have donated thousands of ICT equipment to schools and kgotlas countrywide.
- 1.2 Mascom Kitsong Centres
Following onto the success of the Nteletsa 2, Area 4 Project, where Mascom collaborated with Botswana Government to provide coverage to a total of 41 villages and establish Kitsong Centres in each of the 41 villages, Mascom took a deliberate step to invest further in this initiative with a total of 105 Kitsong Centres in 105 villages around Botswana to date.
The Kitsong Centres aims at providing the public with easy access to ICT services. They are equipped with computers, printers, copiers, internet modems and payphones. These are managed by local young entrepreneurs, who are first trained on Entrepreneurship Development and ICT. In determining which villages to set up a Kitsong Centre, local conditions including, level of economic activity, population size and distribution, distance from major towns and cultural diversity are key considerations.
- 1.3 Mascom eSchools Connectivity Project
Mascom partnered with BOFINET to provide internet connectivity to all government schools in Botswana through the eSchools connectivity project. This project forms part the Economic Stimulus Programme initiatives and is in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Basic Education and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. The ongoing project started in March 2016, to date we have connected 453 school around Botswana.
Mascom has taken a keen interest on the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups within our society. We look out for and consider carefully requests aiming at making positive change to this group’s lives. Examples of projects targeting these groups include the following:
2.1 Mascom CEO’s Christmas Party for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC’s).
Since 1999, the Mascom CEO has held an annual Christmas party for OVC’s in various parts of Botswana. To date various NGO’s in places like Otse, Palapye, Mahalapye, Molepolole, Maun, Ghanzi, Kasane, Mochudi, Mlanbakwena, Tlokweng, Bokaa, Ramotswa and Old Naledi (Gaborone), D’Kar, Gamodubu, Thabala have benefited from this noble initiative. The annual Mascom CEO’s Christmas Party for OVC’s is a gesture from the caring yellow Mascom heart, spreading sunshine and putting a contagious smile on the children’s faces.
2.2. Mascom Housing Project.
In response to the devastating floods that left many homeless in Ramotlabaki Village in the Kgatleng District, Mascom built seven (7) houses for some of the affected families. In recognition of the struggles with decent and habitable accommodation for the disadvantaged and vulnerable people across the country, Mascom extended this project to other parts of the country and built houses in Molepolole, Gamodubu, Tsolamosese (Mogoditshane), Bobonong, Lecheng, Malaka and Lerala making a total of 33 houses todate.
Mascom is involved in an array of sporting activities and events across Botswana, in an effort to support sports and encourage exercise and healthy living amongst Batswana.
The most notable of these efforts include:
- – Mascom Derby
- – Mascom Top 8 (Soccer)
- – Diacore Gaborone Marathon
- – Toyota Desert Race
- – Netball Youth World Cup
The sustainable use of the Environment is at the core of our CSR initiatives. We recognize the importance of protecting environmental values and we are committed to ensuring the protection of the environment. To this end, we proactively support groups and organizations that preserve the environment and advocate for the sustainable use of natural resources.
To reaffirm our commitment to quality of service Mascom is the only mobile operator in Botswana confirmed for Quality Management Standards (ISO 9001: 2000) and Environmental Management Standards (ISO 14001: 2004). With this level of quality and environmental assurance, we continue to be our brand promise “Number 1 because of you” embracing, not only, the people who support us but also our collective performance and accountability towards the environment.
As a true Botswana proud country, Mascom actively supports traditional and cultural groups that aim at preserving our rich heritage and culture. We realize that dance, song and the arts are increasingly proving their potential in making a significant contribution to the improvement of the lives of young Batswana. Our support is further motivated by a realization of the importance of song, dance and arts to Botswana Tourism, a key contributor to the economy.
Some of the initiatives we support in this area include:
- – Mascom Presidents Concert
- – Mascom Live Sessions
Access to health expertise should not be compromised by distance from urban and progressive facilities. In as much as Mascom feels the obligation to bridge the rural urban divide in terms of access to telecommunications, it is only natural that this extends to other sectors and specifically health, thus Mascom’s interest m-health. Through the Mascom m-Health initiative we are addressing the need to strengthen the health care system and to ensure that Botswana is a healthy nation so that its citizens can contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
CSR Sponsorship Evaluation Criteria/Process
To ensure compliance to a high code of ethics, a sponsorship evaluation criteria process is used to ensure that the sponsorships and donations we provide add value to the target groups. This process further ensures that our contribution addresses especially the socio-economic challenges faced by the various groups in a coordinated and structured manner. This way we have a check and balance that reassures us that indeed our contribution addresses the greater good.
The criteria/process evaluates the following:
- – Fit to the strategic intent (as outlined above)
- – Opportunity to create long term and real value
- – Positive exposure for Mascom brand
- – Potential for long term and sustainable partnership