Corporate Social Review Magazine 1st Quarter 2013 | Page 14

TRINITY MTHIYANA TAKES A BOLD STEP AND TELLS IT LIKE IT IS A MUST READ FOR ALL CORPORATE EXCEUTIVES – “BUILDING SOCIAL CAPITAL” Socio-capitalism, economic and political opportunities have a propensity to reinforce each other, thus embracing people’s right to prosper, and their rightful claim to civil expression and participation, as well as their constitutional right to build sustainable future relationships within a culturally diverse South Africa. This is the rational message throughout “Building Social Capital”, the title of a provocative manuscript recently completed by Trinity Mthiyana. In an interview with the author, Mthiyana talks frankly about the slump the country’s standard of education is in, the severity of poverty, and several fundamental campaigns that need to be stepped up if the country’s plans to grow its total growth rate, yield positive returns on investment in high-growth welldiversified economies such as the mining sector, and establish a solid base for highly qualified educators and skilled human resources, by 2030. “Political Will, united with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), is the key to social protection and advancement,” says Mthiyana. A section of the proposed book is devoted to the under-performance of CSR, in particular the mining sector, which is publicized by some corporate sponsors as a simple branding exercise. The question is raised why some corporate sponsors choose to put a ceiling on their involvement. It is vital for the future of the country to differentiate which corporate sponsors are committed to CSR, through their understanding and active participation, to bring about change and those that simply ‘play along’ to create a perceived illusion to make them look good in the eyes of the media and their markets. Mthiyana comments that more research should be undertaken to ensure the country’s sociocapitalism, economic and political opportunities are sustained. “So much time and money is spent on top-level projects, yet communities still remonstrate their dissatisfaction; we need to acknowledge what has been accomplished, what we can learn from our triumphs and what challenges lie ahead,” says Mthiyana. Trinity Mthiyana SED Manager Supporting Dwars, Black Rock, Machado, ARM Plats Dwarsrivier Mine Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] 12 Magazine Final.indd 12 CORPORATE SOCIAL REVIEW 2013/07/29 10:45 AM