CLUR CONNECT
Malose Kekana, group CEO of Pareto Limited, says:“ Our approach really has been that we are a big corporate citizen. And we make a lot of money from the communities in which we do business.
And so, part of our ethic as a big corporate citizen is not merely to do things just for profit, but it’ s also to make sure that we do give back, because we can’ t do well as companies that do business in communities if those communities are not thriving.”
Vuso Majija, executive director and head of retail, Fortress Real Estate Investments Limited and a director of the SA Council of Shopping Centres, says Shopping Centres are economic catalysts in communities and big employers.“ For every 30 squares of gross lettable area that one builds, one job is created. That’ s a rule of thumb in the industry. So, if you’ ve got a Shopping Centre that is 20,000 square metres in size, you may create around 600 jobs.
CLUR CONNECT
He says the company looks to build the community as much as it looks to build real estate in those communities.
“ We’ ve donated approximately R32 million into communities, mostly focused on short courses education. We’ ve sponsored over 250,000 short courses. We donate five to six million Rand a year on educational bursaries for communities in need. We believe education is the cornerstone of everything.”
Malose Kekana, group CEO of Pareto Limited, says:“ Our approach really has been that we are a big corporate citizen. And we make a lot of money from the communities in which we do business.
And so, part of our ethic as a big corporate citizen is not merely to do things just for profit, but it’ s also to make sure that we do give back, because we can’ t do well as companies that do business in communities if those communities are not thriving.”
He says that Pareto’ s community initiatives largely focus on children, education and enterprise development. In supporting young entrepreneurs, Pareto started a fund to introduce young brands, some of which have become a big success.
Vuso Majija, executive director and head of retail, Fortress Real Estate Investments Limited and a director of the SA Council of Shopping Centres, says Shopping Centres are economic catalysts in communities and big employers.“ For every 30 squares of gross lettable area that one builds, one job is created. That’ s a rule of thumb in the industry. So, if you’ ve got a Shopping Centre that is 20,000 square metres in size, you may create around 600 jobs.
49