The challenge

We are fortunate in having a number of cross-cutting partnership opportunities and take care to ensure that any partnerships we establish are aligned with our vision of a thriving world.

The opportunity

By working with those who share our values and our vision, we can achieve more together than we can alone.

The roadmap

Under our Thrive25 strategy, which emphasises partnership and collaboration, we have been focusing more intensely on working closely and more often with those who share our values and commitment to our industry.

Our actions

Climate change

In the build-up to the COP27 climate change conference we joined the Africa Business Leaders Coalition and signed its Africa Business Leaders’ Climate Statement, which was presented at COP27.

Information sharing

• Together with the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa and another industry member, we sponsored Primestars to develop an infotainment programme for high school learners from underresourced communities. The programme was aimed at highlighting opportunities in the green economy.
• In July 2022, we hosted Textile Exchange (TE) executives, with retail representatives and conservation consultants, on a learning journey to our operations in KwaZulu-Natal. TE’s 700 international members, who represent leading brands, retailers and suppliers, provide a collective driving force for urgent climate action by benchmarking the industry and providing actionable tools for improvement. Its goal is to guide the textile industry to achieve a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within fibre and raw material production. After visiting the Sappi WWF uMkhomazi water stewardship project, delegates spent time at the Sappi Forests Shaw Research Centre, seeing how the woodfibre is developed optimally for the production of DP that goes into textiles like viscose and lyocell and learning about the forestry value chain.

Promotion of ESD

We:

• Established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Small Enterprise Development Agency which offers non-monetary developmental support for SMEs.
• Signed an MoU with Ithala Bank for the provision of funding to SMEs within Sappi’s value chain. To date, the bank has financed an SME to the value of ZAR8 million to purchase a bulldozer and equipment for the handling of bagasse at Stanger Mill.
• Entered into an MoU with the National Business Institute (NBI) for the provision of focused technical skills training, mentorship and coaching that targeted certain business opportunities for Stanger and Tugela Mills. Following a rigorous assessment process by the NBI, seven SMEs were selected to provide technical services for the mills. Services included in the scope are electrical maintenance, civil works, as well as mechanical and boiler maintenance. The SMEs are being overseen by a fulltime mentor appointed by the NBI.
• Contributed ZAR694,000 to the National Business Initiative for the establishment of a business hub in Mandeni aimed at developing technical skills among identified SMEs and job creation opportunities for the local youth. The other funders are the German and Swiss governments. The National Business Initiative aims to perform the technical development in collaboration with external partners: Umfolozi TVET College and Tushia Advisory Services.