THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Empowerment through quality, education and training ‘Going Beyond’ defines PPC’s operating vision as it helps build a better society for all its stakeholders. IMIESA speaks to Bheki Mthembu, head: Inland Business Unit, PPC, about the unfolding vision. What makes PPC unique? BM Among all cement producers in South Africa, PPC has the widest geographical footprint. In construction, it’s all about on-time delivery and ease of access to materials. In this respect, we provide a complete solution that, in addition to consistent quality cement, includes premix products like plaster, aggregates, readymix and fly ash. We are a Proudly South African business that was established in 1892. Throughout our 129-year journey to date, we’ve stayed true to our purpose and that’s to empower people to experience a better quality of life. We believe in creating sustainable value for all our stakeholders and living up to our operating philosophy of ‘Going Beyond’. Via our corporate social responsibility initiatives, our goal is to uplift the communities in which we operate to maximise shared value. Areas
include education, enterprise development, infrastructure development and primary healthcare stewardship. Over the years, we’ve expanded our wings across Africa, investing in PPC operations in Botswana, the DRC, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Zimbabwe. As in South Africa, we have focused on helping to build stronger communities. As a responsible corporate citizen, we believe we have a duty to help grow capacity, especially within our home South African market where there is a pressing need to address the triple challenges of inequality, poverty and unemployment. That includes providing technical solutions to industry and nurturing a new pipeline of SMME builders, trades and construction material producers through various education, training and enterprise development programmes. So, it’s clearly not a case of just selling a ‘grey powder’. As in 1892, we continue to play an anchoring role in facilitating
South Africa’s infrastructure rollout across a diverse spectrum that includes housing, roads, water, sanitation, mining and general industry.
How is PPC helping to unlock the value, particularly in terms of youth unemployment? There’s a key role that PPC can play by helping the nation to thrive through public-private partnerships. An example would be as a key material supplier on mega developments like human settlements, water and sanitation projects. At present, megaprojects are few and far between, so PPC has researched the market and identified where we can help right now. A key area is the township brick- and blockmaking and SMME residential building markets, where we are now investing in transitioning smaller start-ups that are dedicated to using PPC products in their operations. Allied and in parallel to this is the provision of a range of training courses aimed at capacitating unemployed youth to enter the construction industry. The latest Q1 2021
figures released by Statistics South Africa are concerning. Around 32.6% of our population is currently unemployed – some 46.3% being youth, as defined in the band from 15 to 34 years of age. This means that for every two unemployed people, one will be a youth. The best way we can help is by creating an entrepreneurially driven economy.
Why is technical education key for PPC? Technical excellence translates into exceptional quality, which is non-negotiable for PPC. We want every structure built using PPC products to stand the test of time.
Bheki Mthembu, head: Inland Business Unit, PPC
In partnership with Motheo Construction Academy, PPC has launched a national training initiative offering courses in bricklaying, plastering and construction management
