A SOUTH AFRICAN
SUCCESS STORY OF ACHIEVING A B-BBEE LEVEL 1
An indepth interview with Collen Dlamini, Executive Head: Corporate Affairs, MultiChoice SA
E-BOOK
CORPORATE SERIES
A SOUTH AFRICAN SUCCESS STORY OF ACHIEVING A B-BBEE LEVEL 1
MultiChoice SA Executive
COLLEN DLAMINI IS HELPING TO DRIVE TRANSFORMATION ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA’S ICT INDUSTRY
At the beginning of the year, MultiChoice South Africa announced the appointment of Collen Dlamini as their new Executive Head of Corporate Affairs. Collen is, in fact, a lawyer by training, and has previously served as Group Head of Regulatory Affairs for Kagiso Media, as well as a Special Regulations and Consumer Manager at MTN. Collen has also taken up the role of Executive Director at Future Managers in the past. Future Managers is a company geared towards utilising digital platforms to supplement traditional platforms in order to enhance teaching and learning for both students and lecturers in the higher education sector. Most recently, Collen also founded the Copyright Coalition of South Africa (NPC).
2
TOP EMPOWERMENT 2021
A SOUTH AFRICAN SUCCESS STORY OF ACHIEVING A B-BBEE LEVEL 1
its product brands in South Africa. I manage and oversee stakeholder relations, corporate communications, internal communications, corporate services, SPONSOR 2021
reputation management, CSI, transformation, and the company’s social impact agenda.
On 15 July this year, MultiChoice SA played a pivotal role in the success of the 20th Annual Top Empowerment Summit, coming in as a top sponsor, and qualifying as a finalist at the Top Empowerment Awards in the ‘Enterprise & Supplier Development’ category. We sat down for an interview with Collen to discuss his appointment and MultiChoice SA’s ESD programmes.
Please describe the core services that MultiChoice SA delivers.
3
THAT YOU SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF: 1. The Bubblegum Club: born as
a cultural intelligence agency, it has grown into a digital publication and a content production studio.
2. Duma Collective: a creative communications agency
3. Mzansi Live: a Pan African independent multimedia
MultiChoice Group is a leader in
management company, who
video entertainment and is the
developed Mzansi2Cario, a
parent company of the following
broadcast media marketplace
brands: DStv, GOtv, SuperSport, M-Net, DStv Media Sales, Showmax and Irdeto.
What have been some of your major milestones? Our ability to develop entrepreneurs in South Africa continues to be something we are extremely proud of.
Congratulations on your appointment this year as the Executive Head of Corporate Affairs at MultiChoice SA. Please unpack for us what your key roles and responsibilities are.
HERE ARE THE EIGHT COMPANIES
During this past year with its COVID-related challenges, our Innovation Fund provided much-needed financial support to eight small businesses, which helped them to create 47 new jobs.
4. Swypa Deliveries uses door-todoor scooters to deliver goods
and services for township-based businesses for orders placed through their app 5. The Plug: an online publication
focusing on all aspects of urban culture
6. The Throne: a boutique agency specializing in influencer
marketing, social media strategy, talent management and the home of The Throne Magazine 7. Whoosh: a payment solutions provider based in Tshwane
8. Yellow Bone: a film and
As the Executive Head of Corporate
Due to the exponential growth
Affairs for MultiChoice South Africa,
of online content, the Fund
I am responsible for protecting
focused on empowering online
focusing on bringing authentic
and enhancing the reputation and
content creators to scale up to
South African content to
image of MultiChoice and
meet the growing demand.
international markets
television production company,
TOP EMPOWERMENT 2021
A SOUTH AFRICAN SUCCESS STORY OF ACHIEVING A B-BBEE LEVEL 1
MultiChoice SA has maintained its level 1 B-BBEE status – to what do you attribute this success? At MultiChoice, we believe in empowerment that makes a real impact in the lives of South Africans and take the first two letters of B-BBEE very seriously. Broad-based is at the heart of our B-BBEE philosophy and we have made it our mission to implement and participate in inclusive initiatives that broaden empowerment as widely as possible – to as many South Africans as possible. As part of our transformation initiative, we have developed a robust and integrated way of working that ensures that senior leadership who are responsible for making decisions are aware, involved and educated in the transformation work being done
industry by prioritizing black, black
two-way communication so it is
women and youth owned initiatives.
not just the committee filtering through information to staff but
To be eligible to be a beneficiary
should any of our staff be part of
of the MultiChoice Enterprise
any CSI projects, we can evaluate if
Development Trust, companies
there is potential for wider support
need to be in the ICT sector, be
and if such a project has impact
minimum 51% black-owned with
on the scorecard.
a turnover that does not exceed R50m per annum.
Our B-BBEE committee is one of the catalysts that have helped
Since inception, the fund has
with coordination, but we must
disbursed R252m in loans, grants
also give credit to the leadership
and business development
of MultiChoice Group – who see
expenses to assist beneficiaries in
BEE as a business imperative
acquiring skills and assets.
and not just a compliance issue and thus have ensured that all
Our ESD programmes are truly
initiatives are driven from the top.
effective as over the years they
Please describe MultiChoice SA’s ESD programmes. We have an ESD system through the MultiChoice Enterprise Development Trust, recently branded as the Multichoice Innovation Fund, which
win the organisation.
focuses on funding innovation
In 2020, we developed a B-BBEE
broadcasting, innovation,
committee to develop strategies and monitor the progress of our B-BBEE initiatives. This committee is made of B-BBEE pillar champions and sponsors. The pillar owners are responsible and accountable for the execution of the B-BBEE strategies and policies in their respective functions. They are also responsible for the implementation of policies that govern the respective pillars.
4
This approach has allowed
have been able to create jobs, impact the South African economy, are sustainable and ensured that our communities are viable. Since 2012, our beneficiaries have grown more than expected, where some have generated more than R100M per annum.
SMEs that operate in the technology, and the ICT sectors. We also provide mentorship and the skills necessary to acquire assets and supply MultiChoice with various high-quality productions. Our ESD programmes have helped to drive transformation in South Africa in the ICT
TOP EMPOWERMENT 2021
A SOUTH AFRICAN SUCCESS STORY OF ACHIEVING A B-BBEE LEVEL 1
OUR ESD PROGRAMMES ARE: • Enterprise development through the Innovation Fund which uplifts small black entrants into the market. This year, we funded nine companies who now have diversified portfolios and additional revenue streams. • Our preferential procurement programme ensures continuous support of BEE compliant suppliers that are in our database. • Supplier development through the Innovation Fund. We have helped small service providers grow and remain sustainable. We have funded 21 companies including Duma Collective, who is now MultiChoice’s digital and PR agency. • One of Multichoice Group’s strategic pillars focuses intently on Employee Development, where operational excellence is maintained through developing talent, skills, and diversity. The Group leadership continues to pledge both investment and focus into the growth of internal staff and our positive impact upon the communities we serve.
5
What are some of the company’s CSI initiatives? Our purpose is to enrich lives. We are committed to contribute to economic and social development of our country. Our CSI initiatives focus on creating employment opportunities, developing upand-coming filmmakers and sports stars through training and skills transfers, and supporting budding entrepreneurs and
• Recently launched DStv Netball Challenge: In May we launched the DSTV Schools Netball Challenge, a nationwide competition that will shine a spotlight on young female athletes between the ages of 16 and 19 who play netball at secondary schools across the country. • Regional TV stations support:
MultiChoice has given 1KZN TV
SMMEs.
and Mpuma Kapa TV each a grant
The following are some of our
capability and establish news
CSI projects. • Let’s Play: SuperSport Let’s
Play gives young people the opportunity to participate in sport activities. This provides much needed social and physical stimulation, which positively impacts their overall wellness.
• DStv Diski Challenge: Through
the DStv Diski Challenge we fast track the development of young players from disadvantaged communities into professionals in the Premier Soccer League.
to improve their news coverage bureaus for Newzroom Afrika in their respective provinces. We partnered with the Youth Employment Service (YES) to assist with the recruitment and training of 300 learners. Seventyfive TVET college students will receive internships across a diversified portfolio that includes HR, Finance, Marketing, Law and IT, while the remaining 225 places are prioritised for learnerships in the ICT space for matriculants and others with qualifications but who are not working.
• MultiChoice Talent Factory: MultiChoice is building
tomorrow’s workforce today, through the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) which invests in the creative industry in 14 countries across Africa with the aim of growing a pipeline of African storytellers.
TOP EMPOWERMENT 2021
A SOUTH AFRICAN SUCCESS STORY OF ACHIEVING A B-BBEE LEVEL 1
How has the pandemic impacted the company? For FY21, MultiChoice South Africa increased its 90-day active subscriber base to reach 8.9 million households. The increase was driven by heightened consumer demand for video entertainment products, continued penetration of the mass market, and an easing of electricity shortages. We started the year confronted with severe disruptions to our programming schedules, bleak macroeconomic forecasts and sharply weaker currencies. In the face of these challenges, our teams rallied together – this helped us deliver on all our key performance metrics.
Last year, we also made means to support our suppliers and beneficiaries through various initiatives. • The MultiChoice Group implemented several
measures to safeguard the incomes of cast, crew, and creatives as well as the
sustainability of production
houses during the coronavirus pandemic. We set aside
R80-million to ensure that productions were able to pay full salaries, and this went a long way in creating income stability for them and their families. • Through the MultiChoice
Talent Factory, we launched an online learning portal
that supported over 40 000 members of the industry to gain access to courses and
online masterclasses, so they could continue to hone their craft while adhering to the public health measures of social distancing and isolation.
On a more personal note, what is your “why”? Working every day to make
• The company also committed
a positive impact in the lives
of freelancers in SuperSport
meaningful and purposeful.
to work due to the suspension
I lift as I rise, when I help
to guarantee the incomes
of other people makes life
productions, who were unable
I find joy and fulfilment when
of sport and the national lockdown. This extended to ensuring the income of
others turn their tragedies into triumphs and hopeless situations into achievements.
freelancers in the broadcast technology environment.
6
TOP EMPOWERMENT 2021
A SOUTH AFRICAN SUCCESS STORY OF ACHIEVING A B-BBEE LEVEL 1
Do you have a special message for the businesses and individuals out there struggling to survive? These are challenging times for
What exciting plans do you have for the coming year?
everyone, and we believe that
• In May we launched the DSTV
an opportunity to address the
Schools Netball Challenge, a
and onboard the new cohort
nationwide competition that
of SMMEs that have just joined
will shine a spotlight on young
the Innovation Fund and there
female athletes between the ages
are some really exciting and
of 16 and 19 who play netball at
different plans that we cannot
secondary schools across the
wait to share with them.
country. The tournament will be contested across all nine provinces and aims to take South African Schools Netball (SASN) to a whole new level by giving the sport more exposure and encouraging greater support, especially in the lead up to the upcoming 2023 Netball World Cup to be held here on South African shores. • We will also be increasing
• We will also be running a mentorship program together with industry experts that promises to be very invaluable for our beneficiaries. • To continue transforming and developing the media and broadcast landscape, Newzroom Afrika entered into an agreement with two of South Africa’s regional TV stations, 1KZN TV and
investment in the Let’s Play
Mpuma Kapa TV. To support this
to increase access to state-of-
1KZN TV and Mpuma Kapa TV
sports fields project, which aims
initiative, MultiChoice has given
the-art sporting facilities for
each a grant to improve their
disadvantaged schools and communities across South Africa, with a focus on rural areas. We believe that having access to a world-class sports field is a big first step to encourage children to be more active and lead a healthier lifestyle.
7
• We are also excited to welcome
news coverage capability and establish news bureaus in the respective provinces. These grants will cover production equipment such as cameras, lighting, sound, and computers, as well as training and technical
they are also providing us with plethora of social ills that have been brought to the fore because of the pandemic.
IT MAY SEEM LIKE IT IS ALL DOOM AND GLOOM NOW, BUT IT IS UP TO US TO HAVE A POSITIVE LENS ON HOW WE VIEW THE WORLD. OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS SKYROCKETING, AND WITH THAT COMES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BUSINESSES TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO SOLVE SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS IN A MORE CREATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE WAY. The MultiChoice Group continues to see a lot of opportunities in the media, technology and digital sectors and we have been and continue to support SMMEs that are coming up with innovative solutions that address unique African problems.
support.
TOP EMPOWERMENT 2021
CLICK HERE
to view the Top Empowerment Summit, Enterprise & Supplier Development session
a w a r d s 20 21
a w a r d s 20 21
TOP EMPOWERED ENTERPRISE & SUPPLIER DEVELO PMENT Top Empowered Company: Awarded to Enterprise & Supplier Development
Merchants SA
Awarded to
For its outstanding achievements as MULTICHOICE a top empowered in its sector and company for contrib uting to the growth & sustainability of the South African economy.
For its outstanding achievements as a top empowered company in its sector and for contributing to the growth & sustainability of the South African economy.
SPONSOR 2021 TOP EMPOWERED ENTERPRISE & SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT
Ralf Fletch er
Chief Executi ve Officer
Ralf Fletcher Certified by Topco Media
C hie f Exe c ut iv e O f f ic e r
Certified by Topco Media
Contact our Group Editor Fiona Wakelin : fiona.wakelin@topco.co.za
Brought to you by:
MULTICHOICE GROUP LIMITED KING IVTM APPLICATION REPORT 2021
21 21
Africa’s most loved storyteller Africa’s most loved storyteller Africa’s most loved storyteller
