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uMngeni-uThukela Water’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme supports socio-economic development initiatives to improve community livelihoods. The entity’s investments in this regard are driven through an approved CSI Policy. This ensures a co-ordinated approach in the implementation of CSI initiatives, which are prioritised in terms of the following categories:
uMngeni-uThukela Water’s categories of initiatives focus on the following areas:
To ensure that investments are aligned to policy, applications follow a thorough process of screening that entails consideration by the designated internal bodies to ensure that investments contribute to and support the organisation’s strategic goals. A comprehensive process has been developed to institutionalise the processes and systems for the provision of social and economic development support and natural environment stewardship by the organisation.
uMngeni-uThukela Water has committed 1% of Net Profit After Tax to Social Corporate Investment initiatives.
uMngeni-uThukela Water prides itself on the establishment of its water conservation and environmental education initiatives that it conducts for community and schools outreach programmes and adopted schools. The programme, which has been running for over three decades, under the banner “Water Education and Community Outreach initiatives” provides, a number of rural ,urban and semi –urban schools and communities within our area of operation, with vast knowledge on water and environmental issues.
These programmes are conducted to ensure that learners and communities (especially where uMngeni-Uthukela Water is implementing Capex Projects) understand our source-to-sea process, water and wastewater treatment processes, the value of water, water conservation, sanitation, health, hygiene and environmental issues.
Awareness initiatives on water, environment and health; and hygiene education were conducted through three targeted programmes during the reporting period namely:
During the reporting period, Servitude Encroachment, Waste Management, Illegal Sand Mining as well as Water, Environment and Biodiversity awareness were the themes that activations focused on, with the aim of educating and creating awareness on the importance of all spheres and their impact. Active learning through recognition of prior knowledge and guided questioning ensured that all stakeholders that participated were kept engaged.
uMngeni-uThukela Water’s education initiatives included outreach programmes to raise awareness around water safety, water supply, water pollution, water conservation, climate change and environmental health. Programmes implemented included awareness events, clean-up campaigns and commemoration of special environmental day events.
84 communities across the organisation’s area of operation were reached. Activities included awareness talks to youth and women’s groups, conducting river clean-ups, invasive alien plants removal and greening initiatives, as well as creating awareness activations at various taxi ranks and shopping centres in collaboration with internal stakeholders and some of our Municipal stakeholders.
The areas reached were as follows:
Schools outreach engagements were conducted at 94 schools within UUW’s operational area. 18 Workshops for educators representing various schools were conducted in Vulindlela (Emafakatini and Nadi Areas), Sweetwaters. Sobantu, Enguka, Vulindlela/Nadi, Bulwer, Mbali, Fernhill, Groutville, Nagina.
Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu, Chatsworth, Phoenix and Cato Manor). 40 Plant tours were conducted for schools and higher institutions of learning at Durban Heights Water Treatment Works, Lower Thukela Water Treatment Works, Midmar Water Treatment Works, Umzinto Water Treatment Works, Mhlabatshane Water Treatment Works and Darvil Wastewater Treatment Works and Howick Wastewater Treatment Works.
The schools adopted during the reporting period were part of the schools that have been adopted for a period of three years, from July 2022 until June 2025. The distribution of the 21 adopted schools are as follows: six (6) schools within UMgungundlovu District Municipality, one (1) school within Harry Gwala District Municipality, three (3) schools in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, four (4) school in Ugu District Municipality and seven (7) schools within iLembe District Municipality.
Activities implemented at these schools included waste management, climate change, Cleaning and greening awareness, tree planting, career guidance, Invasive plants, marine awareness, handwashing, health, hygiene and sanitation awareness, wetlands and water awareness, tapped buckets for each classroom sponsored to each school to be used for water management, Earth Day Awareness, Biodiversity Awareness, World Environment Day Awareness as well as Water and Dam Safety Awareness, . Umhloti Primary attended the Reptile Awareness Workshop held at Hazelmere Dam. CSI Handover was done at Egoli Primary. The funds were used for a new school gate as well as a jungle gym for the Grade Rs. Zamukwe Primary visited Mhlabatshane WW for a site tour and Umhloti Primary attended a Biodiversity Day Awareness programme held at Hazelmere Dam.
In each of the projects under construction, local community participation is ensured through local employment, skills development, and support to local businesses through local CPG opportunities.
A total of 1220 local labour has been employed during this reporting period whilst 147 local companies have participated as CPGs in the various projects. During this reporting period UUW has offered training to 120 community members under various projects. Training programmes included skills relevant to the construction industry including shutter hand, concrete Hand, bricklaying, steel fixing, concrete mixing, form work, Plastering, Carpentry, Gabions, working on heights, health and safety, basic first aid and CPR, soil analysis, conflict resolution, minute taking & report writing. Graduate Trainees programmes were offered to five candidates.
Social Risk Index
During the reporting period, the total CSI investment was R11 075 00.00. This represents 1% increase in CSI investment compared to the previous year of 2023/2024.
During the reporting period of 2024/2025, 13 projects were completed as tabulated in Table 10.7
As per Impact shown in Table 10.7 above, the implementation of the CSI projects created opportunities for 33 Local SMMEs, 73 employment opportunities and assisted more than 10 000 individuals.
