Partnership executive Eunatancia Maisiri from implementation partner Afrika Tikkun accepted the award from award judge Gugu McLaren-Ushewokunze, the head of economic inclusion at the National Business Initiative.
BritelinkMCT's Head Start Programme takes 2024 Trialogue Strategic CSI Award
For immediate release
Johannesburg, 3 December 2024
Corporate responsibility consultancy Trialogue is pleased to announce that BritelinkMCT's Head Start programme has been named the winner of the 2024 Trialogue Strategic CSI Award. The award recognises the programme for its outstanding achievement in combining meaningful social impact with substantial business benefits, exemplifying the core principles of strategic corporate social investment.
Addressing youth unemployment
South Africa’s burgeoning youth unemployment crisis, which sees nearly 60% of young people aged 15-24 unable to find work, is a threat to economic growth and social stability. The situation is particularly acute among young people without tertiary education or specialised skills, catalysing a cycle of poverty that spans generations.
The problem is too extensive for government initiatives to solve alone, making the private sector’s involvement essential. Companies are well positioned to provide skills development aligned with actual market needs, offer real-world work experience and create direct pathways to employment. Their involvement in reducing youth unemployment goes beyond social responsibility. Instead, it represents a strategic investment in South Africa's future workforce and economic stability.
Full-service optical fibre company BritelinkMCT has demonstrated this vision through its Head Start programme, which provides comprehensive training and work experience to unemployed youth in the optical fibre installation industry. The initiative, which has been operating successfully since 2018, offers a six-month programme combining theoretical learning with practical skills development. The programme operates across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, strategically targeting areas with high unemployment rates.
Creating sustainable employment opportunities
In 2023/24, the programme enrolled 216 unemployed young people. Of these, 177 participants completed the six-month training and work experience, with an impressive 75% of graduates (121 participants) securing full-time employment with BritelinkMCT.
In addition to technical training, the programme’s comprehensive support for participants, including stipends for travel and living costs, delivered higher completion rates and better overall outcomes in comparison to projects lacking such support mechanisms.
Participants showed measurable improved technical competency post training. Employer feedback consistently indicates that trained participants meet or exceed industry standards in both technical skills and workplace readiness.
Strengthening company skills
The Head Start Programme has delivered significant business value for BritelinkMCT, creating a robust talent pipeline of skilled professionals in the optical fibre installation sector.
The programme has successfully reduced the company’s recruitment and onboarding costs, improved operational efficiency through a well-trained workforce and improved the company's broad-based black economic empowerment rating through its socio-economic development points contribution. It has also helped to strengthen stakeholder relationships and corporate reputation, while boosting employee morale through visible social impact.
A clear demonstration of strategic CSI
The Award judges were Gugu McLaren-Ushewokunze, the head of economic inclusion at the National Business Initiative, and Bhekinkosi Moyo, adjunct professor at Wits Business School and director of the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment.
Scoring each entry against the project’s objectives, social benefits and corporate benefits, the judging panel praised BritelinkMCT's initiative for its strategic approach.
"BritelinkMCT's Head Start Programme was a clear demonstration of a well-thought-through and designed approach that addresses the challenge of youth unemployment through skills development and employment while simultaneously ensuring skills and talent within the company. The programme has a 75% absorption rate, which indicates the clear link to business need."
BritelinkMCT’s implementation partner Afrika Tikkun accepted the award on behalf of BritelinkMCT at at the Trialogue Business in Society Handbook 2024 launch on 3 December 2024.
“BritelinkMCT is the fastest growing fibre installation company. Through their CSI we were able to assist them build a talent pool to contribute to fighting youth unemployment,” says partnership executive Eunatancia Maisiri “We are delighted to accept this award on their behalf as we continue our partnership which enables the young people who come through our programme to reach their full potential.”
The judges gave commendable mentions to AECI’s Petco waste management programme, which creates a revenue stream for unemployed women and youth, and Standard Bank’s OneFarm Share project, which provides fresh, nutritious produce for those facing meal uncertainty.
Entries for the 2025 Trialogue Strategic CSI Award can be submitted from May 2025. For more information, email lerato@trialogue.co.za.
To read more: The Trialogue Business in Society Handbook 2024 can be downloaded free at https://trialogue.co.za/businessinsocietyhandbook/
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About Trialogue's Strategic CSI Award
Since 2014, the Trialogue Strategic CSI Award has recognised projects that exemplify strategic corporate social investment. The award celebrates projects that successfully balance positive developmental impact with business benefits.
For more information about the Trialogue Strategic CSI Award or to learn more about strategic CSI implementation, visit www.trialogue.co.za.
About Trialogue
Trialogue is a niche corporate responsibility consultancy with almost three decades of
industry research and experience. The company provides consulting and thought leadership services to clients in sustainability and corporate social investment (CSI).
Launch of the Trialogue Business in Society Handbook 2024 with primary research:
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Partnership executive Eunatancia Maisiri from implementation partner Afrika Tikkun accepted the award from award judge Gugu McLaren-Ushewokunze, the head of economic inclusion at the National Business Initiative.
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