With a strong ethos of volunteering, Metropolitan ensures this mind set is inculcated amongst its employees, who are encouraged to get involved in community projects outside of the work environment. Through this approach, the company believes it can make a positive contribution not only to its employees and their respective communities, but to the South African society as a whole.
As a result of the outstanding efforts of the Metropolitan staff in embracing this spirit, the company initiated the Lesedi Awards (Sesotho word meaning light); and recognises those who continuously strive for the betterment of vulnerable people and communities by volunteering at non-profit organisations (NPOs) and assisting with charitable projects.
Charlene Lackay, Group CSI Manager Momentum Metropolitan Holdings, says the awards came about as a way to showcase the efforts of employees in uplifting and positively changing the lives of those around them. “The structure of the awards process is closely aligned with Momentum Metropolitan’s corporate values, including teamwork, integrity, diversity, accountability, innovation, impact and sustainability.”
Notably, nominees of the Lesedi Awards receive a contribution towards the organisations they choose to partner with.
One such Metropolitan employee, who was nominated for the Lesedi Awards in 2019, is Emma Brunette, who volunteers at the Great Girls NPO in Cape Town.
The Great Girls NPO is operated by a diverse group of women in the Cape Town region, with the objective of bridging the gap between high school education and full-time employment for disadvantaged girls in Grades 11 and 12. This education ultimately enables them to find meaningful full-time employment after leaving school to further their education at tertiary institutions.
The programme upskills the girls with numerous life skills to boost their future endeavours. Some of these include interview techniques and CV writing, budgeting, eloquence, basic labour law, employment do’s and don’ts, confidence building and assertiveness.
The NPO is an initiative which Brunette is enthusiastic about, and she commits her time to assisting with various tasks, big and small. This includes basic administrative tasks relating to the compilation of marketing material and application documentation for the project, as well as conducting information sessions at the CAFDA (The Cape Flats Development Association) School of Skills at the NGO, and mentoring four young women who are part of the programme.
“My passion to steer young women in the right direction is empowered by the support of Metropolitan,” comments Brunette. “The company’s values of excellence, accountability, innovation and integrity inspire my work with Great Girls, and I will continue to do my utmost to ensure that every girl I come into contact with is empowered to realise her full potential.”
In addition, Brunette compiles files for the girls with notes on each topic for future reference and presents to schools in the intake areas to ensure added visibility and heightened awareness.
“Emma’s contribution has been invaluable,” says Kristina Miller, Great Girls’ founder and trustee. “Her work has substantially lightened our admin load, and her continued passion to contribute to young women in the area has been inspiring.”