At Blue Label, our commitment to sustainability extends beyond just business practices. It is embedded in our core purpose: driving financial inclusion, opportunity, and convenience for the mass market. This purpose translates to a strong focus on supporting vulnerable groups through our procurement practices and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Our data demonstrates Blue Label's focus on procurement and growing our supplier base to include more vulnerable populations:
| Procurement suppliers | 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exempted micro-enterprises (EME) | 192 | 126 | ||
| Qualifying small enterprises (QSE) | 73 | 74 | ||
| Generic suppliers | 327 | 200 | ||
| 50% black-owned (BO) | 242 | 150 | ||
| 30% black women-owned (BWO) | 111 | 93 |
We are pleased with the number of EMEs, QSEs and black-owned businesses that form part of our supplier base. In 2025, we will prioritise onboarding more businesses in the QSE segment.
Our commitment to social responsibility extends beyond just procurement. We are proud to support flagship beneficiaries like Boys and Girls Club, Christel House, and Women and Men Against Child Abuse. These organisations make a significant difference in South Africa.
Education is the cornerstone of opportunity. We are proud to partner with Education Africa, a non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming lives in disadvantaged communities through education.
Our collaboration brings online learning opportunities to preschool educators who previously lacked access to such resources. This initiative empowers educators with the skills and knowledge they need to nurture young minds and create enriching learning environments for all children.
By investing in early childhood education, we lay the foundation for a brighter future for both educators and the children they serve. This partnership reflects our commitment to creating positive change and empowering communities through the power of education.
By combining strategic procurement practices with targeted social investments, Blue Label strives to create a lasting positive impact for vulnerable groups, small businesses, and the communities we operate in through job creation and education.
Blue Label supports Christel House School, located in Cape Town, which provides a comprehensive educational framework from primary to high school, fostering a safe and supportive environment for children to develop essential life skills. Beyond academics, the organisation offers an array of extracurricular activities, empowering students to become active members of society and pursue their passions.
Blue Label Telecoms serves as a vital pipeline, channelling youth into skills development programmes in the Western Cape. Additionally, Blue Label Telecoms has established partnerships with a network of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres across eight surrounding townships, ensuring a seamless transition for students into its educational programmes. BLT also supports 15 unemployed youth through our Youth Bridge programs focused on getting our youth to work.
The Trust Blu U-Belong project was co-funded by The Trust Blu Foundation and T3SA, with T3SA serving as the implementation partner. The project provided job opportunities for 170 learners and the possible opportunity to open their own businesses.
The Trust Blu Foundation also assisted Adopt-a-School by acquiring interactive smartboards for three schools in Gauteng. This advanced technology enhances teaching and learning. The schools include:
Over the past two years, Blue Label has selected and built relationships with beneficiaries that align with our purpose. We aim to create an ecosystem whereby we can work together with beneficiaries, as discussed in our Trust Blu Report found on the Trust Blu Foundation webpage
At Blue Label, we believe in fostering sustainable development within the communities we serve. We actively support initiatives that equip local businesses with the resources and infrastructure they need to thrive.
Sizanani, a community development initiative in Orange Farm in Gauteng, supports infrastructure development and community connectivity. Blue Label has partnered with Sizanani to provide solar electricity for 298 households in the area. This project creates jobs, improves living standards, and unlocks economic opportunities for the entire community.
We foster a culture of giving back by encouraging employee participation in various social responsibility programmes. Blue Label participates in initiatives such as the "Xmas Run" that raises support for children who wouldn't otherwise receive festive season gifts.
We also donated used books to beneficiary libraries, which are key educational resources for the children in their communities. This initiative is a channel for Blue Label employees to contribute directly to the education of vulnerable populations.
Blue Label recognises the vital role we play in serving our community. Our extensive network of informal market merchants selling our products is a testament to Blue Label's positive impact on local businesses and livelihoods.
Blue Label's 2025 focus areas demonstrate its commitment to long-term, sustainable development in several key areas:
Blue Label Integrated Annual Report 2024
