Corporate Social investment

For all of us at Dimension Data, Corporate Social Investment (CSI) is an important business priority and integral to the achievement of our overall business strategy. We focus on partnerships with local communities that can contribute meaningfully to their continued viability and upliftment. We do this by supporting communities and individuals, with a focus on projects relating to skills development and education, community reconstruction projects, conservation, and disability.

We adopt a twofold approach to Corporate Social Investment. Firstly, as an organisation, we are committed to being a responsible corporate citizen by using our assets and core competencies to benefit the general community in which we operate, and secondly, we encourage our employees to volunteer their time and skills through a structured and managed CSI process.  This provides mutually beneficial results - employees are given the opportunity to uphold and demonstrate the Company values, as well as gain personal development and enrichment; while the community gains upliftment and advancement through Dimension Data’s investments and support. We believe that this secures our position in our communities and ultimately supports sustained success for Dimension Data.

How Employee Involvement makes a Positive Difference
Throughout the 2005 fiscal year, employees across the Group volunteered their time and skills for a number of initiatives.  Just a few of these activities are:

• Teaching at Dimension Data’s Saturday School in South Africa
• Improving the environment at Diepsloot Combined Schools in South Africa
• Refurbishing the children’s learning block at the Marian Centre in Australia
• Revitalising the St James Recreation Centre in New York
• Participation in Moon Walk for Breast Cancer in the United Kingdom.

Donations and Sponsorships
Dimension Data provides funding and sponsorship for a number of initiatives throughout the world in line with our commitment to projects relating to community reconstruction, disability and skills development and education. 

• Sponsorship of the National Paralympic Committee of South Africa
• Donation to UNICEF for the Tsunami Relief Fund – all seven Dimension Data regions, with funds raised by employees matched by Dimension Data
• Donation to Red Cross and Salvation Army in support of the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund
• Workplace giving in Australia – Dimension Data matches 50% of all employee donations
• Monetary support to Starfish in the United Kingdom
• Give as you earn schemes adopted in the United Kingdom enabling employees to donate directly to their charity of choice via payroll
• Donation to All Women’s Action Society in Malaysia

Support
Dimension Data supports a number or organisations, forums and educational facilities that contribute significantly to improving their communities and the environment.  Some initiatives include:

• CIDA City Campus in South Africa – sponsorship of the COO’s annual salary
• Member of the National Business Initiative and supporter of The Nations Trust
• Support of the Toys for Tots initiative at Christmas in North America
• Community Advisor Programme in partnership with Social Ventures Australia in Australia
• Support of Australia’s biggest community tree planting event run by Planet Ark
• Participating in Kiwanis Treasure Hunt in Malaysia providing gifts for children with Downs Syndrome