Empowerment
Sovereign Foods is proud of its BBBEE business partnerships and, as a responsible corporate citizen, fully supports the aims of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act and advances its objectives wherever possible.
In particular the Group:
• Applies the provisions of the Act through its policies of employment equity in appointing and managing its human resources; and
• Benefits the communities in the Eastern Cape province where it conducts its business by supporting and funding the development of emerging farmers.
Sovereign Foods practises preferential procurement. The four-year expansion programme recently completed, will further increase the number of BBBEE
broiler farms. The first BBBEE unit to be developed has been operational at Loerie since August 2007. The total investment in this project was R23 million,
funded by a state grant, a grant by Sovereign Foods and a bank loan. The second BBBEE farming partnership was launched early in 2009 in partnership
with the Simile Farmer’s Trust. Simile will take occupation of a state-of-the-art broiler farm and will manage the operation in accordance with a service level
agreement and with Sovereign as its exclusive customer.
Another major area of focus for Sovereign Foods is the development of local agricultural practices in the Eastern Cape. The Company is actively involved
with empowering black farmers by assisting them with setting up agricultural infrastructure as well as empowering them with the necessary farming and
enterprise skills. Additionally, Sovereign Foods secures the yield from these farming operations in order to ensure long-term sustainability of the projects.
Sovereign Foods, in conjunction with the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, continues to identify agricultural development opportunities in the
area as a means to utilise and develop the significant agricultural potential of the province. In addition to its involvement in the community’s social and
economic upliftment, the Company also places a major focus on not only fair employment practices but also the development of its staff.
In particular the Group:
• Applies the provisions of the Act through its policies of employment equity in appointing and managing its human resources; and
• Benefits the communities in the Eastern Cape province where it conducts its business by supporting and funding the development of emerging farmers.
Sovereign Foods practises preferential procurement. The four-year expansion programme recently completed, will further increase the number of BBBEE
broiler farms. The first BBBEE unit to be developed has been operational at Loerie since August 2007. The total investment in this project was R23 million,
funded by a state grant, a grant by Sovereign Foods and a bank loan. The second BBBEE farming partnership was launched early in 2009 in partnership
with the Simile Farmer’s Trust. Simile will take occupation of a state-of-the-art broiler farm and will manage the operation in accordance with a service level
agreement and with Sovereign as its exclusive customer.
Another major area of focus for Sovereign Foods is the development of local agricultural practices in the Eastern Cape. The Company is actively involved
with empowering black farmers by assisting them with setting up agricultural infrastructure as well as empowering them with the necessary farming and
enterprise skills. Additionally, Sovereign Foods secures the yield from these farming operations in order to ensure long-term sustainability of the projects.
Sovereign Foods, in conjunction with the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, continues to identify agricultural development opportunities in the
area as a means to utilise and develop the significant agricultural potential of the province. In addition to its involvement in the community’s social and
economic upliftment, the Company also places a major focus on not only fair employment practices but also the development of its staff.
