{"id":3008,"date":"2019-11-12T10:39:32","date_gmt":"2019-11-12T08:39:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/?page_id=3008"},"modified":"2020-06-19T08:38:37","modified_gmt":"2020-06-19T06:38:37","slug":"our-focus-on-human-and-social-and-relationship-capitals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/focus-on-south-africa\/our-focus-on-human-and-social-and-relationship-capitals\/","title":{"rendered":"Our focus on human and social and relationship capitals"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"container\">\r\n\r\n<p class=\"blurb\">Building an employee base reflecting South Africa&rsquo;s demographic diversity is a crucial part of our social mandate and contributes to SPAR&rsquo;s success.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"accordion\" id=\"accordionExample\">\r\n  <div class=\"card\">\r\n    <div class=\"card-header\" id=\"headingOne\">\r\n      <h2 class=\"mb-0\">\r\n        <button class=\"btn btn-link collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapseOne\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapseOne\">\r\n          Employee demographics support transformation\r\n        <\/button>\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <div id=\"collapseOne\" class=\"collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"headingOne\" data-parent=\"#accordionExample\">\r\n      <div class=\"card-body\">\r\n        \r\n        <p>Employee demographics are a core measure of successful and meaningful transformation embracing diversity, promoting equal opportunity and creating access to a wide range of skills, talents and ideas. Transformation is a priority for the group, and we have allocated this responsibility to our executives.<\/p>\r\n        \r\n\t\t  <div class=\"row\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"highlight\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"percentage\">4 476<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Employees across our corporate offices, distribution centres and warehouses in South Africa<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"old-value\">(2018: 3 743)<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"highlight\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"percentage\">86.23%<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Total permanent black employees as a percentage of total employees<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"old-value\">(2018: 84.8%)<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"highlight\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"percentage\">18.74%<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Total permanent black female employees as a percentage of total employees<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"old-value\">(2018: 21.3%)<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"highlight\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"percentage\">No complaints\/fines <\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>We adhere to relevant South African labour legislation and standards<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"old-value\"><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t  \r\n\t\t  \r\n\t\t <a href=\"http:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/pdf\/SPAR_fact_sheet_employee_data_2019.pdf\" class=\"download-fl\">\r\n\t\t\t <div class=\"flex\"><div class=\"\"><i class=\"fas fa-arrow-down verticalr\"><\/i><\/div> <div class=\"col\">Download the employee data fact sheet with additional detail regarding SPAR&rsquo;s black employees as a percentage of our total employees and the split between male and female across all race groups.<\/div><\/div> <\/a> \r\n        \r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"card\">\r\n    <div class=\"card-header\" id=\"headingTwo\">\r\n      <h2 class=\"mb-0\">\r\n        <button class=\"btn btn-link collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapseTwo\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseTwo\">\r\n          New employee hires and turnover rate\r\n        <\/button>\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapseTwo\" class=\"collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"headingTwo\" data-parent=\"#accordionExample\">\r\n      <div class=\"card-body\">\r\n        \r\n        <p>While employee retention is important to us, we recognise that an appropriate level of turnover is healthy and creates growth opportunities. SPAR&rsquo;s ability to attract diverse, qualified employees further reflects the strength of our brand as an employer of choice.<\/p>\r\n        <div class=\"row\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"highlight\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"percentage\">815<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>New employees<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"old-value\">(2018: 91)<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"highlight\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"percentage\">266<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Employee exits<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"old-value\">(2018: 242)<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"highlight\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"percentage\">6.85%<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Group turnover<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"old-value\">(2018: 6.9%)<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/pdf\/SPAR_fact_sheet_employee_data_2019.pdf\" class=\"download-fl\">\r\n\t\t\t <div class=\"flex\"><div class=\"\"><i class=\"fas fa-arrow-down verticalr\"><\/i><\/div> <div class=\"col\">Download the employee data fact sheet with additional detail about new employee hires and employee turnover according to age, gender and percentage of black employees.<\/div><\/div> <\/a> \r\n\t\t\t \r\n\t\t\t \r\n        \r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"card\">\r\n    <div class=\"card-header\" id=\"headingThree\">\r\n      <h2 class=\"mb-0\">\r\n        <button class=\"btn btn-link collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapseThree\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseThree\">\r\n          Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment \r\n        <\/button>\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapseThree\" class=\"collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"headingThree\" data-parent=\"#accordionExample\">\r\n      <div class=\"card-body\">\r\n        \r\n        <p>Our broad-based black economic empowerment score is measured as a group in South Africa and includes the central office and eight distribution centres. The group is a level 5 contributor (2018: level 6), with a 80% recognition level.<\/p>\r\n        \r\n        \r\n        \r\n        \r\n        <a href=\"http:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/pdf\/B-BBEE_Certificate.pdf\" class=\"download-fl\">\r\n\t\t\t <div class=\"flex\"><div class=\"\"><i class=\"fas fa-arrow-down verticalr\"><\/i><\/div> <div class=\"col\">Download our rating per the respective elements and our broad-based black economic empowerment scorecard here. <\/div><\/div> <\/a> \r\n        \r\n        \r\n        \r\n        \r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"card\">\r\n    <div class=\"card-header\" id=\"headingFour\">\r\n      <h2 class=\"mb-0\">\r\n        <button class=\"btn btn-link collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapseFour\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseFour\">\r\n          Employee development\r\n        <\/button>\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapseFour\" class=\"collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"headingFour\" data-parent=\"#accordionExample\">\r\n      <div class=\"card-body\">\r\n        \r\n        <p>Employee development programmes are run through the SPAR Academy of Learning. These programmes are crucial to attracting, retaining and developing a diverse talent pool and are supplemented by <em>ad hoc<\/em> training. In line with our transformation imperative, development programmes target previously disadvantaged candidates and female employees.<\/p>\r\n\t\t  \r\n        <div class=\"row\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"highlight\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"percentage\">904<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Hours of training received by executives and non-executives<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"old-value\"><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"highlight\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"percentage\">40 256<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Hours of training received by female employees<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"old-value\"><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"highlight\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"percentage\"><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>SPAR participates in national efforts to address unemployment including the youth employment service (YES) initiative and jumpstart<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"old-value\"><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n       <p>During the year, 54 504 days (2018: 16 316) were spent on our corporate office, distribution centres, as well as our retailer and retail employee training in South Africa. Courses cover a wide spectrum from picker and to cashier training to executive development for executive members and national guild retailers. In total, R28.4 million was spent on training (2018: R22.9 million), which reached 89&nbsp;500 employees (2018: 7&nbsp;204).<\/p>\r\n        <p>The SPAR Academy of Learning launched four new programmes in the past year:<\/p>\r\n        <ul>\r\n          <li>The <strong>executive leadership development programme<\/strong> (NQF level 8 aligned) was launched in 2019 after a pilot of this 12-month leadership programme ran in 2018. This is the first programme of its kind to include head office, distribution centre leaders and national guild retailers. The programme includes an evaluation of SPAR&rsquo;s relevance, strategy and processes in terms of the global economy. Participants apply frameworks and tools to ensure sustainability and use integrated thinking and ethical reasoning to assess the role of business in society.<\/li>\r\n          <li>The <strong>future leaders programme<\/strong> is an eight-month programme designed and implemented in the Western Cape for retailers&rsquo; children and family members or young and upcoming shareholders in their businesses. It prepares them to continue their parents&rsquo; legacy and facilitate the generational handover. The programme will be rolled out in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape in 2020. It includes elements of entrepreneurial and systemic thinking, stakeholder collaboration and emotional intelligence.<\/li>\r\n          <li>The new <strong>management growth programme<\/strong> is a revamped version of the 18-month mini Master of Business Administration programme, run in collaboration with the Rhodes Business School which has been running for 10 years. This year it included 10 of our most prominent young SPAR and Build it retailers and 15 of our top talent from the distribution centres and head office. It included four immersive experiences, focused on personal development, coaching and 24 e-learning modules.<\/li>\r\n          <li>The new <strong>SPAR leadership development programme<\/strong> underwent a significant overhaul to align its outcomes to the new SPAR supermarket strategy and now includes seasoned, high-profile retailers. The 14-month experiential programme is designed to develop leadership capabilities in a volatile, changing and connected economy. Five retailers and 11 top talented SPAR distribution centre and head office executives and senior leaders attended. The programme is unique because is designed around specific models, frameworks and highly experiential learning methodologies.<\/li>\r\n        <\/ul>\r\n        <p class=\"quote\">&ldquo;I would with no doubt recommend the executive leadership development programme to all prospective candidates within SPAR. There is so much uncertainty in today&rsquo;s global environment which directly or indirectly impact our businesses with added local complexities and volatility in markets making this course perfect in navigating so much ambiguity to stay ahead of the game. The course removed the fear of the unknown and made me realise that by continually being innovative, it is possible to not only succeed but grow the business exponentially.&rdquo; Abel Mponda, retailer<\/p>\r\n        <p class=\"quote\">&ldquo;I would definitely recommend the programme because of the interaction with different retailers from different distribution centres and the high-level focus on the future, growth, innovation and leadership. The interaction from guest speakers was exciting, interesting and relevant. Gave me hope for the future in an ever-changing environment.&rdquo; &#8211; Theo Borstlap, retailer<\/p>\r\n         <a href=\"http:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/pdf\/SPAR_fact_sheet_employee_data_2019.pdf\" class=\"download\"><i class=\"fas fa-arrow-down\"><\/i> Download the employee data fact sheet with additional detail about our various skills development programmes and the average hours of training received by SPAR&rsquo;s employees according to gender and employee category. <\/a>\r\n        \r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"card\">\r\n    <div class=\"card-header\" id=\"headingFive\">\r\n      <h2 class=\"mb-0\">\r\n        <button class=\"btn btn-link collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapseFive\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseFive\">\r\n          Health and safety\r\n        <\/button>\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapseFive\" class=\"collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"headingFive\" data-parent=\"#accordionExample\">\r\n      <div class=\"card-body\">\r\n        <p>Our comprehensive risk management programme protects our employees&rsquo; health and safety. It is regularly audited by an external risk management service provider. Components of the programme include emergency planning, health and safety, transport, fire and security. Implementation is monitored and reviewed continuously, underpinned by the understanding that legislative compliance is the minimum standard and excellence should be pursued.<\/p>\r\n        <p>Most health and safety incidents occur at distribution centres where employees handle bulk goods and operate heavy machinery. Therefore, each distribution centre has a Health and Safety Committee overseeing regular training and emergency drills, and resolving or escalating issues that arise.<\/p>\r\n        \r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"highlight\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"percentage\">972<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Employees who received health and safety training<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"old-value\">(2018: 887)<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"highlight\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"percentage\">8 808<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Employees who visited on-site clinics  <\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"old-value\">(2018: 10 865)<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"highlight\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"percentage\">0<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Deaths on duty<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"old-value\">(2018: 0)<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n<a href=\"http:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/pdf\/SPAR_fact_sheet_employee_data_2019.pdf\" class=\"download-fl\">\r\n\t\t\t <div class=\"flex\"><div class=\"\"><i class=\"fas fa-arrow-down verticalr\"><\/i><\/div> <div class=\"col\">Download the employee data fact sheet for additional detail about our health and safety performance. <\/div><\/div> <\/a> \r\n\r\n        \r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"spacer20\"><\/div>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"nav nav-tabs no-fit\" id=\"myTab\" role=\"tablist\">\r\n  <li class=\"nav-item\">\r\n    <a class=\"nav-link !active\" id=\"Youth-tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\" href=\"#Youth\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"Youth\" aria-selected=\"true\">Saying yes to youth employment\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/li>\r\n  <li class=\"nav-item\">\r\n    <a class=\"nav-link\" id=\"Leaders-tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\" href=\"#Leaders\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"profile\" aria-selected=\"false\">Developing retail leaders of the future\r\n\t    \r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/li>\r\n  <li class=\"nav-item\">\r\n    <a class=\"nav-link\" id=\"Value-tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\" href=\"#Value\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"contact\" aria-selected=\"false\">Transformation of our value chain\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"tab-content\" id=\"myTabContent\">\r\n\t<div class=\"tab-pane fade !show !active\" id=\"Youth\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"Youth-tab\">\r\n\t\t<p>SPAR actioned its commitment to the youth employment services (YES) programme by recruiting 450 learners. YES recognises the critical role the youth play in shaping our economy and our country.<\/p>\r\n\t  <p>From September 2019, 450 YES participants will be joining SPAR stores. This follows a recruitment process focusing on attracting youth with scarce skills or the potential to offer these skills in stores. These typically include bakery, butchery, home-meal replacements, fresh produce, <em>Beantree<\/em> and goods receiving training, as well as plumbing and electricity for Build it.<\/p>\r\n        <p>The programme will be done in collaboration with suppliers, and will combine practical learning with e-learning and classroom elements.<\/p>\r\n        <p>We strive to produce high-calibre trainees who will have the best chance at success; retailers will be vying for their services at the end of the programme.<\/p>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t  \r\n\t  \r\n\t  \r\n\t<div class=\"tab-pane fade\" id=\"Leaders\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"Leaders-tab\">\r\n\t\t<p>With the first group of SPAR executive managers and senior retailers completing the SPAR executive leadership programme, the second group commenced their programme. Feedback from the first programme was exceptionally positive as it brought retailers and managers together, and helped them look at the business in terms of joint challenges.<\/p>\r\n\t  \r\n\t \t  <p>Since the first programme&rsquo;s success, retailers requested that SPAR create a similar, structured and formal development opportunity for retailers&rsquo; children, who are set to be the next generation of SPAR retailers. This programme, developed in collaboration with the University of Stellenbosch Business School, will be fully funded by retailers who see the benefit in their succession planning.<\/p>\r\n\t  \r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"tab-pane fade\" id=\"Value\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"Value-tab\">\r\n\t\t<p>The two biggest challenges in growing and transforming the SPAR footprint is the availability of experienced black retailers and funding. We continue attracting and developing retailers from within the SPAR network, including identifying and training new entrants and exploring alternative funding mechanisms. <\/p>\r\n\t  \r\n\t  <p>Achievements to date include opening at least two stores in Soweto and several rural stores in KwaZulu-Natal. New SPAR Express stores are fully or partly owned by black retailers with a minimum 20% shareholding. SPAR provides funding to prospective retailers at preferential rates.<\/p>\r\n        <p>By the end of the financial year, there were approximately 320 black-owned SPAR stores.<\/p>\r\n        <p>The transformation of our supply base is challenging. The bulk of our major suppliers are non-compliant. We are working with them to drive improvement and compliance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2>Investing in communities<\/h2>\r\n<p class=\"blurb\">SPAR invested R18.2 million (2018: R17.7 million) in corporate social investment initiatives and <span class=\"keep\">R27.2 million<\/span> (2018: R26.1 million) in various sponsorship projects during the financial year. These contributions make a real difference to people and help inspire them to do and be more.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"accordion\" id=\"accordionExample2\">\r\n  <div class=\"card\">\r\n    <div class=\"card-header\" id=\"heading1\">\r\n      <h2 class=\"mb-0\">\r\n        <button class=\"btn btn-link collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse1\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapse1\">\r\n          Our family: The Next Generation\r\n        <\/button>\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <div id=\"collapse1\" class=\"collapse \" aria-labelledby=\"heading1\" data-parent=\"#accordionExample2\">\r\n      <div class=\"card-body\">\r\n        \r\n        <p>As a business and family, SPAR cannot hope to succeed without talented, motivated young people. This is the fourth year that SPAR worked in partnership with social enterprise, FutureMe, to connect and benefit businesses and high school learners.<\/p>\r\n        <p>This year, we collaborated with FutureMe to develop an innovative talent pipeline solution called the SPAR Go-Getter Experience. For 200 learners, the selection process was an exciting way to learn about career opportunities in the retail industry. For SPAR, the programme provided a platform for communicating our values, building our employer brand and identifying the next generation of our family.<\/p>\r\n        <p>The SPAR Go-Getter Experience comprised three events:<\/p>\r\n        <ul>\r\n          <li><strong>Career open day: <\/strong>we showcased careers in marketing, logistics and the culinary arts to 100 youngsters.<\/li>\r\n          <li><strong>Selection bootcamp: <\/strong>40 learners participated in work-readiness challenges ranging from customer service roleplays to moral debates and a logistics-themed race against the clock.<\/li>\r\n          <li><strong>Learning journey: <\/strong>we invited 30 learners to guided tours of SUPERSPAR Rosmead, SPAR SONSTRAAL, and the SPAR Western Cape distribution centre. The day ended with a practical information session about finding holiday work and launching a career at SPAR.<\/li>\r\n        <\/ul>\r\n        <p class=\"quote\">&ldquo;Why do I want to join the SPAR family? It&rsquo;s simple \u2014 I want to be part of something great. I want to be in a workplace where I&rsquo;m happy to be at work even on my bad days. I love the warm atmosphere and the amount of energy I receive when encountering a SPAR worker or even just walking into a store.&rdquo; &#8211; Byron, grade 11<\/p>\r\n        \r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"card\">\r\n    <div class=\"card-header\" id=\"heading2\">\r\n      <h2 class=\"mb-0\">\r\n        <button class=\"btn btn-link collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapse2\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseTwo\">\r\n         Caring for vulnerable children in Kwazulu-Natal\r\n        <\/button>\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div id=\"collapse2\" class=\"collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"heading2\" data-parent=\"#accordionExample2\">\r\n      <div class=\"card-body\">\r\n        <p>More than 300 vulnerable children from destitute communities find care and support at the Gozololo Centre for Needy Children. The KwaZulu-Natal distribution centre has been supporting Gozololo for about 15 years by providing them with dry groceries every month and perishable products every week. Gozololo operates three centres situated in the greater Durban area providing cr\u00e8che and aftercare facilities.<\/p>\r\n        <p>SPAR KwaZulu-Natal volunteers visited Gozololo on Mandela Day as part of SPAR KwaZulu-Natal&rsquo;s contribution of 67 minutes towards a worthy cause. This year, they served meals sourced from the local KwaMashu SUPERSPAR retailer to the children. Donations like cot bed mattresses, toys, stationery and school bags are made based on needs analyses conducted every year.<\/p>\r\n        <p>The SPAR KwaZulu-Natal distribution centre also supports Ingane Yami Village, a non-profit organisation established to help children affected by the growing Aids crisis in KwaZulu-Natal. The village provides a safe and supportive family environment where each child lives in a home with five other children and a foster mother. The distribution centre provides food via the local Hillcrest SUPERSPAR.<\/p>\r\n        \r\n        \r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"block-outer greybg\">\r\n\t<div class=\"container\">\r\n\r\n<div id=\"carouselExampleIndicators\" class=\"carousel slide\" data-ride=\"carousel\">\r\n  <ol class=\"carousel-indicators\">\r\n    <li data-target=\"#carouselExampleIndicators\" data-slide-to=\"0\" class=\"active\"><\/li>\r\n    <li data-target=\"#carouselExampleIndicators\" data-slide-to=\"1\"><\/li>\r\n  <\/ol>\r\n  <div class=\"carousel-inner\">\r\n    <div class=\"carousel-item active \">\r\n      <div class=\"block-inner greenbg clip \">\r\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"white nt\">Build it supports under 13 soccer<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\r\n\t\t\t  <div class=\"col-md-7\">\r\n\t\t\t\t   <p>Soccer is the most supported, played and popular sport in southern Africa. Since 2006, Build it supports soccer in the communities where our stores trade, focusing on under 13 players. This is the last year of primary school when teams typically experience higher levels of parent support.<\/p>\r\n        <p>The Build it U13 Festival is seen as one of the bigger youth development programmes in southern Africa. In the previous financial year, 221 stores participated with 56 576 players involved. Build it contributed R4.5 million and the stores a further R5.5 million. The sponsorship is now active in South Africa, Namibia, eSwatini and Mozambique.<\/p>\r\n        <p>Build it benefits from the sponsorship by building relationships with schools and parents who see Build it as their one-stop hardware solution. Build it is seen as a brand that invests in local communities where our stores trade. <\/p>\r\n        <p>We achieved full Premier Soccer League partnerships with Amazulu FC and Supersport FC, who use our soccer platform to scout new talent for teams. In 2018, Amazulu FC identified players for KwaZulu-Natal events and invited them to a camp in Durban. Players selected for the eSwatini national team were also chosen from our Build it U13 Festival.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t  <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t  <div class=\"col-md-5\">\r\n\t\t\t\t  <div class=\"CSI-img\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/images\/U-13.jpg\" alt=\"\">  \r\n<div class=\"spacer20\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t  \r\n\t\t\t\t  <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t  <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t  <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n       \t\t<\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"carousel-item \">\r\n      <div class=\"block-inner redbg clip \">\r\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"white nt\">Growing the SPAR family in the Western Cape<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\r\n\t\t\t\t  <div class=\"col-md-7\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t    <p>We are bringing Down&rsquo;s syndrome trainees into the SPAR family. In the Western Cape, SPAR works with Brownies &amp; Downies, a coffee shop and lunchroom that doubles as a training centre for adults with Down&rsquo;s syndrome, autism and fetal alcohol syndrome. Brownies &amp; Downies assists intellectually disabled people to be employable in the hospitality, service and retail sectors.<\/p>\r\n        <p>In 2018 SPAR committed to funding 30 Brownies &amp; Downies trainees and to place them with SPAR retailers where possible. Two trainees, for example, serve customers at the SPAR Plattekloof coffee shop every Wednesday. This is an opportunity for SPAR to help break down prejudice and to give Down&rsquo;s syndrome people a chance to enter mainstream employment. In this way, they gain a measure of independence and a feeling of self-worth.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t  <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t  <div class=\"col-md-5\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t  <div class=\"CSI-img\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t  \r\n\t\t\t\t\t  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/images\/B4D.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n<div class=\"spacer20\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t  <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t  <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t  <div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n       \t\t<\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    \r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  <a class=\"carousel-control-prev\" href=\"#carouselExampleIndicators\" role=\"button\" data-slide=\"prev\">\r\n    <span class=\"carousel-control-prev-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\r\n    <span class=\"sr-only\">Previous<\/span>\r\n  <\/a>\r\n  <a class=\"carousel-control-next\" href=\"#carouselExampleIndicators\" role=\"button\" data-slide=\"next\">\r\n    <span class=\"carousel-control-next-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\r\n    <span class=\"sr-only\">Next<\/span>\r\n  <\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Building an employee base reflecting South Africa&rsquo;s demographic diversity is a crucial part of our social mandate and contributes to SPAR&rsquo;s success. Employee demographics support transformation Employee demographics are a core measure of successful and meaningful transformation embracing diversity, promoting equal opportunity and creating access to a wide range of skills, talents and ideas. Transformation&#8230;  <a href=\"https:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/focus-on-south-africa\/our-focus-on-human-and-social-and-relationship-capitals\/\" class=\"more-link\" title=\"Read Our focus on human and social and relationship capitals\">Read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":2853,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-full-width.php","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3008"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3008"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3008\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4176,"href":"https:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3008\/revisions\/4176"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2853"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thespargroup.com\/ir2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}