South Africa is one of over a dozen countries going to the polls in 2024, and the elections come at a time when the nation faces a myriad of problems, including the load-shedding crisis, widespread corruption, record unemployment levels and a flagging economy.
The months leading up to the 29 May polls have been marked by a chorus of calls for citizens, in particular the youth, to turn out and cast their ballots in the national and provincial elections.
Trialogue Director Cathy Duff added her voice to these calls when she opened the consultancy’s annual two-day Business in Society Conference on 14 May.
Duff urged the 600-plus delegates and online participants to vote.
She also called on them to ensure their “colleagues and communities” also make their mark.
“I would encourage everyone to vote wisely in the upcoming elections and to do all that you can to ensure that your colleagues and communities can do the same,” said Duff as she welcomed the delegates and opened the conference.
She also urged the business leaders, managers and non-profit organisation representatives in the audience to take their work beyond the conference.
“As leaders, speak out about sustainability and social issues. When we survey companies many leaders are not speaking out on these issues and if you can do that and encourage your other organisational leaders to do it, I think it will make a big difference.”
She advised social impact practitioners to ensure their corporate social investment strategies are “aligned to your business strategy”, as well as national and global goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
Duff asked the delegates to take care of their mental health and consider mental health support within their organisations.
“I think we can all advocate for a number of things within our organiaations – be they companies or non-profits. First, for racial and gender equity and equality of pay; for better and improved ESG initiatives and performance, as well as disclosure; for ESG skills at a board level and for organisational just transition strategies for the net-zero world.”
She said the “impact of the audience would be felt by the efforts and the work” of the delegates and sponsors.