Woolworths is committed to Social Justice
World Social Justice Day is a moment to reflect on the scourge of poverty and inequality gripping our societies. Commemorated globally every year on 20 February, the day gives us an opportunity to assess and deepen our commitment to social justice, including economic inclusion.
According to the World Bank’s Poverty, Prosperity and Planet Report 2024 titled Pathways Out of the Polycrisis, the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down poverty reduction efforts, making it difficult to cut the extreme-poverty rate to 3 percent by 2030. About 1.7 billion people or 20 percent of the global population live in high-inequality economies and these are concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Locally, the South African unemployment rate remains stubbornly high. About 8 million people were unemployed in South Africa and 13 million not economically active in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to Statistics South Africa.
While the global and local statistics on poverty and unemployment give us a glimpse to specific data, the numbers conceal a terrifying picture of poverty. This is a world where millions of people do not have access to food to silence their growling stomachs – a basic human right.
World Social Justice Day is an opportunity to ask ourselves what we are doing and plan to do to create access, diversity, inclusion and culture of belonging and acceptance – Leaving no one behind. At Woolworths we believe social justice is an anchor of a stable and sustainable business environment. In line with our purpose of adding quality to life and our vision to be one of the world’s most responsible retailers, Woolworths started the Inclusive Justice Initiative, as part of our Good Business Journey.
Our Inclusive Justice Initiative commitment reflects our pledge to understand our people, promote
diversity, inclusion and create a culture of belonging and acceptance across our business and enhance the wellbeing of our employees, customers and communities.
This includes addressing social justice issues such as racism, genderism, homophobia, gender-based violence, economic exclusion, food insecurity, youth unemployment, unfair pay, and the failing small to medium businesses and ethical and local sourcing.
To contribute -to addressing these challenges, we first had to acknowledge that we do not have all
the answers to the challenges facing society. In addressing this vulnerability Woolworths partnered with the iconic Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, an institution which seeks to nurture our courage as leaders to heal from the wounds of discrimination, prejudice and conflict in societies.
Through sessions facilitated by the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, our most senior executives leadership embarked on a journey of education and development of moral courage on issues of freedom, justice and equality. While this process necessitates having difficult and, at times, uncomfortable conversations, it gives us the opportunity to build long-term strength and the bravery to respond to social justice matters.
Our learning journey has not stopped us from acting, we are building the aircraft as it flies. Over the past year Woolworths’ Social Justice interventions included:
Workplace efforts
- In October 2024, we increased our Just Wage to R45 per hour, well above the national
minimum wage of R28.79, which will take effect in March 2025. - 901 employees on learnerships.
- 114 unemployed youths enrolled on learnerships targeting people with disabilities.
Community Efforts - Woolworths donated R816 million of quality edible surplus food to under-resourced communities.
- Allocated R26 million over the past five years, towards projects aimed at encouraging communities to grow their own food and reduce reliance on external support.
Small Business Development efforts
- Increased our procurement support to small and medium enterprises by 42 percent to R4
billion over the last year, helping to stimulate inclusive growth. - Contributed R7 billion towards the revenues of black and black women- owned suppliers.
Through Woolworths’ support, companies like XXL Brand Solutions, a digital printing enterprise led by 29-year-old Razeeq Van Oudtshoorn, quadrupled its turnover and doubled its workforce. - Granted R2 million in cash to young entrepreneurs in the Woolworths Youth Makers programme.
This is not an exhaustive list of our causes nor a boasting opportunity. It is a reflection of our efforts in our Inclusive Justice journey and reaffirmation of our commitment to help build a more inclusive and equal society.
Pic: Zinzi Mgolodela Woolworths Director of Corporate Social Justice
