Whilst South African businesses have long shown commitment to CSR, and have seen the significant benefits in regards to the triple bottom line - economic, social and environmental capital, until now South African businesses have not been formally recognised or rewarded for these initiatives.

For the past 10 years however, businesses across West Africa have had the opportunity to showcase their CSR projects and be awarded and recognized for the most innovative, effective and sustainable projects through the Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAs).

A range of top businesses including MTN, Exxon Mobile, Samsung, Total Nigeria and British American Tobacco have all been recognised by the SERAs for their CSR initiatives across West Africa. Now in 2016, for the first time, businesses from east and South Africa can also have their CSR initiatives recognized and rewarded.

The Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards is expanding beyond its West African roots and is now open to businesses in east and southern Africa. South African businesses can now enter their Corporate Social Responsibility projects in this year’s awards and be recognized across the continent and beyond for innovative and sustainable CSR work.

The theme for the 2016 Awards is Sustainable Development Goals and the Future of Africa: Organisations as the Game Changers, based on the understanding that Africa’s businesses and organisations are leading the change on the continent. Recognising this work is of critical importance in ensuring the continued sustainability of CSR on the continent.

The SERAs understand that more and more consumers are interested in the processes behind the brand they support and if they indeed contribute to societal equity and justice as well as helping the world meet the sustainable development goals.

As part of its programme to recognise the importance of CSR, the SERAs also produce The Social Enterprise Report that documents the sustainability interventions of corporate organisations across Africa. This publication targets all the players in CSR and sustainability, thus providing an effective, unique and strategic platform for corporate organizations to demonstrate to their stakeholders how they are positively impacting and engaging with the communities where they do business.

Companies can enter in a range of Award categories as well as based on their size. The awards are adjudicated by an international panel of experts including Indira Kartallozi (founder Chrysalis Family Future based in the UK), Rob Okiyi (Standards Org of Nigeria), Tunde Arogunmati ( president- Nigeria Britain Chamber of Commerce), Dr Veronica Broomes (British sustainability expert), Deborah Leipziger (American and author of Corporate Responsibility code book and SA8000 and worked intensively with the UN amongst others.)

Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to enter in one of the following cateogories here.  

For more information, visit. theseras.com. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.