Jun 12, 2024

MetroFibre Achieves Level 1 BBBEE Rating

MetroFibre has achieved a Level One (1) BBBEE rating for 2024 under the ICT Sector Charter targets. The consistent improvement from a BBBEE level 4 in 2020 to level 2 in 2021 and then to level 1 in 2023 and again in 2024 is testament to MetroFibre’s commitment to transformation, enterprise development, skills development, especially for marginalised youth, and community investment.

 

“Transformation is an ongoing journey for our business. We focus on all five pillars of our transformation journey – ownership, management control, skills development, enterprise and supplier development including preferential procurement, and socio-economic development – with emphasis in the last year on supplier and enterprise development, management control and intensified skills development.

“Our commitment to and focus on skills development remains steadfast, with participation in several key initiatives, including the Yes4Youth programme which creates opportunities for young professionals and graduates to gain work experience and skills for the professional environment. We placed 81 Yes4Youth individuals from the year 2019 to 2023 and absorbed 56 into our permanent staff complement. This year, we have 23 new Yes4Youth individuals and last year, we absorbed 12 of our Yes4Youth individuals.

 

“Our learnership programmes focuses on learners living with disabilities – we currently have 12 learners on this programme, which is now in its second year. We also have a learnership for current employees as well. We remain invested with the Cortex Hub, which aims at empowering South African women in technology. Three graduates from this programme who started ICT businesses in 2023 are supported under our Enterprise Development pillar,” explains Jan-Jan Bezuidenhout, CEO of MetroFibre.

 

“We pride ourselves in supporting up and coming enterprises, ensuring that they can compete on a level playing field with established ICT businesses. To date, we have been supplying some of our service providers with training, tools and ongoing support under the Enterprise and Supplier Development pillar,” adds Jan-Jan.

 

MetroFibre also invests in development programmes for its own employees, including leadership development programs to upskill previously disadvantaged individuals, empowering them with the skills and confidence for promotion into senior positions and managerial roles.

 

“As an organisation, diversity and inclusion are strategic pillars of our business and we view it as a tremendous opportunity to build and contribute to the socio-economic development of our country and society, and to the essence of our business.

 

“In terms of socio-economic development, we are committed to driving our agenda around aspects of education, investing in schools with ICT infrastructure on our network, ensuring that no child gets left behind due to a lack of access to connectivity.  We remain fully committed to continuing our investments in our socio-economic and enterprise development programmes where all individuals should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their socio-economic background.

 

“As MetroFibre we are fully committed to diversified value chains that make a meaningful impact in reshaping South Africa’s socio-economic outcomes for the better. Achieving a Level 1 on the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) scorecard is a strategic business advantage. It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to social transformation and inclusivity, making us a preferred partner for government contracts and corporate clients who prioritise B-BBEE compliance.

“This top-tier rating enhances our market competitiveness, opening doors to new business opportunities and fostering long-term sustainability. By leading in empowerment, we attract top talent, boost employee morale, and build a more equitable economy, driving growth and innovation across our industry,” concludes Jan-Jan.

 

For MetroFibre’s business customers, a Level 1 BBBEE rating means that they can claim 135% of their procurement spend which further supports their own transformation objectives.

 

For more information visit www.metrofibre.co.za