OPINION: ESG Values are a Blueprint for Building a Truly Sustainable Organisation

By Fhulu Badugela

This week, MultiChoice published its annual ESG report, showcasing the importance of integrated reporting in reflecting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts. Over three decades, MultiChoice Group has refined its approach to enriching lives and transforming African entertainment and society.

Hyperlocal Storytelling and Social Upliftment

MultiChoice’s commitment to hyperlocal storytelling drives the creation of homegrown, locally relevant content. This led to the establishment of regional MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) academies in Nairobi, Lagos, and Lusaka, training aspiring filmmakers. This initiative has cultivated a rich talent pool and a vast library of local content, allowing African creators to tell African stories.

In ESG terms, this supports social development. So far, 467 filmmakers have been trained by MTF. These graduates have worked on popular African shows across regional channels. In East Africa, they have secured story development grants, gained international recognition at film festivals, and showcased their environmental consciousness at the Youth and Climate Action meeting. In West Africa, Azeezah Sama, produced by a student from the class of 2023, was selected for prestigious film festivals like the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival. Africa Magic has commissioned productions from three MTF alumni companies, creating job opportunities and amplifying the programme’s regional impact. In Southern Africa, MTF alumni feature films have premiered on Zambezi Magic, with interns contributing to over 30 professional productions, including hits like Idols, Adulting, My Brother’s Keeper, Champions, and Gen Zee.

Economic Impact

Beyond skills development, MultiChoice invests directly in job creation and economic empowerment. The MultiChoice Enterprise Development Trust oversees two key initiatives for supporting startups and small enterprises: the Innovation Fund and the Africa Accelerator programme. The Innovation Fund has supported 77 black-owned small businesses, with at least 50% female-black ownership, disbursing R407 million in loans, grants, and business development expenses, creating 1,400 jobs. Last year, the MultiChoice Accelerator programme helped 11 South African entrepreneurs secure over $17 million in investments from UAE investors. Additionally, the Enterprise Development Fund funded four new tech-related companies, including two owned by black women, with R26.74 million, creating 395 jobs.

Developmental Governance

Integrated ESG principles demand that MultiChoice’s governance function also supports development while generating value for stakeholders. This means ethical, developmental governance, instilled through mandatory training in anti-bribery, ethical conduct, and creating a “better place to work” via the MultiChoice Academy platform.

A significant governance focus is combating content piracy, a major threat to the business and industry. Through Partners Against Piracy (PAP), MultiChoice has signed MOUs with African governments to fight broadcasting piracy, focusing on capacity building, benchmarking, intellectual-property rights protection, and skills development. A multi-governmental workshop in mid-2024 will review piracy policies and cybercrime legislation.

Environmental Awareness

MultiChoice is acutely aware of its environmental impact and actively works to limit emissions and improve energy efficiency. Initiatives include enhancing energy efficiency in electricity consumption, air-conditioning systems, data centres, heating, and ventilation. Investments in green infrastructure, such as light motion sensors, LED lights with daylight harvesting capabilities, solar panels, and energy-efficient inverter technology, have reduced total Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions to 67,675 tonnes of CO2 equivalent from 75,060 tonnes in 2023. These sustainability efforts align with responsible resource management while generating income, evidenced by the R10.7 billion in taxes paid in 2024.

Future Sustainability

The ultimate proof of MultiChoice’s ESG impact lies in its ability to operate sustainably while enriching lives. Proud of its achievements over the past three decades, MultiChoice is confident in continuing this journey, integrating its purpose of enriching lives into its business operations for decades to come.

The writer is the Chief Executive of MultiChoice Africa Holdings