Key takeaways:
- Continued Support for Atterbury Foundation: Attacq has donated R500,000 to the Atterbury Foundation, continuing its commitment to skills development through bursaries.
- B-BBEE Contributions: The donation supports B-BBEE goals, including skills development, support for SMMEs, and aiding vulnerable communities.
- Impact on Tertiary Education: The donation will fund six bursaries, helping young people further their education.
- Bursary Selection Process: Attacq employees participated in selecting bursary candidates, focusing on grit and resilience.
- Property Sector’s Role in Transformation: Attacq promotes SMME participation in its projects and supports inclusive supply-chain opportunities.
JSE-listed REIT Attacq has been a highly valued contributor to the Atterbury Trust bursary fund for the past five years, and this year once again decided to channel part of its BB-BEE contribution into a R500 000 donation to the Atterbury Foundation. Danny Vermeulen, Transformation Manager at Attacq, gives insight into the process.
What inspired the decision to choose Atterbury Foundation for this donation? Could you explain a bit about the BB-BEE requirements in the property sector?
Attacq believes that it is able to make a significant impact in its communities through investing in programmes aimed at skills development and training. We have been supporting the Atterbury Foundation for several years by way of donations for bursaries for those who are not able to afford to participate in tertiary education. Their success and the programme aligns well with our objective of skills development and training.
B-BBEE within the real-estate sector requires companies such as ourselves to make various CSI investments which may include skills development initiatives, support of SMMEs in the form of enterprise and supplier development, and the support of the most vulnerable portion of our community through a number of initiatives that may include school support programmes or community self-help and poverty alleviation programmes.
How many bursaries will be covered by this generous donation?
This year’s contribution will assist six young people to complete or further their tertiary education and we are excited and honoured to be in a position to contribute positively to their future.
We believe that a team from Attacq was actively involved in the bursary interviews. Can you tell us more about the process, and your impressions of it?
Yes, several Attacq employees were invited to participate by Atterbury Foundation, who arranged and facilitated the interviews. We all found it deeply rewarding to be able to listen to the journey that these young people have taken and at the same time sad to hear of some of the challenges that they continue to face. It was indeed humbling and left one with a deep appreciation of one’s own circumstances and to be in a position to financially assist through Attacq’s BB-BEE initiatives.
What were you looking for in choosing the bursary candidates? Without naming names, were there any particular candidates’ stories that made a big impression on you?
We most certainly looked for candidates who, despite their circumstances and backgrounds, show a high degree of grit and a deep appreciation of their own ability and future. Individuals who take the bull by the horns and excel in spite of troubling circumstances. There were most definitely a few candidates who stood out, notably a young man who was so mature in the way he approached the interview that one almost forgot that we were interviewing someone in his early 20s.
How do you see the role of the property sector and companies such as Attacq in furthering the transformation agenda?
Land ownership in South Africa remains a heated topic. Apart from the many different CSI initiatives, Attacq prides itself on the opportunities it has created for SMMEs to enter not only Attacq’s but also other value chains; giving opportunities in our various construction projects and services sectors to SMMEs that would otherwise have struggled to gain access to sustainable and inclusive supply-chain opportunities.
What do you believe the value is of entrusting this allocation to the Atterbury Trust and the Atterbury Foundation for administration? Would you recommend this as an avenue for other companies, and if so, why?
The Atterbury Trust and Atterbury Foundation has a tremendous record of success. They have been assisting the youth of South Africa to gain access to tertiary education for more than two decades and is made up of a dedicated and passionate team that really understands the needs of each of these bursary holders. They have been able to create a family feeling within their bursary programmes. Their passion and dedication is inspiring and comforting and we can only thank them for affording us an opportunity to assist in furthering their great cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of Attacq’s R500,000 donation to the Atterbury Foundation?
The donation was made as part of Attacq’s B-BBEE contribution to fund tertiary education bursaries for young people who cannot afford it.
How many students will benefit from this specific bursary funding?
This year’s contribution is set to assist six talented young individuals in completing or furthering their tertiary education.
What qualities does Attacq look for when selecting candidates for the Atterbury Trust bursary fund?
The selection team looks for candidates who demonstrate a high degree of grit, resilience, and a deep appreciation of their own potential despite challenging backgrounds.
