Real Purpose with Real Impact: Sasfin Wealth's Commitment to SDGs

It will soon be a decade since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were formally introduced and there remains just 6-years of the tenure to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development schedule completion - much still needs to be done.

At Sasfin Wealth, we are conscious of and in our actions and efforts in contributing to the betterment of society and the environment by being more than just performance and profit driven - we are a purpose-led organisation as well as being performance driven.

Our Purpose-Driven Approach to Sustainability

Our dedication in being proactive in translating the SDGs into actionable efforts to the advancement of society and the environment across various spheres have been affected thus far in the following ways:

Key Points

1. The creation of 222 seasonal and permanent jobs through the Sasfin RBN Enhanced Job Creation Fund with more job creation expected. Of these jobs, 99% are filled by previously disadvantaged individuals; 78% by women and 69% by youth. This Fund was borne out of the partnership between Sasfin Asset Managers (SAM) and Renewable By Nature (RBN) in 2021.

2. Sasfin Wealth’s Graduate Programme is an enabling one that boasts both a diverse and inclusive group of graduates across various departments, ensuring an equitable pipeline of next-generation professionals as well as a high placement success rate within the business.

3. Sasfin Wealth through its CSR projects has partnered with three beneficiaries to further enhance the existing relationship by providing non-financial support. These are:

Afrika Tikkun:

• • Literacy and educational focus.

Hospice Wits Soweto:

• • The amendment of the designation of the entity to a Socio-Economic Development (SED) entity thereby allowing for more donations from corporates.
  • Financial awareness sessions to staff.
  • Food drive.
  • Expanding into a green initiative with the pilot Hospice Wits Soweto Food Garden Permaculture Project. This project focuses on sustainable approaches to food self-sufficiency and potential medicinal applications, with training provided to ensure successful outcomes.

ORT SA:

• • Sponsorship of events to promote skills development thereby making people employable, creating employment opportunities and alleviating poverty.
  • Sponsorship of other schemes and specialist resources including knowledge sharing amongst others.

4. Safin Wealth is also actively involved with other institutions on an ad-hoc basis by:

• • Sponsoring a medical response company that operates in Johannesburg and Cape Town that provide emergency medical response for people across areas free of charge.
  • Partnering with the Smile Foundation on Madiba Day (18 July) to host the Smile Foundation Padel Fundraiser. The Smile Foundation, a distinguished non-profit organisation, is dedicated to transforming the lives of South African children facing treatable facial conditions, including facial paralysis, cleft lip, cleft palate, ear and nose conditions, craniofacial abnormalities, and burn wounds.
  • With the funds raised, the Smile Foundation will be able to fund a “Smile Slate” – a full day of surgeries assisting up to four children. The day was further enriched by Sasfin staff and other participants donating items from the Smile Foundation wish list for children's care packs distributed before their surgeries.

5. From a sustainable investment practice perspective, SAM, committed to long-term value creation and risk management, are now formally implementing proxy voting as part of their investment process.

6. Showing support for Black-Owned Trading Houses; SAM has supported black-owned and managed trading houses with a trade value exceeding R400 million.

7. Sasfin Wealth partners with suppliers to reduce carbon emissions; where implementable eliminates environmentally unfriendly items within the business; conducts ESG-rating assessments of key portfolios and disseminating educational content on sustainability to staff to maintain an awareness and the promoting of sustainable practices.

8. Committing to providing Public Benefit Organisations (PBOs) and Non-Profit Organisations a lower fee class.

In staying true to its Values, Sasfin Wealth remains steadfast, pragmatic and deliberate in its practices and behaviours, in ensuring that its efforts impact daily lives and its surroundings beyond mere numbers by trying to elevate people to greatness, as well as fostering partnerships to do good.

At Sasfin Wealth, through our actions being both transformative and transactional, we remain resolute in our commitment to inspire and achieve positive long-term change through real purpose with real impact.