ORYX CORPORATE SOCIAL INVESTMENT
OUR COMMUNITIES
Oryx embraces the principles of corporate citizenship and embodies these in its interactions with local society, its unitholders, employees, the environment and all other stakeholders. In this way, we
contribute meaningfully to the economy, to social welfare and to the environment. We aim to build and sustain our corporate reputation and create conditions conducive to profitable business.
Guided by a comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy, we focus on enhancing youth development, promoting environmental preservation and enhancing social welfare. Our CSR strategy includes a deliberate emphasis on social investment activities aimed at making a meaningful contribution to the local society. As a team, we also draw significant personal satisfaction from assisting our communities and find the various initiatives Oryx contributes to, and is involved with, incredibly rewarding.
Our corporate social investment (CSI) is concentrated on the following:
Environmental preservation
We are serious about our responsibility to minimise our impact on the environment. We focus on implementing water saving initiatives, renewable energy generation, efficiency improvements and waste reduction. Refer to page 29 in the Asset Manager’s report for more detail on environmental projects.
Promoting Oryx as a truly caring Namibian company
We provide support to social welfare initiatives that contribute positively to local communities. Our intention is to be a responsible corporate citizen, enhance our reputation and promote relationships with opinion leaders.
Social welfare and philanthropy
Our two-fold aim is to give back to local communities without the expectation of a direct material benefit in return, and to enhance Oryx’s reputation as a caring corporate citizen. Our focus includes:
- Health-related causes such as HIV/Aids, cancer awareness and treatment, and the Namibia Blood Transfusion Service
- Youth development
- Welfare
SUPPORTING THOSE IMPACTED BY COVID-19
We considered our employees, tenants, assets and communities in our response to COVID-19. Refer to page 22 in the CEO and CFO report for a full overview of our COVID-19 measures.
In addition to the City of Windhoek Mayoral Relief Fund and a clean and free water project detailed below, we also:
- Participated in Co-Feed Namibia, a citizen-driven initiative aimed at mobilising food supplies and other necessities to the vulnerable within our communities during national lockdown. Two of our employees served on the Co-Feed Namibia Committee. A total of 1,325 parcels were handed out.
- We donated essential food to the Katutura Old Age Home, based in Katutura, Windhoek – home to approximately 32 pensioners.
- We donated various babies’ goods to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare.
SUPPORTING THOSE IMPACTED BY COVID-19
CITY OF WINDHOEK MAYORAL RELIEF FUND
We participated in the City of Windhoek Mayoral Relief Fund during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Oryx, along with some of its retail partners, contributed and distributed 939 food parcels to Windhoek’s vulnerable communities.All Oryx employees were extensively involved in this project. Employees dedicated a significant number of work hours to packing the food parcels and […]
CLEAN AND FREE WATER PROJECT
When the COVID-19 lockdown period started, Oryx partnered with other local entities to provide clean and free water to Windhoek’s informal settlements.This project co-ordinated the sourcing and delivery of clean water to informal settlements. This included conducting tests to ensure the water is safe for consumption and providing locations for refilling and delivering water.Our corporate […]
CHURCH ALLIANCE FOR ORPHANS (CAFO) NAMIBIA
Oryx donated swimwear and towels to 125 children between the ages of four and 14 years at CAFO. This enabled them to treat these vulnerable children to a weekly swimming pool visit, contributing to their physical development. Oryx also renovated the children’s playground at CAFO and donated a jungle gym and Christmas lights and decorations. […]
CHILDREN’S CAMP NAMIBIA
We contributed towards printing booklets for a children’s camp that is hosted by Children’s Camp Namibia. Their aim is to give children a place where they can play and learn while affording them the opportunity to just be children. The camp was planned for May 2020 but due to COVID-19, an alternative date will be […]
GROENDRAAI PRIMARY SCHOOL
Oryx donated stationery supplies to Groendraai Primary School, located on a farm 60 km south-west of Rehoboth, in the Hardap region. The school caters to approximately 160 children and is considered a facility in need.
ORANGE BABIES NAMIBIA
Oryx sponsored the admission to our trampoline park and a goody bag with stationery and snacks for 40 children from Orange Babies Namibia, together with one of our tenants, Planet Aero Trampoline Park.We gave two photography students the opportunity to photograph the day. Oryx employees also dedicated their time to renovating the playground and getting […]
NAMIBIAN KIDDIES CRÈCHE
In November, Oryx teamed up with Urban Friction, one of our tenants, to treat 20 children from the Namibian Kiddies Crèche (a school for vulnerable children), to their first wall climbing experience, a breakfast at Wimpy Maerua Mall and a small gift. Again, we invited a photography student to capture the special moments.
FUNDRAISING
Oryx, in collaboration with Maerua Mall, provided free space during November to raise funds for a young girl’s stem cell treatment through a hair spray and face paint fundraiser.
WE CARE FOR NAMIBIA
Throughout the year, we offered free space in our malls for the Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia to contribute towards saving lives by providing a platform where blood can be donated.Oryx provided space at various malls and shopping centres to the Electoral Commission of Namibia to assist them with performing their duties during the Namibian […]
SPONSORED PROMOTION SPACES AND ADVERTISING
The installation of LED TVs in Maerua Mall has played a major role in the creation of awareness for several campaigns that Oryx holds close to the heart. By sponsoring the exhibition spaces as well as the advertising of over N$3,000, the campaign’s reach substantially increases as the initiative’s message is spread to shoppers.
2018 – 2019
As a truly caring Namibian company, we at Oryx Properties embrace our obligations of corporate citizenship. Our comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility (‘CSR’) policy focuses on enhancing youth development, minimising our environmental impact, and making a positive contribution to the society in which we operate and to all our stakeholders. During the year 2018 – 2019, Oryx participated/contributed […]
SPCA – 2016
Over 2,000 dogs and more than 800 cats are brought annually to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Windhoek (‘SPCA’). Alarmingly, this number keeps increasing as more cases of illegal breeding, abuse, lost and donated cats and dogs are reported. Sustained only by donations and grants, the SPCA is in dire […]