Corporate social responsibility in post‐apartheid South Africa

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to analyse the relationship between corporate social responsibility and the concept of Black economic empowerment in South Africa. The paper examines whether government interventions in the area of corporate social responsibility post‐1994 have been successful. The paper also assesses critically the level of voluntary commitment that businesses in South Africa have displayed in the area of corporate social responsibility.

Design/methodology/approach

Corporate social responsibility in South Africa pre‐1994 and post‐1994 is examined and compared. The Broad‐Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (2003), the new South African Companies Act (2008) and the King Codes of Corporate Governance Principles in South Africa are critiqued. A distinction is made between government and business corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Findings

The paper principally concludes that meaningful corporate social responsibility in the area of human rights can be better achieved if it is based on commitment and collaborative partnership.

Practical implications

The paper provides a basis for empirical research on corporate social responsibility and socio‐economic development in South Africa.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the growing discourse of academic literature that supports a strategic partnership‐based approach to corporate social responsibility.

Citation

Ramlall, S. (2012), "Corporate social responsibility in post‐apartheid South Africa", Social Responsibility Journal, Vol. 8 No. 2, pp. 270-288. https://doi.org/10.1108/17471111211234888