By Hope Nyambe
If there ever comes a time when Covid 19 will be a thing of the past, apart from the lock down and
restriction on movement, most people will also remember the generosity of business organizations that
made financial and material donations towards the fight against Corvid. Other than gravity of the Covid
19 pandemic, the underlying assumption is that these donations where driven by the organizations
recognition and social responsibility towards their customers, employees and stakeholders.
Many organizations have Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies. CRS are deliberate policies
where the organization goes beyond its profit and sustainability interests in engaging ‘actions that
appear to further some social good, beyond the interests of the firm and that which is required by law.’
In determining what CRS policies to adopt, many organizations will normally carry out a social audit, an
internal examination of how their business is affecting all their stakeholders, including the environment
they operate from. CSR is not something only done during a pandemic or by large corporate
organizations, it is a deliberate policy that should be implored by all organizations, whether large or
small. This leads me to ask as to whether organizations, businesses are actually doing enough in terms
of their obligations towards CSR?
Driving through the central business district of Lusaka for instance, you are accosted by a hive of
economic activity on either side of the road. Regardless of any prevailing economic focus, every space is
taken up with some sort of business activity. But that’s not the only thing that catches your attention.
There are heaps of decaying and unsightly garbage strewn everywhere. Half of the buildings haven’t
seen a coat of paint in ages, replicas of something from a ghost town. Although not a straight forward
legal requirement that businesses keep their environments clean, you would think that organizations
would take the initiative to do so as part of their CSR. This is only one simple aspect, there are so many
other areas organization can be involved with the society or community they operate from.
In an ideal situation, an organization should strike a balance between profitability and social
responsibility. This entails carrying out a social audit on how the organization is affecting society. To
mention for instance, a company supplying alcohol or cigarettes that are widely known to have both
social and health effects has the corporate social responsibility to see how the product is impacting
society and what interventions need to be put in place. These measures for instance could include

actively promoting awareness on the effects of their products and financially supporting alcohol and
drug abuse rehabilitation centres.
There are many other ways that organizations and businesses can roll out their corporate social
responsibility. Every organization, regardless of size or nature of business has an effect on the
environment, normally measured through their carbon foot print. Any steps they can take to reduce
those footprints are considered good for both the company and society. These steps could include
simple measures such as providing refuse bins in and around their premises to help keep the
environment clean.
Organizations can also implore ethical Labour practices. Of late, there has been increased reports of
Labour law violations. Workers ‘imprisoned’ for weeks on end at their work premises, below national
minimum wages, physical and inhuman treatment. Companies can therefore demonstrate their
corporate social responsibility by treating employees fairly and ethically, and in accordance with the
Labour laws of the country. In specific areas and instances, employment opportunities can be given to
the local people within the operating area or community of the organization.
Other ways include the generic philanthropy policies, where organization or businesses donate money,
products or services to a social cause and nonprofit. It is highly advised that organization carry out
thorough consultations before engaging in any philanthropy. This helps the organization to make
donations that are actually beneficial to society and are sustainable in the long run.
In conclusion, corporate social responsibility should not been seen as a preserve of large multinational
organizations, every organization or business has the responsibility ‘to give back’ to society or
community they are operating in. These efforts should not sporadic and brand/products awareness
tactics, but relevant and sustainable policies that benefit the community an organization is operating
from.