STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT APPROACH
Achieving our five strategic objectives depends on our ability to engage with and respond to our stakeholders. Our various methods of engagement include face-to-face interactions, formal and informal communication platforms, results presentations, reports and our annual general meetings. We also engage through our marketing campaigns, advertising, electronic media, newsletters and roadshows. We regularly conduct surveys among our guests and employees with the aim of continually improving service delivery, guest experience and employee satisfaction. We obtain positive and constructive feedback and respond to it appropriately.
ENGAGEMENT PROCESS
Through the group’s stakeholder engagement process, we annually assess our stakeholder universe based on their influence on the group, and the group’s impact on stakeholders. We identify any material concerns and opportunities that may exist, and purposefully engage to resolve and build on these matters and develop a better understanding of our stakeholders’ needs. The risk and social and ethics committees provide oversight of the group’s stakeholder engagement and are responsible for keeping the board abreast of material matters arising.
Focused engagement within the communities in which we operate is particularly important, as most of our properties are situated within or close to surrounding communities. Cultivating relationships with stakeholders such as community leaders, NGOs, NPOs and PBOs ensures that Sun International offers shared value and sustainable SED opportunities. During 2019, communities (particularly in the North West and Eastern Cape) raised concerns around the lack of local procurement opportunities which, in return, create job opportunities and provide socio-economic upliftment in these communities.
The group’s community engagement methodology ensures that all engagement and interventions are aligned with the group’s sustainable business strategy and, more broadly, with provincial and national growth and development plans. This engagement methodology involves the identification and classification of our relevant communities and stakeholders. This is followed by assessing various social aspects related to the wellbeing of these communities, as well as identifying the collective needs of these communities. Based on these assessments, possible interventions are identified and discussed with the affected stakeholders. It is anticipated that the engagement methodology will continue to be rolled out to all South African units in 2020.