An assessment of the contribution of corporate social responsibility practices on sustainable community development in the Zimbabwe mining sector : a case study of Zimplats

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine how Zimplats' corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices contribute to sustainable development (SD) in the Mhondoro Ngezi district. The study further aimed to assess Zimplats’ CSR policies with regards to sustainable development. This study used a sample of 384 people from the Mhondoro Ngezi district, and a qualitative and quantitative data collection approach was used to attain these goals. The study sample included members of the Mhondoro Ngezi community with CSR knowledge and employees of Zimplats. The study reviewed literature and theories within Zimbabwe, South Africa and internationally that were essential to CSR and sustainable development (SD). The research assessed the impact of CSR practices on sustainable development of communities within the Zimplats’ operational environment. The study therefore sought to establish the sustainability of CSR as an instrument of addressing the challenges being faced by communities adjacent to the company operations. A correlation test aided in the analysis of the data findings so that relevant conclusions could be drawn. The results revealed that Zimplats’ CSR initiatives improved livelihood of the Mhondoro Ngezi community in a sustainable way. Community participation and ownership in development initiatives was discovered to be critical to their long-term viability and there is a link between sustainability and community involvement in development projects. The study also found that Zimplats’ CSR practices contribute to job creation, capacity building and improved standards of living. The study recommended that Zimplats should prioritize stakeholder engagement and participation and ownership of developmental projects as a way of ensuring that their CSR projects are sustainable.