INTRODUCTION
Acceptance by the business community of the need for social responsibility programmes to assist disadvantaged communities has evolved over an extended period. Sapia members, knowing that apartheid could not survive, decided to consciously aim their social responsibility programmes at hastening the demise of apartheid through challenging, in the workplace and in the community, the very laws on which it was based.
While apartheid was disadvantaging the vast majority of the population, Sapia members' social investment was geared towards developing both the skills and entrepreneurship of the people of South Africa. Sapia members have always had an approach to development based on the belief that it is by empowering people to become economically active and self-sufficient that poverty will be eliminated.
EMPOWERMENT
The aim of their social investments was to develop those communities that were negatively affected by the social and political doctrines of the day. Social investment required the development of partnerships between the community, the private sector and local government. Social compacts  aimed at redressing apartheid  were created which contributed to the achievement of a non-racial society.
Sapia members believe that the country's future depends on the cumulative impact of each and every citizen, both individual and corporate, towards building our country.
SUPPORTING THE RDP
Sapia members felt that during the first years of our new democracy there was a need to invest in social welfare programmes to correct the imbalances of the past.
Now with the transition on course, they are, through targeted development projects, focussing on reconstruction and development. This year's review thus reflects a fundamental shift and is a "reconstruction and development report" rather than a "social responsibility report". This depicts a unity of purpose in the industry in relation to current national goals of social delivery while displaying a wide diversity in actual projects supported.
The RDP inculcates in people the belief that `we can do it'. Sapia members  by deciding that it is empowerment in the course of their daily lives that allows people to develop  demonstrate that they are in tune with the principles of the RDP.
The vision of President Thabo Mbeki is beginning to become a reality. He has recently been able to say "Steadily, the dark clouds of despair are lifting, giving way to our season of hope".
Sapia members believe that their social investment programmes represent a concrete way of helping us to arrive at 'our season of hope'.
SMALL BUSINESS
For transformation to succeed, policy and projects must empower people. They must encompass all facets of life to ensure people have the skills to be represented in all areas of social and economic activity. Sapia member projects assist in the advancement of Black Economic Empowerment through the creation of small, medium and micro enterprises, which increase the opportunities and skills base for self-income generation.
As the country undergoes transformation the projects facilitate national reconciliation. In the final analysis all the projects have one goal in mind  the wellbeing of our citizens and the creation of opportunities for all South Africans to develop to their full potential.
This report focuses on the achievements by Sapia members in realising the vision of the reconstruction and development programme, thereby contributing to the development of a winning nation.
EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS
For any society to prosper it needs a solid educational foundation. South Africa has in the last five years worked hard at removing the last vestiges of unequal education. The members of Sapia have consistently contributed to the idea of a universal, unsegregated, equal education for all South Africans. Even while this was unfashionable the oil companies became involved in projects aimed at uplifting the least educated and seeking equal opportunity. The contribution of the oil industry is not simply in donations. It is a hands-on approach to children's needs.
Sapia members contribute to early learning programmes, especially in the rural and disadvantaged communities. Our members, also, support rudimentary centres that focus on training of teachers and child minders.
It has always been the view of Sapia members that follow-up programmes, from the youngest pupils to the most advanced learners, are important when contributing to education. Among the projects which Sapia members have supported this year are:
* Outcomes Based Education i.e. Curriculum 2005
* The Science
Across Africa Project  the purpose of which is to raise student
awareness of science-related issues e.g. diet and water quality
* The
Sithuthukile Trust  to assist local communities and women in the
establishment and running of pre-schools on farms, townships and informal
settlements
* The National 1000 schools Project  A project
that offers schools educational resource packages to help pupils to understand
issues and develop their vocabulary
* UCT Teacher Learning Resource
Centre
* SLOT (School Leavers Opportunity Training)
* Centre for the
Advancement of Science and Mathematics Education (CASME)
We are mindful of the fact that the Ministry of Education has to lead the education race, but we would nevertheless like to be in support as it strives to reconstruct and transform education.
SKILLS AND JOB CREATION
Companies supporting reconstruction and development have to define the limits and the arena of their programmes. Establishing a school, making a donation, or building a road is not necessarily enough. A hands-on approach to projects is required that ensures sustainability over time and adaptability to the national agenda so that projects are not temporary plugs against poverty, but ones which advance the economic and social conditions of the historically disadvantaged.
Thus, skills training often needs to be linked to job creation. Examples involving the resources of Sapia members include:
* The Siyabonga Development Project (Orange Farm) e.g. bricklaying,
sewing and building skills, fence making etc
* Junior Achievement
Programme
* Marconi Beam Community Development Forum
* Triple Trust
Organisation
* The Get Ahead Foundation
Sapia members' support of reconstruction and development is not confined to the oil industry or self-promoting projects, but includes assistance to deserving people and schemes right across South Africa. Some examples include:
* The Thusanang Rural Job Creation
* A garden project in
Gugulethu
* The Livewire Programme
* The Business Skills Development
Programme
HEALTH
HIV/Aids is creating a crisis in Africa, which has the potential to cripple business and entire communities. It is crucial that a partnership between government, business and communities is established so as to further the education net that is required to combat HIV/Aids. Sapia members are willing to work in any partnerships that can effectively combat this crippling epidemic.
Other debilitating diseases, most notably tuberculosis and malaria, are also of concern to Sapia members. Sapia members have always striven to be an integral part of the community in all aspects of healthcare. A few examples of member companies involvement are:
* Care for babies with Aids
* The First Aid station at Langa police
station
* The Irene Home for the Mentally Disabled
* The Hippo Water
Project  Potgietersrus
* Mobile Health clinics
CULTURE AND HERITAGE
Recognising the rich diversity of cultures that South Africa offers, Sapia members have always supported and sponsored worthwhile cultural projects and events. Some current examples are:
* The Road to Fame
* Employee Community Development Programme
*
Mamelodi/Atteridgeville Arts & Culture project
* Youth Music
Festival
At Sapia we are convinced that we can find ourselves through our cultural diversity and it is a journey we would like to take with our fellow South Africans.
A SPORTING CHANCE
Sport and recreation should be an integral part of reconstruction and the development of a healthier society. It is for this reason that we contribute to maintaining the very highest standards by bringing to our shores international talent, to compete, train and encourage our youth.
We believe that sports can be used as a strong unifying force towards not only nation building, but towards the African Renaissance. We should heed President Mbeki's words:
"Sport can and has played a pivotal role as a nation-builder" and "...plays a critical role in reconciliation and can instill a different value system into our youth".
Examples of our contribution to sport can be found in the various social responsibility reports of our respective members. Some of these examples are:
* Summer Series
* Soccer Competitions
* Foot of Africa
Marathon
ENVIROMENTAL AWARENESS
In our quest for a better environment we have actively canvassed and lobbied for the introduction of unleaded petrol, solar energy, and the use of liquid petroleum gas. We shall continue to look for alternatives by working closely with people and institutions that are like-minded.
When it comes to environmental concerns Sapia members tend to focus on programmes that help to avoid accidents, harm to people and damage to our environment. It has been recognised by member companies that support for participatory programmes is an indispensable part of conservation. Our environmental and conservation projects in partnership with NGO's and the community also creatively combine health and public safety concerns.
It has become the norm for our members to contribute to the studies and projects on the environment. We have done this in numerous ways. Examples are:
* The Rural Investment Fund
* Sponsoring a training programme for
wardens and senior rangers
* Sponsoring research and development of
technology for a river based oil-skimmer
* The Delta Environment Centre
 providing environmental education to more than 80 schools
*
National Arbor Day
In the next item of this annual report we give a more comprehensive picture of the oil industry's direct concerns for the environment.
PUBLIC SAFETY
One of our main concerns is the safety of the travelling public. This has encouraged oil companies to support projects aimed at protecting people from accidents on the road, at sea and in the air. One of our member companies has been quite consistent in its sponsorship of the NSRI. Other projects that are supported include:
* Operation Peace of Mind  an emergency rescue service on
the road
* The School Driver Education Programme
* The Mountain Club of
South Africa
* Paraffin Safety Campaign
SUMMING UP
The purpose of this section is to reflect upon the many and varied contributions of the Sapia members to the development and upliftment of South Africa's people.
It also highlights their willingness to contribute to the growth of our country on the basis of the vision espoused in the Reconstruction and Development Programme.