Comments on: An ordinary, decent company — right!

By: Simon (one eye only)

Simon (one eye only) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:59:47 +0000

@Chuck Hash
It’s actually very well-written. I found it quite easy to understand, and of course it’s a predetermined point of view. I am sure Mr Kriel knew what he wanted to say before he began writing. I would imagine many columns begin like that.

@author
WHen does the court battle kick off? You are right. In a country where CSR is of UTMOST importance, this kind of shadowy action by a “custodian” intent on being “on your side” is inherently wrong, to say the least.

By: Clean Air

Clean Air — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 08:26:50 +0000

@Llewellyn Kriel

Globally things are much better than they were 10 years ago. Civil society were not as informed or empowered as this time ten years ago.

I have been active against various injustices for at least 10 years now, climate change being only one. There is no need to be depressed, the current world order is a hollow shell, but like the Roman Empire the dead corpse hangs around for a long time after it has breathed its last before people realise it is dead.

Now is the time to look at developments that are shaping our future but no one has really recognised yet. There are many subtle developments but you have to link up with the right people at the edge of technology and thinking, and bring this fantastic information and knowledge to your readers on Thought Leader.

By: Llewellyn Kriel

Llewellyn Kriel — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:59:39 +0000

No, Bart. I still have plenty to say – too much, in fact. But I’ve stopped believing it matters any more. No one cares. At least not enough to do anything about injustice, hypocrisy, poverty, bigotry, slavery, crime, pollution or corruption any more. Collapsenhagen proved that. We’ve reached & passed the Tipping Point. Like my passionate, brave & incredibly talented, but tired & running-on-empty friend, Chris Louw, for whom the futility of it all was finally just too much, I am just gatvol. Now it’s a rocking chair on the stoep, Skype my kids & grandson often as I can, get lost in that hopeless little screen nightly, go to sleep in fear, awake the same and wait for 2012.

By: Bart

Bart — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:05:20 +0000

You suffering from writers block?

By: avishkar

avishkar — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:55:06 +0000

and if it is true that monies advanced were not adequately accounted for, such that the subsequent support was provided in kind not cash… then it is clear that there were a few dodgy things that went down…

By: avishkar

avishkar — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:54:06 +0000

why were the Mighty Moms not able to so their community development work without donations and with volunteers rather than employees? and what was Mighty Mom making and intending to sell so as to attain sustainability?

there are millions of Mighty Moms in Africa who provide for their families, working 20 hours a day, bcos they have too much pride and self respect to stand on a street corner begging people for donations and charity.

helping those Mighty Moms with their work loads – getting schools to run academic, extra-curricular, work experience and sports programs until 6pm that include school breakfasts, teas, lunches and dinners – and trebling the standard income tax rebate for single moms – these things would help a little.

the idea of printing Mothering Manuals… its a bit like insulting your grandmother…

no no Gogo i dont need your advice and experience, i bought a book from the shop that tells me everything… really, my girl did that book tell you not to throw your virtue away on some man who has left u with the baby and the responsibility?

yes we have child headed households and yes we have teenage moms and yes we have single moms of all ages… but youre not helping them by exploiting their vulnerability… as it seems that Mighty Moms was intending to do…

By: Pete

Pete — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:00:17 +0000

@ Cult of Realism – Yes, once again, I agree. Interesting when dealing with the big players comments such as deliverable & measurable outcomes, investor realations and profits come into play and be careful if you cannot produce all the answers they look for, because then it is definitely “off with your head”. But what happens when the playing field is reversed and the big guy does not deliver, it is simply “tough” and “sorry for you”.

By: Cult of Realism

Cult of Realism — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:52:56 +0000

@Pete

I think the bottom line is we have to define what corporations can do by law and what role government must play. Why should NGO who workers who do tremendous good have to live like paupers?

If the law allows corporations will “exploit” anyone and everyone they can. A scorpion will sting you if you get within rage, that is its nature.

There needs to be balance between what we want as consumers or investors on the one hand and what our alter ego “the ethical citizen” wants.

Corporations are doing what they are meant to by “exploiting” suppliers for the best deals for the benefit of their customers. If this is “unethical” it must be regulated by law for all corporations, so the playing field is level.

I have also read the book recommended by an earlier correspondent titled “Supercapitalism; The Battle for Democracy in an Age of Big Business” by Robert Reich. We need to reintroduce democracy back into capitalism.

I believe in a well regulated market economy and like the concept of social democracy used by Scandanavian countries so successfully.

By: Pete

Pete — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:09:11 +0000

@ Rational Respondent. Your comments seem as if you work as a PR for Pick n Pay. Is this a rational response or a defensive one. Nobody doubts the good that Pick n Pay or many other corporates have done. The question is, how many suppliers or little people have been squashed along the way. You cannot do good and hide the bad. Lets see what the real answers are and hear from the many smaller guys who have dealt with PnP and get some real answers.

By: Pete

Pete — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:05:43 +0000

@ Cult of Realism. I have to agree on your comments. It would be interesting to hear from more companies that have dealt with PnP, Checkers, etc. to see how they have been handled. Greed is certainly a point most people come from, however, every now and then you have people/companies in this world that want to really do a little good and we expect them to live like paupers. I have met with a number of NGO’s who are doing incredibly things trying to help others but have little or know funding. What appalls me is the expectation is, they are not or should not be given the funding. I have also noted from a CSR perspective that a lot of companies choose projects based on it’s not what I know, it’s who I know and of course how much exposure, and great lunches/gifts I will get along the way. Or how many people in the know will I meet at these events. Yes, profits are a must to be considered, but integrity needs to come into play..