Business must fill the community basket

One of the issues which emerged in the recent election was the supposed malign influence of capitalism on our society… reflecting that many South Africans feel business exploits both ordinary people and the environment.

Capitalism, at its most basic, is about making money, with everything else secondary or irrelevant.

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But we would argue that in a developing – and struggling – country like ours, business has a moral duty to do as little harm as possible and to put back into the community.

That’s not communist tub-thumping, it’s pragmatism: looking after people and the environment means sustainable markets in the future.

That’s why it is encouraging to see leading seafood restaurant chain Ocean Basket supporting the Abalobi organisation, which helps fishing communities earn fair prices for their catch and, in turn, sustain their families and their culture.

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It also helps conserve fish species by making their harvesting sustainable, meaning a long-term future for both fisher communities and sea food lovers.

The cooperation is an example that other companies can follow – not in the least because it is a genuine commitment rather than “greenwashing”, the practice of massaging a corporate image to make it look more planet-friendly.

These are small, but vitally important steps to a better world.