Lowveld Gold Macadamia — Social Impact and B-BBEE
Lowveld Gold will create 185 permanent positions across farming, processing, administration and marketing functions. An additional 320 seasonal positions will be created during the annual harvest (March to November). The Company commits to paying a minimum of 15% above the agricultural sector’s…
Section 12 · Business Plan
Social Impact and B-BBEE
Lowveld Gold will create 185 permanent positions across farming, processing, administration and marketing functions. An additional 320 seasonal positions will be created during the annual harvest (March to November). The Company commits to paying a minimum of 15% above the agricultural sector’s…
Plus substantial seasonal employment, a minimum Level 2 B-BBEE rating and a 10% community trust shareholding.
12.1 Employment Creation
Lowveld Gold will create 185 permanent positions across farming, processing, administration and marketing functions. An additional 320 seasonal positions will be created during the annual harvest (March to November). The Company commits to paying a minimum of 15% above the agricultural sector’s minimum wage, with annual inflation-linked increases. Total payroll at steady state is projected at ZAR 42 million per annum.
12.2 B-BBEE Scorecard
| B-BBEE Element | Weighting | Target Score | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership | 25 | 25 | 30% Black ownership via Karabo Holdings and Tsakane Trust |
| Management Control | 19 | 14 | Black CEO; majority Black Board representation |
| Skills Development | 20 | 16 | 3% of payroll; learnerships; artisan training |
| Enterprise and Supplier Development | 40 | 32 | Outgrower scheme; local procurement policy |
| Socio-Economic Development | 5 | 5 | Community infrastructure; education bursaries |
| Total | 109 | 92 | Projected Level 2 Contributor |
12.3 Environmental Sustainability
Lowveld Gold is committed to carbon-negative processing by 2031 through the conversion of macadamia shells into biochar and carbon-sequestering soil amendments. The processing facility will be partially powered by rooftop solar (500 kWp initial installation) and thermal energy derived from shell carbonisation. Water use efficiency will be monitored through precision drip irrigation and soil moisture sensors, targeting below 5,000 cubic metres per hectare per season. The Company will pursue GlobalG.A.P. environmental compliance and will submit annual sustainability reports aligned with GRI standards.
12.4 Community Partnerships and Outgrower Scheme
The Company will establish a small-grower outgrower scheme, providing seedlings, technical assistance and guaranteed offtake to emerging Black macadamia farmers on communal land in the surrounding area. This initiative targets the development of 50 hectares of community-owned orchards within the first five years, creating an additional 30–40 smallholder farming enterprises. A dedicated community liaison officer will manage relationships with traditional authorities, local government and community organisations. The Tsakane Community Trust will receive dividends ring-fenced for education bursaries, community infrastructure and small enterprise development.
12.5 ESG Alignment
Lowveld Gold’s operations are aligned with multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including: SDG 1 (No Poverty) through job creation and community empowerment; SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through sustainable agriculture and nutrition; SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through above-minimum-wage employment; SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through waste valorisation and carbon-negative processing; SDG 13 (Climate Action) through solar energy and biochar carbon sequestration; and SDG 15 (Life on Land) through sustainable farming practices and biodiversity conservation.
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