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Inclusive Procurement in Action: Delivering Social and Economic Returns in 2026
At EnviroServ, we believe that ESG should deliver measurable results, not just good intentions. The 2026 rollout of our national Dress a Learner programme demonstrates how strategic social investment and purposeful procurement can create meaningful impact for communities, learners, and local businesses alike.
In the week of 9–13 February 2026, we launched the 2026 dress a learner programme in the Eastern Cape and Thembisa, Gauteng, reinforcing our commitment to turning ESG commitments into tangible outcomes. For 2026, EnviroServ has allocated over R400,000 to support no fewer than 350 learners with full school uniforms , restoring dignity and enabling children to focus on what matters most: their education.
The initiative is deliberately structured to generate dual impact: social upliftment through education, and economic participation through targeted local procurement. This year, 80% of the school uniforms were procured from community-based small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). Eight local SMMEs were contracted, embedding enterprise development directly into our social investment spend.
By taking a procurement-led approach, capital deployed into communities circulates locally, supporting small business growth, sustaining skills, and contributing to job creation. Collectively, these eight SMMEs employ approximately 50 people — a concrete demonstration of how inclusive procurement can drive local economic participation.
Since its inception in 2014, Dress a Learner has dressed thousands of learners nationally. Beyond the immediate educational outcomes, the programme has strengthened supplier diversification and advanced our inclusive supply chain framework. It aligns directly with EnviroServ’s ESG priorities, particularly socio-economic development, supplier development, and responsible procurement practices.
Ultimately, the programme demonstrates disciplined ESG execution: clearly defined beneficiaries, measurable reach, structured local supplier participation, and tangible community impact. It reflects our transition from talking about ESG commitments to delivering measurable results — embedding sustainability, enterprise development, and social return into the way we operate.
At EnviroServ, we see ESG as an opportunity to do more than comply — it is a platform to create lasting value for learners, communities, and the local economy.
Disclaimer:
This article is an external contribution and was not produced by the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FSACCI). The views, opinions, and statements expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of FSACCI.
