Corporate Social Responsibility: Community Voices from Shurugwi, Mhondoro-Ngezi and Zvishavane in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The main reason for the prominence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the mining sector is a result of the fact that, in general, the sector negatively affects local communities socially, economically, and environmentally. The sector is criticised by civil society, the Government, and local activists in the host areas. Hence, mining companies are forced to respond by implementing CSR programmes that address issues like education, health, environmental and infrastructural issues. Minerals are finite resources, and mining companies close operations once minerals are exhausted in a given area, leaving some potentially harmful damage to the communities in terms of the environment, animals, and social lives and livelihoods of the local people. However, the whole issue about CSR is volunteerism, where companies contribute to the social, economic, and environmental welfare of society without any mechanism to regulate their actions. Through participant observation, key informant interviews, and desk research, the paper discusses the community views with regard to CSR within the platinum mining communities in Zimbabwe. The paper attempts to link these voices to Carroll's (1979) pyramid on CSR. The general conclusion is that local communities are not concerned about the business factor of CSR. However, they feel that mining companies have an obligation to assist them from a purely social justice perspective.