Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) has announced its return to a Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) rating, following a thorough verification process for the 2025 assessment period. This achievement is a result of the company's long-term investment in South Africa through local ownership, supplier development, skills development, and community upliftment initiatives. The company's commitment to creating shared value by supporting inclusive economic growth across its value chain has been reinforced.
The improvement from a Level 2 rating in the previous cycle to Level 1 is a result of a deliberate, multi-year approach to embedding transformation and economic participation throughout the business. According to Bame Modimogale, public affairs, communication and sustainability director for CCBSA, the company has demonstrated that global businesses can succeed by growing alongside the communities they serve. Modimogale emphasized that CCBSA's business is centered on a local approach, hiring locally, producing locally, distributing locally, and sourcing locally where possible.
Key drivers of improvement include a strong performance across several key B-BBEE scorecard elements. The company currently maintains a 20% black shareholding, with the Ikageng Employee Share Trust holding 15.5%, reflecting its commitment to broad-based ownership and employee participation. Additionally, CCBSA strengthened its skills development performance through targeted investments in employee development, including programs that support employees with disabilities and contribute to a more inclusive workplace.
In terms of management control, CCBSA maintains more than 67% black representation on its board, reinforcing its commitment to transformation at leadership level. The company's procurement and supplier development initiatives continue to create opportunities for local businesses. CCBSA directed significant procurement spend to black-owned suppliers, with a particular focus on black women-owned businesses, under its preferential procurement approach.
Under the enterprise and supplier development element of the B-BBEE scorecard, CCBSA achieved full and bonus points through its continued investment in, and support of, small, medium, and micro enterprises. Initiatives such as the CCBSA-Henley Business School program and supplier development summits help strengthen business capability and support the long-term sustainability of supplier businesses.
CCBSA's socioeconomic development initiatives continue to support entrepreneurship, education, and economic inclusion in the communities where the company operates. The Bizniz in a Box program is an innovative youth and women empowerment initiative that helps build township and rural economies by developing black youth-owned businesses responsive to community needs. The Study Buddy Fund supports youth from communities in which CCBSA operates to access tertiary education, covering tuition, accommodation, and textbook costs.
Attaining Level 1 B-BBEE status is an important milestone that reflects CCBSA's commitment to creating shared value through its business practices. The company remains focused on supporting economic participation, strengthening local enterprise, and investing in the people and communities central to South Africa's future growth and prosperity. This achievement demonstrates the impact of investing in local people, local businesses, and local communities while growing a business that creates value for all stakeholders.
Key points
- Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa achieves Level 1 B-BBEE status through long-term investment in local ownership, supplier development, and community upliftment initiatives.
- The company's commitment to transformation and economic participation is reflected in its 20% black shareholding and 67% black representation on its board.
- CCBSA's socioeconomic development initiatives support entrepreneurship, education, and economic inclusion in communities where the company operates.
