DIAGEO Empowerment Trust of South Africa

The Diageo Empowerment Trust SA was started to build and sustain vigorous economic growth through aiding new businesses entering the economy. By focusing on black empowerment, we will help businesses and strengthen communities in South Africa. The Diageo Empowerment Trust SA has three initiatives. 1) Helping promising sorghum farmers compete for new markets. The Trust is already working with identified farmers in the Eastern Cape and will move into other provinces in due course. 2) Venture capital: Expands beyond agriculture to identify and support companies that are 100% owned by black females, and that can be integrated into the Diageo supply chain. Areas include the manufacture and growth of raw materials, bottling, glass and co-packaging, as well as marketing. 3) Identify and nurture tomorrow’s social entrepreneurs. Because these companies are primarily focused on solving social problems, not profit, they are uniquely well positioned to have the greatest possible impact on South Africa. The Trust has partnered with GIBS, a business school, WDB Seed Fund, an investment fund that develops sustainable businesses, Seed Academy, a social enterprise consultancy, and Aurik Business Accelerator, which is focused on helping entrepreneurial businesses succeed.