By Mvuyo Tyobeka, CEO of SPM
Charity has long been linked to giving. Donations, food parcels, one-off campaigns—these all matter. But they often fade quickly once the cheque is handed over or the parcel is unpacked. Empowerment lasts. It multiplies. It can change the course of a person’s life, a family, or even a community.
At SPM, we’ve learned that charity without empowerment is temporary. Charity that begins with empowerment sticks. It gives people dignity and independence. It creates change that lasts. As the world marks the International Day of Charity on 5 September, declared by the United Nations General Assembly, it reminds us that giving can take many forms. And the most meaningful way to give is to empower others so they can stand on their own.
Empowerment starts within the organisation. For us, it means investing in people at every level. An employee who is empowered is more than someone who collects a salary. They gain skills, room to grow, and the trust to lead. Knowledge and opportunity matter as much as infrastructure. When we support employees and share expertise with suppliers, we extend empowerment beyond our walls. Empowered people help others become empowered, and that ripple effect matters.
A strong business is only as resilient as the ecosystem around it. Our Supplier Development Programme is a practical example. We work with small and emerging businesses, particularly black-owned and women-led enterprises. The programme provides interest-free, unsecured loans, free office space, shared facilities, and mentorship. These businesses receive guidance to build operational skills, strengthen leadership, and achieve long-term sustainability. Some suppliers started with limited resources and are now trusted partners on major projects. Watching them thrive, creating jobs, and contributing to the economy—that’s what empowerment looks like in action.
In South Africa, the need for empowerment is particularly urgent. Many communities face historical and systemic barriers that make growth and opportunity difficult. Research shows that black-owned small businesses still account for less than 20 percent of formal procurement in sectors like energy and infrastructure. Supporting emerging businesses and enabling local talent is not only good business—it is a contribution to nation-building. When small businesses thrive, they create jobs, circulate wealth locally, and strengthen the communities around them. This is the kind of sustainable impact that charity alone cannot achieve.
When leaders talk about legacy, it’s often numbers and results. I think the real measure is how many people we empower along the way. Were barriers removed? Opportunities created? Did we leave the system stronger than we found it? At SPM, legacy isn’t abstract. Every project is a chance to transfer knowledge. Every partnership unlocks potential. Every decision builds capability.
The old idea of charity gives what’s needed right now. Empowerment-driven charity gives people the tools to create what they’ll need tomorrow. That’s the difference between temporary relief and lasting change. It shapes how we see our role in South Africa. We don’t measure impact in rands donated but in people and businesses who now have the skills, confidence, and independence to write their own futures.
Anyone can write a cheque. But embedding empowerment into the DNA of a business—that’s the challenge. It’s about how we hire, train, buy, and lead. If charity begins with empowerment, business isn’t only about profit. It drives transformation. It partners with communities and businesses so they can grow and stand strong on their own.
As we observe the International Day of Charity, I’m reminded that the deepest impact comes when giving empowers. That is the kind of charity that matters. That is the legacy worth leaving.