This philosophy is deeply-rooted and engrained in every part of Brimstone being a responsible corporate citizen in a democratic South Africa which has many challenges. It is faced with pure economic challenges, political challenges, environmental challenges, social challenges, and unfortunately the brunt of these are more exaggerated and felt by the already impoverished. Corporate South Africa has a major responsibility in alleviating and softening the suffering of the poorest of the poor. This task is near impossible without the co-operation and support of social organisations.
“Shareholders of BEST support more than 3,5 million beneficiaries across South Africa.”
Brimstone acknowledges that non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) and public benefit organisations (PBO’s) require constant financial support. However the company recognises that an alternative funding model is necessary for these organisations to remain sustainable in the long-term.
In 2005 Brimstone formed the Brimstone Empowerment Share Trust (BEST), the purpose of which is to create a more sustainable model of support to organisations by awarding them with Brimstone shares at no cost to the awardee organisation. To date 40 organisations with a broad base of beneficiaries have been awarded in excess of 2 million shares. These organisations support more than 3,5 million beneficiaries across South Africa.
Organisations are entitled to ownership of the shares, but have to retain the shares for a period of 5 years. The organisation is entitled to receive all dividends that Brimstone declares. BEST has an independent board of trustees which annually reviews the progress of each organisation within BEST.
African Beekeeper Trust
Al Fidaa Foundation
Aryan Benevolent Home Council
Big Issue
Buhle Farmer's Academy
Cape Flats Development Association
Carel du Toit Trust
Cheshire Home Summerstrand
District six museum
Ditikeni Investment Company Limited
Douglas Murray Home for the Aged
Early Learning Resource Unit
Foodbank Foundation
Gift of the Givers
Ihata Shelter
Imam Abdullah Haron Education Trust
iThemba Projects
Johannesburg Jewish Helping Hand and Burial Society
Laureus | Laureus Sport For Good Foundation South Africa
League of Friends of the Blind
LEAP Science and Maths School
Leliebloem House Trust
Mary Harding School
Missionvale Care Centre
Mitchells Plain Education Forum
Mustadafin Foundation
Nelson Mandela Foundation
Port Elizabeth Sentraal Khayalethu Youth Centre
Project Literacy
Saabri and Ashrafi Relief Fund
Sakhikamva Investments
Shalamuka Foundation
Sinothando Child and Youth Care Centre
Smile Foundation
South African National Zakah Fund
South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service
Sozo Foundation
Sultan Bahu Centre
TSiBA Education
Women and Men Against Child Abuse
Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa
Yabonga HIV/AIDS projects