The environment plays an integral part in the designing and building of our developments and it is thus important that Equites remains aware of its impact. We make a concerted effort to minimise our environmental effects and maximise our positive contribution.
Our Photovoltaic power plant converts the energy of the sun into electricity.
The output of energy the solar system is producing in the form of electricity. (as of 2018-09-20)
Calculated by the electricity tariff multiplied by the accumulative production of energy produced through solar power. (as of 2018-09-20)
Our CO2 emissions offset can be translated into the number of trees saved, (as of 2018-09-20)
At Equites, our success does not form in isolation. How we care for our people, communities and the environment plays an integral part in creating value for our shareholders and for the broader South African context.
Our purpose is not only driving profits, we are acutely aware of our position in the industry and concerned with how we can make a larger, positive impact.
Environmental stewardship is an essential component of creating longer term shareholder value as seen above.
Equites has built environmental sustainability into our daily operations, both in developments and property operations. It is incorporated into each of the following phases during a development: Development, Site Sustainability, Development Design, Construction Phase and Development Occupation.
Our employees are important in creating sustainable long-term value for our business and our clients.
We encourage employee engagement and the diversity of our teams, thus recruitment is always in line with our approach to the gender and racial diversification of our staff.
We focus on the development of our staff through an annual performance appraisal system, enabling our employees to identify their strengths and weaknesses so that they may improve in areas specific to them.
Our internal and external culture is built from the belief that we, as an organisation, must have a positive impact on the success and well-being of the communities surrounding our buildings, and the residents within them.
Equites partnered with the LEAP Science and Maths Schools to redevelop a high school just outside Equites Park, Meadowview. The school currently operates out of prefabricated classrooms and the joint project aims to develop a solid-structure to facilitate a more stable environment for learners. Equites is committed to supporting LEAP as it was founded to promote the positive transformation of communities through education, a cause we align by.
Equites has entered its third year of running the “Equites Learnership” programme which is focused on equipping previously disadvantaged learners with valuable skills to enable them to be absorbed into the workforce. Nine learners have been enrolled in the programme in 2019.
The group is connected with a small-scale Western Cape based maintenance business and provides them with initial funding, access to Equites’ administrative team and a guaranteed pipeline of maintenance projects in the Western Cape. It is the company’s intention to incorporate an incubator programme to assist in the growth and development of small construction and maintenance companies.
In partnership with The Michel Lanfranchi Foundation, Equites continues to offer full-cost bursaries to second year students enrolled in property studies at the University of Cape Town. The aim of these bursaries is to provide students with financial aid while simultaneously providing mentorship and real-world business experience.
Equites partners with Damon At Sons Construction (Pty) Ltd to grow a small construction company into a large-scale business which provides employment to more than sixty employees, all from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. Equites provides a development pipeline, financial support and mentorship to the company and hopes to develop not only the business but also the individuals involved in key operations into skilled construction industry workers.
Striving to build for the future with world-class
developments has encouraged us to lead through innovation,
from brand to product.
It is necessary to be in tune with what is happening in our surrounding environments. A close relationship with our clients has the potential to help select the real innovation for successful business.