When Proton bakery announced its
entrance into the Bulawayo market a few weeks ago, Society 24 applauded the move as a huge endorsement of the city’s
economy as an investment destination. We also noted the emphasis of Proton
representatives on their aim to build mutually beneficial relationships with
the community.
After supporting Proton’s vision,
Society 24 went a step further and
monitored the baker’s initial footprint in the city based on their promise to
walk the talk. Below is a rundown of the
major projects Proton has undertaken in Bulawayo during its first month of
operation in Bulawayo.
According to the Business News Daily, contemporary
customers expect high standards, which exceed quality products and services,
from companies. As such, Business News Daily
notes that ‘companies are not only expected to make profits but also operate
responsibly to address social and environmental issues.’
Indeed Proton, as noted in
previous articles, is exceeding expectations when it comes to product and
service quality.
With regards to walking the extra
mile, the bakers underlined their environmental awareness by donating ten
rubbish bins to the Nkulumane community.
“There is a real need for these
litter bins in my constituency especially at clinics and shopping centres which
will be prioritised during allocation,” said Nkulumane Member of Parliament
Killian Sibanda upon receiving the waste disposal facilities.
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| Nkulumane MP Killian Sibanda receives rubbish bins from Proton management |
Society 24 views this as a critical contribution towards
environmental preservation by Proton as they encourage proper handling of
unwanted products like packaging which degrades the ecosystem if dumped.
Proton also assumed community
responsibility by supporting law enforcement initiatives in Bulawayo. In
Particular, the bread maker partnered the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) when
they re-launched their Client Service Charter in Njube suburb.
The Charter encourages ZRP
officers to be diligent in serving and safeguarding the public. Proton was
present in solidarity, contributing through dressing some of the participants
and giving prizes to officers awarded for excellence.
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| Client Service Charter procession dressed by Proton |
Communities are always in need of
recreation and entertainment which is usually attained through sport. Society 24 noticed that Proton was
visible in various sporting activities, for example, contributing towards prizes for the
Bulawayo Pool Association (BPA)’s Easter tournament, while dressing all umpires
and officials for the competition.
Mr and Ms ZITF was also a
beneficiary of similar incentives to participants in an event which saw Proton
partner Bulawayo powerhouses like PPC Zimbabwe in sponsoring the body building
contest.
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| Ms ZITF contestants on stage |
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| Mr ZITF winners pose with their hampers from Proton |
With such strides, Proton is definitely angling for a permanent seat
at the elders table in business.
At the main show-grounds of the
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), Proton defied a general apathy from Bulawayo
companies towards the exhibition and showcased for the first time at the 2017
edition.
“I encourage local companies to
exhibit at such fairs since their absence restricts them because they then miss
out on a lot of business and partnerships which are both vital to survive in any
cutthroat environment,” said Proton sales manager Simba Bodzo in the days
preceding the exhibition.
“In any case, how else can you
make informed decisions?” he added.
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| Proton brand ambassadors KVG and Phatisani at the ZITF Proton stand |
To concur, Society 24 asks how
else we, the consumers, can know you are serious about us if you never meet and
initiate dialogue with us at such platforms?
Add employment prospects, which
amount to hope for Bulawayo citizens, to this cocktail of social initiatives -
all achieved in one month of operation - and no one would fault you for
appreciating this new business in Bulawayo.
Society 24 views the footprint of Proton in Bulawayo as a raised
bar for other companies to mix business interest with contributions towards
social benefit.- Society 24
