Primedia Limited, Knowledge Factory’s sole shareholder, has embraced the spirit of transformation and the results are being acknowledged. Primedia Limited was ranked as the 17th most transformed company in the Financial Mail’s Top Empowerment Companies Survey for 2004. In respect of the management category in this same survey, Primedia Limited was ranked as the 3rd most transformed company.
In addition to these achievements, Primedia Limited was ranked 14th in the Business Women’s Association’s South African Women in Corporate Leadership Census 2004, a survey which evaluated both listed and state owned companies with boards of directors comprising of, at least, 25% women.
21.7% of Primedia Limited is held directly by the Mineworkers Investment Company, 60% of Primedia Limited’s board is comprised of persons of colour and 28% are women.
Knowledge Factory
This commitment to transformation is echoed by Knowledge Factory, which has implemented a five year plan to ensure that our employee base is representative of the greater South African population. Knowledge Factory’s board of directors is currently comprised of 50% of persons of colour, with its operations committee comprising of 40% of persons of colour. 48% of Knowledge Factory’s employees are women, 24% are Black, 7% are Indian and 9% are Coloured.
Development of previously disadvantaged individuals is one of the means in which Knowledge Factory can both contribute to the greater South Africa and meet its targets as detailed in the five year plan. In this respect, Knowledge Factory has initiated mentorship programmes whereby key staff members have been identified and paired with mentors to fast track their development. In addition to developing its staff, Knowledge Factory also employs university students from previously disadvantaged communities who are studying towards a degree relevant to Knowledge Factory’s industry, during their July and December vacations. Through this vacation work these students not only earn an income but also get practical, real world experience which stands them in good stead both with their studies and in the workplace. In addition to working on actual projects, these students are also taken through theoretical and practical “course” material prepared by members of the Knowledge Factory team.
