32 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORT 2026 Community Investment and Digital Enablement Toward year-end, NCT’s contribution extended beyond operations into targeted community investment and digital capability strengthening. These areas supported rural resilience, education, environmental stewardship, traceability, EUDR compliance readiness and internal efficiency, further broadening the Co-operative’s impact across its operating landscape. Corporate Social Investment Corporate Social Investment (CSI) remained focused on practical community upliftment, with a combined investment of R2.48 million during the year. This comprised R777 492 in core CSI expenditure and a further R1.71 million invested directly through NCT’s community development programmes across its farming operations. Programmes spanned food security, education, early childhood development, child welfare, skills development, environmental support and community partnerships, reaching pre-school children, learners, vulnerable households and community organisations. In addition to partnerships with non-governmental and community-based organisations, NCT’s direct community development initiatives supported a wide range of rural development projects. These included water security and borehole projects, community and school food gardens, school infrastructure improvements, fencing and community facilities, fire awareness programmes, sports development, road maintenance, firewood assistance, skills development and learnership opportunities, as well as support for vulnerable community members and households. This investment strengthened rural resilience, improved access to education and essential services, enhanced food security, created skills development opportunities, and contributed to the social and economic wellbeing of communities within NCT’s operational areas. Supported initiatives included school feeding schemes, community food gardens, school and special-needs support, children’s homes, foster care infrastructure, agricultural training, conservation assistance, and a broad range of community development projects implemented directly by NCT. Through these combined efforts, NCT continued to reinforce its commitment to sustainable rural development and its community-centred approach to doing business.
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