We are proud to announce that Digby Wells Environmental has been awarded Level 1 B-BBEE status for the third consecutive year, reflecting a sustained commitment to transformation.
What Level 1 B-BBEE Status Means
Under South Africa’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) framework, Level 1 is the highest achievable rating. It reflects strong performance across all measured scorecard elements, including ownership, management control, skills development, enterprise and supplier development and socio-economic development. For our clients and partners, working with Digby Wells contributes positively to their own B-BBEE procurement goals, adding measurable value alongside our technical services.
What Sits Behind the Number
Our Level 1 B-BBEE status reflects focused investment across the full scorecard and a practical commitment to the communities and industries we serve.
10 Bursaries: Investing in Future Professionals
Our bursary programme is more than financial support; it helps create a pathway into the profession. By supporting students pursuing qualifications in environmental science, engineering and related disciplines, we are helping to address critical skills shortages while widening access for young South Africans.
13 Internships: Learning Through Doing
Our interns bring fresh academic knowledge into active projects. By creating opportunities to apply that knowledge in practice, we give them experience that qualifications alone cannot provide. Across environmental and social impact assessment, biodiversity work, community engagement and regulatory compliance, they contribute meaningfully from day one and many go on to build lasting careers in the sector.
Enterprise Development
We partnered with a client in Mpumalanga in response to a need identified by a youth development organisation. The programme empowered a local driving school business to support 20 young people from Charles Cilliers in obtaining learner’s and Code 14 driving licences.
Supplier Development
Digby Wells continued its partnership with MySME to deliver a three-day First Entry Business Coaching programme to local businesses in eMbalenhle and Kinross. The curriculum covered four accredited modules: Business 101, product and service development, business strategy and the business model. Each participant received accredited certification upon completion.
Through our continued partnership with our local sub-contractors and suppliers; we achieved the following:
- Facilitated and procured an aquifer test software licence from an international supplier. This system is used for analysing, interpreting and visualising pumping and slug test data for water studies.
- Fully funded one of our suppliers to complete the University of Cape Town’s Project Management Foundations: An Organisational Perspective online short course. This investment directly strengthens the capabilities she brings to her business operations.
Why Three Consecutive Years Matters
For us, maintaining Level 1 status for three consecutive years shows that transformation is embedded in how we operate. As a global business working in some of Africa’s most complex social and environmental contexts, we know our credibility as consultants is inseparable from our credibility as a responsible employer. A more equitable industry is a more resilient one.
“Holding Level 1 for three consecutive years tells us that our approach to transformation is working but what matters most to us is what sits behind that number. Young people with a clearer path into the profession. Emerging businesses with stronger foundations. Local suppliers with sharper skills. That is the part we are most proud of.”
– Mashudu Rafundisani, Country Manager, South Africa, Digby Wells Environmental
Looking Ahead
We remain committed to growing these programmes in the years ahead and to expanding the reach and quality of our transformation initiatives, helping to ensure that the environmental and social consulting profession reflects the diversity of the communities and landscapes we serve.
We extend our thanks to our bursary recipients, interns and enterprise and supplier development beneficiaries for their dedication; to our team members who invest time in mentoring and developing emerging talent; and to our clients and partners whose continued support makes this work possible.