Digby Wells Environmental (South Africa) is proud to announce that the shareholder loans issued to fund its employee and education ownership trusts – the Ukwabelana Trust and the Digby Wells Education Trust – have been repaid in full.
This milestone has been achieved well ahead of schedule and affirms Digby Wells’ commitment to meaningful transformation, staff ownership, and the long-term prosperity of historically disadvantaged South Africans.
Ownership Through Empowerment
In 2018, as part of its Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) strategy, the company allocated shares in its South African entity to two dedicated internal trusts:
The Ukwabelana Trust and the Digby Wells Education Trust were established to benefit historically disadvantaged South Africans – through employee ownership for permanent staff and bursaries for students pursuing studies in environmental and social sciences.
Using shareholder loans from the company, the trusts were able to acquire ownership without any personal financial burden for the beneficiaries.
Thanks to the growth and profitability of Digby Wells South Africa, these loans have now been settled – allowing future dividends to flow directly to staff and students. Beneficiaries of the Ukwabelana Trust can now receive 100% of their profit allocations, calculated through a predetermined formula based on performance, tenure, and seniority.
Leadership Reflections
Our employees are no longer just contributors – they are genuine co-owners of the business they’ve helped to build, says Mashudu Rafundisani, Country Manager for Digby Wells South Africa. “This is what true empowerment looks like: when the value created by our people flows back to them, opening doors to greater financial freedom and a more equitable future.”
“This milestone is a celebration of what can be achieved when empowerment is done with purpose. It’s not just about ticking boxes – it’s about building lasting value for our people. I’m incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished, and even more excited for what lies ahead.” added Graham Trusler, CEO, Digby Wells Environmental
This achievement supports Digby Wells’ Level 1 B-BBEE certification and 135% procurement recognition. It also deepens the company’s broader localisation and inclusion efforts across Africa and beyond.
