Phumelela Ranked The 8th Most Empowered COMPANY

Phumelela have been ranked the 8thmost Empowered company on the JSE
according to the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) index formulated by
Empowerdex.
The Most Empowered Company rankings sets the bar for the rest of the
economy by showcasing the companies that have gone furthest in transforming
South Africa’s business environment.
Considering the top 100 companies are highlighted in these rankings, being
placed in the top ten is a major accolade for Phumelela.
The rankings were unveiled at the Empowerdex-Business Report 100 Most
Empowered Companies gathering held at The Maslow in Sandton, Johannesburg
on Thursday.

Phumelela had the biggest rise in score and ranking of any of the top 10
rated companies. Their score rose from 86.12 in 2014 to 91.99 this year and
their ranking rose from 20th to 8th.

Currently 47% of Phumelela's board of directors, including its chairman,
is black; 54% of Phumelela's executive committee is black; 52% of
Phumelela's senior management is black; and 87% of Phumelela's staff is
black.

Phumelela have set in place initiatives to improve the life outlook for
many of the previously disadvantaged in the industry.
Grooms now have an incentive in that 1% of all stakes money in the country,
which amounts to R4 million, is now allocated to them. Furthermore, they
have a growth opportunity through the Work Riders Programme, initiated by
the Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust in Gauteng (The Thoroughbred Horseracing
Trust is a major shareholder of Phumelela who's objective is to ensure the
long term viability of the sport).
Successful graduates have the opportunity to earn a portion of the R5,6
million allocated to the 72 Work Rider races staged annually. Furthermore,
these races present an opportunity for workriders to prove themselves
capable of becoming fully fledged jockeys. In addition, a life skills
programme provides more opportunity for growth, as it includes education on
financial management, health and hygiene as well as television coaching.

Additionally, Grooms quarters at the horseracing facilities are provided
and maintained at no cost to the Grooms, Phumelela and Kenilworth Racing
(managed by Phumelela) have upgraded Grooms quarters at Randjiesfontein,
the Vaal Racetrack, Turffontein Racetrack, Milnerton and Philippi at the
cost of R7,450,000.00 since the 2007-2008 financial year.
Phumelela has made available a portion of its land at Fairview Racecourse
in the Eastern Cape as a donation to a grooms trust for the purpose of
developing fully serviced accommodation in cooperation with the local
municipality.
Recreational facilities such as soccer fields for use by grooms residing at
training centres owned by Phumelela and Kenilworth have been installed and
in association with the Racing Association an annual grooms soccer
tournament is organised which includes the provision of equipment.
Horseracing Trainers’ Stable lease agreements have also been amended to
ensure they comply with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997
and conduct themselves in a lawful manner towards their employees.

On the jockey front transformation has been extremely successful and last
season South Africa had its first black champion jockey, S’Manga Khumalo.
Another black jockey Muzi Yeni is a regular in the top ten on the national
jockeys log and there are many other sought after jockeys who come from
previously disadvantaged backgrounds. 60% of the annual intake of
apprentice jockeys at the South African Jockeys Academy (SAJA) (which is
partly funded by Phumelela) have been from a previously disadvantaged
background for the last five years.

The Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust contributes R1 million to the running of
SAJA and the Gauteng Jockey’s Academies. The latter has been very
successful in advancing the skills of apprentices who began their learning
at SAJA.

The Trust has funded the training of eight matriculants selected in 2008
from Orange Farm to become farriers. Six successfully passed their exams
and have continued their development through the funding of the Trust.

The Thoroughbred Horseracing Trust contributes R10,6 million in stakes
(prize money) to previously disadvantaged individuals.

The Trust contributes R2,1 million to the combat and control of African
Horse Sickness in the interest of opening up international trade and
competition for South African bred thoroughbred racehorses.

During 2011 and 2012 an HIV awareness company travelled to each training
centre on the Highveld to educate the grooms on HIV and to provide free
testing, counselling and ARV information.

Phumelela, and proudly so!