A Studty on the Role of TEA Estates in Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility: The Case Study of Nchima, Kasembereka, Makande and Chizunga in Thyolo District, Malawi

Author(s): Smart. Joseph Banda, Dr. T Marirajan and Dr. T Velmurugan

Abstract:

This comprehensive exploration made a careful search for information on the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives done by Malawian tea estates with a specific focus on Nchima, Kasembereka, Makande and Chizunga estates in Thyolo District. The study reveals almost similar interventions done by these estates in the district. However, there are also some areas which are not done by the estates which are also very important such as payment of school bursaries to children whose parents work in the estates. The study has also revealed that estates are committed in investing funds in CSR initiatives in the district. However, the financial packages are not sufficient enough to carter for all initiatives in the district. The study has exposed that, CSR initiatives by estates have different impacts to the stakeholders especially promoting the socio-economic development of various stakeholders including the communities surrounding the estates and beyond. The discussion extends beyond the local context to the broader African perspective, emphasizing the disproportionate burden borne by implementation of CSR activities in the district such as theft of estates products, low funding and encroachments to estates, just to mention a few. Recommendations span on an increased funding to CSR initiatives and inclusion of school bursary to needy students surrounding tea estates. Additionally, the study advocates for continued collaboration, localized interventions, monitoring and evaluation, youth engagement, economic empowerment initiatives, and advocacy for policy change to foster sustainable community support structure.

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