Social Enterprise – Why Wouldn’t We?

This time last year I wasn't changing nappies, I was in South Africa, rising at 5.00am each morning to go out on an open top 4x4 looking for lions and other hungry residents of Madwike game reserve.

The animal highlight was the sight of a female leopard taking down an antelope, only for three hyenas to effectively mug her of her dinner minutes later. Away from the game, the other highlight was the hospitality of the local people who run a number of the lodges on the reserve.

Accommodation options include the Madwike Collection, a group of fabulous lodges that in most cases are ‘community owned’. http://www.madikwecollection.co.za/

This means they are run and operated by the local communities with private capital and expertise being used to get them up and running. After a period of ‘a few years’ the lodges are handed over to the communities which means that your tourist $$s have a better chance of going to the people who really need them.

I thought this was a pretty cool idea and it played a huge factor in our decision to stay there. It is also just one example of a fast emerging sector of the economy that I hope defies the current economic downturn.

UK consumers seem to agree. A recent YouGov poll showed that social and environmental values of business are as or more important than before the onset of the credit crunch.

Only 13% of respondents said that they believe that social and environmental values of business are less important since the credit crunch began, whereas almost three quarters (71%) believe that they are as or more important than before the economic upheaval.

According to Government figures, there are 55,000 social enterprises in the UK that contribute £8.4 billion per year to the UK economy. YouGov’s poll also shows that people want more social enterprises in the UK. When asked what we need more of to ensure a sustainable economy for the future, 42% of respondents chose social enterprises, ahead of government institutions, charities funded by donations, and traditional business.

So it seems that in these tougher times, people in the UK not only want to see vibrant businesses contributing to the economy, but they also want those businesses to consider the communities and the environment in which they operate.

If you had been to Madwike and seen the impact the venture is having there, you’d find it hard to disagree that there is even greater need in countries outside the UK.

My tips on Madwike by the way: Stay at Thakadu River Camp for a couple of days and then move to Buffalo Ridge. You’ll get the warmest of welcomes and see more of the park.