Abstract

In this paper it is argued that no CSR program can be successful in a development context in general, and in South Africa in particular, unless skills development and therefore empowerment is integrated in every part of the program. The Chinese proverb, “give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach him to fish and he will eat for a lifetime,” is the theme of this paper. While it is good to provide people with financial and other means in order to help them, sustainable development cannot be achieved if people are not equipped with the necessary skills to use these means, and thereby empowered to provide for themselves and others in the future