Ditebogo Malatsi isn’t your typical corporate executive. The firstborn daughter of two teachers, she grew up in an environment that valued education and instilled a dedication to continuous improvement. This upbringing, coupled with an eight-year stint in financial services, where she witnessed the power of financial access firsthand, has shaped Ditebogo’s approach to her current role: Executive for SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality) and Sustainability at Omnia Group.
According to Ditebogo, her portfolio requires the alignment of sustainability and ESG goals with operational SHEQ practices, which starts with an understanding of key ESG factors that are relevant for the industry, business, and stakeholders.
“This can be done through various ways, one of which is engagement with internal and external stakeholders to understand their ESG expectations, so that these can be considered in the development of the overall strategy. The measure of success will then be determined through clear goal and objective setting, monitoring and transparent reporting of performance by aligning to relevant frameworks such as the GRI and TCFD,” she says.
Integrating ESG considerations into the fabric of a major player in the agriculture, mining, and chemical manufacturing industries is no small feat, but she approaches it with the same dedication she gleaned from her parents and years in finance.
For Ditebogo, ESG is more than just a buzzword. Climate change, she argues, poses a significant risk – not just environmentally, but also to society and good governance. Vulnerable communities bear the brunt of extreme weather patterns, leading to displacement, food insecurity, and social unrest. Investors, too, are increasingly concerned with a company’s ability to manage climate-related risks.
Omnia’s approach to sustainability is multifaceted. Internally, the company focuses on reducing its own carbon footprint through investments in renewable energy and emissions-abatement technologies. Externally, Ditebogo highlights Omnia’s customer solutions, such as Nutriology in agriculture, which maximises yield while minimising resource use, and Blast Alliance in mining, which promotes efficient mineral extraction.
The power of disruption
Ditebogo sees disruptive technologies like AI and blockchain as potential game-changers for ESG management.
“We recognise the transformative power of these technologies in streamlining ESG data collection, analysis, and reporting processes within our business,” she says.
“By leveraging AI-powered analytics we can identify ESG risks and opportunities accurately, which therefore, leads to facilitating more informed decision-making. Moreover, blockchain technology enables improved supply chain traceability and ethical sourcing practices, enhancing accountability throughout the value chain,” she adds.
Her personal ambition goes even further.
“The decades of industrialisation that our world has gone through has resulted in the unintended consequences of climate change and its impact on people’s lives. I have the privilege to work in an organisation, and within a profession, that is anchored in doing the right thing for people and the planet,” she says.
“Therefore, between my personal background, the purpose and values of the organisation I serve under, and the increasing importance of sustainable organisations and communities, I want to leave a legacy that inspires each person to be a catalyst for change and continuous improvement in their personal and work lives, for their own growth, and for the benefit of the planet and the communities in which we live and work,” she concludes.
Subscribe to ESG Global newsletter