The PLUS LGBTI+ Business Network is an NPO organisation that aims to champion, promote, support and empower South African lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex [LGBTI] business owners and entrepreneurs with valuable opportunities to learn, network, do business and prosper; contributing to the redress of the structural and economic injustices of our past.

Exclusion from even the scarce employment opportunities that are available and workplace discrimination are continually identified by LGBTI people in southern Africa as factors that affect them deeply.  At the same time, some LGBTI-owned small businesses are thriving and others are eager to do better by tapping into LGBTI markets.  And some big companies are committed and eager to ensure greater diversity in their workforce and to ensure LGBTI inclusion in their supply chains.  At the level on international economic development policy, “inclusive economic growth” and development approaches that “leave no-one behind” are at the top of the policy agenda.

The Other Foundation consulted with business owners, individual service providers who relate to small or medium enterprises and big businesses, and technical specialists who agreed that there was traction to support LGBTI owned businesses through a business network in which there is some likelihood of success, define potential linkages with LGBTI workplace groups in big businesses, and map a way forward for the Foundation’s investment in the economic empowerment of LGBTI people.

PLUS was launched on 17 May 2017 as a response to the above.  PLUS champions, promotes, supports and empowers South African LGBTI business.  It intends to address scarce employment opportunities, and discrimination in the workplace of LGBTI people in South Africa, which are harmful to their wellbeing.

PLUS aims to offer a wide array of benefits and perks to corporate, non-corporate and private individuals.  To boost the benefits offered by our network, we signed an agreement with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce [NGLCC] of the United States of America, about similar collaborations on LGBTI workplace issues.  Current benefits include:

• Business training and workshop;
• Free registration to PLUS business network gatherings and forums;
• Registration on the NGLCC US LGBTI Supplier database;
• Regular communication on developments and opportunities.

We were approached by one of your employees requesting assistance with strategies to capacitate employees and strengthen diversity and inclusion at Alexandra Fraser thus positioning Alexandra Fraser an organisation that embraces diversity and ‘does not leave anyone out’.

Promoting and supporting diversity in the workplace is an important aspect of good people management – it’s about valuing everyone in the organisation as an individual. However, to reap the benefits of a diverse workforce it’s vital to have an inclusive environment where everyone feels able to participate and achieve their potential.

To create a truly safe and inclusive workplace culture, any policies HR puts in place need to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to sexual orientation and gender reassignment discrimination.

Diverse organisations perform better.

We recommend the following:

i. Conduct training or workshop (Diversity and Inclusion Management) for all middle management and their respective subordinates.

ii. Conducting training or workshops for executive management also.

iii. Set up workplace affinity groups (that will meet on a regular basis).

The duration of the course is one full day.

The course can be delivered at your premises, thus saving you costs for travelling.

We charge a minimal fee of R3500 per candidate.  Kindly we do not offer discounts for a group of 20 or more.