Dick Whittington Culture

A culture of professionalism, ethical business practices and of investing in people permeates the whole company. Employees are provided with an invigorating environment in which they feel a strong sense of pride and belonging, evidenced by an average of 15 years service per employee.

As part of its social responsibility commitment, the company embarked on a year long learnership programme. Sixty-five previously unemployed people have since graduated from the programme, successfully obtaining their N2 qualification. Most of these people have since been permanently employed by the company in order to sustain its growth. In addition, the company has an ongoing ABET programme, commencing from Level 1 up to Level 4. This has helped all participating employees achieve success in the IEB examinations, some of them with distinctions.

The company is committed to supporting SMME businesses. It currently outsources some of its processes to 4 SMME businesses and is mentoring a Co-operative. Collectively these SMME’s give employment to some 100 people.

The company was voted runner-up in its category, in the Kwazulu-Natal Growth Awards. The award is intended to showcase the achievements of those businesses that through their success and growth, provide secure employment and training for the province’s growing workforce. It also gives recognition to those businesses that exemplify best practices and helps raise their profiles.

60 years on, Dick Whittington Shoes is well placed to see its centenary and to continue to make a contribution to the viability of the country by providing continued employment and training for its workers.