Maintaining positive relationships with our various stakeholders is an important part of the way we do business. 

our key relationships 

The relationships we build and maintain with all our stakeholders are guided by our shared values. 

## o Regulatory authorities 

We work to establish and maintain constructive relationships with governments of the countries in which we operate, or plan to operate. We seek to identify how Sasol’s growth can support the growth strategies of these countries – ensuring alignment with their development and economic requirements and challenges. 

## o Customers 

We interact directly with many of our customers, both to solicit their feedback on our products and services, and also as part of our commitment to ensure effective product stewardship, particularly for some of our more hazardous products. 

## o Investors 

We keep shareholders and the investment community updated on our fi nancial results and topical issues. This includes regular presentations and discussions on group performance and strategy with investment analysts, institutional investors and journalists in South Africa, North America and Europe. We also publish highlights of our annual and interim financial results in the main South African daily newspapers. 

## o Business organisations 

We are active members of relevant industry associations in the countries in which we operate, enabling us to channel our views into governmental initiatives, as well as working cooperatively on industry initiatives with our peers, within the ambit of applicable legislation. 

## o The media 

We maintain a well-resourced group communication, investor relations, sponsorship and brand management team. In addition, most of our major businesses employ full-time communication staff whose tasks include media support. 

## o Local communities and civil society organisations 

In addition to the public participation initiatives implemented as part of new projects, we undertake community outreach initiatives at most of our existing operations. These engagements provide us with a deeper understanding of community interests and enable us to work in a proactive rather than reactive manner. 

## o Suppliers and service providers 

We engage with our suppliers and service providers to understand and address their concerns, and to ensure they adopt and adhere to our safety standards. Their safety records are included in the group recordable case rate (RCR). 

## o Tertiary institutions 

Our work with tertiary institutions remains an important component of our skills development initiatives – both for internal and external talent pools – and is key to our global research and development work. 

SD more detailed review of our approach to stakeholder engagement is provided in our separate sustainable development report and on our website. 

## o Employees 

Without our employees there would be no other stakeholders; they are the foundation upon which all our activities depend. Maintaining effective communication with our staff is fundamental to the success of the company. We communicate with employees in many different ways, including through a regular letter from the chief executive, internal newsletters, the Sasol intranet, shop-fl oor briefings, posters and 360º performance reviews. While we conduct internal staff surveys and focus groups, we recognise that there is scope for further engagement, specifi cally on sustainable development. 

## o Joint-venture partners 

We have joint ventures (JVs) in ten countries (including South Africa), covering all major areas of our business from chemicals to retailing fuel. Our shareholding varies from 40% – 50%, and the nature of our control over their operating activities ranges from total management control (contracted to Sasol), 100% control by the JV management, or management control by the other JV partners. While the nature and form of our engagement will vary depending on the level of control, the underlying principle of maintaining active and open engagement applies equally to all our JVs. 

