The company is doing so through an essay and poster competition in which prizes totalling R16 000 are on offer. Students are invited to express their views in one of two publishable formats: an A3-size poster, or a typed essay, in English, of no more than 1 000 words.

Responses may be published in the company's 2003 social report, and the winning entry will be published in full. The winner of the first prize will receive R10 000, and the three runners-up will each receive R2 000. The entries must include full contact details: name, address, telephone numbers, e-mail address (if possible), name of university and student number. All entries should be sent to: We challenge you to shape our world, British American Tobacco South Africa, PO Box 631, Cape Town, 8000. It can also be e-mailed to csr_za@bat.com.

The closing date for entries is September 30, 2002. The competition forms part of British American Tobacco South Africa's social reporting process in which the company aims to better understand its stakeholders' expectations and to identify potential solutions, says Ingrid Adams, the company's graduate recruitment manager. "Students at tertiary institutions are important stakeholders because they are future leaders of business and the country, as well as potential employees of the company. Their views will help shape our company's future."