Namely, sport and performing arts academies, entrepreneurial development and environmental management.
The purpose of the above mentioned pillars seek to identify what Tsogo Sun is all about-having rebranded its image this year- and creating a social cohesion amongst staff and communities, and also preserving the environment we live in.
SunCares, which embodies the spirit of Tsogo Sun and its employees, also allows for the implementation of life-changing initiatives for many people in South Africa through carefully designed and managed programmes.
Rob Collins, Chief Marketing Officer of Tsogo Sun, says:” The Tsogo Sun companies have always been highly sensitised to community involvement and activity and much has been achieved within our respective programmes but there was a clear need to bring all the programmes together to build a united brand under which the initiatives can be measured and developed against the group strategy.
On the environmental management, the company has seen the group reduce its energy consumption by 10.8% through the installation of heat pumps and energy efficient lighting at all gaming and hotel properties.
Efforts are being made to reduce freshwater and energy consumption, improve waste recycling levels with a goal of ‘zero waste to landfill by 2017, implement a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions management strategy, implement a climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy across all operations in 2012, and other initiatives.
The Performing Arts Academy is playing a pivotal role in revitalising the arts and culture industry in South Africa, primarily through the group’s world-class theatre facilities in Johannesburg, the Teatro at Montecasino and the Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City, as with all the SunCares initiatives, the Performing Arts Academy is founded on strong partnerships with relevant bodies that include the Department of Education.
The performing arts initiative is currently running in Diepsloot near Montecasino and will be starting in August in the southern area of Johannesburg, near Gold Reef City, with 150 learners in the programme ranging in age from 10 to 17 years.
The Book-a-Guesthouse programme focuses on women empowerment in Soweto and other areas.
This is part of the entrepreneurial development programme which Tsogo Sun has identified to develop, mentor and coach accommodation establishments to be sustainable and independent.
At this stage there are 60 independently-owned and operated bed & breakfast and guesthouse establishments in the programme, which are located in four provinces – Gauteng, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape.
“Our year-on-year results within the member establishments are steadily improving and over the seven-year period that we have been operating, we have seen them achieve a combined estimated average of R15.5 million in turnover, and through their sustainability, more than 2 000 jobs have been indirectly created.
It’s proving to be an excellent way for the group to add value through skills enhancement within the broader hospitality industry, while also investing in the growth of the South African economy,” adds Tothill.
Lucas Radebe, former Bafana skipper was also present to share his experience with the future stars and give thumbs-up to the Sports Academy.
According to Tsogo Sun, the Academy has a successful history with over 1 250 participants from 42 schools, and more than 65 coaches and referees being trained and accredited currently in schools, countrywide.
It includes the Rugby Academy, the Soccer Academy, as well as netball and cricket initiatives currently being planned and to be rolled out in the near future.
According to Shanda Paine, Tsogo Sun’s CSI Manager, the Sports Academy not only transforms the lives of young learners by developing their sporting talent and providing them with numerous platforms to be selected to play at club and provincial level, but also those of teachers, coaches, referees and community members, by providing them with accredited skills, jobs and procurement deals.”
Soon, several sports initiatives will be held under the auspices of the Sports Academy, which include the Diepsloot Schools Rugby Festival, the launch of a cricket programme in Chesterville in KwaZulu-Natal; a soccer tournament on the West Rand, the launch of a swimming programme in the Eastern Cape, and others.
