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Southern Sun Employees Unite for Mandela Day: Hundreds Volunteer in Community Projects

Once again South Africans honoured the legacy of Nelson Mandela on Thursday, 18 July. Hundreds of Southern Sun employees went out into their local communities to volunteer at the many projects that are regularly supported by the group’s hotels and resorts in South Africa. Heeding the call to collectively address social and economic security of Africans, Southern Sun volunteers acted in the spirit of the Mandela Day theme for 2024: Combat poverty and inequality, it is in our hands.

The hotel group’s commitment to making a positive impact in communities around the country truly embodies the uBuntu of Mandela Day. A total of 374 volunteers from 36 Southern Sun hotels supported 34 charities by spending their 67 minutes supporting those who are in need.

“Throughout the year, our hotel teams actively participate in community service, but Mandela Day is a special time for us to unite with the nation in driving positive change. Our support spans various causes, including health, welfare, and education, but given our position in the hospitality industry, we recognise the critical importance of alleviating hunger. This focus was the central theme of our Mandela Day activities, and we are proud to have made a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most,” stated Candy Tothill, Southern Sun’s Corporate Affairs Executive.

Southern Sun’s Sandton Convention Centre once again provided the venue as part of their ongoing sponsorship for Rise Against Hunger’s food packing event in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 17 July 2024 where more than 580,000 meals were packed. Among the numerous volunteers, 40 Southern Sun volunteers participated by preparing, weighing, and sealing 51 boxes, which contained over 13,260 nutritious meals. These meals are part of a larger effort to support Early Childhood Development Centres across the country, as part of the Rise Against Hunger SA organisation’s purpose of distributing meals.

In the greater Cape Town area, 215 dedicated staff members from 14 Southern Sun hotels came together to make a remarkable impact, supporting eight local charities. Their collective efforts saw a wide range of activities and donations aimed at uplifting the community. For instance, the Southern Sun Waterfront and Southern Sun The Cullinan hotels partnered with Ladles of Love, purchasing tickets and volunteering their time to feed the hungry through a network of NPOs, while also donating pre-loved linen to The Haven Night Shelter. Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa made significant contributions to Child Welfare Kleinmond, providing 100 litres of soup with bread, 25 litres of milk, and an array of hygiene products and educational supplies. Other hotels like StayEasy Century City, SunSquare Cape Town Gardens, and Garden Court Nelson Mandela Boulevard also contributed to Ladles of Love and various other initiatives, ensuring widespread support across multiple causes.

Further demonstrating their commitment, Garden Court Mthatha’s staff supported Happy Homes Disabled Children Centre by donating pre-loved linen and crockery, planting vegetable seedlings, and providing a hearty lunch for 80 people. Similarly, Garden Court East London served lunch and donated fleece blankets to the Silver Crown Home for Aged and Handicapped, while Garden Court Kings Beach and Southern Sun The Marine provided meals, gift packs, and entertainment for the Protea Child Youth Care Centre. This collective effort from the hotels not only addressed immediate needs but also fostered a spirit of unity and compassion, embodying the true essence of Mandela Day and leaving a lasting positive impact on the Cape Town community.

In Gauteng and outlying regions, 96 volunteers from 16 Southern Sun hotels united to support 14 local charities through a variety of impactful activities. At Southern Sun and StayEasy Mbombela, staff donated seed packs worth R1800 to Cyril Clark High School to aid in crop planting. StayEasy Pretoria lent a helping hand to Arcadia Primary School and Pretoria Technical High School by making and distributing 67 lunch packs. Meanwhile, Garden Court Hatfield donated 60 fleece beanies and participated in a soup drive for the Give Them Hope Foundation, utilising bread collected through a plastic recycling campaign. Additionally, Garden Court & StayEasy Eastgate provided pre-loved linen, operating equipment, and gifts to the Home of Hope for Girls, further emphasising their commitment to community support.

Additional contributions saw Garden Court Milpark staff serving lunch and spending time with the elderly at Eventide Old Age Home, while Garden Court Polokwane donated soup, bread, and pre-loved linen to Tiangmatla Multi-Purpose Centre. Southern Sun Pretoria distributed hot meals and lunch packs to the displaced people living under the Nelson Mandela Bridge, and Garden Court OR Tambo donated dry goods to Khanyisa soup kitchen. Collaborative efforts between Garden Court Morningside and Southern Sun Katherine Street led to grocery donations for Mpabale Children’s Home in Alexandra. Garden Court Sandton City organised a soup kitchen and winter warmer drive for Ratang Bana, a community child support project in Alexandra, and Southern Sun Hyde Park sponsored accommodation for Ladles of Love staff hosting a Mandela Day event aimed at breaking a world record and raising substantial funds and items for underprivileged pre-school children. Additionally, Riverside Sun Hotel served a hearty lunch for 100 people at Vukuzenzele Old Age Home, and 54 On Bath and Southern Sun Rosebank partnered with Avanti Coffee to provide sandwiches, coffee, and donated pre-loved linen to Immaculata Shelter. These collective efforts exemplify the hotels’ dedication to making a significant positive impact in their communities.

In KwaZulu-Natal, 63 committed staff members from six hotels and three resorts came together to support 12 local charities, demonstrating a strong sense of community and solidarity. Employees from the Beverly Hills Hotel painted children’s bathrooms at Northview Primary, while Garden Court uMhlanga donated lunch packs to 100 school kids at St Michaels Primary School in Avoca. Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani made significant contributions, not only engaging with the children but donating grocery items and pre-loved linen worth R146,179.12 to St Philomena’s. They also donated pre-loved linen valued at R79,327.67 to Fundiswa. Garden Court Marine Parade provided financial support to Nhlakanipho EDC Center, and The Edward hosted a fun-filled day for Eyethu Creche & Day Care with lunch, a jumping castle, face painting, toys, and party packs. Garden Court South Beach contributed by painting classrooms, performing maintenance, cleaning windows, and donating snacks and arts and crafts items to Toddlers Inn.

Widening the impact, Drakensberg Sun Resort donated groceries, a kettle and pots, and performed maintenance work at Umfolozi Creche, along with donating pre-loved linen to Kwazamakuhle School for Disabled Children. Cabana Beach Resort and uMhlanga Sands Resort jointly participated in a food parcel packaging event organised by Rise Against Hunger SA in Durban, and Cabana Beach Resort supported The Sahara Shelter, a safe haven for abused women and children facing domestic violence. Additionally, uMhlanga Sands Resort organised an exciting race activation and foam party for 25 children through Reach for a Dream. These efforts collectively showcase the hotels’ dedication to uplifting their communities and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those they support.

“Participating in days like Mandela Day is incredibly humbling as we witness the entire country coming together through volunteer programs. At Southern Sun, our people exemplify caring spirits by identifying needs and engaging in initiatives that uplift others. This commitment is most powerfully demonstrated during Mandela Day each year, where our collective efforts truly make a difference in the lives of those our efforts uplift,” concluded Tothill.

John Aritho takes the lead of the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel

uMhlanga is abuzz with the news that John Aritho has joined the iconic Beverly Hills as General Manager. This energetic hotelier brings with him a wealth of knowledge as well as vast experience in managing keys properties in Africa and Dubai.

John joined Tsogo Sun in January 1997, at the Holiday Inn Nairobi, before being transferred to South Africa where he has worked in management positions at Tsogo Sun hotels in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Lusaka, and in Durban — where he was General Manager at the Southern Sun Maharani and most recently, the General Manager at the Garden Court Marine Parade. 

In his career with the Group, John has been involved in a number of hotel openings, including the Holiday Inn Maputo in Mozambique, Southern Sun Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, the Winelands Hotel in Cape Town, Southern Sun Lusaka in Zambia and the Qamardeen Hotel in Dubai —where he was General Manager. John has proved himself as an expert in responding quickly to changing market conditions with the ability to revise innovative marketing and business strategies accordingly with solid leadership.

John brings with him a fine understanding of food and beverage, and is a member of the KZN chapter of the Chaines des Rotisseurs.
 
'John has a good eye for detail, as well as strong skills in relationships with staff and guests alike, and Tsogo Sun's flagship property has been entrusted into the right hands’.' stated KZN Operations Director, Mike Jackson , 'John has all the right credentials to take this hotel to new heights.’

Outside of work John’s favourite hobbies are classic cars, motorbikes, football and family life. He is married to Janine and has 2 beautiful daughters, Sophia aged 3 years and Savannah,3 months.

Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon with Estee Lauder at Beverly Hills Umhlanga

One Thursday , 5th October ladies gathered at the Beverly Hills, uMhlanga dressed in pink to show their support for Breast Cancer, and were treated to a sublime luncheon and great conversation.

The focus of the luncheon was breast cancer awareness and the campaign which started 25 years ago by visionary - Evelyn H. Lauder. Women around the world were dying from breast cancer and no one was talking about it. Troubled by the lack of awareness, funding and resources necessary to overcome this disease, Evelyn decided to do something about it. She co-created the Pink Ribbon and the rest is history.

In 1992, she launched The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign (now known as The Breast Cancer Campaign) and began handing out pink ribbons at the brands’ beauty counters around the world. A year later, Evelyn founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF), a non-profit organization, to generate funding that would be solely dedicated to breast cancer research.

Evelyn sparked a movement, bringing together employees, customers, women, researchers, leaders and people touched by the disease to help find a cure.

Stated, Devni Naidoo, Human Resources Director of Estee Lauder, ‘’On this 25th Anniversary of The Campaign, we honour Evelyn’s legacy and her pioneering vision. Through our unwavering support of funding breast cancer research, education and medical services, The Estée Lauder Companies’ global commitment is stronger than ever.’

John de Canha, General Manager of the hotel, concluded ‘We are proud to be associated with Estee Lauder and salute their commitment to end breast cancer. Our partnership for this lunch emphasizes the brand synergy, and it is very heart-warming to see so many ladies come out in support of this worthy cause.” A percentage from the luncheon will be donated to Look Good Feel Foundation.

Tsogo Sun has a portfolio of over 100 hotels and 14 casino and entertainment destinations throughout South Africa, Africa and the Seychelles. For more details, visit https://www.tsogosun.com, follow on Twitter @TsogoSun or like on Facebook /TsogoSun.

Beverly Hills Claims Top Wine Award 

The Diners Club Winelist Awards have honoured the best wine lists in the country for over two decades. This year 225 restaurants from the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng submitted wine lists for judging by a select panel led by Publisher of the Platter’s by Diners Club Wine Guide and convenor of the Winelist awards panel, Jean-Pierre Rossouw.  

“This year we tightened the standards and set expectations higher – so kudos to the restaurants that rose to the challenge,” says Rossouw. “The Diamond award is becoming a more and more prestigious achievement and we congratulate the entrants that offer diners high quality winelists.”

Diners Club has a long history of supporting the wine industry. The response to this annual competition confirms the high standard of restaurants around the country and the significant choice our cardholders have when it comes to eating out. The Diners Club Winelist awards are a benchmark for excellence in the restaurant industry. 

21 Kwa Zulu Natal restaurants were recognised this year, and awards were presented in Gold, Platinum and Diamond categories. 

Seven restaurants received Diamond awards; 11 Platinum awards were presented, as well as three Golds.  

‘We are delighted with our Award, enthused General Manager John de Canha “The essence of the Beverly Hills lies in culinary excellence, and this Diamond Award endorses the high standard set by Tsogo Sun. Our unique offering of rare auction wines, certainly enhance our Wine list. We look to welcoming our guests to experience for themselves.”

Elaborating on the judging, JP Rossouw says: “As the premium Award, we expected Diamond lists to carry correct vintages throughout as well as offer diners a good selection of interesting wines in all styles. We also required reserve and international wines to be present on the list. As ever, good wine descriptions, or the presence of a sommelier, was vital.”

In addition to convenor, JP Rossouw, the judging panel comprised leading wine industry experts and media, including Neil Grant, Jenny Crwys-Williams, Roxan Waldeck, Tinashe Nyamudoka, Pete Goffe-Wood and Karen Visser.

The winners are as follows:

2017 Diners Club Winelist Awards 

Diamond Awards

• The Oyster Box Hotel - Best Diamond KZN 
• Beverly Hills Hotel 
• Big Easy Durban by Ernie Els 
• Granny Mouse Country House & Spa 
• Hartford House 
• The View Boutique Hotel & Spa 
• Umngazi River Bungalows & Spa

Platinum Awards

• 9th Avenue Bistro 
• Butcher Boys 
• Casa Bella - Ballito 
• Casa Bella - Pearl Walk 
• Market Restaurant 
• Surf Riders 
• The Gorge Private Game Lodge & Spa 
• The Hussar Grill - Gateway 
• The Hussar Grill - Kloof 
• Three Trees at Spioenkop 
• Turn n Tender - Ballito

Gold Awards

• Cargo Hold on the Promenade 
• Col’Cacchio Pizzeria - Gateway 
• La Vitae Restaurant

Beverly Hills Hotel Michelin Star Chef Leads The Way In The Beverly Hills Kitchen

Chef Tony Kocke holds the reins as Executive Chef of the Beverly Hills Hotel. Growing up in Germany, Tony always knew he wanted to be a chef and so when the opportunity arose to work and train as an apprentice at Restaurant Papillon in Berlin, he seized the opportunity.
In 1985 he moved to London where he held positions at the Dorchester, Citibank Head Office and then the Savoy Hotel before moving to Durban in 1988. His work in South Africa includes the Durban Club, Edward Hotel, Johannesburg Country Club and the Royal Hotel, before he returned to the UK to take up a position as Head Chef at the re-known
Harry’s Bar. He later opened his own restaurant called Ma Cuisine which received a Michelin star before returning to South Africa.
When questioned on his position , Tony enthused, ‘It is an honour to play a role as executive chef of this gracious hotel with so much history and tradition. I have a dynamic team and we are constantly striving for the best in everything we do.’
“Tonys’ extensive experience and passion for what he does add great value to the hotel’’ explained General manager John de Canha. ‘’Exceptional food delivery with culinary excellence is part of the hotels’ brand essence and we are committed to ensuring the highest culinary standards are met. Tony is an integral part of upholding this ethos.’’
Tony lives by his motto ‘Cook with passion, or don’t cook at all.“

Nomande hails from Mpopomeni in the Natal Midlands. Her first job was at the Botanical Gardens Cafe as a trainee. This was her first taste of the hospitality industry, and she instantly knew engaging and pleasing people was what she wanted to do.

It was only when she joined the upmarket fine dining restaurant of Traffords in Pietermaritzburg, that she was given an opportunity of learning about wines.

This was life changing.

A polite, well spoken and hardworking young lady, Nomande believes she has found her calling in ‘wines’. As a waitress she has been introduced to pairing wine with dishes and wishes to follow this passion as a career. Her eyes light up with the mention of wine in conversation or debates. She has a natural talent for wine pairing and a huge appetite for learning ‘all things wine.’ Nomande achieved her WSET 1 and WSET 2, and is presently studying WSET 3.

When the owners of Traffords closed their doors to immigrate to Australia Nomande seized the opportunity to move to uMhlanga and join the Beverly Hills hotel. She has a knack of building relationships with guests, and with her effervescent personality, welcomes return guests by name. She is keen to increase her work experience and knowledge of food and wine. She is motivated, self-disciplined and is a great team player with a strong work ethic.

Cape Legends & Artisan Spirits Inter Hotel Challenge

BEVERLY HILLS TAKES TOP HONOURS

The fourth annual Cape Legends Inter Hotel Challenge, culminated in a scintillating celebration at the Belmond Mount Nelson, Friday 29th July 2016. Each table was stunningly beautiful in ‘Platinum & Pearls’ creatively designed by individual hotels.

A national initiative with 23 hotels from the Cape to Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal on board, all part of a remarkable family of top hotels known for style and gracious expertise, a unique occasion, viewed as the Hotel Oscars. The vital aim of the Cape Legends Inter Hotel Challenge is to encourage development in the hospitality industry that will raise the bar!

Mentorship, recognition of talent and enthusiasm has been a part of the Cape Legends Inter Hotel Challenge from the beginning. The skills upliftment has had a huge ripple effect on our Tourism Industry, one of the major growth areas in our economy. South Africa has become recognized as a top culinary destination, while food and wine tourism is growing dramatically.

Message from Deputy Minister of SA Tourism Tokozile Xasa, “Tonight I share in your excitement. This competition acknowledges the talents of some of SA’s most creative young chefs and wine stewards and at the same time recognizes the crucial role of mentorship.

Taking top honours on the night by winning top chef of the year was Beverly Hills Rucita Naidoo.     

“There is an art to designing a balanced menu,” says Annette Kesler Editor of Showcook.com. “Judges were looking for precise dishes,exciting both the palate and the imagination.”

Executive chef of the Beverly Hills, Tony Kocke, and Rucita’s mentor,could hardly contain his excitement. ‘Hard work pays off,’  he enthused

‘Rucita Naidoo will be jetting off to a Michelin star restaurant in Prague for a brilliant opportunity of a three-week working visit. This is alife changing experience and we can’t wait for her to share her experience and new ideas with us ‘

And the Awards kept coming - Beverly Hills also won Best Table in the category  ‘Wish to Dine At’  as well as Best Team the award for utter professionalism, generosity of spirit and team work.

Other Tsogo Sun hotels who fared well was Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani

Where Clinton Bonhomme received 3rd place for best bread category and Qhubokuhle Ntshangase came 3rd in the best chef category as well as winning best pork dish.

For further information and pictures please contact

LORNA GOURLAY –PLATINUM MARKETING lorna@platinumcc.co.za | 0824438100

Celebrate an extraordinary 50 year journey with the Beverly Hills

Tsogo Sun’s Beverly Hills hotel on the uMhlanga Rocks coastline is celebrating its ‘golden anniversary’ – 50 fantastic years of memories and magic moments. Guests of the hotel are invited to share in this extraordinary journey and send some of their personal video, photo or written memories of magical times spent at the hotel.

This landmark and icon in Kwa Zulu-Natal has built a fine reputation for gracious hospitality and award-winning service and still remains the most glamorous, luxurious and prestigious hotel in Durban. It has been home to royalty, celebrities and captains of industry and is the place where deals have been done and memories have been made... be it weddings, engagements, that special romantic weekend celebration, family holidays or an extraordinary business event.

The ultimate “memory-maker”, this pioneer hotel in the area in 1964, and one of Tsogo Sun’s over 90 hotels and 14 casino and entertainment destinations, is the catalyst of many special memories. As such, Tsogo Sun is celebrating this milestone birthday in true style ... providing the opportunity for guests to share 5 decades of special experiences at theBeverly Hills and stand a chance to win a weekend stay at the hotel.

This milestone celebration will take place over the next few months and embodies all that the beautiful hotel is and does. Relive the magic and share your journey as the Beverly Hills celebrates 50 years of magic moments and extraordinary memories.

Send your stories, photographs and videos to facebook.com/TsogoSun or email beverlyhills50@southernsun.com and be a part of the celebrations.

For high res pics please email annie@angelfishpr.co.za