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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.

Drakensberg Sun Resort’s legacy of excellence

Tsogo Sun’s Drakensberg Sun Resort’s (https://www.tsogosun.com/drakensberg-sun-resort) legacy of excellence has continued unabated for decades and it remains high on the preferred destination list for many family or twosome getaways, whether for action, relaxation, or romance, and for corporate retreats and conferences. Last year the resort celebrated its 30th anniversary and this year it achieved a TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award as number four in the Top 10 Hotels for Families in South Africa.

Roger Petyt, GM of Drakensberg Sun, says, “We have found that guests need only spend a day or two here soaking up the beauty and magnificence of the mountains and valleys and our excellent hospitality to feel totally rejuvenated – as though they have had a long holiday.”

The resort is situated on an 8.1240-hectare property in the heart of the Central Drakensberg Mountains in KwaZulu-Natal’s picturesque Champagne Valley, within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, about 30km from Winterton, 400km from Johannesburg and 220km from Durban. It has an established reputation as a haven for young and old, adventure-seekers and the more sedentary, outdoor nature lovers and ‘sit by the fire with tea and scones and a good book’ types, and it is also the ideal location from which to explore the scenic wonders of the majestic mountains.

The hotel has 78 rooms (https://www.tsogosun.com/drakensberg-sun-resort/accommodation) that include one suite and six executive rooms, and well-appointed conference rooms (https://www.tsogosun.com/drakensberg-sun-resort/meetings-events) with stunning mountain views that can accommodate up to 250 delegates and are popular for corporate conferences and team-building events. Petyt notes that out of school holiday season, the conference centre is busy through the week, and then a “metamorphosis takes place” on the weekend as leisure guests pour in for some well-earned downtime and fresh mountain air. The resort is equipped to cope with all of it.

The food and beverage offering is world-class and includes a sumptuous buffet menu at the Lakeview Restaurant, an a la carte menu at the Lakeview Terrace, a snack menu at the Poolside Terrace, and the Grotto Bar, and an outdoor deck with a view, a favourite meeting spot for conference delegates at the end of the day, and the convivial place to catch a big game on TV. For conferences, a variety of menus are available that can be tailored to suit any dietary requirements.

Activities (https://www.tsogosun.com/drakensberg-sun-resort/services-amenities) within the Drakensberg Sun property are numerous and guarantee something for everyone. For children, the kids entertainment area, which is scheduled for an upgrade, is well-equipped with games, foosball, table tennis, arts and crafts, and more, with staff in attendance seven days a week to look after the children and ensure their entertainment. 

For hikers, several Green Flag Trails have been established on the property, from gentle strolls around the dam to longer more strenuous hikes, as well as many excellent hiking trails in the hills and mountains nearby. For adrenalin-junkies, Canopy Tours has built a zipline through the beautiful Blue Grotto Forest, which is highly popular with the young and young-at-heart. Trout and bass fishing from boats or the shore of the resort dam is very popular.

Other activities and facilities that keep guests entertained throughout the day and well into the evening are the on-site spa, a playground for family games, bowling greens, horse-riding, mountain bike rental, paintball, pitch & putt, and rowing boats and canoes on the resort dam.

Indoor activities also abound – and on chilly days, reading, chess, cards, hot beverages and indulgent snacks, cosy fires, conversation, and many other options, keep everyone happily occupied.

About 130 people are employed at Drakensberg Sun, all focused on delivering the best experiences for every guest, all the time. Petyt says, “With our 30th anniversary last year, we also celebrated seven staff members who have been with the hotel since it opened in 1987. They were here when a fire destroyed a portion of the hotel in 1988, and were part of the team that saw the building wholly refurbished within four months. Our people are a great source of pride to us and it’s their willingness and determination to create special memories for our guests every day that make this hotel such a special place.”

Tsogo Sun has a portfolio of over 100 hotels and 13 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.

Drakensberg Sun Resort Renovates the Lakeview restaurant

Nestled in the Cathkin Peak area of the Central Drakensberg mountains in KwaZulu-Natal, lies the award-winning, stylish Drakensberg Sun Resort. Few destinations evoke fun, romance and natural beauty more completely. As part of an overall renovation project to the property, the changes and additions to the Lakeview Restaurant, at a cost of R3,7 million, promises delightful feasts for the whole family!

Extensive use of natural materials, polished wood and earthy colours makes the Drakensberg Sun Resort a comfortable and relaxing outdoor resort set in beautiful natural surroundings. The restaurant overlooks the Resort's private lake and has provided guests with sumptuous dining experiences for years.  In keeping with Tsogo Sun’s philosophy of upgrading and renovating their guest offerings to ensure consistent memorable experiences, the Lakeview Restaurant is undergoing an extensive renovation, promising to ultimately provide a fresh contemporary feel, complemented by new and exciting offerings and extra meal choices, in a warm rich and comfortable setting.

Guests can look forward to an extra buffet area, presenting a variety of delectable freshly prepared dishes. The chefs at Lakeview Restaurant will be on hand to prepare a fresh omelette of your choice for breakfast, and again in the evenings, to prepare a selection of freshly caught local trout which is then grilled to perfection. “We often have guests who stays for long periods of time and the new buffet area will give extra choices that changes from day-to-day. Furthermore, we are adding some more live cooking stations to the restaurant service, which is sure to delight our guests”, said Roger Petyt, General Manager at the Drakensberg Sun Resort. Alternatively, guests will be able to order off the a la carte menu or enjoy an item off the newly introduced a la carte pizza menu. Yes, the Lakeview Restaurant has a brand new addition – a wood fired pizza oven!

“Lakeview Restaurant is a pivotal element in the overall experience at the Drakensberg Sun Resort. We used the renovation opportunity to extend the offering, and increase the ambience,” concluded Mr Petyt. In an effort to freshen its image, the Lakeview Restaurant will boast a complete new interior including all new curtains, carpets, table tops and new comfortable fabric chairs. The addition of a mural behind the buffet stations gives a calming fresh feel and aligns the décor with the setting and ambience of the Drakensberg Sun Resort.  Furthermore, the kids’ corner will be strategically placed where parents can keep an eye on their kids, whilst guests without kids can still enjoy the serenity and peaceful atmosphere.

One thing has remained constant though: the sense that you are one with the natural world around you. Bring your camera, your family and your friends, and prepare to be enthralled by the rich natural beauty of the Drakensberg Sun Resort.

A New Refreshing, Invigorating Look for the Drakensberg Sun Resort – Combining All The Things Guests Love!

The Drakensberg is unquestionably one of South Africa’s most magnificent natural creations. The magic of the expansive Drakensberg Mountains is a treasure to behold and is the picturesque background to Tsogo Sun’s Drakensberg Sun Resort. To ensure that the resort remains a family favourite destination, Tsogo Sun embarked on an extensive refurbishment project to the value of approximately R25 million.

The mammoth refurbishment of the main building took 11 months to complete, giving guests a modern and contemporary mountain hotel-experience with a renovation of all areas within the hotel. Spacious guest bedrooms with striking views of the Drakensberg Mountains received new hotel friendly flat screen TV’s, glass fronted fridges,new dressing tables/desks with granite tops and desk chairs that adds extra comfort to the rooms. All the bedrooms are now boasting modern soft furnishings and the bathrooms have been completely stripped and re-finished with stone-type porcelain tiles, a porcelain floor, timber finishes and all the modern fixtures and accessories required to create a fresh, invigorating experience.

The magnificent Presidential Suite at the Drakensberg Sun Resort promises to pamper the most discerning guest. The entire suite has had a makeover complete with a bathroom revamp and new furnishings and finishes. Marble and timber are complemented throughout with contemporary velvets and cottons to create a relaxed, comfortable and elegant ambience. Tsogo Sun contracted Falconer Design as the Interior Design and Project Managers for this exhilarating makeover. Throughout the entire refurbishment project Falconer Design focused on the environment, ensuring that the design always kept the saving of water resources and electrical energy in mind, and replaced all the pipework throughout the main building.

“This project also included the public areas with the lounge and reception having a fresh new makeover with lighter fabrics and new lighting. The bar has been redecorated, refurbished and renamed! Now called the Grotto Lounge, the bar includes wall murals that create an exciting feeling of ‘being in the grotto’. A firm favourite with families, the main pool has been re-marbelited and features a permanent umbrella solution combined with brand new pool side furniture.

The rejuvenated public spaces promises comfort and style to match the warmth and elegance of the resort,” says Darron Moore, General Manager at the Drakensberg Sun Resort. The resort has 30 chalets and 32 apartments which are also being refurbished and aims for completion in May 2014.

The re-invigorated chalets and apartments will be modernised family spaces, decorated in warm and inviting fabrics that will complement the American walnut joinery and Giallo Nebia granite surfaces. Guests in the chalets and apartments will delight in the installation of television units, new LED televisions in both the living areas and the master bedrooms, media hubs and the multimedia ability of the rooms. “At the Drakensberg Sun Resortwe focus on providing our guests with the best, most comfortable experience that combines perfectly with our service ethic. With this refurbishment we combined all the things guests love,” concludes Darron Moore.