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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.

Garden Court Milpark Combines Convenience & Comfort

Tsogo Sun’s hugely successful Garden Court Milpark hotel boasts a fresh look after the completion of an extensive refurbishment and upgrade of facilities.

The new design conveys the surrounding environment and culture of Joburg perfectly, and expresses a contemporary aesthetic with strong geometric forms and bold patterns. Popular with business and leisure guests alike, this vibrant yet cozy hideout situated within the academic precinct of Johannesburg, now offers even greater comfort and convenience. “Through the decor and design we sought to convey the vibrancy and essence of the greater Johannesburg area whilst creating a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere,” says Dillion Sparg, partner at Arris Creative. “Essentially, every decor item, from the carpets through to the lights and artwork, were specifically designed and custom created for the hotel – culminating in an express Johannesburg experience, communicating the core and spirit of Joburg.”

When entering the lobby of the Garden Court Milpark hotel guests will immediately sense the vitality of the hotel, experiencing their first taste of relaxed, comfortable city loft living. The Garden Court Milpark hotel’s architectural aesthetic, slick interiors and professional facilities merge seamlessly to create an environment that is both practical and picturesque.

From floor to ceiling each detail has been carefully selected to integrate into the general theme. The interior finishes, furniture and fabrics have been styled with a palette of grey, bright blue and yellow with splashes of orange and green - colours that permeate relaxation, comfort and professionalism. Plush seating in rich textures, timber furnishings; floor to ceiling full-scale wall art and glass doors and windows and ambient lighting create a sensation of spaciousness and comfort.

The Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transport system is at the heart of Joburg living and, ingeniously, some of the routes have been woven into the carpets of the Garden Court Milpark hotel, using design and colour to provide guests with a “route map” to their rooms. Additionally, Crispin Sparg Photographers was tasked with identifying a range of iconic Joburg buildings to use for the wall art in the public spaces and fitness centre.

Upon entering the bedrooms, guests are treated to a view of the Joburg skyline. As the hotel is situated in the academic precinct of Joburg and does not have a natural view of the skyline, Arris Creative designed and custom-made curtains displaying the skyline, once again carrying the theme of the hotel through to the guestrooms.

The “skyline” curtains dually serves as the artwork, therefore providing a clean uncluttered space for relaxation. The on-suite bathroom were completely gutted and rebuilt and now sport a perfect combination of white, grey and splashes of bright blue imparting a sense of space and purity. Additionally, the glass shower partition is embossed with a blue rendition of the skyline.

The decor ranges from inspiring a creative and fun atmosphere in the lobby to a slightly more sophisticated business ambience in the reception and meeting rooms and culminates with absolute tranquility and comfort in the guest rooms - all reinforcing the Joburg location, combining a sense of vibrancy and relaxation and creating the perfect palette for a great stay

New Look & New Conference Facilities at Garden Court Milpark

Tsogo Sun’s hugely successful Garden Court Milpark hotel boasts a fresh look and brand new offerings after the December 2013 completion of an extensive refurbishment and upgrade of facilities.

The new design took the surrounding environment of city loft living into consideration and expresses a contemporary aesthetic with strong geometric forms and bold patterns. Popular with business and leisure guests alike, this cozy hideout situated within the academic precinct of Johannesburg, now offers even greater comfort and convenience.

The massive rejuvenation project included the refurbishment of all the bedrooms, the lobby, the lounge and the corridors and the addition of two new conference venues and a new fitness centre. Brand new room types have been introduced and the hotel now offers 76 Standard King and Standard rooms as well as 140 Family rooms, including 12 Superior rooms, 19 Deluxe rooms and four Executive rooms.

The Executive rooms offer a small open plan lounge and kitchenette with semi self-catering facilities. Additionally, the refreshed breakfast room promises guests a comfortable and welcoming start to the day. Furthermore, the Garden Court Milparkhotel now features a state of the art conference offering with the unveiling of three new conference facilities, seating up to 140 people, as well as the upgrade of existing meeting rooms, increasing the overall conference facilities from two to five rooms.

Business travelers now have access to a range of services designed to make business travel easier and simpler. Located off major through roads and only 30 minutes from O.R Tambo International Airport, Garden Court Milpark is a convenient and comfortable city hotel, centrally located to enable guests the opportunity to easily explore the trendy hot spots that Johannesburg has to offer. “The rejuvenation of the hotel promises guests a memorable experience which is enhanced with our consistent high standards of service.

The new conferencing offer was driven by the demand for quality venues close to the city and surrounding attractions and we have no doubt that the new additions coupled with the refurbishment will meet and exceed our guests’ expectations”, said Noël Macquet, General Manager at the Garden Court Milpark. Conference packages at Garden Court Milpark’snew venue start from R325 per person. And full day conference package includes three tea or coffee breaks & lunch, a PA system with line microphone, data projector and screen, lectern, pens and note-pads.

New look and new conference facilities at Garden Court Milpark

Tsogo Sun’s hugely successful Garden Court Milpark hotel boasts a fresh look and brand new offerings after the December 2013 completion of an extensive refurbishment and upgrade of facilities. The new design took the surrounding environment of city loft living into consideration and expresses a contemporary aesthetic with strong geometric forms and bold patterns.  Popular with business and leisure guests alike, this cozy hideout situated within the academic precinct of Johannesburg, now offers even greater comfort and convenience.

The massive rejuvenation project included the refurbishment of all the bedrooms, the lobby, the lounge and the corridors and the addition of two new conference venues and a new fitness centre.  Brand new room types have been introduced and the hotel now offers 76 Standard King and Standard rooms as well as 140 Family rooms, including 12 Superior rooms, 19 Deluxe rooms and four Executive rooms. The Executive rooms offer a small open plan lounge and kitchenette with semi self-catering facilities. Additionally, the refreshed breakfast room promises guests a comfortable and welcoming start to the day. 

Furthermore, the Garden Court Milpark hotel now features a state of the art conference offering with the unveiling of three new conference facilities, seating up to 140 people, as well as the upgrade of existing meeting rooms, increasing the overall conference facilities from two to five rooms. Business travelers now have access to a range of services designed to make business travel easier and simpler.

Located off major through roads and only 30 minutes from O.R Tambo International Airport, Garden Court Milpark is a convenient and comfortable city hotel, centrally located to enable guests the opportunity to easily explore the trendy hot spots that Johannesburg has to offer.

“The rejuvenation of the hotel promises guests a memorable experience which is enhanced with our consistent high standards of service. The new conferencing offer was driven by the demand for quality venues close to the city and surrounding attractions and we have no doubt that the new additions coupled with the refurbishment will meet and exceed our guests’ expectations”, said Noël Macquet, General Manager at the Garden Court Milpark.

Conference packages at Garden Court Milpark’s new venue start from R325 per person. And full day conference package includes three tea or coffee breaks & lunch, a PA system with line microphone, data projector and screen, lectern, pens and note-pads.