SOUTHERN Sun Hotels has contributed almost R9m to various organisations nationally this year, through its corporate social responsibility programme. In another highlight in Cape Town’s Khayelitsha Township last week, the hotel giant handed over a house built by volunteers from Southern Sun, the Irish Builders project and the local community. “This brand new Khayelitsha home is a symbol of where and how Southern Sun is making a difference in the local community, namely in the areas of welfare, health, education and the conservation of the environment. We are dedicated to making a positive impact within the communities in which we operate,” said Southern Sun’s gm communications, Priya Naidoo. She said the company provided assistance to organisations dealing with the welfare of children, care of the aged, feeding schemes, youth development, skills development, early childhood development, empowerment initiatives, those involved with mentorship and national pride, teacher training, life skills and adult basic education. Southern Sun also donated more than 35 343kg of food (117 810 meals valued at R989 604) to the Feedback Food Redistribution Programme that collects excess food from hotels and restaurants and redistributes it to needy communities.

Another key focus was the health and wellness of Southern Sun employees. The company also supported non-profit organisations involved with awareness, prevention, education and research of HIV/Aids and those assisting with the improvement of community health services. Throughout the past few years, Southern Sun provided support and care for the families of children suffering from cancer and life threatening blood disorders. Through its Adopt-A-Guesthouse programme (which now totals 25 guesthouses and aims at supporting 100 by 2010), Southern Sun concentrated a significant proportion of Net Profit after Tax on enterprise development with specific emphasis on the empowerment of women in the tourism industry.

Photo: Southern Sun volunteers handed over a brand new house in Khayelitsha Township last week.