Annual awards shine light on Peermont’s CSI projects
Peermont honoured those involved in its CSI projects at a glamorous awards ceremony at Emperors Palace.
Peermont makes a substantial contribution to the communities surrounding its resorts every year, with over R39-million donated in 2017 alone.
Emperors Palace recently hosted the Peermont CSI Awards to celebrate and recognise the Corporate Social Investment (CSI) projects and the committed individuals who make these community projects a success.
The Peermont CSI programme consists of three pillars, namely, education and youth development, community infrastructure, and entrepreneurial enrichment and the projects were recognised under each. Winners on the evening included 12 bursary graduates, Umfolozi Hotel, Casino and Convention Resort which sponsored the innovative New Africa Education Foundation and Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club which built a much-needed school hall for KI Twala Secondary School.
The Peermont Children’s Trust (PCT) sponsors an after-school care programme that provides learners with nutritious meals, adult supervision and a safe environment in which to do homework.
Learners are also provided with food parcels for the school holidays and school uniforms to encourage them to attend school.
The project assists 700 children across seven centres throughout Ekurhuleni.
Awards galore at CSI Award ceremony. Photo by: Yolanda van der Stoep
Annually the PCT sponsors 250 learners at three Star School sites.
Through this programme, extra lessons in mathematics, English and physical science are provided, producing increased pass rates for these crucial subjects.
It also ensures that these learners are better equipped for university.
“Providing disadvantaged children and youth with educational tools and access to quality education remains vitally important to us.
“Our intervention begins from the foundation phase all the way through to university bursaries and vocational training,” said Tshidi Madima, trust chairperson.
The Peermont Education Trust (PET) sponsors full scholarships for deserving matriculants by offering a mentorship programme and holistic support throughout the student’s tertiary years.
With an 85 per cent graduation rate, the PET has celebrated 120 graduates in various fields of study, including commerce, engineering, medical technology and physics.
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“Our programmes provide a natural progression and we have instituted a pipeline that starts with the school years and continues until the youth become economically active, either through full-time employment or by starting their own enterprises,” said Madima.
As part of the Lesedi programme, the Peermont Community Benefit Trust (PCBT) gives youth from the local community an opportunity to complete a learnership and experiential training at Emperors Palace. There are currently 32 electricians, plumbers, carpenters and air-conditioning technicians in the programme.
Once the learners have completed their qualification and experiential training, the PCBT assists them to complete a trade test.
In addition, the programme provides essential life skills training for learners, including job-seeking skills that ensure a positive and successful outcome of the programme.
Learners are taught the theory and practical skills for one of three hospitality courses, namely waitron, chef or housekeeping.
The learners are given invaluable practical exposure at Emperors Palace, which will assist them in finding employment in the hospitality and tourism sectors, which is one of the highest growing sectors in the economy.
To date over 700 learners have been trained, with over 1 000 learners predicted to complete their qualifications by the end of 2018.
Dennis Kekana, Mashudu Mulelu, Nick du Plessis, Miranda Kgadi and Charles Mathobela. Photo by: Yolanda van der Stoep
The Ekurhuleni Peermont Chamber of Commerce Trust offers funding to small businesses to enable them to reach the next level of growth and thereby become more sustainable.
MB Wood and Paper won the award for top business for their commitment to creating local employment in the Ekurhuleni area.
Founded in 2006, MB Wood and Paper is based in Thokoza and manufactures school desks, kitchen units and cabinets.
It also manufactures and supplies furniture to schools in the Gauteng and Limpopo provinces.
“Financially supporting small and micro-enterprises and self-help projects uplift the socio-economic status of marginalised communities, and we are proud of our outstanding people who make it possible for us to lend a helping hand wherever possible,” said Madima.
For more information on the Peermont Group and the work it does for surrounding communities, visit www.peermont.com.
