Casino praised for its social responsibility
After months of renovations and refurbishment, Sun Meropa reopened one of Reakgona Disability Centre's oldest residences, Meropa House, in Polokwane
POLOKWANE – AFTER months of renovations and refurbishment, Sun Meropa reopened one of Reakgona Disability Centre’s oldest residences, Meropa House, in Polokwane last Wednesday.
Guests at the opening included economic development, environment and tourism (Ledet) MEC Seaparo Sekoati, Limpopo Gambling Board chief executive officer Serobi Maja, Sun Meropa board members and representatives of Domba Trust, Limpopo Tourism Agency, South African Police Services and the department of social development.
According to Mothomoni Mapela, Sun Meropa corporate social investment practitioner, Meropa evaluated the home two years ago and found that it was no longer fit to be inhabited, especially for intellectually impaired young people.
It also lacked the necessary security measures, Mapela said.
“After meetings and discussions with the centre management and the beneficiaries, Sun Meropa decided to embrace this particular home.
“Meropa’s involvement with the centre helped to develop the home into a stimulus centre and state-of-the-art home for intellectually and physically challenged young people,” Mapela said.
Meropa House received a new roof with ceiling, tiling, new toilets, showers, an apron, doors, new window panes, burglar doors, a septic tank, solar geysers, electricity connection, fencing, water system powered with a borehole and a garden.
Meropa House was also furnished with beds, curtains, cupboards and other amenities.
Sun Meropa invited other stakeholders, which included Town Lodge Polokwane and Eltasha Guest House, who provided bedding and curtains and Ellies (Pty) Ltd, who donated and installed solar geysers and other appliances, to be part of the initiative.
Sun Meropa spent more than R78 800 in total on Meropa House and other projects at Reakgona Disability Centre.
Sekoati said casinos were not known for attending to social responsibilities in the neighbourhoods where they were located.
“Casinos are notoriously known as places where patrons go to gamble their money away, while trying to become instantly rich. People think the casinos don’t care about them. I would like to commend the leadership of Sun Meropa for changing our perception of casinos,” Sekoati said.
