For Mandela Day 2022, two projects were selected in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni where the '#WinningTeam' volunteers assisted with upgrading and repairing of facilities.

The team spent more than their 67 minutes at Tembisa Secondary School and Tembisa Self Help Association of the Disabled (T-SHAD).

Tembisa Secondary School
This school is one of the first to be gazetted as school of specialisation in Hospitality and Tourism in Gauteng Province. According to the palace, the school is a natural fit for Emperors Palace and Peermont as a leader in the hospitality and tourism sector.

Mandela Day was used to announce a new long-term partnership by the Peermont Community Benefit Trust to transfer skills to the school to play a meaningful role in their careers later on in life.

An initial investment of R500 000 was announced to further the development of learners and teachers so that the school may continue to provide a solid foundation for learners looking to further careers in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Emperors Palace established a simulated hotel room for teaching purposes to the value of R300 000, furnishing and equipping it with the elements required for learners to be able to do practical exercises and gain experience in hospitality environment.

Along with constructing and furnishing the room, Emperors Palace donated linen and room amenities for the practical applications of housekeeping.

As a School of Specialisation, Tembisa Secondary also teaches culinary disciplines and to further assist the palace team planted various vegetables in their garden for ingredients, as well as assisted with cleaning of classroom windows as part of promoting a culture of cleanliness, hygiene and the spirit of volunteerism.

Peermont executives and a chef also participated in a cooking workshop to impart skills and knowledge and to inspire future cooks and chefs.

T-SHAD
T-SHAD takes care of and economically empowers people living with disabilities. For Mandela Day, Emperors Palace volunteered at the School of Autism, which provides education to young people with autism.

The project included donating a new classroom container and furnishing it. The extra space will raise the teaching standards and enhance the learning experience of the learners.

In addition, the Emperors Palace Team volunteered to paint and fix the electrical cables of the administration block and assisted with painting the existing classroom containers.

"Mandela Day is always an important initiative to us," concludes Emperors Palace complex executive Clive Tavener. "Covid-19 hit some communities hard, and now is the time for everyone to show their support and rebuild the local communities. As always, we strive to provide sustainable solutions so that we can prepare the next generation."

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