The hotel group says that its 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," says Candy Tothill, Southern Sun's corporate affairs executive.

"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," adds Totthill. 

Southern Sun says that it provided its Sandton Convention Centre as part of their ongoing sponsorship for Rise Against Hunger's food packing event in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 17 July 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, says the group.

According to Southern Sun, 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. 

These activities and donations include:

  • 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 and 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Garden Court East London served lunch and donated fleece blankets to the Silver Crown Home for Aged and Handicapped.
  • 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 addresses immediate needs and fosters a spirit of unity and compassion, embodying the true essence of Mandela Day and leaving a lasting positive impact on the Cape Town community, says the group.

According to Southern Sun, in Gauteng and outlying regions, 96 volunteers from 16 Southern Sun hotels united to support 14 local charities through a variety of impactful activities. 

These activities include:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Garden Court and StayEasy Eastgate provided pre-loved linen, operating equipment and gifts to the Home of Hope for Girls, further emphasising their commitment to community support.
  • Garden Court Milpark staff served lunch and spent time with the elderly at Eventide Old Age Home.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Riverside Sun Hotel served a hearty lunch for 100 people at Vukuzenzele Old Age Home.
  • 54 On Bath and Southern Sun Rosebank partnered with Avanti Coffee to provide sandwiches and 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, says the group.

According to Southern Sun, 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. 

This support includes:

  • Employees from the Beverly Hills Hotel painted children's bathrooms at Northview Primary.
  • Garden Court uMhlanga donated lunch packs to 100 school kids at St Michaels Primary School in Avoca.
  • Southern Sun Elangeni and 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.
  • The Edward hosted a fun-filled day for Eyethu Creche and 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.
  • 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.
  • Cabana Beach Resort supported The Sahara Shelter, a safe haven for abused women and children facing domestic violence.
  • 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, says the group. 

"Participating in days like Mandela Day is incredibly humbling as we witness the entire country coming together through volunteer programmes. 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,” concludes Tothill.

For more information, visit www.southernsun.com. You can also follow Southern Sun on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor