Monday, September 14, 2020
Renowned entertainment and leisure resort Emperors Palace has heeded a call by the Government to respond to the COVID 19 pandemic by rolling out a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) programme targeting leaners and educators in township schools situated within the jurisdiction of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, in Gauteng Province.
In partnership with the Department of Basic Education, areas of Tembisa, Katorus, Daveyton, and Etwatwa were selected so that the schools may remain open and operate safely, allowing learners and educators to complete the academic year. The project team at Emperors Palace, through one of its Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment vehicles, the Infrastructure Fund , have selected 180 schools to receive the PPE at a total cost of R20 million.
‘Emperors Palace has always prided itself on it’s CSI initiatives and during this pandemic, it’s important for all corporations to do what they can, no matter how small. The only way to stave off COVID-19 is to adhere to the safety protocols and to do that PPEs are a necessity. But not everyone can afford it, and that’s why we needed to raise our hands and help,’ says Emperors Palace Trust Manager Jenny Findlay, who also attributes the success of this project to Bidvest Prestige you supplied PPEs at vastly discounted rates.
The first donation in this initiative sees Ikusasa Secondary School receive basic PPEs and supplies including masks, shields, gloves, aprons, soap and cleaning supplies to the value of over R110 000. In addition, the project team elected to source masks from local sewing organisations, empowering local, female owned businesses. One such organisation is the Dorcas Foundation Six Co-Operative, which was appointed by Emperors Palace to make 23 400 masks for 9 schools in Tembisa. The organisation was registered in 2013 as a way to empower local women and started out by sewing school uniforms for orphans and vulnerable children in Tembisa.
‘We believe in supporting local enterprises and helping build the foundation for entrepreneurial growth in local communities,’ explains Emperors Palace Complex General Manager Clive Tavener. ‘Working together is a big factor for us to overcome the plague of COVID-19 and it’s important for us to help where we can. We chose Ikusasa Secondary as our starting point so that the learners can finish off the academic year strong amidst all these disruptions. A simple thing like a face mask and being able to wash your hands can be the difference between being able to finish your educational year, and we want to do our part to make sure that happens.’
The donations will be delivered in batches to the selected schools in the pilot phase between 18 August and 16 September 2020. In attendance will be Stephen Ngubeni CEO of the Gauteng Gambling Board, Clive Tavener GM Emperors Palace and Nigel Atherton, CEO Peermont as well as representatives of the Department of Education, Ekurhuleni North District. ‘We challenge other organisations to join this worthy cause and make sure that we can end this pandemic and ensure our learners can further their education,’ concludes Tavener.
Emperors Palace proudly supports the National Responsible Gambling Programme. Call the Problem Gambling Counselling Toll-Free Helpline on 0800 006 008 for support. Players must be 18 years or older. Winners know when to stop.
BELOW:
The Palace of Dreams’ Complex General Manager, Clive Tavener of Modderfontein presents supplies like masks, shields, gloves, aprons, soap and cleaning materials to the school’s Acting Principal, Bheki Duma of Kempton Park. The two are pictured here with one of the learners, Snenhlanhla Tshale (17) who was happy to wear one of the donated masks.
