Summit For Youth To Engage in Building a Greener Future

The Generation Earth Summit, which takes place in South Africa today (Friday, 2 October) at Sandton Convention Centre, is being enabled by Tsogo Sun in support of the Summit’s campaign to give young people a voice in the green space and mobilising them to take the reins to ensure a sustainable future for our planet.

“With this Summit, Generation Earth has created a platform for young people to engage with organisations that are making decisions and taking action that affects their future,” says Candy Tothill, Tsogo Sun’s General Manager: Corporate Affairs. “We’re very proud to be a part of this forward-thinking initiative and have every confidence that the work being done now will have a positive impact for generations to come.”

Generation Earth, which was launched in 2011, works with 87 urban-based high school councils around the country, comprising about 1 700 learners, in a structured action plan for the youth to make a difference in the betterment of the environment. The students on the Generation Earth councils are expected to be studying the sciences and to have expressed an interest in a career involving the environment. Generation Earth was founded by Ella Bella Constantinides, a UN Youth Mentor and Ambassador, and is affiliated with UNEP, the UN Environment Programme, and Tunza, the UN environment programme for youth.

Tsogo Sun is the official venue and accommodation partner to Generation Earth in a partnership agreement valued at nearly R200 000. “The Generation Earth programme is an ideal fit for Tsogo Sun as it connects perfectly with our social investment programmes, which target the youth and education,” says Tothill. “The focus of Generation Earth is on young people and changing behaviour, and on encouraging thought leadership – all three of which synergise with Tsogo Sun’s Citizenship philosophy.

The Summit, with 350 Generation Earth delegates chosen from the participating school councils, is the culmination of a year of environmental work by the students and preparation for the Summit. The main focus of this year’s Summit is food security ahead of the critical climate change negotiations in Paris at COP21, taking place in December 2015. COP21 aims to achieve a new international agreement on the climate, applicable to all countries, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2oC. Constantinides, as a UN Ambassador, will be presenting the innovative concepts developed by the council members at the Generation Earth Summit to COP21 in Paris.

Ella Bella Constantinides is positive about the outcomes from the Summit. “This is our fourth Summit and over the years we have strived to build a generation of leaders who are committed to developing sustainable-minded communities, societies and countries that will be a part of the green cities of the future.” She also commended Generation Earth’s partners – Tsogo Sun, Nedbank, the US Embassy – and local supporters – the Minister of Environmental Affairs, the Department of Basic Education, Lead SA and Brand SA – for contributing so significantly to Generation Earth. “Working alongside partners and organisations that share our vision for a sustainable future and are making a difference to the environment is a critical component to our success,” she says.

Miss Earth South Africa 2015 – Carla Viktor – takes a big step into a more environmentally friendly year following her crowning today, Thursday 10 September, at Tsogo Sun’s Rosa venue at the Palazzo at Montecasino. Together with the Miss Earth South Africa leadership development programme, Tsogo Sun is helping to deliver the message of personal responsibility towards our planet through a collaborative partnership aimed at raising environmental awareness for a greener future.

“The Miss Earth South Africa leadership programme empowers young South African women with knowledge about environmental sustainability and provides a powerful platform for them so that they can serve as positive role models to the younger generation.  We are delighted to congratulate the new Miss Earth South Africa as she takes the reigns and continues leading this good work,” comments Candy Tothill, Tsogo Sun’s General Manager: Corporate Affairs, who heads up the partnership with Miss Earth. “The partnership enables Tsogo Sun to extend our reach outwards into the communities who most need this type of education so that they are equipped with the understanding to help them behave more responsibly towards the environment.”

Miss Earth is crowned annually and is committed to raising awareness among South Africans for environmentally sustainable communities through tree-planting, recycling, energy efficiency and carbon-conscious lifestyle choices. Tsogo Sun will continue its support of Miss Earth throughout the year’s activities.

Catherine Constantinides, National Director of Miss Earth South Africa, says Miss Earth is proud to call Tsogo Sun home for the fourth year running and that the partnership is contributing to growth and efficiency in the programme’s development. “Our vision is to create a positive and lasting change in corporate and social behaviour by addressing environmental, water, energy, conservation and sustainability issues, and by building communities and networks based on the principles of sustainability and human development – and Tsogo Sun contributes to this vision.”

Through its partnership with the Miss Earth South Africa ambassadors, Tsogo Sun has enabled nearly 19 000 school children to be reached and educated, planted close to 700 trees, established and maintained about 60 vegetable gardens and delivered close to 8 000 stationery packs to South African learners.

Tsogo Sun’s Environmental Management Programme has been making a steady impact over the years as the group strives to improve its green consciousness and reduce its carbon footprint.  Far-reaching initiatives that reduce the impact that the business has on the environment and encourages guests and employees to embrace greener behaviour have been introduced. “The sustainability of our business practices and our communities is core to our strategy. There is no doubt that the next generation of consumers are more aware of the impact that their behaviour has on the environment. Through our partnership with Miss Earth we aim to further educate and change the behaviour of the youth, by profiling the environmental awareness of their peers who are credible ambassadors,” concludes Vusi Dlamini, Tsogo Sun’s Group HR Director.

Fittingly announced on World Environment Day on 5 June, Tsogo Sun has entered into a new partnership with Generation Earth, a green networking platform with the youth, for the youth and by the youth, that recognises and develops green thinkers who are tomorrow’s global leaders.

This new relationship, which sees Tsogo Sun becoming the venue and accommodation partner to Generation Earth, including their annual summit in October this year, follows on several years of partnership with sister organisation Miss Earth, a leadership programme that empowers young South African women with the knowledge and platform to create a sustainable difference in combatting the destruction of our natural heritage.

Generation Earth works with 80 school councils around the country, comprising about 1 700 learners, in a structured action plan for the youth to make a difference in the betterment of the environment. The students on the Generation Earth councils are expected to be studying the sciences, and to have expressed an interest in a career involving the environment.  

“It has been, and continues to be, a great pleasure working with Miss Earth and contributing to their stalwart efforts to involve young women in sustainable green initiatives,” says Candy Tothill, Tsogo Sun’s exec responsible for corporate affairs. “We’re sure that the same will apply to our newly formed partnership with Generation Earth and their efforts to get bright young people to ‘think green’ in the interests of a sustainable future. Green issues are high on our corporate priorities and this work connects well with our CSI focus on youth development, making the partnerships with both Miss Earth and Generation Earth a good fit for Tsogo Sun.”

At the Generation Earth Summit in October, the student councils will present innovations linked to COP21’s theme of food security and water and energy conservation, ahead of COP21 – the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change – from 30 November to 11 December in Paris. COP21 will aim to achieve a new international agreement on the climate, applicable to all countries, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2oC.

“We’re delighted to be welcoming Tsogo Sun to the environmental initiatives of Generation Earth,” says Ella Bella Constantinides, Founder of Generation Earth and a UN Youth Mentor. “We have no doubt that the relationship will be as warm and rewarding as it is with the Miss Earth organisation – and that soon Generation Earth will also regard Tsogo Sun as ‘home’.”

Also introduced at the World Environment Day event were the Johannesburg nominees for Miss Earth 2015, who have all been planting vegetable gardens, getting involved in waste projects, and planting trees, in preparation for the crowning of the new Miss Earth in September.

“Supporting youth in their efforts to build a sustainable future for us is the right thing to do – and we’re proud to do it,” says Tothill.

The Krugersdorp sector 7 Community Policing Form (CPF) have been doing remarkable work when it comes to taking the safety of their local community into their own hands.

The CPF is a community based non-profit organisation which is led by a committee of volunteers who live within the area that they patrol. Their team consists of more than 30 people, 20 of which are active members.

“Their outstanding efforts have been noticed by the community and Silverstar Casino and we are all benefitting. As a business in this community we wanted to ensure that they are able to continue their great work with the right equipment that also ensures their safety when they are out there and looking after our safety,” says Shane Collinson, Director of Operations and complex General Manager at Silverstar.

In support of the CPF and their mission, Silverstar Casino recently donated a number of items to the worthy cause amounting to over R140 000. Equipment included a back-up repeater, radios, patrol boards, vehicle signage, traffic cones as well as winter jackets, reflector vests and caps for patrollers.

“Through Silverstar Casino’s generous donation, we are able to enhance our effectiveness in combating crime in our neighbourhood and community,” says Casper van Zyl, Chairman of Sector 7 CPF.

“A main focus of ours is to make sure that community members are aware of our patrolling unit and are able to identify us, so that we can be trusted to assist them in times of need. This donation has helped us reach this objective and for that we are extremely grateful,” concludes Mr van Zyl.

Collaborating with government positively influences the way the corporate sector as well as sports federations and institutions make a sustainable contribution to sports development in schools, particularly in underprivileged areas, according to Vusi Dlamini, Group HR Director for Tsogo Sun.

“The Department of Sports & Recreation together with the Department of Education have created a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines government’s objectives in 16 selected school sporting codes – and aligning sporting programmes within civil society with these objectives will ensure that the overall impact on sports development is significantly greater than could be achieved by these sectors individually,” says Dlamini.

Shanda Paine, Group CSI Manager of Tsogo Sun, says that government’s inclusion of sports and arts into the National Development Programme has made sport a national educational imperative, and one that Tsogo Sun has embraced in its Sports Academy and Arts Academy that impact many schools in disadvantaged communities.

Tsogo Sun believes sports and arts change lives and bring about new attitudes, and has joined forces with like-minded organisations to develop community programmes that are aimed at making a tangible difference in the lives of underprivileged communities – enabling change by creating reasons to be enthusiastic about the future.  These extensive programmes have already had a positive impact on thousands of learners across the country.

Tsogo Sun’s key programmes are in line with the objectives and purpose of government’s existing School Sports Framework priorities, which include mass participation, identification of talent, making sure that marginalised communities are not excluded, enabling coaching the coaches programmes, and integrating extra-curricular activities back into schools, while facilitating events and opportunities in the areas of chess, arts, soccer and education programmes.

The Tsogo Sun Moves for Life chess programme has been implemented at more than 70 schools all over South Africa and more than 50 000 learners are learning through play with the potential to improve the learning of Maths, Science and Life skills says Mrs Afrika Msimang, trustee of TSML, “Our aim has always been to build children into well-shaped citizens. Chess is a tool that helps equalise the playing field. I believe this is evident in Tsogo Sun’s strategy of engaging the youth of today.”

The Tsogo Sun Arts Academy forms part of the extra-curricular activities of 12 schools in the Diepsloot, Mayfair, East London and Nelspruit communities, teaching 480 students the basics of drama and dance, together with a structured life skills course to empower the youngsters to make sound choices throughout their lives. The company is an active member of Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), and Michelle Constant, CEO of BASA, emphasises the important role that the arts play in building character and skills: “The arts act as a key entry to other skills. So using the arts in education supports social capital, imagination and growth of EQ in a child.”

Tsogo Sun has partnered and aligned its CSI soccer initiatives with the South African Football Development Agency, which has developed its Vision 2022 Football Development Plan to align with government’s National Sports Framework. Says SAFDA CEO, Dr Robin Petersen, “We have a vision built on pillars which aim for similar outcomes, such as benefits in terms of physical activity and grooming responsible citizens and life skills as a by-product of this sport. Central to this development philosophy is our focus on mass participation, mostly through school leagues and the pursuit of elite performance.”

As a basic fundamental, Tsogo Sun is committed to education and development. Through its Learning Academy, the group constantly educates and develops staff, provides bursaries to students and gives young people access to national historic and educational facilities such as the Apartheid Museum, as well as supporting complementary programmes such as the Primestars, Columba Leadership, Olwazini Discovery Science Centre and a number of bursaries at schools and tertiary institutions.

Says Paine, “Education is an important pillar in our CSI programme and we have several initiatives that focus on the holistic development of the child at school, all of which include the development of life skills to fulfil their potential.”

Tsogo Sun Arts Academy Students Shine in Internationally Produced Music Video

The Tsogo Sun Arts Academy All Stars, as the top young stars of the Tsogo Sun Arts Academy programme are affectionately known, yesterday appeared in a music video with top SA Afrikaans singer and host of Be Your Dream on DSTV’s Kyknet, Anaïs Marais.

These children, the cream of the crop from the 12 schools in the Tsogo Sun Arts Academy who, due to their innate talent are given additional training in the performing arts, were selected to perform in the music video for the track entitled Dance Like David - a co-lab between Anaïs and Nate Butler, an award-winning American songwriter, music producer, and recording artist, whom the children were also able to meet and interact with.

Nate has been instrumental in the international sale of 45 million records and has worked with multi-platinum artists such as Luther Vandross, Victoria Beckham, Craig David, Backstreet Boys, Christina Milian, Stacie Orrico, JoJo, and others. In addition, Butler helped launch the careers of many artists, including 3LW, S-Club 7, Blue and Sugababes.

The music video was filmed in Diepsloot yesterday and comes just days after Anaïs and Nate presented a full-day workshop with the children at Silverstar Casino in the West Rand of Johannesburg. The session, designed to expose the children to exciting new experiences within the field of the arts that they would never normally have, saw Anaïs and Nate talk on their individual perspectives of the industry, both locally and internationally, and encompassed everything from acting to modelling, singing and dancing. The children were taught what to do, not to do, and what to expect when going into the industry, before being surprised with the news that they would be appearing in the music video, which is due for nationwide release in two weeks.

Says Anaïs, “It was a privilege to work with the All Stars children and be able to offer them a little insight into the performing arts industry in South Africa. I hope that I made a difference, even in a small way, to broadening their horizons and perspectives on the world around them and the South African performing arts industry at large.”

Even more exciting, is that that six of the Tsogo Sun Arts Academy All Stars children were given a spot in the finals of the New York Film Academy’s Musical Theatre School bursary programme. The workshop was used as an audition in which six of the children outshone the rest for a place in the final of the bursary selection process, which will be held at Silverstar Casino on 16 May. All 12 children will perform at the opening of the finals.

The Tsogo Sun Arts Academy programme currently supports 480 children across 12 underprivileged South African schools – 40 in each school – in Diepsloot and Mayfair in Gauteng. The full-year Arts Academy curriculum is designed as an all-encompassing programme that uses the arts as the foundation for opportunities for growth and learning for the children in both primary and high schools. It covers the basics of drama, dance, vocal training and voice projection, as well as carefully structured life skills course that empower the youngsters to make sound choices throughout their lives.

The fact that the Tsogo Sun All Stars were last year invited to perform at corporate events such as conferences and the SA Business Women’s Council, and have already received numerous requests to perform at events this year, bears testament to the momentum gained in only four short years and the credibility of The Tsogo Sun Arts Academy programme.

“The workshop and music video experience is just another in the many efforts the programme makes to reflect the dreams and aspirations of the youngsters,” says Shanda Paine, Tsogo Sun Group CSI Manager. “It is opportunities such as these that we hope will give our top performers the confidence and ambition to go on to make a career of the arts.”

“This is the goal of the Arts Academy, which is a perfect fit for Tsogo Sun with our strong base in growing the arts in South Africa through our various theatres, but also because investment in people to enable them to progress in life is a core philosophy of our overall business strategy.”

Holistic Approach to Sports and Arts Programmes is Impacting Children's Lives

Read for yourself how our holistic approach to our sports and arts development programmes has an effect on the lives of South African children.

According to 19-year-old Nkosikhona Ndebele of Diepsloot Number 3 High School, the Tsogo Sun Arts Academy “inspired me to become a better person”. That’s the holistic nature of the Tsogo Sun CSI flagship school programmes that impact thousands of children’s lives every year.

“Our sports and arts programme are designed to have a tangible impact on young lives – particularly the lives of disadvantaged children – and to do more than just foster an interest in a sport or the arts. Our Tsogo Sun academies use sports and arts as a medium to deliver life skills, leadership and healthy lifestyle information, while also reinforcing the importance of education to young learners in school, ultimately aiming to nurture the children’s wellbeing,” says Vusi Dlamini, HR Director for Tsogo Sun.

It’s paying off, according to reports from youngsters, facilitators, teachers and parents. Ndebele says he used to be a bully at school, taking other kids’ money because “everyone else was doing it” and hanging out with a bad crowd that negatively influenced him. “But my attitude changed when I joined the Tsogo Sun Arts Academy.   It has helped me become more respectful and more disciplined and made me see the importance of being a positive role model to others. It has taught me to be humble and to communicate with other people without being violent. There is now a lot of progress in my life.” As a result, his school also discovered he had leadership skills and he was elected school president.

Child psychologist, Sheryl Cohen, says, “Children learn through cognitive, emotional and sensory experience – touching, moving, smelling, watching, and hearing are all powerful sensory experiences which facilitate learning.  Sports and arts programmes do just that! They use sensory experiences to help children learn and develop. These sensory styles of learning also expect the child to be an active participant in the process of learning, rather than a passive recipient. Sport and creative arts activities also encourage the development of social skills and teamwork. When an individual works towards the benefit of the whole team (such as soccer or a group stage performance), he or she learns about good impulse control, turn taking and participation. These are important life skills.”

With personal experience in the Tsogo Sun Soccer Academy, international footballer Morgan Gould, who plays for Kaizer Chiefs FC and Bafana Bafana, comments on its programme: “It is overwhelming to see the impact such a programme has as an extra-curricular activity in schools, encouraging the boys to develop discipline and camaraderie. This programme teaches a range of skills I wish I understood from a younger age.”  He says the boys commit to school just to play soccer, “but more importantly they strive to excel at school in order to be part of the programme. Some of the boys may become sporting heroes or maybe lawyers, but it is the Tsogo Sun Soccer Academy that is laying the fundamental life skills through sport that will allow them to succeed and accomplish better lives.”

Holistic-education.net says children need to develop academic capacities, but “much more than this is needed”. Children need to begin to learn about themselves. Conveying to children that they are worthy of time and attention, not only from their peers, parents and programmes such as Tsogo Sun’s CSI programme, but also through taking the time to get to know and develop themselves and their inherent skills as individuals, seems fundamental to healthy self-respect and self-esteem. “Children also need to learn about relationships. As our societies become increasingly pluralist, complex, and fraught, social development becomes more difficult as well as more necessary.”

The Tsogo Sun education development programmes cover these aspects and encourage the children to write reflectively about their experiences and learning.

Bree Street Primary School is running both the chess and arts programme through Tsogo Sun and educator Waheeda Mohamed states that it is making a dramatic difference in the children’s lives. Most of the children are from communities that “would have very little or no opportunity to attend programmes like these without sponsors,” she says.

Sheila Digoro, a mother of one of the soccer players in the sports programme, Keabetswe Digoro, says her son became a lot more focused in his school work when he started playing soccer. “His behaviour improved too. Before he spent a lot of time in the streets and was often in trouble. Now he helps out at home, he is always on time for soccer, and I can rest easier knowing that that he is working hard.”

There are many other children in both the Tsogo Sun sports and the arts academies who testify to the holistic benefits of the programmes in their lives, such as Nompumelelo Moyo, 16-year-old pupil at Diepsloot West Secondary school, who says the Arts Academy has “built my personality as well as developed my artistic side that I never knew existed. This whole experience has made me a better person. I am now more confident and able to perform in front of a group of people. I also started a choir with some of my friends which helps other children stay off the streets. It has helped me in numerous ways such as being disciplined, working hard in my academics, and being a respectful person.”

The festive season is almost here and what better way to kick it off than with a fresh, funky “Cliffmas” Carols end-of-year sing-along?  Whatever you celebrate, come and celebrate with Gareth Cliff and the crew for a fun family night out and lend support to a worthy cause. 

Gareth is launching the holiday season with a fundraising event on 3rd December 2014 at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City in aid of Headway Gauteng - an organisation dedicated to offering support programmes to survivors of brain injury and their families.  The vast majority of injuries are as result of motor vehicle, motor cycle and pedestrian vehicle accidents, assaults and sporting accidents.

“This can happen to anyone” says Gareth Cliff, Patron of Headway Gauteng, “One minute you’re living a normal productive life and the next minute everything can change.  The festive season is upon us and while that brings good cheer, it is also a time when reckless behaviour can change lives forever. Cliffmas Carols is a fun family outing but also, will help raise money and awareness for this cause and encourage safety, especially during the holidays”.  

“CliffCentral Rocks Christmas”, hosted by Gareth Cliff and sweetened by Beacon, features the multi-award winning Soweto Gospel Choir, Proverb, Jen Su, Casper de Vries and a special surprise performance by the CliffCentral crew.

Tsogo Sun’s Arts Academy will also be bringing the true spirit of Christmas to the concert with a melody performance by their ‘All Stars’. “These children are part of the Tsogo Sun’s Citizenship programme in the Mayfair and Diepsloot communities. Their hard work, talent and dedication throughout the year has resulted in their selection as ‘All Stars’ and we are thrilled that these young talents can be part of this year’s show. It is a great privilege for these children, and the added benefit of fundraising and giving back to others makes this a great platform for these future stars,” says Vusi Dlamini, Tsogo Sun Group HR Director.

Potential Realised in Arts Academy Initiative

Having the vision to be a catalyst for change is an ambitious target that many companies aspire to realise in their genuine desire to do good, to touch lives and to make a difference. It’s a vision that requires focus, effort and a programme that resonates with the people whose lives it seeks to change. One company making significant inroads in bringing about real life changes is Tsogo Sun, through its far-reaching Arts Academy, which is unleashing the potential of hundreds of less-privileged children in Diepsloot and Mayfair, Johannesburg.

Currently in its third year, Tsogo Sun’s Arts Academy forms part of the extra-curricular activities of 12 schools in the Diepsloot and Mayfair communities, teaching 480 students the basics of drama, dance, vocal training and voice projection, together with a structured life skills course that covers a broad spectrum of topics to empower the youngsters to make sound choices throughout their lives.

“Tsogo Sun’s focus on entertainment and theatre meant forming an Arts Academy for young people was a natural fit. The Arts Academy allows us to expose young school-goers to the world of arts, to identify the most talented young artists early on and to nurture their talent. The programme is aligned to government priorities to reintroduce extra-curricular activities back into schools and Tsogo Sun has worked closely with the Gauteng Department of Education in identifying schools and developing the programme,” explains Vusi Dlamini, Tsogo Sun’s Group HR Director of Tsogo Sun.

As the pupils present their year-end concerts in Diepsloot this week and Mayfair next week, giving them the opportunity to showcase the skills they’ve learnt throughout the year along with their own innate talents, it’s clear that this is a programme that’s having the desired results.

Nqobile Vlekis, a 16-year-old pupil at Diepsloot West Secondary School, was accepted into the Tsogo Sun Arts Academy after attending a dance audition. She says, “I have learnt that you don’t have to be afraid to show your full potential in front of other people. We are taught to be confident. We are taught how to respect people and not to discriminate against anyone. You should take time to know the next person; things like where do they come from and where they live so that you can learn to tolerate each other.”

Katlego Makao (14) says joining the Arts Academy has “kept me occupied and made me become more focused. After school I attend Arts Academy sessions and then head home and do my homework.” Asked what the life skills component of the programme has taught her, she says, “We have been taught to be disciplined and to be respectful to everyone we encounter. I wish that other kids could have an opportunity like I had with Tsogo Sun.”

Nkosikhona Ndebele (19) is a Grade 11 pupil at Diepsloot Number 3 High School who has excelled in the programme, winning last year’s Naledi Star Award (Individual). “I used to be a bully at school; I would take other children’s money and that was not right. I did it because I thought everybody else was doing it. I was hanging out with the wrong crowd, who influenced me to swear at teachers. But my attitude changed when Tsogo Sun came to our school. I now had something better to do and when we were taken on outings with the Arts Academy I met people who inspired me to become a better person, to become more respectful and more disciplined. I changed as a result of this programme; my school realised I had leadership skills and I was elected as the school’s president while in Grade 11. I learnt that I am actually capable of motivating my peers. I won a best solo dance last year using my karate skills.  I am now able to dance for people and inspire them to do something amazing with their lives.”

Nompumelelo Moyo (16) attends Diepsloot West Secondary School and joined the Academy when she was 15, impressing the facilitators at the audition with her attitude and energy. According to Nompumelelo, the programme has developed her personality and her artistic side, which she never knew existed. “This whole experience has made me become a better person. I am now more confident and able to perform in front of a group of people. I also started a choir in the community with some of my friends, which helps other children stay off the streets.” With dreams of becoming a chartered accountant or being a facilitator in the Arts Academy, Nompumelelo says she is doing much better academically since joining the programme and is playing a lot of leadership roles at school. “Before joining this programme I was an introvert, but because of Tsogo Sun I am now able to talk to people confidently and be more open with the people that are in my life.”

For some of the children in the Arts Academy, the benefits are subtle, but significant. Says Nqobile, who confesses to spending her spare time visiting friends or walking around Diepsloot before joining the Academy, “This programme has taught me to involve my mother in what’s happening in my life, and it’s developed my self-esteem at school. Without this programme I think I would be on the streets doing nothing meaningful with my life. It has given me the confidence to stand up in front of a crowd of people, dance and showcase my talent. Being a part of the programme has also taught me to write better and to be more focused at school as well as to how to manage my time. I have learnt many life skills but what stands out the most for me is financial education.”

Commenting on his career plans, Nkosikhona says, “I am good with my hands, always fixing things that are broken at home. My teachers suggested that I do mechanical engineering and I think I will take their advice, but I also feel that I can still continue with my dancing on the side.”

Given the opportunity to tell Tsogo Sun what being in the programme has meant to him, Nkosikhona – who now receives A’s after failing Grade 10 before joining the programme – says, “If we were shooting a video, I would do six somersaults. I thank God for bringing Tsogo Sun into my life. When I failed Grade 10 I was so disappointed in myself but when I got into the programme and won the award at the Lyric Theatre last year I was inspired to work hard in my life. I would like to thank Tsogo Sun for showing me that you can achieve anything you want in your life. I love Tsogo Sun so much and I pray for them every day.”

These and the many other children have been hard at work honing their performance skills over the last nine months  to show their fellow learners, parents and community members how much can be accomplished through hard work and dedication.

“These young people make us extremely proud with all that they have achieved in terms of personal growth, artistic development and commitment to their academics.  We are all working together with our partners, Minimax, leaders in school arts curriculums, as well as the educators and parents of the students, and while we have a long way to go yet, we have achieved much, and with continued collaboration and shows of support and encouragement from all involved, there is no limit to what these learners can achieve,” says Shanda Paine, Group CSI Manager for Tsogo Sun.

Tsogo Sun Soccer Development Academy Moves Up

The Tsogo Sun Soccer Academy players are catching the eyes of scouts from the professional leagues as their talent comes to the fore and the teams steadily climb in the rankings of the Soweto Football League.

“The Soccer Academy, was created for the stars coming out of the local interschool league programme, which forms one of the pillars in the academy – the youngsters with exceptional talent who were identified by our coaches as having the potential to go further in soccer,” says Shanda Paine, Group CSI manager for Tsogo Sun.  This talent development part of the overall academy consists of 80 players in four divisions - U13, U15, U17 and U19 teams.

These four teams have been playing in the Soweto Football League for the past three years. Our South African Soccer Academy allows these gifted players to harness and grow their talent by competing against some of the strongest teams in their age groups in Gauteng and also providing them with a platform to gain additional developmental skills off the field through life skill workshops.  This will ensure that when they are scouted these youngsters are quality all round players on and off the field, and as such represent the calibre of players that graduate from the Tsogo Sun Soccer Academy. Through the continued success of the programme and the players achievements through the Academy, the Tsogo Sun Soccer Academy hopes to conquer the Soweto Football League in due time and move into the SAFA Academy.

A number of youngsters from the Academy have already been scouted by professional development leagues in 2014; two players were scouted by Bidvest Wits; five players who were at the trials for the newly promoted Vodacom (ABC Motsepe League) team in Munsieville, were signed up; and two players – one U15 and one U17 – were scouted by Kaizer Chiefs.

Gift Mokguo, who manages the Soccer Academy for Tsogo Sun, is proud of their performance. “The Tsogo Sun Soccer Academy has not just produced players with much potential to go far in soccer, it has had a big impact on the youngsters’ lives over the years – they have developed self-respect and respect for others, they have learned to listen, and their soccer skills are developing. In this community there was very little opportunity to play soccer in teams as there is very little funding. This Soccer Academy has brought a new level of soccer to the area.”

Coach Tumelo, also with the Tsogo Sun Soccer Academy, comments, “The boys are playing well and they are matching the skills and talent of players in other academies; they are even impressing coaches from other academies and scouts from the bigger teams competing in the Soweto Football League. We are extremely proud of them.”

But performance on the field is only a part of the Tsogo Sun Soccer Academy programme. Sport is a powerful medium to deliver life skills tools and leadership development, to the youngsters, while the importance of education is reinforced throughout the programme. “Some of our players might make it into the big leagues in soccer, but even so, a sound education is vital to every young South African for whatever career path they may want to pursue – and we have been delighted to see how readily this lesson is being learned by many of our Academy players,” comments Paine.

Tsogo Sun took its top U19 team from the development Academy to Cape Town in October last year as a reward for hard work, commitment to themselves and the programme. These youngsters were treated to a stay in the Southern Sun Waterfront hotel, a trip up Table Mountain, a visit to Greenpoint Stadium, a game of soccer against their coaches on the beach, and most importantly for many of them, a visit to Ajax Cape Town’s training facilities. All of which were first-time experiences for these players.

Team member, Lesedi, responded, “We visited Ajax’s training facilities which was a dream come true because I have always wanted to see how the development structures for Ajax work. It is my dream to play for Ajax one day and going to Cape Town inspired me. The trip has really motivated the team and has brought more unity.”

Katlego Lehohla added, “One thing I really benefited from was travelling and learning how to live with other people from different backgrounds. I now know the real meaning of ‘teamwork’.” Nwanana Ndobe said of the trip, “I learned a lot about Cape Town, and also about the team. The trip has boosted our morale, our momentum, our spirit, and also the discipline of the individual members.”

The Tsogo Sun Soccer Academy is bringing its 2014 season to a close from 19 to 21 September with a tournament on the West Rand, in Swaneville (Kagiso) – and celebrating a host of success stories from the players who have been part of the programme, some since its inception in 2010.

Vusi Dlamini, Group HR Director for Tsogo Sun, comments, “Our corporate social investment objectives are in line with the departments of Education and Sport & Recreation’s vision to promote healthy living and a life-long participation in sport. Added to this, we use sport as a medium to deliver life skills, leadership, and healthcare training, while also reinforcing the importance of education to young learners.”

The Tsogo Sun Soccer Academy currently operates in 35 primary and high schools in the Kagiso area on the West Rand, working with 40 teachers and more than 885 learners and local businesses as service providers.   “We are incredibly proud of the real-life experiences of some of the players how they have benefited from being part of the programme and the vision they have for their future,” says Shanda Paine, Group CSI Manager for Tsogo Sun.

Gift Mokguo, who manages the soccer academy for Tsogo Sun, is also local community member and has been with the programme since inception.  Mokguo notes the impressive impact it’s had on youngsters’ lives over the years – how they have developed self-respect and respect for others, how they have learned to listen, and how their soccer skills have been honed to the point where a number of the players have been scouted by development programmes for premier teams, including Bidvest and ABC Motsepe League teams. “I am so proud,” states Mokguo. “In this community there was very little opportunity to play soccer in teams as there is very limited funding. The Tsogo Sun Soccer Academy has brought a new level of soccer to the area as well as gained the attention of scouts that never came to the West Rand for talent.”

Grade 12 learner Goitseone Pits (19) started with the Soccer Academy in 2010 and believes that without it, he would likely be in jail. “The soccer team took me off the streets and away from criminal activities that some friends were involved in. Here I learned self-discipline, to behave when I am around people and how to show respect.” Pits is looking forward to studying next year – possibly social work – and a productive and positive future.

Player Prince Moeketsi is only 14 and started with the Academy in 2011 and maintains it has offered far more than expected. “They have inspired me and taught me that I need to go to school – and not think only about soccer. Going to school will give me a bright future.”

Tebogo Mpanyase, 14, attends WD Oliphant Primary School – started with the academy in 2010 at age 13 – agrees. “The Academy takes care of us. They respect us and we respect them too; they encourage us not to focus on football only.” His plans for the future include listening to his parents, focusing on school, and not being distracted by alcohol and smoking – and then one day hopefully studying medicine.

Twanano Ndobe, now age 19 at SG Mafaese Secondary School, has also been part of the academy since 2010, and has shown the commitment necessary to help him shine as a soccer player. Ndobe says he did have a problem with discipline, but when he was appointed captain of his team, he had to make serious changes in his life and be the role model and the leader that the position demanded from him. Ndobe hopes that soccer will play a role in his future life, but in the meantime, he plans to study law when he finishes school.

Tshepang Mothoagae, who joined the Academy in 2010 at age 12, says he too has learnt a lot more than soccer. “I learnt to respect – my coaches, my team, and other players from other teams. They also taught us life skills, where we learnt things like using electricity correctly, how to manage money, and how to be a better person. I want to say thank you to Tsogo Sun.”

Paine notes that research on the symbiotic relationship between sport and the balanced development of youngsters shows that sport-based programmes have been shown to improve the learning performance of learners, encouraging school attendance and a desire to succeed academically.

Tsogo Sun Moves For Life Chess Programme is A Boost To Education

Launched less than a year ago, Tsogo Sun’s Moves for Life chess programme is taking the game to 31,000 learners in more than 100 schools and has trained over 900 teachers schools around the country, with encouraging reports of improved academic performance. 

In support of the proven benefits of chess as an educational tool, Susan Polgar, four-time world chess champion, says, “According to research, test scores improved by 17.3% for students regularly engaged in chess classes, compared with only 4.6% for children participating in other forms of enriched activities."

Marcel von Aulock, CEO of Tsogo Sun, says the group chose to support chess in its far-reaching corporate social investment programme as chess fits well with its strategy of promoting sport and education in our schools. “Also important is that chess is one of the government’s top 16 priority sporting codes for inclusion at school level and so it aligns closely with government’s educational initiatives.”

Much of the success of the programme can be attributed to the fact that, while significant research over many years has established that chess contributes to many skillsets within a child’s development, the game is primarily fun and appealing to children – which means they’re gaining skills in maths, science and life skills while they’re playing.  Much research backs up claims that chess improves concentration; it develops logical and abstract thinking, analytical, visualisation and decision-making skills, among others,” said von Aulock.

The Moves For Life programme has a number of sponsors across the country, including BHP Billiton, Sasol as well as Anglo American, increasing the programme’s reach and impacting over 100 schools, 900 teachers and 31 000 students. Chief Education Specialist of the Western Cape government, Naomi Meyer, is impressed by what she has seen happening with chess in schools. “I believe that chess is an important development tool during the foundation phase (Grade R to Grade 3 learners) and I aim to implement the Tsogo Sun Moves for Life chess programme in every school in the Western Cape.”

The Tsogo Sun Moves for Life programme is divided into three key elements, namely MiniChess (Grade R to Grade 3), MasterMoves (nine years and older), and teacher training.  It has been implemented in six provinces in which Tsogo Sun’s leisure destinations are located, reaching ten schools in the Soweto area; six in Diepsloot near Fourways; 11 on the West Rand; three in Welkom in the Free State; 10 on the West Coast and six in Mossel Bay – both in the Western Cape; two in Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal; and two in Witbank in Mpumalanga.

MiniChess impacts all learners in the class, and is part of the school timetable. The focus throughout the lessons and activities is on fun – learning through play.

Grade 5 learner at Dumezweni Primary School, Asavela Mbewana, is adamant that “chess improved my maths.” And John Rramarumo, Principal of Muzomuhle Primary adds that the Tsogo Sun Moves for Life programme goes even further and “enables learners to believe in themselves.”

Mickey Scheepers, a Trustee of Tsogo Sun Moves for Life agrees, “The greatest gift you can give a child between the ages of 6 and 9 is self-confidence.” He says that the Tsogo Sun Moves for Life initiative “is fuelled by people who believe that every South African child has the potential to become a world-class citizen.  Participation in chess, and in particular the Moves for Life programme, positively impacts a child’s attitude towards life; a ‘can do’ boldness is an essential element for any type of human achievement. Our partnership with Tsogo Sun is very beneficial as it is providing a massive boost to the sustainability of the initiative and lending credibility to one of the most successful educational interventions in South Africa.”