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Zorgvliet Portfolio Embraces Responsible Tourism
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Zorgvliet Portfolio is pro-active in its approach to responsible tourism. Zorgvliet Portfolio embraces the local communities around its numerous business sites, pioneers conservation and historical landmark initiatives. Over 600 staff members, some previously unemployed and untrained, now have jobs and new skills. Aids Awareness Programmes are introduced and resource management is implemented at all Zorgvliet Portfolio destinations.
Some of the Zorgvliet Portfolio initiatives:
RIVIERA ON VAAL HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB
- Social Responsibility Programme for Women and Children
- Through the Blanket Project the Hotel collects blankets every autumn and distributes them to the homeless and less fortunate in the Vereeniging area where winter temperatures are known to drop below -5ºC.
- Charity Golf Days at the Riviera on Vaal Country Club are in aid of the Vereeniging Child and Family Welfare Society, Eureka School and other local charities, schools and churches. The Vereeniging Child and Family Welfare Society has been supporting children under the age of 18 since 1922.
- The Soup Kitchen is an initiative in Sharpeville in conjunction with Sedgars and Faith Mission of SA to distribute soup and bread to hungry learners.
- The Tree Felling Programme at the Riviera on Vaal Hotel & Country Club is part of the national eradication of Blue Gum Trees which rob our ecosystems of vast amounts of valuable water. Riviera on Vaal Hotel & Country Club has partnered with local entrepreneurs and established a programme to remove all alien trees in the area and replace them with indigenous species; the Government and Working for Water were unable to assist. All the wood and off cuts from this programme are given to previously disadvantaged small businesses for free - a large cottage industry has been established as a result.
KA'INGO PRIVATE RESERVE & SPA
- A programme to restore the Ka'Ingo Private Reserve & Spa from its close-to-dilapidated condition on all fronts when acquired in June 2002 has produced impressive results.
- Hunting is prohibited as a result of environmental rehabilitation and a selection of proven forms of wildlife management have been applied, namely: game naturally roaming the Reserve and intensive game farming managed fires to restore the veld and remove dead material to promote new growth.
- The Sable and Clean Buffalo Breeding Programmes and the safe introduction of lion, elephant and especially the rare cheetah, have all produced impressive results. Borehole management is imperative and water supplies are located in ecologically correct areas where rain water retention is maximised.
- Biosphere preservation is taken very seriously at Ka'Ingo Private Reserve & Spa protecting precious reserves like water, fauna and flora. Providing sustainable employment to the local population while educating the community in Ecological Management are all internal to this process.
- The Waterberg Academy located at nearby Vaalwater, receives major funding from the Zorgvliet Portfolio and provides quality private education to all children including the underprivileged. The Academy produces remarkable results by focusing on the environment and educating children in traditional values, morals and ethics.
- Mass Tourism is a potential killer of the fragile Waterberg Biosphere. As a result Ka'Ingo Private Reserve & Spa limits its visitors to only 26 guests at a time at its two lodges. This ensures the Reserve remains pristine and the animal quotas are managed accordingly.
Historical landmarks including the original 1692 Herenhuis Restaurant situated on the Zorgvliet Wine Estate outside Stellenbosch and the Herbert Baker designed clubhouse at the Riviera on Vaal Country Club, have been painstakingly restored to their original glory.
Zorgvliet Portfolio is run according to the triple bottom line. Growth and economic performance must be supported by economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Visit www.zorgvliet.com for more information on this ongoing initiative.
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