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Social investments

It is incumbent of casino operators, as a condition to being granted a licence, to provide for social upliftment and the promotion of responsible gambling within any given affected community. GPI’s most important investment, SunWest, has built up an enviable track record in terms of its focus on sustainability, as has Thuo Gaming WC. Both entities allocate a substantial percentage of their profits to corporate social investment and the uplifting of the communities within which they operate.

SunWest

GrandWest’s Corporate Social Investment contribution has become increasingly prominent in the social investment landscape of Cape Town and the operation boasts numerous CSI projects and achievements in its portfolio. GPI can take much of the credit for SunWest’s achievements in this regard through its representation on the SunWest board and the role of Western Cape Manco, which is jointly controlled by GPI and Sun International. Western Cape Manco is responsible for the management of SunWest’s empowerment policy, which covers all aspects of empowerment including community empowerment, shareholder empowerment, procurement empowerment and, importantly, employee empowerment.

By 2007 GrandWest’s CSI committee, under the guidance of GPI representatives who serve on the Western Cape Manco board, had overseen the allocation of R25 million to social investment projects. The expansion at GrandWest further increased CSI spending by an additional R1,7 million, which is set to rise to a potential R14,7 million in 2015. Since 2000, GrandWest CSI has invested its R25 million CSI budget in local community projects and programmes, concentrating on those that are viable and sustainable in the long term and those that empower local communities.

The allocation of CSI is managed across different category types which are weighted according to needs and community priorities.  Some of the projects and programmes that have benefited from GrandWest CSI include:

  • Blisters for Bread – a charity family fun walk which raises money to feed hungry Cape Peninsula schoolchildren: more than 15 000 walkers take part;
  • Ruyterwacht Community Learning Centre - a wireless network facility with computers and internet where the people of Ruyterwacht are able to acquire skills, tuition, life skills training, career guidance and also have access to employment opportunities;
  • Zeekoevlei Environmental Education programme - enabling disadvantaged children to acquire environmental and social life skills and receive a certificate at the end of the course;
  • Soundtrack 4 life – GrandWest CSI's successful life skills programme which uses theatre to empower learners with the behavioural skills necessary to deal with social issues such as HIV: the programme has already reached over 100 000 Cape Peninsula learners;
  • Red Cross Society – GrandWest CSI has provided field kitchens which offer relief to poor Western Cape communities devastated by floods, fire and other natural disasters;
  • The GrandWest CSI-SHAWCO mobile community health clinics – these provide primary health care to an ever-increasing number of Cape Metropole citizens. R5,1 million has been spent to date on this project;
  • SHARE Literacy Project – an adult basic education project in Somerset West providing real life experience training;
  • Noluthando School for the Deaf – based in Khayelitsha, this school also accommodates learners with other physical challenges: GrandWest CSI funded the equipping of a sewing room;
  • Western Cape Primary Science programme - the teaching of science is a problem area in schools: GrandWest CSI funded the translation of a series of books into Xhosa, as well as the production of a DVD that would benefit both educators and learners;
  • Ntwasahlobo Primary, Litha Primary, Siyanda Educare and Siphamandla Educare – GrandWest CSI funded reading materials, mattresses, educational toys, musical instruments, tables and desks;
  • GrandWest's CSI committee has always recognised and valued the immense part education plays in transforming our society, and supports a number of education-related projects and programmes in the Western Cape.

Motivated by the announced shortage of skilled engineers and scientists in the province, the GrandWest CSI Bursary Fund was launched in August 2007 aimed at Western Cape tertiary students studying in the disciplines of mathematics, science or technology, as well as FET (Further Education and Training) students who are bridging towards a university education. The Bursary Fund makes R5 million’s worth of bursaries available over a five-year period. To date the GrandWest CSI Bursary Fund has awarded bursaries to 150 students and many of these early bursars are already achieving impressive academic results at their various institutions;

  • SOS Children's Village, Thornton - GrandWest CSI adopted House 13 and House 15 in 2005 and besides initially purchasing appliances, from time to time has taken care of the two homes’ needs: SOS children are also included in Christmas parties, visits to the Aquarium, shows at the Grand Arena and other activities;
  • Home of Hope - this project is involved with child protection and the provision of safety, well-being and protection of all children in communities such as Table View, Du Noon, Joe Slovo and Doorbach: GrandWest CSI responded to the Homes’ need for a vehicle to transport social workers and provide supplies to areas of need.

Thuo Gaming WC

Thuo Gaming WC has committed to invest at least 5% of its pre-tax profits on CSI projects. Priority is given to programmes which uplift and support the communities in the categories of community development, health and welfare, and education. Those which benefited during the past year are:

  • The Somerset Hospital, to whose board a donation of R1 million was made to rebuild their trauma unit. The new unit will be three times larger and is expected to be completed by March 2010. Thuo’s contribution will aid short-term job creation during the construction phase and long-term employment for doctors, nurses and hospital administrative staff. The facility will furthermore be a training ground for intern doctors.
  • The Chaeli Campaign, which will use their R200 000 donation to enable people with various disabilities to support themselves. Programmes offered by Chaeli include physiotherapy and occupational therapy to children with various disabilities; a resource centre for parents, siblings, students and visitors;  therapist training; family and parent support groups and social worker services; and the upkeep of therapy equipment.
  • Noah, which received an amount of R30 000 as sponsorship of a home for the aged in Atlantis for a period of one year.
  • Girls' & Boys' Town, who were recipients of a R20 799 donation that will cover the cost of education for three youngsters for a period of one year.
  • The Marsh Memorial Home, which offers sanctuary to abused and neglected children placed there by the court. The home has received R18 709.
  • The St George's Home for Girls also received R18 709 for continued well-being of girls placed in the Home’s care.

Thuo Gaming KZN is still in its start-up phase and is accordingly not in a profit-making position yet. We are confident that this business will become profitable in the next two years and will therefore commence making a meaningful contribution to community social development and enterprise development in the short to medium term.

The Table Bay Hotel

In 2009 The Table Bay Hotel spent over R133 000 on corporate social investment, with this being fairly evenly spread between health and welfare projects, educational projects and community development.


The Golden Valley Casino and Lodge

Although The Golden Valley Casino is not yet in a profit-generating position, the unit is assisting the local community with meal and accommodation vouchers, as well as a considerable amount of management’s time and energy. In 2009 Golden Valley made a cash contribution of R50 000 to the Pioneer Rally. The main beneficiary of the Rally is the Pioneer School for the Blind in Worcester. At a gala banquet an additional R200 000 was raised.