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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 – the annual Peninsula Schools Feeding Association charity family fun walk which raises money to feed hungry Cape Peninsula school children.
  • 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.
  • Cape Environmental Trust Youth Development programme at Zeekoevlei – enabling disadvantaged children to acquire environmental and social life skills and receive a certificate at the end of the course.
  • Red Cross Society – GrandWest CSI has provided five Field Kitchens which offer relief to poor Western Cape communities devastated by floods, fire, etc.
  • The GrandWest CSI-SHAWCO mobile community health clinics provide primary health care to an ever-increasing number of Cape Metropole citizens.
  • 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 – funded reading materials, mattresses, educational toys, musical instruments, tables and desks.
  • 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 other of the two homes’ needs. SOS children are also included in Christmas parties, visits to the Aquarium and shows at the Grand Arena.
  • CPUT School of Opthalmology – the purchase of Glaucoma testing apparatus.
  • Artscape High School Drama Festival and Artscape School Arts Festival – annual arts festival aimed at youth across the wider Cape Metropolitan region.
  • Women’s Day Celebration – a prime example of enterprise development, this annual exhibition and networking opportunity for budding entrepreneurs is held in the Market Hall at GrandWest.
  • 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.