Our Durban branch
Our great South African icon, Nelson Mandela, left more than a legacy for South Africa. He instilled a spirit of generosity and compassion in the hearts and minds of the South African people. Corporates, individuals, and organisations across the board have highlighted 18 July β Mandela Day β as a very important date on their calendars every year.
On 18 July, our Mandela Day collaboration with the Capital Hotel Group came to fruition at Ratang Bana in Alexandra. Warm clothing, socks, and various foodstuffs were donated by the PCO Alliance members and the Capital Hotel Group staff and delivered to Ratang Bana in Gauteng, The Homestead in Cape Town, and Summerhill House in Durban. All these charities support thousands of South African orphans. It is the first time our Mandela Day social outreach has been involved nationally, and we are so proud.
Our Cape Town Branch
Melody Barber, Chairperson of the PCO Alliance, shared her CSI Vision with us
βThe PCO Alliance Network started doing an annual CSI Initiative a few years ago. At the time, I wanted a platform where the members could individually ‘remember and give’ to a joint PCO Alliance Mandela Day project. The members collected warm clothing and foodstuffs and donated these to an NGO in Claremont, Johannesburg – Fred & Marie’s Soup Kitchen – which daily feeds 200 school children from the area.
“In 2024, I felt we had to expand our impact on Mandela Day as an organisation. After approaching one of our property partners to join hands, this Capital / PCO Alliance partnership for Mandela Day was born. It was great working with the head of the Capital Hotel Group’s Human Resources on this joint initiative, and contributing to the welfare of their staff’s local communities. The national footprint of the Capital Hotel Group enabled us to roll out this initiative to our ‘branches’ in Durban and Cape Town.β
Mandela Day in Johannesburg
When chatting to Andrisha Naicker, Head of Group HR for the Capital Hotels and Resorts, she shared some very interesting insights into how The Capital Group selects which charities and NGOs they support:
βOur aim with our CSI initiatives is always to give back to the communities from which the majority of our staff come. In 2023, we partnered with KYP (based in Soweto), an organisation we work closely with, from where we take a number of students who work and simultaneously pursue their hospitality degree, which is funded by the Capital Hotel Group.
“This year, we opted to go with Ratang Bana in Alexandra. Ratang Bana is a non-profit organisation which supports and empowers vulnerable children, focusing on orphaned children and children affected and infected by HIV and AIDS. The Capital Group endeavours to rotate support among the various communities our staff come from.
“It’s important to us that we not only support our staff but also have a wider impact in their homes. Meeting with Ingrid, the Founder of Ratang Bana, last year was both inspiring and heartbreaking. As many may be aware, budget cuts have severely impacted feeding schemes run by NGOs. The funding may have dried up, but those who depend on these NGOs need them more than ever. Ratang Bana does their best to serve all and turn no one away as best as possible.
“Hearing the stories from the social workers involved with the children was saddening. As the saying goes, ‘Charity starts at home’. And who better to support than children, our future leaders? We would love to see them have the best chance to grow and become all they dream of. Forming partnerships with NGOs, rather than an intervention once a year, is key to us.β
It was an honour to be involved with and support these very worthy non-profit organisations in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. By supporting charities, volunteering our time, and making a positive impact in our communities, we honour Mandela’s legacy and contribute to a brighter and more compassionate world for all. Let us continue to spread love, kindness, and hope, knowing that even the smallest act of giving can make a difference.
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