Tsogo Sun has, for the third year running, chosen to be the proud home of Miss Earth, a programme now in its twelfthyear that focuses on greening, tree-planting, recycling, energy efficiency and carbon-conscious lifestyle choices. Beautiful young women are the ambassadors for the programme, dedicating their time and passion for the environment to initiatives that reach communities across the country.
Tsogo Sun is currently providing the venues for casting sessions and workshops on green issues for the hopeful entrants in various South African cities, including Johannesburg at the Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel, Cape Town at Southern Sun Cape Sun, and Durban at Garden Court Umhlanga.
Tsogo Sun’s Gold Reef City property hosted the Miss Earth Johannesburg selection process, and pictured here is Miss Earth SA 2nd Runner Up 2013, Thobile Mchunu, along with hopeful entrants from the Gauteng province.
“Our partnership with the Miss Earth programme forms part of our commitment to the upliftment and development of communities with particular emphasis on encouraging a responsible attitude towards the use of electricity, water and the management of waste. In addition to the environmental management systems in place at our hotels and casinos, we support opportunities to educate people, and particularly the youth, about reducing their impact on the environment. Our involvement with the Miss Earth programme includes partnering with them on their tree-planting, food security and nature conservation initiatives. This forms part of our efforts to help protect and conserve a greener future for this country,” comments Candy Tothill, Group Internal Communications & Special Projects Manager for Tsogo Sun.
The Miss Earth South Africa programme exposes young South African women to important issues such as water stewardship, energy efficiency, renewable energies, glass recycling and sustainability, adding tremendous value to their own and other people’s lives. Successful candidates are hands-on involved in educational programmes, workshops and activities in the field.
Catherine Constantinides, Executive Director of Miss Earth South Africa, says, “Tsogo Sun is the home of Miss Earth SA and we are honoured to be affiliated with an organisation that walks the talk on a number of environmental and social issues. Our young applicants are exposed to the potentially destructive effects that society is having on the environment, yet there is hope when corporates such as Tsogo Sun prove to be ahead of the curve by demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability on a business level.”
The casting sessions and workshops mark the start of an eventful year when entrants will be challenged with achieving numerous milestones and touching lives in communities through various projects around the country.
“The long term sustainability of our business is core to our philosophy and Tsogo Sun is proud to be a catalyst for positive change through partnerships such as these,” says Tothill.
