Social Responsibility
As South Africa’s democracy matures, and the challenges that our young nation face become clearer, it is incumbent on each citizen, be it individual or corporate, to pro-actively respond to these challenges, thereby defining our collective future reality.
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Triple Bottom-Line Compliance
At Tourvest Destiantion Management, we strongly believe that it is no longer enough to concern ourselves only with the financial success of our business, but increasingly to incorporate, as operating philosophies, social responsibility and environmental sustainability. In essence, embracing the concept of triple bottom line compliance and engendering this philosophy throughout our operations.
By managing our business in a responsible way, we benefit our employees, communities, suppliers, customers, shareholders, and we help to protect the environment. Management of our business in accordance with sustainable development principles contributes to our success as the leading inbound operator in Sub Saharan Africa. To deliver on this commitment, we have taken a holistic view, with programmes and projects that are externally focused at our suppliers and partners, and internally focused at our internal operations.
Within our own business operation, we have considered the ways in which we can implement sustainable practices and have identified the following 3 areas within our business:
Employment Equity and Diversity Management
Historically, black people were systematically and purposefully restricted from participation in the mainstream economy, including limited access to employment leading to disparate representation of black people within many workplaces. Without direct intervention to make employment more accessible to historically disadvantaged people, society at large becomes unstable, with a ripple effect into business. It is our objective to work towards achieving the Tourism BEE charter equity targets by 2009 and 2014, respectively.
Waste Management
We have committed to working towards minimising waste across our operations. Reducing waste saves money as the cost of disposal rises. It is our objective to send as little waste as possible to landfills. In this regard, we have implemented a comprehensive waste management policy that incorporates responsible purchasing, waste reduction and recycling.
Energy Management
Being energy efficient means lower fuel costs and lower carbon emissions. All our electricity is purchased from city suppliers, but with the recent electricity crisis which hit South Africa, we have been forced to purchase a diesel generator to ensure uninterrupted power supply. In addition, our touring vehicles contribute significantly to our carbon footprint. Remedial action consists of only operating vehicles fitted with catalytic convertors, a commitment to re-establishing indigenous plants to affected areas and measures to monitor our consumption of natural resources.
The most important intervention that we have implemented is conscientising staff on the importance of minimising the use of electricity, and providing them with information and ideas on how to minimise energy use. In addition, specific interventions such as using energy saving bulbs and switching off lights at night have been implemented.
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
It is important that our supply chain (non cost of sales related) reflects our own values and commitments. Our aim is to encourage an understanding of sustainable development issues across our supply chain. To do so, we have created a preferential procurement checklist, which takes into account BBBEE, small and medium enterprise development, as well as the procurement of services from historically disadvantaged communities.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Community development is enhanced by our commitment to behave ethically and contribute to economic development, while improving the quality of life for society at large. Tourvest Destination Management currently supports several community based projects.
Mary's Orphanage
Mary's Home is located in Orange Farm, a township south of Johannesburg. This day facility provides day care to 35 children between the ages of 3 and 15 years old. Whilst Mary’s is in desperate need of financial assistance, opportunities exist to empower staff with much needed skills in the medium to long term, to make the project sustainable. To this end, Tourvest Destination Management are investing in such opportunities in creating skills, and helping the Home become self sufficient. One current active project being the building of ablution facilities and one combined class room cum afternoon slumber area, and kitchen.
“Yithuba Lami” - It's my chance
Yithuba Lami is is a registered non-profit organisation that was founded in October 2003 by Fr. Laszlo Karpati who began a regular outreach program on the street. Since then, a multi purpose centre and shelter (called Dinaledi House) has been established in Rossmore, west of Johannesburg.
The house has been transformed into a home for “children-at-risk” and children living on the streets, with a focus on helping the children primarily through education in its various forms and to re-integrate them into society by giving them opportunities for a full and abundant life, and in so doing, breaking the chain of poverty, unemployment, sexual exploitation and crime.
The centre focuses on developing the children academically, emotionally and psychologically. Currently there are approximately 15 boys living at the house ranging from 11 to 18 years of age. The centres most urgent need is to obtain a remedial teacher for the boys due to the disruption caused by their living on the streets for long periods of time. Many of these children are still unable to read and have very poor mathematical skills.
Some of the schools that they have previously attended have not been able to help them sufficiently but have, instead, continued to promote them to the next grade. Furthermore, every child at the house is at a different academic level and as to be assisted individually, hence the need for a remedial teacher.
Masiphumelele Corporation
A dedicated Global Conferences Africa project, the Masiphumelela Corporation is an NGO that deals specifically with the development of the Masiphumelela township community. This community, like many other South African townships, is a sprawling shanty town with a population of 30 000, where running water and electricity are luxuries. The development agenda for this community is as daunting as it is necessary. Going forward, Global Conferences will continue to assist with the necessary financial support required to run the day care centre, library and elementary school.
Southern Cross Reach-a-cross Foundation
Southern Cross is a small school located on a private wildlife estate in Hoedspruit, and is the birthplace of a revolutionary nature based educational system. The schools ethos is around equipping learners to make a meaningful contribution towards integrated and sustainable development and environmental protection. The Reach-a-Cross Foundation is a programme developed by the school to share their naturebased curriculum and ethos with the many rural schools operating in this environmentally sensitive region.
Destination Co-operation
Whilst Tourvest Destination Management is the largest inbound operator in the country, it is important that all industry role players have a common understanding of the sustainability agenda, and work hand in hand in achieving set goals. In this regard, Tourvest Destination Management has been working closely with the Department of Environmental Affair and Tourism, as well as other tourism stakeholders, in an endeavor to reach a common understanding and forge common goals. This consultative process is ongoing.
Funding
In order to assist with funding for the above projects, we have established a voluntary contribution system, in terms of which we invite our travel partners to nominate an amount, in their currency, which they would like to contribute per booking. All the funds collected will be housed in the Angels over Africa non- rofit organisation (NPO) that we have established, and will be distributed to the various projects, by the Trustees of the NPO.