Tembisans benefit from CSI projects
Local residents were among those recognised during the awards ceremony.
Peermont celebrated the work conducted within Tembisa, and other local communities surrounding its various units, at an awards gala dinner.
The gala dinner was held at Emperors Palace on August 25.
The inception of the awards, dubbed ‘the Oscars’ of the CSI world, celebrated and recognised the hard working people who made the Peermont CSI community projects a success. It included Tembisa residents and businesses like the Voice of Tembisa FM 87.6 and Lesedi Skills Programme graduates. It also included Tembisa residents Mmatsheko Kekana, Desiree Monyemoratho, Bongani Skosana, Sandile Nkabinde, Kagiso Molefe and Njabulo Skosana.
Each year, Peermont contributes millions of Rands, over R24-million in 2014, to the communities surrounding its business units.
The CSI programme consists of four pillars, and projects are recognised under education, youth development, environment enrichment and entrepreneurial enrichment pillars.
“Providing disadvantaged children and youth with educational tools and access to quality education remains a vital and important aspect of our business. The levels of learning start from the foundation phase and continue through to university, through bursaries and learner career development,” said Mr Vusi Zwane, the Peermont Group Corporate Affairs Executive.
School Support Programme (PSSP)
With a goal of 60/60 by 2015, the PSSP project offers pupils and teachers behaviour change management and leadership skills, as well as exposure to information, communication and technology (ICT), all designed to undertake the PSSP programme through seven high schools and 19 feeder primary schools by investing in MacBook’s, cameras, iPads and computer labs.
Lesedi Skills Programme
Peermont provides youth from the local community an opportunity to work while they learn at Emperors Palace. The experience the students gain is invaluable and assists them in finding jobs in the hospitality and tourism sector, one of the highest and fastest growing sectors in the country’s economy. A total of nine professional cookery students and 12 electrical learners received their certificates at the awards ceremony. All training provided is accredited and students are offered the opportunity to complete their trade tests at a later stage.
The Lesedi Programme also provides essential life skills training for students and assists them with job seeking skills to ensure a positive and successful outcome of the programme.
Bursary Programme
Peermont Education Trust sponsors full bursaries to matriculants from disadvantaged backgrounds, with no obligation to repay the bursary or work for Peermont upon completion of their studies. Two graduates were recognised at the awards ceremony. Themba Mnguni is a University of the Witwatersrand graduate with an LLB and is currently serving articles at one of South Africa’s most respected and prestigious law firms, Edward Nathan Sonnenberg. Mbuti Lumata, an MBBcH graduate from Medical University of South Africa (Medunsa), currently serves his residency at Leratong Hospital in Krugersdorp.
Community Policing
Improving infrastructure, safety and social services is another priority and these CSI initiatives consist of community support and financial investments to the surrounding areas such as the Winnie Mandela settlement’s crime fighting project.
Entrepreneurial Enrichment
Financially supporting small and micro-enterprises and self-help projects uplifts the socio-economic status of marginalised communities. The entrepreneurial development pillar provides grant-funding to these budding businessmen and businesswomen.
Funding of the broadcast equipment for the community radio station, the Voice of Tembisa (VoT) FM 87.6, resulted in a huge boost to the station’s number of listeners.
The station is a licensed community radio station (2004), which went on-air in December 2005 and due to the investment the trust has made, the VoT’s listenership has been boosted by 80 000 listeners over the past year – to a total of 180 000. In 2011 the station employed 14 employees, which increased to just over 30 full time employees in 2015.
