Tembisans recognised at awards ceremony at Emperors

EVERY year Peermont contributes millions of Rands to communities surrounding its business units, amounting to over R34 million for 2015.

To celebrate and recognise the hard working people that make these community projects a success, the company hosted a CSI awards ceremony at Emperors Palace on September 1.

The Peermont Children’s Trust sponsors an after-school care programme to provide learners with nutritious meals, adult supervision and space to do homework in a safe environment. Learners are also provided with food parcels for the school holidays. The trust also sponsors school uniforms to vulnerable learners.

The project assists 700 children across seven centres throughout Ekurhuleni. The top practitioner was Lizzy Radebe of Reahile After-Care in Katlehong and the best after-care centre Khangezile Primary School in Thokoza.

In order to improve the matric pass rate, Peermont sponsors 450 learners at three Star School sites each year. Through this programme, extra lessons in mathematics, English and physical science are provided producing increased pass rates for these most crucial subjects. These learners are in turn invited to apply for a bursary through the Peermont Education Trust.

Peermont sponsors full bursaries for deserving matriculants from Ekurhuleni. By offering a mentorship programme and holistic support throughout the student’s tertiary years, they constantly achieve an 85% graduation rate. To date, the trust has celebrated 114 graduates in various fields of study.

Seven graduates were recognised, including Tembisa’s Dirontsho Skhosana, who graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand with an MBBCH in 2015.

As part of the Lesedi programme, Peermont gives youth from the local community an opportunity to complete a learnership and their experiential training at one of Africa’s leading leisure and entertainment destinations, Emperors Palace. There are currently 30 electricians, plumbers and aircon technicians training on complex.

Once the learners have completed their qualification and experiential training, the trust assists them with their trade test. The programme also provides essential life skills training for learners and assists them with job- seeking skills that ensures a positive and successful outcome.

Four young Tembisa residents, Sboniso Myeni, Given Molefe, Clinton Sekate and Tshepo Mbhalati, have been part of the Lesedi programme and successfully completed their NQF level 4 and were recognised at the CSI Awards.

In May 2016, Peermont opened its very own hotel school in order to upskill young people and address the high unemployment among the youth in Ekurhuleni. Learners are taught the theory and practical skills for one of three courses, waitron, chef or housekeeping. The learners are given practical exposure at Emperors Palace. Over 1 000 learners will be trained in the next three years.

Numerous youngsters from Tembisa have already been trained at the hotel school since opening with one of these students, Mathabo Kgasi, one of the top achievers among the first intake. She has been acknowledged for her efforts at the CSI Awards where she was named Top Waitron.

The next group of learners are currently being selected.