Grootbos is extremely proud of having won the prestigious Heart of Africa Award, which honours the leading lodge in Africa that ensures that the people of the region benefit from tourism through job creation, empowerment and capacity building.
The award focuses on the questions: How does your retreat give back to society and promote employment and wellbeing amongst local people? As well as: What positive projects have you initiated? Through the non-profit Grootbos Foundation, Grootbos has been tackling these and other issues for the last several years, by focussing on developing sustainable nature based livelihoods.
The foundations Green Futures Horticultural and Life Skills College has empowered 12 young people from local communities per year since 2005, with every graduate finding good employment, and several even starting their own enterprises and thereby creating job opportunities. Other projects include the Spaces for Sport community centre, which gives hundreds of children from various communities and cultures the chance to interact and enjoy sports together, and the Siyakula Vegetable Project which grows veggies in the local Masakhane Township.
Grootbos is fully committed to responsible tourism and is thrilled to be honoured with this award. Find out more about what Grootbos and its Foundation are doing at www.grootbos.co.za and www.grootbosfoundation.org
The Amarula Best Retreats in Africa Awards are a new collection of prestigious Awards designed to promote and reward excellence among African Retreats and Spas. Sponsored by Amarula, the Awards embrace ‘The Spirit of Africa’ and are awarded in various categories. The awards are made following a vigorous selection process that first entails an entry-judging session by a panel of high profile judges, followed by shortlisting of finalists and detailed site visits for first hand experience.
