The Zoo Lake Users Committee is a non-profit organisation raising funds for the upkeep of Zoo Lake. Zoo Lake was given to the citizens of Johannesburg in 1906 with strict instructions for it to be used as a public park to be enjoyed by all the peoples of Joburg and thus it has managed to escape the ravishes of apartheid. Zoo Lake is widely recognised as Joburg’s most frequented natural public space with music concerts, Carols by Candlelight and art exhibitions taking place throughout the year.
The Westcliff also supports the Hotels Housing Trust which loans money donated by hotel guests to housing projects for the homeless. The Hotels Housing Trust currently supports the internationally acclaimed Habitat for Humanity project which enables local and international volunteers to help construct simple houses for South Africans who have previously lacked decent shelter for their families.
Environmental Programme
The Westcliff currently enjoys Silver Status with the Heritage Environmental Management programme. This programme evaluates environmental and social impacts of businesses, including compliance levels in Purchasing and Procurement, Business Partnerships, Design and Construction, Transport, Resource Management Systems, Fauna and Flora, Communications and Marketing, Community Involvement and Overall Environmental Sustainability.
The Westcliff’s Silver Status is testimony to the hotel’s “above industry standards” commitment to the principles of environmental and social responsibility.
The Westcliff will be starting its own Worm Farm Vermiculture Project in 2008 (the same as The Mount Nelson). All leftover food scraps and organic matter from the hotel will be fed to these special earthworms which they process into the finest fertiliser known as “worm tea”. Therefore instead of being waste, the leftover food it will be recycled to benefit the earth.
The Westcliff is replacing all candescent globes with energy-saving bulbs. The hotel has also upgraded the heater pumps for all four swimming pools on the estate with the latest technology, thus making them more ecologically friendly by consuming less energy and reducing our carbon footprint.
For further information on The Westcliff's Social and Environmental Programme please contact Gabrielle Palmer on (011) 481 6030 or e-mail Gpalmer@westcliff.co.za
